CHAPTER X.

REV. DUNCAN MCCOLL-METHODISM ON THE SAINT CROIX REMARKS TOUCHING THE UNITED STATES-EXTRACTS FROM JOURNAL-CONJECTURES RELATING TO THE PRESENT EMPEROR OF FRANCE, NAPOLEON III-EXTRACTS from Journal, &c. &c.—FREDERICTON, &c.

There are three circuits on the Saint CroixSaint Andrew's, called after the shire or county town, situate at the mouth of the river, and where it flows into Passamaquoddy Bay-Saint Stephen's at the head of the navigation-and Mill Town, about two miles farther up. Methodism was introduced into this part of the province, by the late Rev. Duncan McColl, who, for many years, was the only preacher of the Gospel in the whole country. He was a Scotchman, and originally a Calvinist; in early life he was in the army, and had seen some service. He was a man of strong understanding, great decision, and steady habits; and owing to which, probably, he rose to the highest grade of non-commissioned officers. While in the service, he experienced religion under the preaching of the Methodists, abjured his Calvinistic tenets, and soon became a hearty and zealous Wesleyan.

The regiment to which Mr. McColl belonged,

was disbanded at the close of the last American war; and he, and a great many of his companions in arms, settled on the Saint Croix, and in other parts of the county of Charlotte, upon lands granted to them by the crown. From his entrance into the country, until nearly the close of his life, this good man laboured hard to win souls to Christ, and to form Methodist churches and congregations. He had to endure many privations and hardships; and persevere through many and serious discouragements; but the Lord was with him, and so prospered him in his work of faith, and labour of love, that they resulted in the formation of the three circuits alluded to above. In each of these circuits there are many precious souls-Methodists in word, and in deed-by profession and by practice-men and women devoted to God, and who would, under more favourable circumstances, be burning and shining lights.

But after all, these stations taken collectively, are in a comparative degree, a hard and unproductive soil. They have had great care bestowed upon them-much pains have been taken with them; and they have been supplied with the best preachers ; but certainly the effects produced are not in keeping with the cause, and although the salvation of one soul is above all estimate, the spiritual harvest

hitherto yielded by these frontier circuits, is not commensurate with the skill and the labour bestowed upon them.

Methodism seems to be too evangelical-too pure for the generality of the people. It cannot, will not connive at logging, scaling logs, driving, or sawing on the Lord's Day. It denounces usury, smuggling, and extortion; all which practices, or rather malpractices, are very common in the trading part of the community, and not uncommon even in some churches.

A form of doctrine and discipline much inferior to Methodism, would suit the people better-would be more congenial with their wishes and their principles. A sort of quasi-religion, that would permit them to walk according to the desires and devices of their own hearts, and at the same time give them the status of church membership, and an assurance of everlasting life. This pliable, accommodating kind of religion, would find great favour in the border towns and villages on the picturesque and beautiful banks of the Saint Croix.

The above are no doubt, some of the reasons why the Methodist societies are so small-why the doctrine of Christian perfection is not well received; why class meetings and love feasts are little regarded; and the value of week-day services scarcely

acknowledged. But still we must not despair. The truth is mighty and will prevail; this motto is inscribed on the oriflame of the Gospel; and the form of Christianity that has triumphed over so many, and such formidable obstacles, will eventually triumph here. "In the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert; and the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water."

Universalism may stretch forth its profane hand, and remove the ancient land marks in Zion; scepticism may sneer and try to invalidate the testimony of God; Popery may magnify relics, and increase and diversify its mummeries, until every vestige of religion is lost in a species of necromancy, and every particle of truth swallowed up by fables; spiritual rappings; manifestations, and all other phases of the carnal mind. These and all other absurdities may rage and bluster, fret and fume, tell of lying wonders, and speak great swelling words; but all will end as the crackling of thorns under a pot. The truth will remain, and as Methodism is the truth of God, and a peculiar developement of Scriptural Christianity, it will remain; yes, remain as long as the sun and moon shall endure; as long as "the everlasting hills" shall stand, until the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and

the elements melt with fervent heat;" "yea, it shall remain for ever and ever, because the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it."

"Let Thy dying love constrain
Those who disregard Thy frown;
Sink the mountain to a plain,

Bring the pride of sinners down;
Soften the obdurate crowd;

Melt the rebels with Thy blood."---WESLEY.

While I remained on this circuit I resumed my practice of keeping a kind of diary, or common place book. Circumstances frequently interrupted this species of journalism, so that I have not been able to observe anything like chronological order. I shall, therefore, at present, make a few extracts from the memoranda I kept in Mill Town.

To day, March 4, 1853, our Republican neighbours in the State of Maine, are celebrating the inauguration of their new president, General Pierce. This celebration is rather ludicrous, savours a leetle too much of the Captain Bobadil spirit. It consists of firing off a few discharges from some superannuated pieces of ordnance, and an abortive attempt at ringing a merry peal, which to me, sounds very like a compromise with funeral tolling. General P belongs to the Democratic or Loco Foco party, and is not more than a third-rate man. He served in "the Mexican war," and acquired as much fame.