enabled to declare among the people, ‘The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad.’

The following Sabbath was a most delightful day. There were crowded con- gregations, the Divine presence was with the people in a very powerful manner. In the afternoon during the singing, one person began to cry aloud for mercy, than another, and another. They were soon rejoicing in the love of God. The preacher now asked all those who desired to flee from the wrath to come by being saved from all sin, to unite with the church, and twenty-four persons at once responded to the invitation.

Rev. Harris left the circuit in the summer of 1846. The work had prospered to such an extent that the membership had risen to nearly 100. He removed to Lower Montague towards the end of August, and entered on the work of the station with the bright prospect of realizing great success, but alas, his race was almost run, his course nearly finished. The glorious rest he longed for, when wearied with walking through the snows and slush at West Cape, was near at hand. He preached his last sermon on Sept. 14th, to a crowded congregation. On the Monday following he held a prayer—meeting in the Montague School house, and twice he closed the meeting, but it appeared as though he could not tear himself away from the people. He had not been well for some days but now he was taken very ill with dysentery.”59 The Rev. William Harris died on September 23, 1846 in his twenty-seventh year.

Rev. Francis Metherall had intended to move to West Cape in 1846, but this was postponed because of sickness. It was now planned that Rev. Metherall should remain another year at Vernon River, Rev. William Calloway would be at Murray Harbor, while Rev. Richard Cotton and Rev. John Watson Butcher would take up the Western work at New London and West Cape. Rev. Butcher was allowed, very relunctantly by the New London Circuit, to work on the West. Cape Circuit for six months.

Although Rev. Metherall possessed a strong constitution, the harsh winters which he faced in making his circuit rounds were beginning to have an effect on his health. Rev. Metherall was taken seriously ill in 1846 and for ten months was unable to perform his duties. By February, 1847, he had recovered enough to engage in a full schedule of work in the extensive West Cape Circuit where he was destined to labor for six years with some discouragement and some success.

In 1847, Rev. Metherall removed from Vernon River to West Cape. Sixteen years had passed since his appointment to the Island, fifteen of which he had lived at Vernon River. A very strong attachment had grown up between him and the people of that place. He had ministered to them in holy things, and taught them how to obtain true riches. They had sympathized with and aided him in all his sorrows, and had bestowed on him some of their earthly substance.

59 Ibid., pp. 56-62

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