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by the Rev. George S. Milligan, who re- mained one year. Dr. Milligan was trans- ferred to Newfoundland, where his peculiar fitness for educational work led to his ap- pointment to the position of superintendent of education for that colony, under the Methodist Church Board. He died in St. John’s, Newfoundland, in January, 1902.
In 1871 the Rev. George B._ Pason was stationed at Murray Harbour, the Rev. W. \V. Collpitts at Pownal, and the Rev. J. C. Berrie at Summerside. In this year the Rev. James Taylor succeeded Dr. Milligan in the Charlottetown circuit. Rev. Mr. Tay- lor had for his associate Rev. Robert Mc- Arthur, who took charge of the Second Methodist church, which was, at that time, opened in the old Free—Church building at the head of Prince street.
In 1872 Alberton was formed into a sep- arate circuit, and placed under the charge of Rev. John C. Bigney. In this year the Rev. John S. Phinney was stationed at Bedeque.
The Rev. Mr. Taylor was followed in the Charlottetown circuit in 1873 by the Rev. D. D. Currie. In this year the Rev. G. O. Huestis was stationed at Cornwall, and the Rev. \V. W. Brewer at Summerside. In the winter and spring of 1874 one of the greatest revivals known in the history of Methodism in the maritime provinces took place in Charlottetown, under the preach— ing of Rev. D. D. Currie, when over three
4 hundred persons professed conversion. Un— der Mr. Currie’s administration the parson- age on Prince street, adjoining the church, was built, and the old mission-house, erected in 1836, was sold and moved across Richmond street to where it now stands.
This brings the story down to the year 1874, when the conference of Eastern Brit- ish America was divided into three parts, of which the New Brunswick and Prince
PAST AND PRESENT OF
Edward Island conference formed one. It is not necessary therefore to follow the sub— ject further in detail. The work done un- derthe administration of this conference has been tabulated in the annual reports of that body for the past thirty years, and these reports are of easy access at the present day. \Vhen the conference of Eastern British America was formed in 185 5, the total num- ber of the members in the Methodist soci- eties on the Island did not exceed eleven hundred persons. When that conference was subdivided in 1874, the total member- ship was 2,154. At the last conference held in 1905 the total membership was 3,545. Methodism in Prince Edward Island is now considerably over one hundred years old. In tracing its progress, from a very small beginning in the latter part of the eighteenth century down to the present day one is struck with its steady and vigorous growth. The firm foothold it has gained in this province is not due merely to its sys- tem of organization or plans of work, how- ever good these in themselves may be. Methodism has ever stood for good morals, sound education, and a high state of spirit- ual life, and what is good in the conditions of the life in Prince Edward Island today is due in some measure at least to the teach- ing and example of her people. Great re- sponsibilities rest upon the members of the Methodist church of the present day. Their fathers have laid the foundations broad and deep in this land, favored with such rare religious advantages and blest with such spiritual benefits, and it behooves their sons and successors to be faithful to the trust thus bequeathed to them. “Like a mighty army moves the church of God, Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we, One in hope and doctrine. one in charity.”