A letter written from England to Mr.Wm.Trueman, Prospect, in 1776, asks if the adherents of the Methodist societies have any place of worship to go to, or do they meet among themselves according to the usual way of the Methodists.The reply would be that they met amongst themselves, as there is no record of a "meeting house" until some years later.
The Methodists of the early Yorkshire emigration at first met quietly at the home of one of their number for their services.In 1779religious interest deepened, and a wide-spread revival began.Meetings were held, followed by encouraging results.Among the new converts was Wm.Black, of Amherst, afterwards Bishop Black.It is recorded that at a quarterly meeting held, in 1780, at Wm.Trueman's, Wm.Black received a great blessing, and although only a young man, he took from that time a prominent part in the meetings of the neighborhood.Three young men, Scurr, Wells, and Fawkender, agreed with Wm.Black to visit in turn, each Sabbath, the settlements of Prospect, Fort Lawrence, and Amherst.
From 1780 until after the first Methodist Conference of the Maritime Provinces, in 1786, Wm.Black had charge of the Cumberland Circuit, which included from Wallace (then Ramshag) to Petitcodiac, taking in Bay Verte and Cape Tormentine.In 1782 the membership of the circuit numbered eighty-two.In 1786 the first Conference was held at Halifax.
Shortly before Conference Mr.Black, with his family, moved to Halifax, leaving in his place, at Cumberland, Mr.Graudin, of New Jersey.Mr.
Graudin was sent back to Cumberland by the Conference.He was assisted by John Black, of Amherst, brother of Wm.Black.In 1787 Mr.Graudin was removed and his place taken by Mr.James Mann.That year land was bought on which to build a chapel, and in 1788 the first Methodist church in Canada was built at Point de Bute.It stood somewhat back from the road in the present cemetery.The house was of stone, with a roof of thatch.The following is the deed of the property on which the house was built:
"This Indenture, made this eighteenth day of September, on thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight, and in the twenty-eighth year of His Majesty's reign, between William Chapman, of Point de Bute, of the one part, and the Rev.Mr.John Wesley, of London, of the other part, witnesseth, that in consideration of five shillings currency, by the said John Wesley to the said William Chapman, truly paid before the sealing and delivering hereof, the receipt whereof the said William Chapman doth hereby acknowledge and for divers other considerations him thereunto moving, the said William Chapman hath granted, bargained and sold, and by these presents doth bargain and sell unto the said John Wesley and his successors in the Methodist line forever, one acre of land, situated and lying in the County of Westmoreland, and Province of New Brunswick, bounding on the west on land belonging to James Law, Esq., and on the south on the main road leading from Fort Cumberland to the Bay Verte, together with all privileges to the said premises appertaining and all the profits thereof with the right, title and interest in Law and Equity, to have and to hold the said acre of land, to him the said John Wesly and his successors in the Methodist Line forever, and to be appropriated for a preaching House and burying-ground, and other conveniences that shall be judged necessary to accommodate the same under the inspection and direction of the general assistant or the preacher by Conference stationed on the Circuit, together with Wm.Wells, Thomas Watson, Esq., Richard Lowerison, George Falkinther, Wm.Trueman, jun., Stephen Read, and James Metcalf to be Trustees to act in concert, and those to be only Trustees as long as they adhere to the Doctrine and Discipline of the said John Wesley and his connection, and in case of death or failure of any of these particulars the preacher is to nominate one in his room.
Furthermore, the said William Chapman, for himself, his heirs, executors and administrators, doth covenant to and with the said John Wesley and his successors, the before mentioned demised premises, against the lawful claim or demand of any person or persons whatsoever, to warrant and secure and defend by these presents, in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal.Bargained year before written.
"Signed, sealed and delivered, in presence ofJAMES LAW, WILLIAM CHAPMAN.
SALLY LAW, JANE CHAPMAN.
"JAMES WRAY, Missionary."
James Wray, and Englishman, ordained and sent out by Wesley, arrived in 1788.He was the first ordained Methodist minister in Cumberland.
Previous to this the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered by the Episcopal clergyman.This same year Mr.Black, Mr.John Mann, and Mr.James Mann went to Philadelphia and were ordained.Mr.Mann and Mr.
Wray were both on the Cumberland circuit for a year, and Mr.James Mann remained in charge until 1791, when he was followed by Mr.Whitehead.
From 1793 until 1797 Mr.Early, Mr.John Black and Mr.Benjamin Wilson were each at times preaching in the Stone Chapel.Mr.Wilson was alone in 1798, and assisted by Mr.Cooper in 1799.In 1800 Joshua Marsden came out from England and was sent to the Cumberland circuit, where he labored for three years.
The following are from the journal before referred to:
"1802, May 9th--Mr.Marsden preached his farewell sermon at the Stone Meeting House.
"May 10th--Mr.Marsden set out for Conference."Mr.Wm.Bennet followed Mr.Marsden, coming directly from England to Cumberland, arriving at Mr.Trueman's on June 26th.
"June 26th--Mr.Bennet arrived at our house and went to Tantramar.
"27th--Mr.Bennet preached his first sermon at Tantramar.
