Gilborb's. In this is seen and recognised the all-consoniag Providence of God.

The work goes prosperously on. First one and then another presents himself, groaning under the burden of a guilty conscience, and anxious to know what they must do to be saved. They are directed to "the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world," and obtain peace with God, and rejoice in the blessings of salvation. After the lapse of a few years there are found upwards of two hundred souls, chiefly Negro slaves, rejoicing in a new life, and in the spiritual liberty wherewith Christ has made them free. They have all been gathered into classes, after the model of English Methodism; and many a Negro hut resounds with the voice of prayer and praise, where, for generations, there had been the unbroken stillness of spiritual death.

Dark and mysterious are the ways of God! Mr. Gilbert has prosecuted his unostentatious career of usefulness until he has lived down all the reproach that was cast upon him. And the little society of which he is the overseer has become firmly established, when his health again gives way. Many tears and many prayers are called forth when his sickness becomes known. But after a short illness he passes away in Christian triumph to the realms of the blest, and the little flock of converted souls, who have been brought to Christ through his labours, are left without a shepherd. His loss is greatly mourned, for there is none left to take his place, and preach, as he had done, Sabbath after Sabbath, the word of life to the poor enslaved children of Africa, who had too much cause to say, before he became their instructor in the things of God, "No man cared for my soul." Gilbert's, deprived of its master, has become spiritually a desolation. There is no longer seen on the Sabbath forenoon a multitude, clad in their best and cleanest apparel, going up with joy to the house of prayer. The voice of the beloved preacher who had proclaimed to the multitude the glad tidings of great joy, is silent in the dust; and gloom and sorrow are in many habitations.

In the absence of every thing like pastoral care and over

sight, it is not surprising that during the lapse of several years some of the members fall away, and classes which had been formed are broken up. But there are two faithful Negro women who strive and labour earnestly to keep together the scattering flock. Amongst those things which their faithful instructor has often delighted to dwell upon, both in his public and private ministrations, was the power of prayer; and he continually urged them, as a duty and a privilege, "in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving to make known their requests unto God." These two earnest class-leaders have not forgotten this. They call to mind the examples he had brought from the Scriptures to show how God hears and ultimately answers the prayer of faith. They remember what he told them of Abraham, and Elijah, and Daniel, and others who pleaded successfully with God; and they urge the people now, in this time of extremity, when God alone can help them, to call upon Him in prayer. They want a teacher to supply the place of Mr. Gilbert, and show them the way of the Lord. They cannot conceive how it can be done, or where the man they want is to come from. But they know that nothing is too hard for the Lord. He is all-sufficient, and can do whatsoever He pleases; "for has not Massa Gilbert told them so out of the book?"

women.

it."

"Let us tell God about "Let us pray to we Saviour, as Massa Gilbert tell us. He will find de way to help we," is the continual exhortation of these two faithful unlettered And it is not without effect. Although some who had been gathered in have fallen away, a goodly number are yet in earnest to "flee from the wrath to come," and save their souls. Animated by the zeal and faith of this devoted couple, they frequently assemble together for prayer. Often are they hindered by the almost incessant toil exacted from them on the estates to which they belong as slaves; yet as many as can get together continue "instant in prayer." Night after night, whenever it is practicable, there is a little band, led on by these two faithful slaves, pouring out simple, earnest supplication before God, the burden of which

is that He will look in pity upon their destitution, and send them one like "Massa Gilbert," to break to them the bread of life, and help them on in the way to heaven. Years roll on, and the answer comes not. But still they pray and do not faint. Greatly tempted to yield to discouragement, they call to mind what the man of God has often told them, "that the Lord sometimes tries the faith and patience of His people by keeping back for a while the promised blessing which He is sure to bestow in the end." Like the woman of Canaan, they cry more earnestly, "Lord, help us," looking out as eagerly as did the prophet on Carmel for the sign that their prayer has prevailed.

It does prevail. The All-merciful One cannot turn a deaf ear to importunity like this. It is in the designs of His Providence to carry on a mighty work of grace and salvation from this small beginning in Antigua. He tries the faith of these simple-hearted supplicants for a long season ; then He sends them the help they pray for. And He sends it in a way that no human wisdom could have anticipated.

About this time a want is felt in the dockyard at English Harbour. A master shipwright is required to superintend the workmen employed upon the ships of war that are brought thither for repairs. The skilled workman that is needed is not to be found in Antigua. In these times of war, operations are carried on upon a large scale in the docks at English Harbour, and it is a situation of 'considerable responsibility that has to be filled. The sceptic would probably curl his lip in scorn at the thought; but it is the pleading importunity of these poor praying slave people at Gilbert's that influences and decides the filling up of this vacant situation at English Harbour. Men often unconsciously fulfil the Divine purposes when acting only with a regard to their own convenience. So it is in the present case. There is in the government service at Chatham a subordinate but clever mechanic, who through Methodist agency has been won from the world to Christ. Being a man of considerable intelligence, and possessing

talents for usefulness in the Church, he has been appointed to fill the offices of class-leader and exhorter. Here is the chosen successor to the saintly Gilbert, the man to take up his mantle and enter into the evangelical labours from which he has been taken away. To him is directed the choice of those whose province it is to fill up the vacant post at English Harbour. They select him for the post because he is an accomplished workman, and a man of sober and upright character. But God has overruled the selection in His own unerring wisdom; and all unconscious of the sphere of Christian usefulness that is awaiting him in Antigua, John Baxter accepts the situation, and crosses the Atlantic, in direct opposition to the wishes of his friends, to undertake the duties that have been assigned to him there.

Mr. Baxter is a devoted man of God, who for twelve years has borne the reproach of Methodism. He is well fitted, both by nature and grace, for the work that lies before him in the service of his Divine Master. It soon becomes manifest to him that, in accepting the Government appointment that was offered to him, he has been guided by a wisdom higher than his own. He has not been many hours upon the strange shores before he is informed of the work begun by Mr. Gilbert, and interrupted by his death. He soon finds out the praying remnant of the scattered society; and when he begins to speak with them of the things of God, they at once recognise in him the man whom God has brought to them, in answer to the many prayers they have sent up to Him, that He would give them a teacher to help them in finding the way to heaven.

Two days after his arrival, Mr. Baxter begins to address the people. It is Saturday night, and only a few of the faithful members are present, who for years have been longing to hear again the voice of a faithful preacher of the word of life. How are their spirits gladdened! How greatly is their faith in God confirmed, as they listen once more to the joyful sound, and look upon the manly form of him whom God has brought to their help! They have

asked God to send them a teacher of His truth; and there he is before them, in their eyes the embodiment of the promise fulfilled, "Ask, and ye shall receive!"

On

The news spreads rapidly, "A preacher has come." the next day, being the Sabbath, some hundreds flock to hear the messenger of truth. So it is during the following week whenever he preaches, he finds a multitude athirst for the word. He accepts the sign. God has brought him here, in His wonder-working providence, "to preach the Gospel to the poor, to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and the opening of the prison doors to them that are bound." He gives himself heartily to the work, rejoicing over many souls awakened and made wise unto salvation through his labours. He does not abandon or neglect the duties of the secular office he was sent out to fulfil. On the contrary, he commands the respect and confidence of all with whom he is connected by uncompromising diligence and fidelity. But on the Sabbath, and very frequently on week evenings, he preaches to anxious multitudes the Gospel of salvation.

He does not labour in vain. His heart is cheered by glorious success. Many a dark mind is illuminated; many a sin-hardened heart melted down into true penitence under the power of the word. Week after week his soul is cheered by seeing sinners converted from the error of their way. The classes which had been scattered, are gathered again. Other classes are formed; and the planters are as much astonished as the Jews were when God through Peter granted unto the Gentiles repentance unto life, at seeing religion powerfully spreading, and producing all its gracious fruit amongst the Negro slaves. They have been accustomed to look upon these unfortunate children of oppression as no more capable of religious instruction than their cattle and their mules.

Success itself becomes in time a source of embarrassment. Soon after Mr. Baxter's arrival he had written to Mr. Wesley, "The old standers desire that I would inform you that you have many children in Antigua whom you never saw." A