Wilson preached in the afternoon, from Psalms 93:5, ‘Holiness Becometh Thy House, 0 Lord, Forever.’ In the evening the Rev. Richard Knight, of Halifax, preached the dedicatory sermon, from II Chronicles 6:18-21, ‘But Will God in Very Deed Dwell With Men on the Earth,’ etc. The collection at the three services amounted to twenty pounds ($75.00).”"

20. EXPANSION OF THE METHODIST POPULATION AND THEIR BUILDING ACTIVITES 1834 - 1847

“The Rev. William Wilson succeeded Rev. John Snowball in Bedeque in 1834. During the pastorate of Mr. Snowball there, Methodism made considerable advancement and Rev. Wilson, on his arrival from Newfoundland, ‘spoke with great satisfaction of the outlook in Bedeque.’

On the 13th of June, 1836, the trustees of the Charlottetown Circuit met and appointed a committee to build a mission house. They also purchased a half town-lot, adjoining the chapel property on Richmond Street, upon which to erect the building. This made the land eighty feet on Prince Street by two hundred and twenty—five feet on Richmond street.

In 1836, the Rev. Richard Knight was appointed to the pastorate of the Charlottetown Circuit, and during his term of office, Methodism made rapid progress. In July, 1837, two years after the chapel was built, it was found necessary to enlarge the building, by adding thirty feet to its length, making the chapel eighty—five feet long on Richmond Street. At the close of Rev. Knight’s pastorate, in 1839, the membership of the 'society was two hundred and fifty, a large number having been added, as the result of a very extensive revival under his ministry in Charlottetown.

In 1836, the Rev. Thomas H. Davies was sent to Bedeque, and in 1837, the Rev. J.V. Jost was appointed to the Murray Harbour Circuit. He was followed in 1838 by the Rev. James Buckley.

In 1839, the Rev. William Smith succeeded Rev. Knight in the pastorate of the Charlottetown Circuit. The following year the work on the first addition to the chapel was finished, and on the 24th of July, 1840, the pews in the new part were let. On the retirement of Rev. Mr. Smith, who was sent to the Bedeque circuit in 1843, the Rev. J.B. Strong took charge of the circuit. This was Rev. Strong’s second term in Charlottetown. Rev. Strong was succeeded in 1846 by the Rev, William Webb. Soon after the arrival of Rev. Webb, it was found necessary again to enlarge the chapel, and at a meeting of the trustees held 25th February, 1847, the following resolution was adopted:”'5

“Resolved that a public meeting of the pew-holders be held in the chapel on Tuesday evening, 2nd March, 1847, for the purpose of laying before the whole

14 Ibid. pp. 3l7A-318A. 15 Ibid. p. 318A.

15