The parson of the islands; a biography of the Rev. Joshua Thomas; embracing sketches of his contemporaries, and remarkable camp meeting scenes, revival incidents, and reminiscences of the introduction of Methodism on the islands of the Chesapeake, and the eastern shores of Maryland and Virginia

Front matter

REV. JOSHUA THOMAS, THE PARSON OF THE ISLANDS

THE

3 ARSON OF THE ISLANDS;

Chapter I

Sketch of the Islands — First discovered by Captain Smith — Settlements formed in Northampton — Accomac and Somerset — Elzey and Revel — ■ Original names — Rev. Mr. Massey's sketch — Hooper's Island — Straits — Light Boat— Holland's, Smith's, and Tangier Islands — Kedge's Straits — Tangier Sound — Oystering — Fishing — Dwellings — Population — Deal's Islands — Spring Island — Watt's and Saxe's Islands — Pocomoke Sound — Somers' Cove 37

Chapter II

Birth of Joshua Thomas — " 76" — Potato Neck — Father and mother of Joshua — His Grandfather a Patriot — Death of his father — Removal to Tangier Island — His stepfather — Love for his mother — Address to children— He learns to pray — A drunkard's home — Neglect, poverty, and sorrow — No bread — "Remember the poor" — Success in fishing — The Canoe — Death of his stepfather — The bottle of brandy — Anecdote — He hears Lorenzo Dow — " The Lord is here" — Last days and happy death of his mother 47

Chapter III

Becomes a Waterman — Wants a wife — Prays for success — Is married — Builds a house — Happiness at home— Baptism of his child — His attachment to the Episcopal Church — Parson Reese — Obtains a Prayer book — Learns to read — Family worship — Prejudice against Methodism — Troubled by its doctrines— Anecdotes — Wm. Miles — Mr. Gunby

— Prayer meetings started by Churchmen 61

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Chapter IV. Pag«

Revivals on the Eastern Shore of Virginia — Rev. Thomas Smith — Dr. Chandler — Pungoteague Camp Meeting — Joshua Thomas attends — His sensations— -Hears Lorenzo Dow — "An Earthquake" feared — Disturbance at the meeting — Arrest of the wrong person — Mob raised — Managers arrested — Fined two thousand dollars— Rules and regulations for Camp Meetings adopted — Effect of Methodist influence on Joshua — He prepares to attend another meeting 73

Chapter V

Camp Meeting in Annamessex — Mr. Thomas resolves to attend — His uncle Levi's warning — Arrives at the meeting — Cautious against imposition — Will not have religion in the Methodist way — Great display of power — He takes to the woods — Prays alone — Falls down — Becomes discouraged— Mr. "Wiltbank — " Behold the man !" — Goes to the mourners' bench in the right spirit — Believes — Feels a mighty change — "Loves everybody" — Begins to "cry out and shout" — Exhorts all night — Sorrow at breaking up of the Camp — Returns home happy — Shouts through the corn — Prays without a book — Tells his joy to all around 83

Chapter VI

Brother Thomas begins to hold meetings on the Island — Thomas Crockett — First prayer meeting — All day at it — Conversion of neighbor Crockett — Souls saved in the absence of a minister — Seymour and Lee — Tent meeting — The revival on Smith's Island — Solomon and Richard Evans — Great meeting at Richard's — Sinners quake and run — The devil after them — Rev. Wm. Evans — Anecdote — The dance displaced by prayer meetings — The old orchard — Aunt Charity's dream — A church organized 94

Chapter VII

First Camp Meetings on Tangier Beach — Thrilling scenes — Ten thousand present — "Sinners falling all around" — Brother Thomas a Manager — Liberal collections — He exhorts on the shore — Pedlars awakened — Rum traffic — A drunkard put to sleep — Fight prevented — A Camp Meeting without preachers — Remarkable providence — A Presiding Elder befogged — He preaches with power — Signal results — The " Parson" happy 105

Chapter VIII. Paob

xtension of Methodism — Appointments formed — Comparing notes- Love for the Church — The hymn book — Tangier Church — Meeting day — Early contemporaries — The Crocketts— Baptism by immersion — His sickness — Anointing — " Goose grease" — Health restored in answer to prayer — Health of the Islanders — Doctors dreaded — Mrs. Lovey Evans — Dr. Williams 116

Chapter IX

rrival of the British fleet in the Chesapeake Bay — Rendezvous at Tangier — The Islanders made prisoners of war — Talk with the Admiral — The camp meeting trees spared — Forts erected — Remarkable phenomenon — Holy ground — Religious soldiers — A sailor's narrative — "Methodist religion" — Conversion of a captain and mate — Skirmish — Death of a young English soldier — The Parson on board the flag ship — Exhorts in the ward room — Stammering — The doctor — A close question — Death of his wife — Sustaining power of faith — Second marriage— A wife from the Lord 127

Chapter X

ttack on Baltimore — Prediction of defeat — He preaches to the entire Army — " Thou shalt not kill" — Last warning — The fleet weigh anchor — Battle of North Point — Death of the Commander — Defeat of the British — Return to Tangier — " You told us so" — Messages from the wounded — Sorrow for the slain — The white flag— Peace — Great rejoicing — Departure of the British — Affecting farewell — Incidents — Revival of Camp Meetings — Garrison Burton — Lawrenson's Sermon — Ambassadors for Christ 143

Chapter XI

r. Lawrenson on the Peninsula — Acquaintance and intimacy with Mr. Thomas — His social habits — Appearance — Cause of despondency — Pulpit efforts — Favorite texts — Incidents — The sheep and lambs — As much right to preach as Paul had — Hypocrites — Curtis' Chapel — The lawyers — Charade — Adventures with Mr. Thomas — Preach like Lawrenson — A sign to stop — Preaching in bed — Amusing scene — Shouting in a fog — Elijah's mantle — Death of Lawrenson — Memoir — Last experience joyful , 155

CHAPTER XII. ichard and Solomon Evans — The " Spanker,"— Mrs. Evans and the officer — She gains the victory — A long married life — Second mari CONTENTS.

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riage of Solomon — His record of preachers — Recollections of the revolution — -.A woman's curse — Grissom — Barge fight in Kedge's Straits — Ghost stories — A haunted man — A jacket demanded — Saulsbury'a grave — Captain TTeeras — Naval engagement — Effective broadside — Reminiscences — A renegade's death — A barge pursued — A brand from the burning — " The fathers, where are they ?" 175

Chapter XIII

Conversion of John Parks — First prayer — Eventful life — His brother Charles — Mrs. Britania Parks — The death of the righteous — Controversy with fiddles — No compromise — Methodist tunes — The violins burned — Hamilton Bradshaw — Dream — Conversion of John's mother —Richard Bradshaw — His descendants — Mr. Kemp's anecdotes — The lost shoes — "Waiting for a wife — Borrowing money — The time to ask — His politics — A missionary impostor — Tobacco movement — ■ Anecdotes — Lawyers and doctors — Nearing Jordan 185

Chapter XIV

Thomas Barbon, a Portuguese — Educated for a priest — Runs away and becomes a sailor — The battle of Trafalgar — Deserts the ship and swims ashore — Imprisoned in Spain — Arrives in America — Settles in Somerset — Attends the Tangier camp meeting — " Catches a crab" — Is converted — Temperance movement — Resolutions — Charles Barbon — Parson Wilmer on rum — Liquor casks emptied — Pigs and poultry drunk — Last days of Brother Barbon — Reflections — Experience meetings at Tangier — Contrasts 199

Chapter XV

Removal to little Deal's Island — Rev. David Wallace — Marriages — Prayer-meetings at his house — Jacob Webster — Camp meeting at Todd's chapel — Praying in the rain — " Keep the fire burning" — Death and funeral of David Wallace — Parson Thomas' labors — Success in fishing — Trades to Choptauk — Ebenezer — "It comes to me, I must first shout'' — Conversion of an offended hearer — Singularity — Shouting, a means of grace— Shouts while making his child's coffin — Early dead, early saved — Children in heaven — Rev. Wm. Spry 215

CONTENTS. y

Chapter XVI. Page

Commencement of camp meetings on Deal's Island — Managers — Rev. Henry White — Great sermon on the old hill — Rev. John S. Taylor — The power of a hearty " Amen" — The gust camp — Preachers present — Bible meeting — Rev. S. Townsend — Saturday night— The storm cloud — Wild commotion in the harbor — Vessels driven ashore — Tents blown down — Trees prostrated— Distress and fear — Saints and sinners — Rev. E. J. Way — Meetings in tents — A welcome morning — Extent of damage — Wonderful providence — Brother Thomas' celebrated exhortation — The forces rallied — " Our Joshua" — " The devil had a hand in it" — Did not succeed — The meeting goes on— Incidents — Self preservation — An alarmed sailor 229

Chapter XVII

lock Creek Church — Preaching of Brother Thomas — Conversion of George Washington Rowe — His zeal and success — Rev. Z. Webster — Great revival — Rev. Shepherd Drain— The Rowe family — Captain Rowe converted — Parents and Children happy in God — Mortality — Gathered home — Funeral of Rev. G. W. Rowe— Effects of a hymn — The sick restored — A baptism of the Spirit — Eaith of Parson Thomas — " Lord, cure the boy" — Signal answer to prayer — Rev. Z. Webster, a traveling preacher— His dying mother — "We shall meet in heaven." 251

Chapter XVIII

brother Thomas ordained an Elder — Preaches in Baltimore — Rev. G. G. Cookman — William St. Church — Great sensation — Meeting at the house of Mr. Crouch — People happy — Rev. I. P. Cook at Deal's Island— Local Preachers — The Parson in Baltimore — The guest of Mr. Cook — A leaping blessing — Exhortation to the colored people — Jacob's sons— Corn in the land — " Godliness with contentment" — Poor prospect — God's blessing and a good harvest — "What he says is first rate" — Popularity in the city — A new overcoat — The prayer and its effects 261

Chapter XIX

lamp meetings at Nanticoke Point — Thomas and Lawrenson — A clever Captain — Preach like others — Contrasts— Heaven and Hell — The

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PAGE

black Ram — An offended hearer — An apology — Lawrenson's sermon — Ministerial fidelity — Repent or perish — The Captain conquered — Brother Thomas a peacemaker — Coals of fire — Captain Mister — A bad state to die in — Prayer on deck — Another case — Power of love — Place of prayer — Sedgegrass — A large blessing from a slight call — Praying the Devil off his Island — Contest for supremacy 274

Chapter XX

Severn Mister — An invalid Captain — Prayer on the road side — The day of miracles — Signal answer — Wonderful faith— Strange dream — Premonition — Three young men drowned — Grief for the lost — Bodies found — Funeral sermon — Rev. V. Smith — A delicate subject — Sympathy — Words of warning — Casualties among the watermen — "Be ye also ready." , t 288

Chapter XXI

Range of travel — Camp meeting visits— Impulse — "I am saved" — Sermon on fashion — Rev. E. J. Way — The Devil's things — Love conquers — Fishing lines — Getting tangled — Satan's ways — Socrates — Rev. W. Quinn — The School-house meeting — An enraged young man — His sudden death — Presumption fatal — Danger of displeasing God — Stingy people — An ox lost — The law of giving — Pay and pray — Good measure — Rockawalking — Following the best light — Christian fellowship — No sects in heaven — Opposition to revivals — Help one another — Attends church service — Makes a "joyful noise" — Transcends prayer book proprieties 300

Chapter XXII

Letter from Rev. R. E. Kemp — First acquaintance with Joshua Thomas . — Bishop Emory — Rev. Wm. Evans — Ross' Woods camp meeting — Ebenezer — Rev. Wm. Spry — Serving God at home — Reminiscence — Afflictions of the righteous — House burned — A "God-send" — Truthfulness — He prays for wind — Shouts on the shore — Politics — Habits of prayer — Wm. Rea, Esq. — Stolen money restored — Last visit to the Island — Sacramental occasion — Lines to his memory 313

CONTENTS.

Chapter XXIII. Pagb

rhe Canoe " Methodist" — The original tree — Hance Crosswell — Dimensions — Little Deal's Island — Voyage to the Island Churches — Reminiscences by Rev. Dr. Townsend — The fence-log story — Rev. J. Hargis — Preaching on Smith's Island — Rev. R. E. Kemp — Livety hearers of the word — " You're right, brother !" — Class meetings — Thomas Tyler — Theological controversies — " Just as I said !" — Deference to the preachers — Effect of the gospel on the Islanders 330

Chapter XXIV

Letter from Rev. L. W . Nottingham — Brother Thomas and Rev. W. Spry —An affecting scene — An angry sinner converted — Personal violence prevented — Rev. J. A. Brindle — Anecdotes — "Better late than never" — Aaron Thomas reclaimed — Becomes an Exhorter — His father's joy — Farewell meeting at Tangier— His regard for Local Preachers — Rev. John Laws — An Experience meeting — Rev. H. Dalby — Jacob's Ladder — Rev. L. Moore — Rev. B. T. Ames — A Sailor's experience — The drops before a shower — Rev. W. Evans — Evans and Thomas at Ebenezer — Remarkable scene 347

Chapter XXV

Visits to Princess Anne — Praying in families — A delicate subject — Meetings at Brother Fontaine's — A fashionable coat — Style of preaching — Dr. Gardiner — Personal appeals — Habit of responding — How to quiet a crying child — Sermon on Joseph — Illustration of faith — Perseverance in prayer — Debility — The promises — Encounter with the Devil — Upset from an ox cart — A victory — Preachers at Deal's Island, 1847 — Rev. J. A. Roche — The great salvation — Rev. J. Allen — Important question — Rev. A. Cookman — The crown of life — Rev. "W. Campbell — Hope for the Church — The world to be saved through an earnest ministry 359

Chapter XXVI

lemoval of the Camp Meeting— Parks' Grove — New Church — Rev. J. D. Onins — Dedication — Rev. J. Sewell — Dr. Bunting — Elliott — Great Sermon — A cow subscribed to pay for church — Contrast — Last Sermon of Father Thomas — His prayer — A good Text — Preaching — Probation work — God speaking to men — Folly of procrastination — A forty days' shower — Exalted privileges — Danger of abuse — Weep-

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ing for sinners — The word let slip — Inattentive hearers — A leaky bucket — The seed in stony places — Earnestness — Neglect — No escape — The great salvation — Now is the accepted time — A hiding place from the storm — Last appeal — A pledge to try for heaven — Happy conclusion — A fish story 369

Chapter XXVII

The Parson obtains a carriage — Going to church — Household words — Letter from Rev. B. F. Price — Imposition of hands — Sordid selfishness rebuked — A chieftain in the host — Accidental fall — Dream — Dr. Jones— Visits of the preachers — Adventure of the Princess Anne lawyers — Hon. Mr. C. — " "We must pray if you are all lawyers" — Character of the prayer — Its effects — He prays for "their servants" 393

Chapter XXVIII

Nearing port — Cheerfulness and religious hope — Sorrows of old age — Dying young — Ministry of a devoted wife — " Son, I am not afraid to die" — Tranquil passage — In the harbor — Safe at home — "He is gone !" — Funeral sermon by Rev. Z. Webster — Doctrine of the resurrection — Certainty and glory— Consolation to the sorrowing — Security of the righteous — " He sleeps in Jesus" — Rev. A. W. Milby — Burial — Inscription on tomb — Death of Aaron Thomas — A widow's stay in trouble — Death of John Parks — Christian liberality — Hamilton White — The Thomas family — Reflections — The Christian mariner — Conclusion 402

Preface

" May God bless and prosper you in this labor of love," vrites an intelligent brother minister, on learning that a biography of the Rev. Joshua Thomas was in contemplation.

Another ardent friend wrote, " Go a-head. The work hould be accomplished now. If longer neglected it may never >e done."

Still others, — " Give us a book ; it has been long desired by .11 who knew the dear old Island Preacher."

" The life of such a man ought not to be confined to his teighborhood, or to his brief sojourn on earth."

" You are now providentially placed on the ' field of his ame," and can glean the rich and abundant materials, in ancdote and incident, that will make a useful volume, and per- >etuate the memory of his eventful life, and stirring times."

Thus urged and encouraged, the writer ventured, a few aonths ago, to take this work in hand ; and, devoting the inervals of leisure allowed on a large and laborious circuit to its rrangement, it has assumed the form in which the reader finds

An abler and more practiced pen should have been emplo} 7 ed in this undertaking, but for demands which had to be met in the active service of the church, and in other departments of duty.

The apology which may be due, as to why " what was found worth doing at all is not done better ?" is simply this : the writer offered his material and services, in vain, to others, hoping to occupy a subordinate position merely, as co-worker in its accomplishment ; and not until every request and tender failed did he assume the responsibilities involved in his own name.

Appointed to the Princess Anne Circuit in 1860 for the second time, after the lapse of ten years, he found the vacant chair and silent grave of his former, greatly beloved, " Father in Israel," and the hearts of his friends full of cherished memories of the departed saint.

When formerly on the circuit, it was oftentimes his privilege and always his delight to visit Bro. Thomas at his Island home, and listen while he recounted the story of his earlier days, and told the wonders of redeeming mercy, which had marked his pathway through a long life. After repeated conversations with him on the subject of a memoir and history of his times, he laid his trembling hands on the head of the "young preacher," and charged him by the love he bore him, to see that such a thing was done.

He had been disappointed greatly, and so had his friends, that none of the preachers who had talked of, or attempted, this work, had persevered in its performance.

The Rev. Levin M. Prettyman of the Philadelphia Conference, about twenty years ago, commenced — as the amanuensis

PREFACE.

id intimate friend of Bro. Thomas — to prepare an autobiograry. This work was continued at such intervals as could be jvoted to it, until the manuscript narrative reached the year 315, where it abruptly terminates, remaining in this unfinhed state until both these beloved men had gone " the way ' all the earth."

That Mr. Prettyman intended to publish a volume is more Lan probable. On a fly leaf of his papers there is " a plan to rite by," and an outline of topics, or chapters, to guide him . completing his design.

His removal to other scenes of ministerial duty, doubtless, iterfered with this purpose, and deferring his work until lei- Lre could be obtained, he fell at his post, a faithful herald of Ivation.

Some years since a brother — eminently qualified for the deirtment of literature, such a volume as the present is intended - occupy — Kev. A. Manship, author of " Thirteen years' exjrience in the Itinerancy" — at the instance of Bro. Thomas' mily and numerous friends, was applied to; and, surveying ie field, found it " white unto the harvest," but, to their re- 'et, could not devote that time to the preparation of a biograay, which the Church required for other and important dues.

In this regret the writer cannot but concur. Brother M., Dwever, with characteristic generosity furnished us the Prettyman Papers," which had been confided to his care, ith every " aid and encouragement" possible, in the prosecuon of this task, which, as intimated by another, seems to have evolved, by providential appointment, on the present compiler, 'his was made apparent to him by a vivid recollection of the obligation imposed by Bro. Thomas himself, the many concurring . circumstances thrown around the case, and the hearty " God speed V he has received, while collecting his material from widely varying sources.

It will not be surmised that Father T. was actuated by a vain ambition, in the desire he felt, and so often expressed, to see a publication of this kind ; though he prized the thought — who does not? — that his name should be remembered, and his memory blessed, after he had been " gathered to his fathers."

His true motive was to make memorial of the mercy of his God, and tell to generations following, the mighty works and wonders of his gracious hand.

The following extract from the papers alluded to, and designed for the same purpose as that to which it is devoted here, will reveal his motive :

" The Lord has been so good to me, my family, and friends on these islands, I have had for a long time a great desire to publish an account of the astonishing things he has done for us ; that many may be encouraged to seek, and all to praise, him for the great mercy and goodness which we have received.

" It is not to boast, understand, of what / may have done, but of what my God has done for us, poor ignorant sinners. I give him all the glory and praise for the gracious work he has wrought among us for a great many years past. And as I have now a friend (Bro. Prettyman) to write for me, I will proceed to tell you what a condition we were in before the gospel was preached to us in its convincing energy and saving power ; and what a wonderful and happy change it has produced."

PREFACE.

IT

[t is to be regretted that this " desire of his eyes" was not omplished before he " fell asleep."

rhe plan and details of the work were matters of conversai, prior to that last interview, when, receiving his blessing, writer received also the charge which he has now affectionly, if feebly, tried to fulfill.

Chis duty would have been onerous in the extreme, if not irely impossible to him, but that " many hands," able, aciplished, and willing, have made comparatively " light :k ;" and contributed greatly to whatever value and interest y be found in the following pages.

Che sketches of contemporary characters introduced may be deemed irrelevant to the general design. Chose incorporated with the main narrative were found to inseparably and worthily associated with the subject, and [ revive the memory of names that are still precious throughthe peninsula; connected, as they are, with the rise and rapprogress of Methodism, to that prominence which it has led in Maryland and Virginia.

n the arrangement of the earlier parts of the work, the sttyman manuscript has been used entire, and will be found rked all along by a beautiful simplicity and truthfulness in statement of facts.

Che communications of Rev. Brothers Kemp, Br. Townsend, ndle, Price, J. Hargis, Nottingham, and others, contribute atly to the completeness of the book; and, as will be found, he pleasure and profit of the reader.

Che sermon by Rev. Z. Webster, recalled and written at our uest, and also the report from memory of the last public 3ourse delivered by our " Parson," will stand as simple memorials of the man, and may revive useful reflections in the minds of many, who heard with throbbing hearts the lessons of love and meekness from those lips now sealed and silent for ever.

On the question of a title, there was, in the mind of the writer, no misgiving. That which has been adopted appeared to be most appropriate and expressive. "The Paesox of the Islands" was the name given to Mr. Thomas by the chief officers of the British army and fleet, when their rendesvous was the Island where he resided, and exercised the simple functions of his office.

He was emphatically the " Parson of the Islands ;" extending to all, and over all (in that vicinity), an unwearied watchfulness. Through heat and cold, in storm and sunshine, by day or night, he was prompt to action in every call of duty ; performing, as a father and friend, those ministrations of reli- ■ gion that have endeared his name to the hearts of the people. The fastings he endured, the perils he braved, the tears he shed, and the personal sacrifices he made, in attendance wherever sickness or suffering needed sympathy; whenever bereavement and sorrow called for comfort or condolence ; in all the varying phases of human ill, there was he, the counselor, pastor, friend of all. He took the little children in his arms, and named them for Grod and the Church. He joined the hands of united happy hearts, and gave them his blessing. He cheered the dying by his encouraging presence and sublime faith. He stood by their coffins and at their graves to point the living to a home beyond the dark valley. In their disputes and difficulties he was " the son of peace."

Many of the incidents collected and presented here, illus-

PREFACE.

1 ■ icivc of his singularities and strong faith, will, it is probable, x the credulity of those who have not personally known him. As inward impressions, abrupt movements, dreams, and revelions, may be pronounced " the vagaries of a weak mind," or, the impulses of fanaticism and folly." To those who were itimately acquainted with the man, the solution is not difficult. He walked," yea, and talked, " with God !" According to is ready, implicit faith, so was it done unto him, or unto those

whose behalf he became oft a pleader at the throne of grace.

The Divine word, to his mind, was an unalterable verity, in 1 it declared of God, and man, and Christ the Mediator, "e believed in the Holy Ghost, and when in perplexity, or in- 3cision, on any matter of duty, invariably asked light from >ove, and found it " liberally."

" It comes to me," was a frequent utterance with him, and iat he had access unto the Father, none could doubt, when 3 spake with " boldness of confidence," the things that were

his heart.

In all reports of what he said or did, after the manuscript om which quotations are made fails, the aim has been to give is language in substance.

However difficult the undertaking to put such a man, in a )ok ; this, there is some reason for supposing, has, to a good igree, been done. This, at least, was the primary aim of the riter. His success, others must determine. He congratutes himself, and his readers, that older heads and abler hands ive mainly contributed to secure this result.

The " Introduction," by Rev. J. A. Massey, and a descripve sketch of the Islands, also from his pen, claim special iknowledgment, and will be found both interesting and instructive, not only to- the stranger, but to those familiar with the localities and people, to which reference is made.

The engravings, secured at considerable trouble and expense, for this volume, will speak for themselves. It was an oft expressed wish of Father Thomas that the event of his preaching to the British on the eve of their attack on the city of Baltimore should be represented in an engraving. It is here, just as he described the scene, and will make the reader familiar with that notable circumstance.

Many a preacher of the Philadelphia Conference will recognize at a glance the canoe " Methodist/' and admit with pleasure the crowding associations therewith connected.

The portrait introduced, is the nearest approach possible to a satisfactory likeness. Memory was our only " original."

Justice to the subject and the compiler, demanded a much longer time in arrangement and completion than could be commanded for the purpose. The " dangers of delay" have prompted a rather premature and hurried publication. For all defects, inaccuracies, and errors of style or fact, he must claim the largest possible forbearance.

Without ambition, except to accomplish good, and with his might, to obey duty's call, he has cheerfully given the toil attendant on the preparation of this book. Among the Island people, at least, what has been done will meet with an appreciative welcome; here, the man they venerated will still preach and point souls to Jesus ; and in these pages his friends will see his form, hear his teachings, and become happy, as in the days of other years, in the companionship of " the Parson of the Islands." Adam Wallace.