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1 2 3

4 5 6

f ONE HUNDRED YEARS '

—OF—

METHODISM

-IN—

leUNDY'S IsANi.

BY REV. JOHN (\ STEVENSON,

PASTOR OF LUNDY'S LANE METHODIST CHURCH,

NIAGARA FALLS SOUTH. j{

/9f^

tfn

ONE HUNDRED YEARS

-OF-

METHODISM

—IN-

LUNDY'S LANi.

BY REY. JOHN C^. STE\^ENSON,

PASTOR OF LUNDY'S LANE METHODIST CHURCH,
NIAGARA FALLS SOUTH.

/n^

/■

AN ADDRESS

DELIVERKI) IN THE

LUNDY'8 LANE METHODIST CHURCH.

Niagara Falls Softm, Nov. 0th. 1898.

PUBLISHED BY THE REQUEST OF THE QUARTERLY

BOARD

One Hundred Years of Methodism
in Lundy's Lane.

LECKEY the historian sjieaks of John
Wesley as "th«^ j^reatest figure inre-
lifriouH history since the reformation."
Dr. Chalmers prononnoed Methodism to
he " ChristiaL ity in earnest," This
earnest Christianity arose as the result
of Johtt Wesley's new birth in 1788,
when at the mature ago of S5 years. By
birth and education Wesley was a high
churchman, and like his father became
a clergyman of the ESstablished church
in England. In aii age of extreme for-
lualism and spiritual deadness his life
and work were marked by unusual
strictness an'd fidelity. Yet he was far
from satisfied with his own spiritual
Htate. He came out from , 'England to

le American oolouiep, :and spent some
rears as a missionary in Georgia. He
returned to England with a sense of
failure and groping for light. The light
and i)eace of God came to him in a little
meeting conducted by a layman in a
private house in Alderegate street, Lon-
don, his feelings being expressed in
language now familiar to all Methodists :
"I felt my heart strangely warmed."
From that date Wesley was a new man.
This strange warmtli — the life of the
Holy Spirit — wa*i s<ion felt by others. He
had a new message to the dead churches
which they would not receive.. He was
thrust out from the church (nf liis fath-
ers, took to the streets and highways,
and fields; the common people heard
him gladly,, wifch wonderful- rapidity
the new life spread . througli the three
kingdoms, and Methodism had begun
its remarkable career.

The fli"st Methodist church in the
world was bnilt in Bnstol, England, iiv
17519. The new evangel was cairied to
distant places chiefly by emigrants and
soldiers. Thus Methotlism was founded
by the Irish emigrants, Philip Enibury
and Barbara Heck, in New York in
176(), and in Newfoundland one year
earlier by another Irishman, Lawrence
Coughhiu, who had been received f)n
trial as a preacher 1>y John Wesley.

It is worth while looking at the be-
ginnings of Methodism in Canada,where
it is now the largest t*rotestaut church
and leads the country in every moral
reform.

These beginnings it is not possible in
every case te trace, for the reason that
pi'ivate members of Methodist societies
in those days moving to new homes car-
ried their Methodism with them, began
to exhort their neighbors, and to form
classes, and thus in many places the
foundations of flourishing churches
were laid " without observation " by
laborers unknown and unrecorded. In
this manner United Empire Loyalists
had planted Methodism on the shores of
Lakes Ene and Ontario and along the
banks of the St. Lawrence before the
advent of the regular itinerant preach-
era in these localities. The stirring con-
flicts, the quick movements and the
strict discipline of Methodism while
Wesley yet lived, seemied to have had a
pe(!uliar attraction 'for men in military
life, ahd soldiers became ' in not a few
places its most ardent fonndein and
propogators. Capt. Webb was one of
the fii'fit to come to the help of the in-
fant society in New York city. Com-
missary Tnffey began to preach in Que-
bec as early as 1780, and tracing the first
Ix^ginuings of Methodism on the Niagai-a
frontier we find that the fii'st preacher
was also a soldier,

MA.TOR. (lEOpCJE NEAL,

who pi-eached. and formed the first class-
meeting in 1788. How was this first
Methodist preacher wejcomed in this
neighbtirhocKl at tliat early day? Pi-each-
.iug as he did against prevailing vices
and loved siu« of the time and place, he
excited the opposition of "the -baser
sort," and the rabble pelted him with
stones until the blo<Kl flowed down his
face. But Neal was a soldier and st(KKl
his ground. What success attended his
heroic ministiy? Our means of infor-
mation are Imt scanty, but we are able
to name at least «me of the converts un-
der the fii-st Metliodist evangelist — a
noted man in his day and a name re-
vered uutil this day— Christian War-
ner, who lived near whore St. David's

now stands. Major Neal, retiriuK from
the army, became a regular travelling
pk'^acher. He retained his military
bearing even in old age and died in Ca-
nada in 1889, the centenary year of
Methodiflm, at the patriarchal age of
ninety-one years.

The Methodism of Upper Canada at
this time and for a number of years af-
ter was connected with the Methodist
Episcopal church of the United States
as established by Wesley at the close of
the Revolntionwy war. By that church
the first appointments of travelling
preachers in Canada were made. In the
year 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, ' ' preach
where he could flud hearers and form
his converts into classes. At the end of
the year the first circuit was formed—
Kingston or Catanumi. This first cir-
cuit included this x^iagara countrv.
Two classes are named— one in the
township of Augusta and the other in
Niagara, which means near the Niagara
river. This Niagara class we way be
certain was the cuss formed three years
earlier by Major Neal and meeting at
the home of Christian Warner and at-
tended, we may assume, by persons
within a radius of some miles, includ-
ing the immediate neighborhood of
Lundy's Lane.

Methodism, then, in thin locality dates
from 1788, and this Niagara conntiy be-
came a seedbed of Methodism for the
greater part of Upper Canada. William
Losee, the first itinerant, at the time of
his arrival in Canada was a
young man of twenty-eight years,
tall and active, but with one arm
shrivelled and therefore called the
•' one armed " liosee. Using the saddle,
as all preachers did in that day, he was
a fearless horseman, his ordinary pace
being a gallop. He was a fearless
preacher also — with impassioned earn-
estness like another John thA Baptist
his voice was heard in the wilderness,
" Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make
his paths straight."

In the year 1798 there were two cir-
cuits, Kingston and Oswegotchie, the
latter taking the name »f u stream
emptying into the St. Lawi-ence oppo-
site where Prescott now stands.

In 1795 there were three circuits in
Canada, the third being Niagara. That
year

NIAQARA CIRCUIT

appears for the first time in the minutes
of conference with the name Darius
Dunham for its first minister. One of
the most interesting Methodist relics in
Canada and perhaps the oldest, is the
Niagara circuit account book now in
possession of Bro. Z. B. Lewis, of this
church, and containing the record of cir-
cuit finance, and other business from the
timeof the formation of the circuit iu
1796 until the close of the year 1828. The
title page reads, " Book of accompts of
theconmbutions and disburisments of
the Methodist E. church on Niagara
circuit, established 1796. Christian
Warner, general steward, approved of
and appointed at a quarterly meeting
held at Lyons Creek, Peby. 37-28, 17«J.
Dars Dunham."
From this date we are on sure foot-
ing and can trace the histonr of Method-
ism in the neighborhood from ofltcial
documents and regular church histories.
The Niagara circuit extended north and
east beyond Toronto, till met by the
Kingston circuit, and west as far us
London, and south to the shores of Lake
Erie, following the pioneers, and as con-
verts multiplied and churches gi-ew, di-
viding and sub-dividing until now hun-
dreds of circuits and churches are in-
cluded within the boundary of the wigi-
nal Niagara circuit. We can under-
stand now what the word travelling
preacher meant in those days — not one
who moved once in three years, but one
whose work involved constant travel,
long journeys generally in the saddle,
but frequently by boat or on foot.
Darius Dunham, the first minister of
this circuit, had goodtalentsas a preach-
er but was so plain and blunt that his
name comes down to us as "scoldiujg
Dunham." But his" scolding" as it
was called was not without the spice of
motlier wit. Preaching at the Head of
the Lake appointment and meeting the
class he observed on one occasion that
several strangers had remainetl and re-
quest'ed that any who wished to join
the socie y would signify it by standing
up. Two young women were sitting to-
gether, one of whom seemed desirous of
joining but asked her companion to;
join also. She in a heartless manner rti-
plied loud enough to be heard, " I don't
care if I do," when Dunham at once
Iroke in, "You had better wait till
yon do care." A sample tliis of the
plain dealing of those early days.

The second minister was James Cole- ,
man, appointed in 179S, a man of slen-

lugl

— m —

I the uiiunreH
Diame DariaH
Pter. One of
distrelioH in
rtldest, is the
book now in
,ewi8, of this
I record of cir-
InefW from the
the oironit in
rear 1828. The
I acconipts of
bnrismentH of
1 on Niagarft
96. Christian
I, approved of
■teriT meeting
y. 37-28, 17WK
8 Dunham."
on sure foot-
«ry of Method-
i from official
hurch histories,
ided north and
ill met by the
?e8t as far as
i shores of Lake
(ers.andascon-
irches gi-ew, di-
nntil now hun-
anrcheH ai'e in-
lary of the (wigi-
Ve can uuder-
ft'ord travelling
, Aajs— not one
e years, but one
constant travel,
r in the saddle,
at or on foot.
Irst minister of
lentsas a preach-
d blunt that his
uH as "scolding
Hcolding" as it
hout the spice of
yf at the Head of
and meeting the
ue occasion that
emainetl and ve-
) wished to join
,fy it by standing
n were sitting to-
eemed desirous of
Br companion to
artlessmaunerro-
e heard, " I don't
Dunham at once
cl better wait til'
iiiple this of the
early days.
• was James Oole-
)«, a man of slen-

der abilitieH and limited education, but
a man of God whose prayers were at-
tended with a peculiar unction and
whose preaching was made effective by
Ills fervent love. In 1800 Joseph Saw-
yer came, a man of mark in MethodiHt
hiHtory. Unlike some of the early
preachers he was a man of polished niaii-
u«i-8 and Huperior education — picture
a man of twenty-nine yearit old, ere<>t
and dignified, neat and tastehil in dreHH,
wearing a broad leafed hat and cuta-
way coat, with hair falling on liis
Hhoulder8,aud you see the third minister
of the Niagara circuit. Under the
labors of Sawyer a great revival t(K)k
place in this vicinity. Among the con-
verts was a young school teacher, Na-
than Bang8, and this name now claims
our attention, for the

RKV. NATHAN BANOH, D, D.,

whose life haH been written by
the greatest historian of Methml-
ism, Abel Stephens, was known for
many years as one of the greatest
men of American Methodism. He was
the first editor of the Christian Advo-
cate, the author of the fii-st histoiy of
Methodism, editor of the Methodist Re-
view, fouudei' of the Missiouaiy S<^»-
ciety and a debater in general confer-
ence of unsurpassed ability. Leaving
New York state in 1799, when twenty
years old, coming- by way of Buffalo,
where he found imly a few log
huts, crossing tli(i river and reach-
ing the Falls when there was
not a house on either side, he
reached the neighborhood of Stamford
and obtained a situation as school
teacher and boarded in the same house
with Rev. James Colenmn. tluder the
prayers of the devout Coleman vouug
Bangs was couvincc-d of sin, and dui-iug
the revival under Josepli Sawyer's
iuiuii>ti7 he obtained the peace and love
of God. One of his first acts was to
oi)en the school with prayer. To this
the trustees objected, and" rather than
discontinue the prayers he gave up his
situation. Soon after we find him board-
ing in rhe h(mie of Christian Warner,
by whose counsels and prayei-s lie was

( led into the experience of " perft^t love,
which casteth out fear." He had such

1 confidence in the Christian purity uufi
influence of Mr. Warner tliat he " loved
his very presence, and in prayer meet-
ings wished to kneel close by his side."
Encouraged to preiu'h, he made the at-
tempt, at first with shaking limbs and
stiffened li])s, but tht^ iwnver of God

cnmc dowu. his lius were opened and
sobs and praises filled the house. The
ue:i(t year Nathan Bangs was received as
an itinerant preacher and appointed to
the Niagara circuit. At the end of the
year he was able to report an increase
of .300 memlM^rs. In 1860, two aged men
visited Canada together, both servants
of God, their work well done — Nathan
Bangs, now seventy years old,
and his ancient friend and pas-
tor, Joseph Sawyer, now four
score years. They recalled and re-
visited the old scenes, and at the con-
ference in Toronto related many of the
struggles and triumphs ot the pioneer
days. N. Bangs lingered on until 18A2,
when he passed home, Joseph Sawyer
having preceded hija by ten years.

There are a few more names before
the war, worthy of mention. The ap-
pointments are: 180f, Thomas White-
head, who to reach Niagara from Al-
bany had a journey of six weeks, living
on boiled wheat by the way. Many of
his descendants now reside in Ontario.
In 1808, Henry Ryan, described as " a
brave Irishumn who labored as if the
judgment thunders were to follow each
sei-mon." He was accustomed to meet
liis colleagues, Isaac B. Smith and Robt.
Perry, at tlie intersections of the roads
with the .salutation, " Drive on brrither,
drive on, drive the devil out of the
country." Camp meetings were com-
menced in his time, and at those Ryan
was at his best. He was as strong as he
was brave, and has been known more
thai) once to quell camp meeting dis-
turbances by jerking the disturber, an
ordinary sized man, off his seat and
throwing Jiim with little ceremony over
the enclosure.

1810— Joseph Gatchell i His gifts iu
preaching were supplemented by the
exhortations of his wife, a sister of
Nathan Bangs, who, to use the plira8e
current at the time, exhorted "like a
streak of red hot lightning."

1813 — Andrew Priudle:A Canadian
by birth, who .said of himself tliat he
"received his education iu Canada
when there were no schools and no
books." He was a faithful man, but
i-emembei-ed chiefly by the early settlers
for his liuge size, becoming in early
middle life so coqmlent as to be coiii-
pelled to sit while preaching.

During the war many of the liiinistei's
stati(med in Canada returned to the
United States, and their names no
longer appear in connection with our
work on this side. Among those who re-

uipiiiecl aud Rorved the NingHra circuit
daring the war were : Niuinu HolmoH, a
inau of Buperior giftfl, who HpHut tlie re-
mainder of hiHlifein CauadH,und David
YoumaiiK aud Sihus Hopkins, wlio \v»'re
botli CunadiauH by birth. A nu'ctiug of
the couferencH was appointed to be held
iu 1812 at Wai'ner'H chapol, but met iu-
Htoad at the reside uce of Mr. Sway/Je;
of BeaverdaniH. On account of the dis-
turbed state of the (rouutry only seveu
preachers were present.

THK OI-D KKI) MKETrNO HOWR

was built a few years after the war, cer-
taiuly not later than 1817. Previous to
the building of the chureh several per-
sons in the neigliborbood opened their
homes for Methodist sei-vioesaud classes
were formed at Jonah Howey's iu 1795,
or it may be 'earlier, at Mr.' House.'s, iu
1806, and Mr. Corwin's iu 1810. Howey
lived a little distauce south of Lundy's
Laue, aud House and Corwiu a little to
the north. At length these scattered
societies united their efforts and resolved
to build. A plot of ground, two jwres in
yj extent, was donated bWMr. Charles
X Green, a U. E. LoyaliaOoud here at
' the head of the Lane, where the public
school liow stands, the church was built.
This was oi^e of the first Methodist
churches ei-ected iu Upper Canada. A
few others can claim an earlier date.
The Blue church on Hay Bay is older.
The chnrchjat Lyons Creek was built
before 1810. In the Niagara circuit book
*' the Niagara church " is mentioned in
1811, and there is also the record of a
quarterly meeting held at " the u)eeting
house," October la, 180'). These re-
cords probably refer to Warner's chui-ch,
which was tlie first church erected in
this part of Upper Cauada. It was built
in the face of strong opposition. The
Rev. R. I. Warner, M. A., of Alilia c«)l-
lege, iu a recout letter tells of hearing
in his youth of an attempt made to burn
the church while iu the course ()f erec-
tion, and of how the navvies employed
in the construction of the railway fn the
thirties, left the old building almost a
wreck. A little frahie church now
stands on the same site a short distance
from the track of the Grand Trunk rail-
way.

The old red uieeting house is re-
mem ber/id by the older ^leople as a
sti-oug frame building 80xr)(), painted on
the outside a dark red ; a high box pul-
pit, reached by a flight of staii-s, stood on
one side, au aislQ down the ceutre,on one
side seats for tlie men, on the otlier side

seats for the wouien— a custom which
survived in some rural districts until a
few years ago. This church stood for
more than 40 years, a centre to which
Methodists gathered from all parts of
the couutry to quarterly meetings and
(H)nferences. The first quarterly meet-
ing was held here ou Dj'C. 26th, 18IH.

In the mcmth of July, 1820. the red
meetiug h(^e was the scene of a meet-
ing of greaFintereBt. The Genesee con-
ference met there that year. Preachers
assembled from all parts of Canada, and
from distat-t parts of the United States.
Reaching conference in those days in-
volved much toil aud danger. One
preacher while ou his way was drowned
in the Susquehanna river. More than
one hundred travelling preachers as-
sembled under the presidency of the
American bishop, Enoch George. Ou
Sunday so many came to rhe public
services that an adjournment w»m
made to ah adjoining grove.
Here twenty young men knelt to-
gether aud wei-e solemnly ordained to
the work of the ministry— among these
were men who six years before had
fought (m opposite sides, near to this
spot iu the fierce battle of Lundy's Lane.
Now they knelt side by side and re-
c^ive<l authority to preach the gospel of
peace.. Several local preachers were or-
dained at this conference — names well
known in Canada — Caleb Bnrdick, Ab-
ner Matthews aud Smith Gritliu, of
Stnithville.

When the last day of the conference
came the preachers brought their hoi-ses
saddled, ready to start. The appoint-
ments were to be read by the tushopaud
each man without demur oir delay
would start for his new field. Invita-
<•' s and protests were alike unknown
111 those days. The circuit welccmied
the preacher appointed and the preacher
went where he was sent. No man
could tell within a hundi'ed miles of
where he might lie sent until his circuit
and name were read out by the bishop
— time soldiers these waiting their march-
ing orders. The moment an'lves — the
stations are read — the lienediction pro-
nounced — handshaking and tears ai-e in-
dulged iu by those who have met and may
meet no more ou earth. One who was
present, the Rev. Fitch Reed, t611s how
they passed out of the church, mount-
ed and formed in regular «)rder two
abreast — proceeded for' some distance iu
this order, then separated, goinar north
and soath.east and west to decli re every-
^^•here tlie gi-ace of Christ theii' Kinj;

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iHtom whloh
riots until a
rch stood for
tre to which
all portH of
leetingf aud
rtPrljr intiet-
. 26th, 181 H.
H80. the rfd
10 of tt rawt-
Oeupsee cou-
r. Preachers
Canada, and
uited States.
lOHe days iu-
AanKM*. One
was drowned
. More than
preachers as-
lency of the

George- *^"
(> the publi<'
iinnient w»«
linK Krove.
■n knflt fo-
r orrtniiM'd to
-among these
•8 before had

near to this
Lundy's Lane.

8ide and re-
li the gospel of
chers were or-
»— names well
I Bnrdick, Ab-
h Grimn, of

rhe conference
ht thoir horses
The appoint -
the bishop aud
luir (ir delay
field. Invita-
ilike imknown
cuit welcomed
id the preacher
ent. No man
idi-ed miles of
mtil his circuit
by the bishop
ng their march-
lit an-ives — the
»nediction pro-
lud tears an* iu-
,ve met and may
One who was
Reed, t611s how
church, monnt-
iHr «)rder two
ionie distance iu
pd, goiuJT nortli
todeclireevery-
irist theii' King

-7-

nnd Saviour Thus did this band of
one hundred kniglits errant of the cross,
on that nicnionible dtiy leave the old
red uieotiug houKe
" () thtit i*m!h ill tho (lay of hlH oomliiK nmy M\y,

' I hftvit fouKlit my way throUKh,

cli<"
to do'

I hiiv«* flninheil tlu< work thou iTidiit giw ni«

Othnt ttnch from tho Lord muy ruculvo the

kIiuI word,

' WtOl Hiid falthfullv dont*'
Enter into my Joy uud Hit down on my throne."

To follow the names of those who (K'-
cupiedthe pulpit of the old red meeting
house would be to ret^nll almost all

THE LEAOINO MINISTKRS

of our chiuxih in the early days. I can
but seletit a few. George Ferguson was
another soldier pi*eacher. He was with
General Murray at the attack of the
Auiericau fort, Niagnra, was wounded
tit the battle of Chippawa aud
was healed of his wounds at the Metho-
dist home of Christian Warner His
conimaudiug officer had such coufldouce
iu his clinstiau integrity aud fidelity hs
a soldier that ou one occasion when a
bat'.'e was exy "ted at any hour he was
given leav. ■ , bsouce that he might at-
tend a quarterly meetiu:? at Warner's
ch; 1 . He retired fi'om the army, en-
tered the ministry find the year 1817
finds him appointed to the Niagara cir-
cuit aud taking iu liis turn the services
iu Lundy's Lane. Iu 1822 Isaac Puflfer
took up the first missionary collection
amounting to £S6-8-7. This was two
years before the Missionary swioty of
our church in Canada was organized
aud but two years after the Missionary
society of the Methodist Episcopal
church of the United States was found-
, ed by Nathan Bangs. Wo may regard
i this amount as the first missionarymoney
[ever collected by our Church i a Cauada
[and it is interesting to note th vt the col-
flectiouwas made ou the Niagara cir-
[cuit when Dr. Bangs, the founder of the
S(K;ioty, was converted aud commenced
his ministry About this time

THE RYEUSONS

appear iu counection with the circuit.
Their father was Colonel Ryersfin, of
, Loug Point, a staunch Loyalist and a
5 loyal churchman who could barely lol-
: erate dissent — yet five of his sous be-
I came Methodists, worse still, all five be-
i came Methodist ministers, Egertou, who
became the most distiuguished, hav-
ing given his name for membership at
the age of eighteen years, was met by
his father's nltimatuui, " Egerttm, I un-
derstand you have joiued the Methodists,

you must either leave them or leave my
house. ' ' He left the house the next day.
Of the five Metlunlist sous of this
sturdy anti-Metliodist colcmel thrcio
served our church at the head of the
Laut — William Rycrson in 1822. For
fifty years he held his place as one of
the most powerful preachers of the pro-
vince, becoming president of the con-
ference, and after his suix^ranunatiou a
member of the Canadian parliament.
John RyenMm wan stationed here in
1826 and he also maintained for almost
three score years an eminent place in
the ministry ot our church Edwy M.
Ryerstm, who was twenty six years in
our ministry,was stationed here as junior
minister iu 18!i!{ aud again as superin-
tendent minister in 1849 and 18(10.
Time will but permit the naming of
some of the U .. red and beloved minis-
ters wh«) held ;)poiutments here be-
tween the years ' jl6 and 1844 — such as
Ezra Adams, Elijah Warren, David
Youmans "as, I'-chardso ■, Edmund
Stouey, E. iriam Evans javid Wright,
Alexander McN.ibb, Richard Joues
Samuel Rose, Th mas Bevitt, Matthew
Whitin;?, F •-n^iion Biggar, G, R.
Sanderson, Ln\< is Warner, Jonathan
Stiott. These are t^anies to linger over
—names of men who made the history
of Methodism in Canada.

At the last 'date mentioned— 1844 — a
new brick church was erected ou the
site of the present building. This was
during the ministry of Revs. Jonathan
Scott and Joseph Mesppiore.

But those who had long worshipped
at the head of the Lane were loth to
leave the old place of meeting and from
the year 1844 until 1857 services were
held in both chnrches although but
little more than a mile apart. Fond
recollections of the old church still
survive. The names of the old preach-
ers are lovingly repeated. What
grand quarterly meetings were held
there ! From far and near Methodists
gathered for the " feast of good things '
la.'^tiug from Friday evening until Mon-
day morning — the grace of hospitality
alxiunded aud the work of billeting was
a joy. What stirriug revival services !
Many of the terms and phrases then
used w<mld seem strange to this geuera-
ion. They held " protracted meetings"
in those days. They had a "penitent
form " — '♦ 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.

^^. ^^x.y:.w^X-^ trj^iyn .

The "amen corner" was in every
part of the chur'-h and the shout
"hallehajah" or "j^ioryto God "made
no one start and shocked no person's
sensibilities. Best of all of many who
lived the Christian life it could be said,
" this and that man was born " there.
What singing there was in those old
days ! No organ led and to " sing by
note " was a rare accomplishment. But
the gospel invitation was heartily given
in the chorus, " O say will you go to the
Eden above " and the invitation seemed
to change to a command when with
a full voice was sung :

" Turn to the Lord and seek salvation."

V/hat a volume of music in old West's
when joined to the words :

" There is a land of pure delight."

And how the rafters of the old meeting
house echoed the sound of many voices
singing :

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

One quarterly meeting is remembered
for incidents of quite another chara(!ter.
It was between flfty and sixty years ago
liewis Warner was preaching when the
door was suddenly opened and the
single word ' ' fire ' ' startled the cougre-
gatidJi. Rushing out, the neighboring
parsonage 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 more
by a cry and a fall— one of the old
members had been fatally seized with
paralysis.

In 1857, during the Rev. Mr. Dickson'.s
term, services ceased to be held in the
red meeting house. The building was
removed from the old site, and is still
owned by a Methodist, although used
for purposes not strictly sacied.

The circuit register aboiit this date
shows that the number of members at
Lundy's Lane appointment was eighty-
two— of these eleven survive and are
now members of our church. The
names are; Mr. and Mrs. Marseua
Morse, 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 time
when in 1888 it was superseded by tlie
present building, we come to the names
of the following ministers who " rent
fi'om 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 a
friend he says, with the promise of a
further communication, " In the mean-
time I send my greetings to my old
charge with best wishes for success."

REV. JOHN HUNT,

of Toronto, whose appointments date for
the three years following June, 1848,
writes : " Fifty years ago last June I
was sent to Niagai"a, of which I had
special charge. The circuit was known
as Drummondville and Niagara, and re-
garded as one of the most desirable and
pleasant circuits in our work. E. B.
Harper moved from Niagara to Lundy's
Lane par-ionage. Our work was two
Snndnys in Niagara and an alternate
afternoon at Queenston and Virgil.
Then two Sundays at Lundy's Lane and
Druuniiondville in the evening and al-
ternately at Stamford and St. David's,
afternoon. Rev. Edwy Ryerson was
my colleague during the third year, a
most beautiful and impressive preaclier.
Niagara was then the county town, a
place 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 most
gracious revival of religion. At Lundy's
Lane we also held special meetings two
or three times during the term of years
I was there with a good degree of suc-
cess. At Lundy's Lane and the country
around the Falls we had a number
of excellent old Canadian families, al-
ways kiinlly and most ho,spitable, faith-
ful and loyal to the church, but
if my recollection is correct some
were tinged with an anxiety tdj
get rich, which materially re*-ai'd--
ed their growth in spirituality. On-
the v;hole, however, they were a gener-
ous and most kind-hearted people,
whose homes it was always a pleasure
to visit. I recall the names of Benjamin
and John Corwin, Jacob Garner, George
Wright, Hiram Howey, John and
George Bender, Alanson Ross and;
othera. I do not know any one of tho,si i

— 9—

en,
ckson,

who still live
etiug and re-
ice. The first

D. D.,

years ago min-
m. Illness pre-
but throiTgh a
promise of a
' In the meau-
gs to my old
or success."

NT,

tments date for
ig June, 1848,
a;o last June I
if which I had
uit was known
iagara, and re-
t desirable and

work. E. B.
;ara to Lundy's
,vork was two
an alternate
n and Virgil,
ndy's Lane and
?ivening and al-
nd St. David's,
Y Ryerson was
le third year, a
essive preacher,
county town, a
isiness. with be-
loiisaud inhabi-
' flue congrega-
rst yenr a most
ion. At Lundy's
al meetings two
lie term of years
id degree of suc^-
and the country

had a number
iau families, al-
lospitable, faith-
e church, but
I correct sonic
an anxiety to,
iterially retard-
apirituality. Ou;
ey were a gener-
hearted people
ways a pleasure
mes of Benjamin
b Garner, Georgt
voy, John andj
nson Ross aufU

any one of thostj

I have named but has passed over to
join the great majority. We, too, are
following hard after and shall soon be
there. I often am a wonder to myself ;
am within less than a month of eighty
years, yet really doing as much work as
ever I did. Have preached every Sab-
bath between six and seven years in the
general hospital, and visit hundreds
every week. I love the work ; I love
the Master, and hope to do His work
while He lends me breath."

KEY. JOHN WAKEFIELD D. D.,

of Dundas, greets his old congregation in
these words : " My first personal knowl-
edge of Methodism in Lundy's Lane
was in the summer of 1857, when I was
stationed in the town of Niagara, and
the Rev. G. N. A. F. T. Dickson was
stationed at Dmmmondville. When
V.V. Dickson left in 1860, I was
appointed as his successor. The cir-
cuit was then composed of Drummond-
ville, Stamford, Chippawa, Olifton and
Beechwoods. I was assisted by a staft"
of local preachers, such as William Ap-
pleford, James Shrimpton, and part of
tlie time the Revd's Peter Ker and Wni.
Sutton were laid aside from the regular
work and lived there. I found the cir-
cuit in a low state, and for a year and a
half there was little religious life. In
the fall of 1862 I began special services
at the head of the circuit, in sheer des-
peration, and preached every night,
except Saturday, for more than twelve
weeiis. For five of these weeks there
was a small attendance and little en-
couragement, but a In-eak came, and the
house was often so full that I could not
get penitents to the altar, as every avail-
able spot was filled with the ordinary
congregation. Sinners, however, were
converted, and there were some seasons
of great power, and many cried aloud
for mercy, or shouted victory through
the blood of the Lamb. Over a hundred
adults were converted, seventy-six of
them heads of families. The next year
we enlarged the church, and put what
good James Badger called a "hell" on the
back end of it, with a basement storey
for class and kcUooI rooms. That year
too we held a camp meeting in the
woods of John Ker, Esq., just south-
west of the village (the only one so far
as I know ever held in that immediate
part of the country. ) This meeting was
largely attended, and though not a very
large number of souls were converted,
huni.^.'eds of Christians from many miles
around entered into the rest of iK»rfect

love, and the influence of the meeting
for good was felt for a long time in most
of the circuits in all that part of the
country. We had great trouble with
the rough element accustomed to gather
about the Falls, who, in spite of protest
built their booths ou the road near the
grounds, where they had shows of wild
cats, sold liquor and carried ou other
iniquities. In a few days, however, we
had several of them arrested, tried, and
heavily flned by John Ker, Esq., who
held his coiut in his tent on the
grounds, so that all the rest of them
cleared out. Thus law and right tri-
umphed over these bad men as it had
not done for a long time.

' 'When I went to the circuit Bro. Jacob
Garner was recording steward, but
shortly afterward Bro. Z. B. Lewis was
appointed to that office, and held it for
many years, often, as I know personally ,
making up deficiencies in ministers'
salaries at the end of the year. I hardly
dare begin to mention names, though
many of them and their works are fresh
upon my mind. There were two large
classes in the village meeting on Sun-
day, one met by Bro. John Ker, and the
other by Bro. James Badger, both faith-
ful, good men, who have since passed
into the skies, and their works do fol-
low them. . There was also a pretty
large class met by the minister on a
week evening, in the house of Bro. Mar-
sena Morse.

"At the end of three years I had
learned to love the people, and left the
circuit with great regret. After more
than forty-six years in the ministry I
send greetings to my old charge on
Lundy's Lane. Tell them to hold fast
to the old doctrines of early Methodism,
such as the divinity of Jesus Christ, the
universality of the Atonement, justifi-
caticm by fnitli, holiness of heart, with-
out which no man shall see the Lord,
and the clear and unmistakable witness
of God's Spirit to the soul of the be-
liever, telling him of His sonship, and
adoption into the family of God. If
faithful we shall meet again under bet-
ter conditions than this life can afford."

UKV. W. S. BLA0K8T0CK 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 the
assurance of my unabated interest in
them, and everything that p)ertaius to
their well-being and the prospt^rity of
the cause of (lod iinioug them. 1 am

-10—

glad that the close of the first hnudred
years of their history as a Methodist
society is not to pass by unnoticed and
that facts and incidents of the past are
not to be forgotten.

" It was no small honor that was con-
ferred upon your locality when it was
selected by divine Providence to be one
of the origina^ jeed-plots of Methodism.
It is worthy of beiug remembered that
before William Losee performed that
remarkable missionary journey from
Lake Champlain to Hay Bay, which re-
sulted in the regular organization of
Methodism in Upper Canada, Major
George Neale vt'as at work on the
Niagara Frontier, and the Palls was
probably about the centre of the field of
his labors. If not the first Methodist
class, certainly the second ever formed
in Upper Canada was that of which
Christian Warner was the leader in
Stamford within a couple of miles of
St. David's. The third place of worship
erected by the Methodists in this pro-
vince was the old Warner meeting
house in the same place. It would be
interesting to know the names of the
people who composed that class, and
the incidents connected with their firet
attempt at church-building.

" One thing that we do know about it
is, that about the time of the opening of
that primitive place of worship a great
revival of religion took place on the old
Niagara circuit, of which Niagara Falls
formed a part ; and that in that revival
Nathan Bangs, who afterwards became
one of the greatest of the great men of
American Methodism, was converted.
It is worthy or being remembered too
that the first Methodist conference held
in Canada was held within the bounds
of this circuit, and that at that confer
ence — as I learned flfom his own lips —
Rev. George Pe^k, another of the great
men of Methodism, the author of the
most learned and probably the best
book on the doctrine of Christian per-
perfection that has been written,
was set apart to the office and
work of the ministry by the laying on
of hands. How many thousands of
souls have been converted and gathered
into the church within tlie limits of that
field ; and what a numlxT of ministers
of the gospel have been raised up there,
and sent forth to preach the everlasting
gospel in every part of the country I But
what is most important to remember
is that we have the same gospel today
that our fathers had, and when accom-
panied by the holy spirit it has lost

none of its ancient power. The world
needs it as much as it ever did, and we
have a right to expect the same signs to
follow its faithfiJ proclamation. The
review of the past onght to inspire us
with confidence and hope for the future.
And my earnest prayer is that the his-
tory of the next hundred years may so
far as the congregation at Niagara Falls
is concerned — nay so far as our church
throughout the Dominion of Canada and
all its missionary fields is concerned —
that the glory of the past may be
eclipsed by the greater glory of the fu-
ture and that we may be permitted to
see at least the dawning of the brighter
day that is before us."

REV. JOHN MILLS,

of Guelph, thus greets you :

" It afiPorda me unmingled pleasure to
respond to your kind request to address
a few words of greeting to my old and
dear friends, the members and adher-
ents of the Methodist church in Luudy's
Lane. At the conference of the Wes-
layan Methodist church, held in the
month of June, in the year 1870, twenty-
eight years ago, I was appointed to the
then Drummondville circuit, having as
my 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 in
tliat time I have almost inyariably re-
ceived kind and considerate treatment
from our people where it has been my
privilege to labor. Conversing with my
friends and family in regard to my dif-
ferent cii'cuits and stations, I always
refer to the thoughtful kindness of the
members and friends of the church on
the old Drummondville circuit to me and
my family. To the end of life I shall
look back with pleasure to the three
yeai"s of my ministry on your circuit
among the brightest and happiest years
of my ministry.

" My ministerial term among you was
not only pleasant but profitable to mo
spiritually, and I trust also to the
churclies comprised in the circuit. At
nearly every appointment the head of
the church favored myself and col-
leagues with revivals, the lukewarm
were incited to increased activity in the
service and work of Christ, backsliders
were reclaimed and believers built up
in the faith and hope of the Gospel. I
am highly gratified to hear of the pros-
perity of your church. I need scarcely
tell you the deep interest I feel in it.
May your Shiloh be ever the seat of

. '^

trf

'^i

foi

est

str

ex]

chi

-11—

The world
did, and we
same signs to
nation. The
to inspire us
yr the fnture.
that the his-
years may so
!f iagara Falls
j8 our church
if Canada and
I concerned —
last may be
)ry of the fn-
permitted to
i the brighter

.8,

ed pleasure to
est to address
3 my old and
8 and adher-
ch in Lnudy'w
B of the Wes-
held in the
rl870, tweuty-
ipoiuted to the
!uit, having as
William J.

of forty six
f the ministry,
srience, and in
inyariably re-
bate treatment

has been my
rsing with my
ird to my dif-
aus, I always
iuduess of the
the church on
cuit to me and
)f life I shall

to the three

your cii'cuit
happiest years

mong you was
ofl table to mo
t also to the
le circuit. At
it the head of
'self and col-
;he lukewarm
activity in the
ist, backsliders
evers built up
the Gospel. I
ar of the pros-
need scarcely
St I feel in it.
iv the seat of

tranquility and joy, and upcm you may
God 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 and
strength. I rejoice that such is not your
experience. Notwithstanding that your
church is part of the third circuit f oinned
in Upper Canada in the year 1795, your
bow abides in strength, and the cause
of God among you is strong and grow-
ing. May God pour down His spirit
abundantly upon the membership and
adherents of your church, and upon the
community. ' '

REV. SAMUEL WILSON,

of London writes, " During my pastor-
ate (1880-83) by vote Oi" the quartei-ly
board Stamford appointment was set
off and Drummondville became a sta-
tion. In my second year special ser-
vices >vere held for twelve weeks, re-
sulting in an addition of about seventy
members to the church. I never found
any iieople that worked more heartily
to help forward revival work. I look
back upon those three years with great
pleasure as being one of the happiest
terms of my ministerial career.

"Now iinto Him that in able to Iteep you
from falling and to m-esunt you faultlesH be-
fore th« pn^Hcnce of His kIoiT with ex(!eeding
joy. To the only wise (tod our Saviour bt!
Iflory and maje»jty, dominion and power both
now and ever. Amen."

KEV. a. A. MITCHELL, M. A,

of Georgtstowu, writes : " Fift»^en years
ago last June we were met at the station
by Bro. Lewis and assured that we
would be welcomed by the kind hearted
people of Dnimmondville. This was
fully realized during three happy years
ud ever since then the thought of the
bid home, the old church and the old
friends we loved opens up afresh the
springs of joy in our hearts. Our first
meeting wa« the Thursday evening
]n-;iver meeting — tlie confusion of
rattling windows and the weird moan-
ing and roaring of the Falls caused a
deep sense of strangeness and loneliness,
but when the brethren and sisters
prayed with such unction and
fervor, as was their custom in
those days, we realized this is indeed
the housg! of G<Mi and these truly are
his people. As I stood in the pulpit on
he first Sabbath, I thought of the old
hnrch and its long interesting histoiy,
'hnd then of the old red meeting house,
and the pioneer fathers of the former
days — when I thought of the long list of

names I had read am printed on the back
wall of the parsonage, I felt as thouglx
this great company of able and honored
preachers who had stood in that pulpit
was present, and watching me do my
duty, and I hoped and prayed that I
might be a worthy successor of such
worthy and noble men. During those
three yeara we were favored with the
frequent visits of honored missionaries,
prominent evangelists and numbers of
devout men and women gathered from
every land — some of whom came to see
the Falls and others to enjoy the camp
meeting services. Many of the friends
with whom we labored at that time and
whom we learned to love are still on
the way, but others have gone on before
us, to join the triumphant church above
and serve Him day and night in His
temple.

' Yet love to linger, love to stay,

Where first they learned to watch and pray,

On wings of faith to rise
A hoHt of witnesses they st^nd,
A diademed illustrious uand,

And nrgt^ us to proceed
To take the crown and win the world for God.'

"Let us accept the challenge and help
to win the world for God, till we also
obtain the crown and join our friends
who have already been gathered to our
Father's house above."

The last mes.sage is from the

UET. UICHARD HOBBS,

of London, during whose ministry the
present ehnix* h was erected. He writes :

' ' There are many things in my heart
that I would like to say to your people,
but I am reminiled that I could not ad-
dress myself either by pen or voice to
my old congregation of ten years ago.
' Our fathers, where ai'e they, and the
prophets, do they live forever?' Ther«
were many eventful daj's during my
pastorate. Atnong the most important
was the moving out of the t»ld church
into the new. But the iieople were
willing in the day of God's power, hence
is due Itu'gely to the Methodist people
the i-enovrttion and regeneration materi-
ally, and I trust morally, of Lundy's
Lane and its people since they arose to
build. I pray tliat peace and prosperity
may still attend this chmvh and its
pastor."

These messages bring the history of
Lundy's liane Methodism down to the
<'me of the building of the present
church and within tlie memory of the
greater part of this congregation. We
have seen that Major Noal fcn-med the
first McthfMlist class in this vicinity in

—12—

1788. This chtirch was bnilt in 1888,
when Methodism had existed here just

ONE HUIfDRBD TEARS.

This may have escaped obeerration at
the time, if so it is not too late to call
attention to it now. The church might
hare been named the Centeuaiy, which
x really is. We have already passed
the first decade of the second century of
Lundy's Lane Methodism.

Many ministers of our church had
their early home within the bounds of
the old Niagara circuit. Rowley Hey-
land was the sou of a poor widow, who
liyed a few miles from the Lane. Fath-
er Corson lived here in his youth. Ool.
Ryerson, the father of the Ryerson
brothers, lived at Long Point, in the
early days included in Niagara. Our old
circuit book shows that David Gulp was
here licensed as an exhorter, July 7, 1810,
and he was the first Methodist minister
who preached in Toronto and there
during his ministry the first Methodist
church was built in 1818.

Of the local preachers of those days
the best remembered are Peter Bows-
laugh, a Pennsylvania Dutchman,
with a body like a giant and
with the tenderness of a child, and
Smith Griffin, grandfather of Dr. W. S.
Griffin, who as he said himself " had too
much of his own business to attend to,
to occupy himself with any of Satan's
work." Among the names commoaly
met with as connected with Methodism
in the Niagara peninsula during the
closing years of the last centuiy and
the opening years of this, besides those
already mentioned, are these: Ostran-
der, Law^reuce, Morden, Dell, Buchner,
Doan, Lemon, Beam, Gonder, Street,
Merritt, Keefer. These names are
found in the very earliest records of our
church and grand children and great
grand children of these persons are
found in all parts of our Dominion and
many of them yet prominently con-
nected with Methodism.

In Lundy's Lane, Methodism has
more than held its own. This cannot be
said of some other places where it was
fii-st planted in this province. Many of
the old historic names are known no
more, either as circuits or preaching ap-
pointments. This is true of Augusta,
where the first class was formed, of Long
Point, the home of the Rjrerson's, of
Warner's, where service is no longer
held, and in the neighborhood of which
no Methodist population exists. But
Lundy'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 and
printed references to this church.
Lundy's Lane Methodism has an honor-
ed history — let the name be connected
with that history. We pay all due
reverence to the memory of the heroes
who in Lundy's Lane met death in the
deadliest and most decisive battle of the
war— 'but if the name reminds us of the
hard won victory of one day of battle, it
ought surely call to mind a full hundred
years 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 Canada
than the battle of 1814, therefore
let us revive and hold to the old name,
Lundy's Lane Methodist Church,
the third in succession from the old red
meeting house. Our church here has
grown in numbers. The number re-
ported in the oldest register available,
for the year 1859 was 82. In 1888, when
the new church was built, 200 were re-
ported, and in 1898 it stands at 800. We
still hold part of the original two acre
plot at the head of the Lane, and includ-
ing this our church property is now
valued at $18,000. So Methodism
stands here after an existence of over
one hundred years and in like propor-
tion it has increased throughout Ontario
and in almost every Province of Canada.
We may

LEARN PROM THE PAST.

Not that the men and the methods of
one hundi-ed years ago would be best
for today. It would not profit tue fai--
mers of Canada to go back to the scythe
and flail, the ox teams and corduroy
roads of the days of their fathers. But
farmers of today may learn from the in-
dustry, the economy and the practical
wisdom of many of the early pioneers.
If the men who served this church two
genei'ations ago were brought to life aud
the congregations raised up with them ,
we might find much fault with both
preachers and people, and with their
work and methods. The limited educa-
tion, the narrow range of thought, the
rigid restrictions, the loud and boister-
ous sei-vices, these it may be said be-
longed to the past. So let them be — the
days of circuit riders, saddle "bags and
camp meetiugs, have passed out forever.
Yet we may learn from the past, from
the old spirit, the gifts and graces and
experiences made prominent in early
Methodism, the nnworldliness, the ac-

—13—

)I8T CHURCH.

ch, and let this
.1 written and

this church.
I has an houor-
} be connected
) pay all due
r of the heroes
et death in the
ve battle of the
uiuds us of the
lay of battle, it
a full hundred
f spiritual con-
ileudid victories
3 Lane Method-
for Canada
814, therefore
) the old Tiame,
DisT Church,
:om the old red
lurch here has
he number re-
gister available,

In 1888, when
It, 200 were re-
ads at 800. We
igiual two acre
ine, and includ-
■operty is now
3o Methodism
istence of over
in like propor-
lughout Ontario
ince of Canada.

lowledged supremacy of the spiritual,
le undonbting acceptance of bible
saching, the common assurance of sou-
jfhip, the tenderness of spirit, the un-
strained emotion, the spontaneous out-
bursts of religious feeling, the readiness
testimony, the unction in prayer, the
Brvent power in exhortation, the plead-
ig earnestness in individual appeal, the
isistence of conversion and sanctiflca-
^on, the rapturous experience,

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

|he eager desire — made more ardent by
|)er8i8tent effort, —

" O that all His salvation may see,"

'^ibe heroic stand against sin in

fife and heart. These were ele-

lents of strength, weapons of warfare

" not carnal, but mighty through God to
the pulling down of strongholds. ' ' And
in these things we may as ministers
and members sit at the feet and learn,
from the fathers of our church and of
our country. But we may and ought to
go far in advance of the fathers. As
the day brightens and the horizon
widens, Methodism ought to brighten
and widen in thought and work. The
times, pregnant with opportunity, call
for deepened sympathies, a wiser adapta-
bility, p. more self -renouncing zeal, for a
wider reach of effort and an all embrac-
ing charity. By way of reproach the
followers of Wesley were "the people
called Methodists," but they made the
name honorable and great, and we who
inherit this great and honorable name
must hand it down untarnished " to the
generation to come."

S PAST.

he methods of

would be best
b profit tiie far-
3k to the scythe

and corduroy
ir fathers. But
irn from the iu-
d the practical
i early pioneers,
this church two
ught to life and

up with them,
ault with both
and with their
3 limited educa-
of thought, the
ud and boister-
lay be said be-
et them be — the
iddle iDags and
iised out forever.

the past, from
and graces and
iueut in early
dliness, the ac-

Extracts from the First Niagara Circuit
Book. 1795— 1824.

THE TITLE PAGE.

" Book of Accompts of the Contributions and Dis-
bursemeuts of the Methodist Episcopal church on Nia-
ara circuit. Established 1795. Christian Warner, gen-
eral steward, approved of and appointed at a quarterly-
meeting 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 were
not exorbitant.

"Whereas the price of goods is so high in this
country that we think it our duty to raise the salary of
our preachers who labor in this country above the stated
sum specified in the forms of discipline for the Metho-
dist Episcopal church in the United States — which to be
on an average, is $24 per quarter"

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

'• Dec. 6, 1795, quarterly meeting. Contributed for
the support of the gitepel— Cash — £1 13 0.

Contributions at quarterly meeting held February
27,1796:

By strangers, cash £0 168. Od.

Silverthorns, cash 1 2 3

Warners, cash 1 14 6

Public, cash 2 8

Samuel Vanevery contributed 8

Gage's, public 10

Morden'8,public 17 6

Total £7 16 6

The Rev. Dainus Dunham, the first Circuit Minister, corrects an error and
signs a receipt.

' ' The above accompts being posted wrong I just certi-
fy my demands on Niagara circuit for traveling ex-
penses and sei-vices six mouths past — Cash.

New York currency £38 1 8

And have received in all of the said circuit by

the hand of the steward. By cash N.

Y. C 85 11 11

Balance due me 2 9 7

Dakius Dunham."

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

" October 10th, i797. Received in full of all Debts,
Dues and Demands for traveling expenses and services
to this present dait?, above mentioned.

James Coleman."

-15—

rcuit

inisterial sup-
ir to establish
lat date were

ies.
>r

an error and

oond minister

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

"May Ist, 1803. Collections from different classes;

Newark.

Four Mile Creek.

Flamborough.

Beverly.

Ancnster.

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 Couferenco, for redress of
a former tryal, before Bro. N. Bangs, in presence of
ower society in Stamford. E. Shaver is cleared by a
vote 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, sou of James and Mary Pew, born April
<ith 1806, Stamford.

"December 37, 1817. James Brown, of Thorold, ap- ■
plied for license as a local preacher. The Conference
granted a verbal license until he could have his chil-
dren baptized the first opportunity, and then Bro.
Ryan to give him a written liceu.se."

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

"July 7, 1810. David Culp made applycation for
licens to exhort at ower quarterly meeting, he being
recommended by his class. Upon mature considera-
tion licens where granted. — Christian Warner, Secre-
t> tfuy."

" Sept. 14, 1811. Bro. David Culp made application
to preach, being recommended by his class. Lost by a
ma joi'ity of votes . ' '

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

"October 19, 1820, Geo. Lawrence, Benjamin Cor-
win and Hiram Sweazy were chosen for a committee
to estimate Bro. Puffer's expenses for flour and meat,
which is twenty-fonr bushels of wheat, and 400 of
pork, which will cost £18 9s. Od."

First Methodist mis.sioni)iv collection.

" July 18, IH22, paid missionary money on Niagara
Circuit 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 : Wesley's Journals,
7r. Od. ; Dottritche's Sermons, 4s. lOd. ; Christian Bap-
tism, Is. 6d. ; Primitive Physic, 5s. Od. ; total, £0188. 4d.
The book closes with the end of the year 182!j, which also ends the connection
|of Upper Canada Methodism with the Genesee Oouferencf In 1824 the Canada
' Conference was formed, and a few years later entirely separated from the
iMethodism of the United States,

—Id-
Names of the Ministers who have served this
Church from the Ovgranization of the
Niagrara Circuit in 1795, with the
Dates of Their Appointment.

1795 — Darins Dnnham.

1796 — James Coleman.

1797 — Darius Dnnham, Michael Coote.

1798 — James Coleman.

1799 — James Coleman. r'

1800 — Joseph Sawyer, Seth Orowell. • •

1801 — Joseph Sawyer, Nathan Bangs.

1802 — John Robinson, Daniel Pickett.

1808 — Sylvanus Keeler, Samuel Howe, Reuben Harris.

1804 — Danl. Pickett, Luther Bishop, Nathan Bangs.

1805 — GJershom Pearce, Andrew Prindel.

1806— Thomas Whitehead, Robert Perry.

1807 — Thomas Whitehead, Niuian Holmes.

1808— Henry Ryan, Isaac B. Smith.

1809 — Henry Rvan, Robert Perry.

1810 — Andrew Prindel, Joseph Gatchell.

1811 — Isaac B. Smith, Peter Oovenhoven.

1812 — Andrew Prindel, Ninian Holmes.

1813 — Ninian Holmes.

1814 — David Youmans, Silas Hopkins.

1815— William Brown.

181H— Elijah Warren.

181 . —J. W. Byam, George Ferguson.

1818~Isaac B. Smith, George Fei^son.

1819 — Isaac B. Smith, D. Shepherdson.

1820— Isaac Pnflfer.

1821 — Isaac Puflfer, John Tackaberry.

1822 — Ezra Adams, John Ryerson.

1823 — Ezra Adams, William Ryerson.

1824 — Thomas Demorest, William Ryerson.

1825— Thomas Demorest, William Griffls.

1826— John Ryerson, William Griffis.

1827 — David Youmans, Rowley Heyland.

1828 — James Richardson, Joseph Gatcholl.

1829 — James Richardson, Edmund Stoney.

1880 — Joseph Messmore, James Wiison.

1831 — Edmund Stoney, James Wilson.

1882— Edmund Stoney, Ephraim Evans.

1833— David Wright, Edwy M. Ryerson.

1884 — David Wright, Alexander Irvine.

1885 — Alexander Irvine, Alexander McNabb.

1886 — 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. Sandeison, Wm. McEwen.

1848— 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. •

1861-2 — Thomas Oosford, George Yonug.

1858 — Thomaa Oosford, Olaudius Byrne.

1854-5— Alexander T. Oteen.

1856— WUliam T. Griffin.

1857-9— G. N. A. F. T. Dixon, i '

1860-3— John Wakefield.

1863 — Alexander Sutherland.

1864-8— William S. Blackatock.

1867-69— John G. Lavid.

1870— John MUls, WiUiam J. Ford.

1871— John Mills, James Awde.

1873— John Mills, Joseph Odery.

1873— Thomas Stabbs, John V. Smith.

1874— Thomas Stobbs.

1875-6— John Ridley.

1877-9— Matthew Swaun.

1880-2— Samuel Wilson.

1883-5— George A. Mitchell, B. A.

1886-8— Richard Hobbs.

1889-91— Richard W. Woodsworth.

1898-8— James Awde, B. A.

1894-6— Amos E. Rnss, M. A.

1897-8— John 0. 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 t)ie 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 '<, 8 o'clock.

1840—1.

John Vanevery.

Margret Vanevery.

Margret McKinley

James McCoen.

Janet McCoeu.

Mary Vanevery.

Elizabetli Smith.

Ann McKinley.

•9.

Laviua Clow.

10.

Elizabeth Warren.

11.

Maiy Stewart.

13.

John McKinley.

13.

Joseph Vanevery.

^mmfummmm

■VMH

—IB-

Quarterly Class Tickets of various dates in
possesion of the writer.

March, 1830.

Aud those words,
which I commaud thee
this day, shall be in
thine heart : And thou
shalt teach them dili-
gently _uuto thy chil-
dren.

Deut. vi. G, 7.

Dec. 1819.

But an for me and
my house, Nve will
servejthe Lord.

Joshua xxiv. 15.

Wesleyan -Methodist Society.
Established 1739.

Quarterly Ticket for September, 1887.

The words of the Lord are pure
^words : as silver tried in a furnace o
' nrth, 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 we
love the brethren.

1 Jobn iii. 14.

The Methodist Ohukch.

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 qunrter-
ly class tickets optional.

%tes in

rURCH.

Noveni-

g thyself a i
—Titus 2 :7.

at of quarter-