WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE.

MARCH, 1866.

MEMOIR OF THE REV. RICHARD KNIGHT, D.D.,

OF THE EASTERN-BRITISH AMERICAN CONFERENCE.

(Concluded from page 106.)

Mr father's methodical habits qualified him for the duties of Secretary of the District for most of the years that he laboured in Newfoundland; and in 1833 the Missionary Committee, as an expression of their confidence in his ability and integrity, designated him to the office of Chairman and Superintendent of the Nova-Scotia District. His three years in the Halifax Circuit are memorable from two events,—the visitation of that awful pestilence, the Asiatic cholera, in 1834; and the death of the Rev. William Black. The devoted and eminently useful life of this servant of God, as portrayed by his biographer, the Rev. Dr. Richey, is an interesting memorial of the rise and progress of Methodism in these colonies. My father was privileged to enjoy the intimate and affectionate friendship of Mr. Black up to the hour of his decease. He visited him assiduously during his last illness, although his own duties in the hospital, and throughout the city, occupied his time by day and by night. He witnessed his conflict with the last enemy, and was enabled to testify to his abiding trust in the Redeemer and his peaceful triumph over death. He improved the occasion in a sermon from 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8; and at the close of the discourse attempted to discharge the last office which his venerated friend had imposed upon him,-that of giving his farewell blessing to the Society; but so deeply were the hearts of the people moved by the event, and so irrepressible were his own emotions, that his lips refused its utterance, and the sanctuary became a house of weeping.

His labours, with those of his colleagues in the Halifax Circuit, were honoured by God in the conversion of many of the soldiers stationed in the garrisons, several of whom became eminent for piety and usefulness. During these and some following years I can find no record of his personal experience. His life, however, throughout this period, is familiar to my recollection, though I was but young; and to moderation, and consistent piety. In 1836 he removed to CharlotteTown, in Prince-Edward Island. He loved this Circuit, because its

VOL. XII.-FIFTH SERIES.

hearty Methodistic spirit reminded him of his "dear England;" and still more because he witnessed a gracious revival amongst the people. The writer well remembers this revival, how manifest was the saving power of God, and that it was the occasion of his own conversion, together with that of some of his brothers and sisters. After three years of agreeable and useful toil in this Circuit, he was stationed at Liverpool. This year, 1839, is memorable as being the Centenary of Methodism. My father entered into the spirit of that movement with his accustomed ardour and zeal. Every circumstance that tended to augment the influence of Methodism was of paramount interest to him, believing it to be truly a God-chosen agency for spreading scriptural holiness throughout the world. In Liverpool and the surrounding villages his memory is affectionately cherished by a kind people, many of whom will be stars in the crown of his rejoicing. From Liverpool he removed to Horton, where he remained, by request of the people, two years longer than the allotted term of the Circuit itinerancy. Horton was his last Circuit in Nova Scotia. His name appears in the Minutes of 1846 as stationed at Newport in that District. He, however, because of the removal of the Rev. Enoch Wood to Canada, was designated by the Missionary Committee to the temporary oversight of the two provinces, and was accordingly removed to Fredericton, the capital city of New Brunswick. The brief record which he has made of his labours in that Circuit is of such a character as to testify to his increasing delight in the work of his blessed Master. His early training in the scattered settlements of Newfoundland did not fail to influence, in a particular manner, his future ministerial life; for in every Circuit where he laboured subsequently, he had a conscientious care for the interests of remote and retired places, and wherever he saw an opening was prepared to occupy it, and thus to exhibit Methodism in its professed character as a Missionary church.

He next removed to the St. John Circuit. This appointment was attended with peculiar communications of comfort and hope to his own soul; and on arriving there he found the Society prosperous, and many of the members "living in the possession of perfect love." Those anticipations of good were fully realized, as he was privileged in the second year of his ministry there to witness a singularly gracious revival, which continued, with little cessation, for more than two years. In March, 1853, he writes to the "Provincial Wesleyan :""The most extensive and permanent revivals ever recorded have been those which originated in the church. Much may be reasonably hoped for when more than ordinary Divine influence begins at the house of God. Thus it was in the present gracious visitation, with which the Lord has been pleased to bless us in this city." Many of the members were taught of the Spirit to experience the privilege and power of entire sanctification. Following a lucid exposition of this Christian doctrine, he remarks: "A sanctified ministry and a sancti

fied church should be the motto of all the lovers of Zion, and to this both ministers and people should continually aspire."

His removal to Carleton, or St. John West, though a separate Circuit, did not sever his intercourse with a people to whom he was attached by the strongest bonds of affection. The proximity of his new sphere enabled him to continue his pastoral visitation among them, an employment he greatly cherished wherever his lot was cast. So abiding, too, was their confidence, as well as that of his brethren, in his administrative wisdom, that he was always consulted in important Circuit affairs.

In the year 1855 the long-contemplated change in the relation of the lower colonies to the parent Conference was perfected, under the sagacious guidance of the late venerated Dr. Beecham. My father was at this important crisis in the history of our church requested to accompany the Co-delegate, the Rev. Dr. Richey, on a mission to Newfoundland, to represent to our people in that colony the character and working of the new organization. His visit to the scene of his early labours was not one of unmingled joy. The pleasure of meeting, after a lapse of more than twenty years, many surviving friends to whom it was his delight to minister in the earlier periods of his Missionary life, was chastened whilst walking meditatively among the sepulchres of some with whom in those days he took sweet counsel, but who now were asleep in Jesus.

In the following year the Genesee College, New York, as an expres sion of their esteem for his character, and in recognition of his labours in the Gospel, conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. The Conference held this year (1856) in St. John was called upon to recommend a candidate for the office of Co-delegate, rendered vacant by the elevation of the Rev. Dr. Richey to the presidential chair. The Conference unanimously selected my father as his successor, in which responsible office he continued until his death. At the next Conference he was appointed to the Sheffield Circuit, his last sphere of labour. Though enabled to fulfil his multifarious duties with his accustomed readiness and ability, it was apparent to his friends, soon after his removal to Sheffield, that his frame was betokening the effect of years of unremitting toil. He often complained of weariness, and sought repose for a short time during the day,—a habit in which he was not before wont to indulge. Still his mind was vigorous, and his judgment was as clear as ever. At Sheffield his ordinary work was to preach three times every Sabbath, besides a considerable amount of travelling; and although he had now reached the allotted age of threescore years and ten, he never failed in an appointment, except when thoroughly prostrated on two decasions by severe sickness, caused by the upsetting of his sleigh, from which he was thrown with violence upon the beaten snow. accident, doubtless, accelerated his death. On this Circuit he was

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