simply: "Very happy day." A year aft him at a camp meeting on his Circuit. I of affliction in the family of his collea Bayne, the management of the camp devol I never saw a meeting more judiciously m considering its size, I rarely ever saw a was productive of more good than was the my friend R. in Tilghman's Woods. "H man's head on a young man's shoulders." and could he have enjoyed health, he ha piety sufficient to lead us to conclude that t come when he would fill any Church, or Church, with dignity. The Church would h to honour him, and, from my knowledge of brother, I verily believe he never would b any trust committed to his care. But just a began to see he was no ordinary man, God

Utility of Sunday Schools.

dence called him from labour to reward. The Church was thus, to human view, prematurely deprived of a pure-minded, talented, influential minister of the gospel. None felt his loss so keenly as his partner in life, with her little ones. But "a father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation."

In the foregoing remarks relative to Rev. N. Ridgley, we see another evidence of the utility of the Sunday School cause. This young student of law was mysteriously led to the little Sunday School of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the town where he resided, and, although the piety of his mother did much in leading him to a profession of religion, perhaps no circumstance did as much in bringing this young man into the enjoyment of religion as the influences did which were brought to bear upon him in the Sunday School, and he loved this cause to the end. I would not detract from our ministers, who were not brought into the Church through this agency; still I will venture to assert that many of our most enterprising, useful labourers in the ministry, are those who have grown up with this institution. It is dear to their hearts; it affords them great pleasure to commingle with the schools of their station, or Circuit. They do not consider it "a cause of small import," but feel, however talented they may be, there is room for that talent to be exercised. If a minister is ardently attached to, and faithfully labours in this cause, it is to

H

IN THE ITINERANCY.

Ministers should care for children.

171

be expected that he will be ready for every good word and work; and, if he feels no interest in this direction, and considers this a matter of minor importance, it is apt to be the case that he is inefficient everywhere. "These my words ye shall teach them your children." "But those things which are revealed belong unto us, and our children for ever." God reiterated this matter of caring for the children to his ancient people. "And I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children." Our Discipline makes it obligatory upon us as ministers to instruct the little ones: "Catechize the children in the Sunday School, and at special meetings appointed for that purpose." In our ordination vows, we covenant to labour in this important department. And, so far as my knowledge extends, what is thus made our duty by God's Word, and the Discipline of our Church, is performed with great pleasure by our ministers generally. "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in Heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven." Christ set a high value upon children. It cannot be beneath our dignity as ministers, if Jesus and the angels take such an interest in them. The latter, I verily believe, hover round the well-conducted Sunday School, and as

The third Methodist Episcopal Church, Wilmington, Del.

one has said, viz. Summerfield, its "hum is music in an angel's ear there they are, in numbers."

CHAPTER VIII.

Sent to Union Church, Wilmington, Delaware-Rev. Edward Kennard -A good Site for the new Church-Corner-stone laid with Masonic Ceremonies-Shepherd smitten, and Sheep scattered-Females efficient in the Work-No Society to begin with-Interesting public Meeting to revive this Church-Places opened in various parts of the City for purposes of Salvation-Church and Theatre together— The Press-Rev. Levi Storks-Shouting out a Subscription-An Apology, and its Effects-"Give, and it shall be given to you again"-Agree to raise Funds from home to finish the BasementLeave of the Odd Fellows' Hall-Dedication and Conversion-The main part of the Church opened.

N the spring of 1850 I was sent to Wilmington, to do

IN th

the best I could to complete the third regular Methodist Episcopal Church, which the preceding year had been commenced, under the pastoral care of Rev. Henry S. Atmore. When he went on in 1849, he found a considerable society, which was to be the nucleus for the third church, mainly gathered together through the indefatigable labours of Rev. Edward Kennard, who had, with the view purely of extending Methodism, purchased the church of the Protestant Methodists, in Orange Street. This plant does not seem to have grown in that soil.

IN THE ITINERANCY.

173

Rev. Edward Kennard.

In this house Brother Kennard, being thus instructed by Rev. Daniel Lambdin, Presiding Elder of the Wilmington District, faithfully preached the Word, and was in this, as he had been in many other places, instrumental in the salvation of souls. The vigour of this brother's days was spent in the work of the Itinerancy. He had been some years, before he asked a location, a supernumerary in the Philadelphia Conference, and in this sphere did much good, labouring as much as his strength would allow. Under very powerful temptation, in the spring of 1850, at the Conference held in Smyrna, Delaware, he asked for and obtained a location. I did think at the time the Conference should have held on to this brother, and shown their appreciation of him, by not granting his request. This, I am sure, in the end would have been very conciliatory both to him and to his friends. At the time of his location the Conference acted, I am sure, for the best, and thought they were conferring a favour. But deliberative bodies as well as individuals may err; but such was the kind feeling towards this brother, at the ensuing session, had proper steps been taken, he would, I have no doubt, have been reinstated.

The society in Orange Street, with Rev. Henry S. Atmore as their leader, determined to abandon that location, and fixed upon a very suitable lot, I think, in Second Street, near Washington. It was remote from