Rev. Cephas Barker, realizing the serious deterioration of the Bible Christian work, proceeded to make plans for a church in Charlottetown which he thought would provide a center for the entire Island district and prevent further losses of membership and ministers to other established denominations. A new church in the city was dedicated in August, 1858 amidst continued opposition from several sources which led to a campaign of persecution against Rev. Barker and his fellow Bible Christians.

23. 1860 - 1865: SOME SUCCESSES AND CHANGES

The year 1860 proved to be one of progress for the church in a time of a great spiritual awakening with attendance and membership increasing everywhere. In 1861, the Rev. Jacob Gale, who had rendered great service at the West Cape station, left the Island to join the Canadian Conference.

“Rev. John T. Sencebaugh was at the same time received as a probationer for the ministry. He preached four years in the Island, then removed to Ontario, where he continued to exercise his ministry for some years, and then resigned. Secular life possessed greater charms for him than the Bible Christian ministry.

In 1862, Rev. Jesse Whitlock was assigned to Ontario. He was very suc- cessful in the district and was held in high respect by all the churches in the Island.

The Rev. John Watson Butcher in the West Cape Circuit was delighted to

receive ninety new members and in 1865, was instrumental in the construction of a parsonage at West Cape.

Rev. Jesse Whitlock was followed by Rev. Isaac Ashley who previously was

on the Hungerford Station, Ontario. Rev. Ashley took his family with him in his light spring wagon, and drove all the way from Belleville to Point Du Chene,

,.,,.,. Rev. James Joseph Rice Bourne Coll.

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