James Bickford: an autobiography of Christian labour in the West Indies, Demerara, Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia, 1838-1888

LIBRAPV or_Fi{;NCETON

AUG 2 3 2002

THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Rev. JAMES BICKFORD.

President of Australian Conference,

1868-1875-1883.

Wi)(iiiin'Rvi'ki.\r, \Vati-ki.(iw & Sons Limitiu).
From a Negatiue by HAMMER & CO., Port Adelaide.

JAMES BICKFORD :

AN AUTOBIOGBAPHY

Cbrietian Xabour

WEST INDIES, DEMERARA, VICTORIA, NEAV SOUTH
WALES, AND SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

1838-1888.

"7?^ Jouriwyhu/s often:" ''In Perils of tlie Sea:" ''In Deaths oft."

LONDON :

CHARLES H. KELLY, 2, Castle St., City Eoad, E.G.,

AND 66, PATERNOPTER ROW, E.C.

SOLD IN ADELAIDE, MELBOURNE, SYDNEY, BRISBANE, PERTH, AUCKLAND,

AND HOBARf.

189C.

[,/(/ ripkts nticrreil.]

Printed by Hazell, Watson, & Viney, Ld., London ajid Aylesbury.

EEVEBENTLY DEDICATED TO THE LOVING MEMORY OF

FANNY BICKFORD:

WIFE, COMPANION, AND FELLOW-HELPER

OF THE AUTHOR,

FOR FORTY-FOUR YEARS.

LIBRARY OF PRINCETON

AUG 23 2002

IHEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

P E E F A C E

IN the year 1878, being then in London, and having leisure for
so doing, I prepared a work, entitled : " Christian Work in
Australasia," as a help to those of my fellow-countrymen who were
anxious to try theii- fortunes in the Southern World. But no sooner
was it in cumulation, than I heard of a feeling of disappointment
among many valued friends, because there was so little of the
personal narrative in the publication. I could only reply that my
object was not so restricted; but that a statement of a more
comprehensive kind was specially intended, touching the evangelistic
work of all Churches of Christ in Australia and Polynesia. It was,
indeed, little more than a ' Handbook ; ' but, judging from the
favourable notices it received in the English Press, and the grateful
references made to the work by huntheds of correspondents, I think
I may conclude that my exact purpose was fau-ly accomplished.
But I did resolve that, at some advanced period of my life, I would,
if I were able, prepare an autobiographical .sketch of my life-work ;
and now, after nearly two years of application, I am able to announce
the completion of my attempt. I have made no effort at the romantic
in my description of men and things ; but have striven to give as
simple a narrative as the knowledge of my mother tongue has
enabled me to write. I cannot but regard it as a special mercy of
God's Providence, that, on the very day that I reach my seventy-
fourth year, I put in the last sentence of my tale. I may, in all
candour, ask the lenient consideration of those who may honour me
with notices of this, my latest — yea, probably, my last — effort of the
kind, to remember that my public life has not been spent in ' learned

PREFA CE.

leisure,' but in the active pursuits of the Methodist Itinerancy ; and
in hinds, where new and startling problems of a social, political, and
ecclesiastical nature have had to be faced by those who inheiited
the necessary instinct for so doing. Among that number of earnest
and far-seeing men, not by my own choice, but by an ' election of
grace,' my lot has been cast.

CONTENTS.

— ♦ —

PAGE

Preface ..... v

introductiox 1

Birth and Youth-hood 3

West Indies: Slavery and Emancipation 10

London and Ordination 20

First Voyage — to the West Indies 24

Arrival in St. Vincent's 27

Trinidad 38

St. Vincent's 42

Tobago 44

St. Vincent's 48

Grenada • . . 53

Georgetown, Demerara .57

Second Voyage— to England 114

The Retrospect lli^

Appointment by English Conference 120

Third Voyage— to Sydney 123

Melbourne, Victoria 134

New South Wales 189

Geelong 203

South Australia 272

Fourth Voyage- to England ........ 302

viii CONTENTS.

FAGB

London and England 310

Fifth Voyage— to Adelaide 365

BuRRA 372

Port Adelaide 386

Parksidb: Supernumerary 404

Conclusion 445

INTRODUCTION.

THE subject of this sketch, James Bickford, came from an
ancient yeoman stock in the Sovith Hams of Devon. John
Bickford, his father, for many years was tenant of the Venerable
Archdeacon Fronde, of Partington, near Totnes, and farmed under
him Edmeston Barton (Sax. Bere-ton — Barleytown), in the parish
of Modbury. His grandfather, also John Bickford, farmed Rake,
near Loddiswell, Devon.

Behind the homestead rose a high precipitous, overhanging rock,
visible for miles distant. This notable rock served as a rendezvous
for the peasant classes amidst the troubles arising from scarcity ©f
provisions, want of employment, and a starvation wage. I remember
hearing my father speak of one of those gatherings when he was a
young man, from which several hundreds of day labourers marched
throughout the neighbouring parishes to lay their grievances before
the ' Squn-es,' and to tell those of the farmers, who were using
threshing-machines for removing the corn from the ear instead of
the flail, that if such operations were continued, both machines
and buildings would be fired. Unfortunate labourers ! With the
exception of the harvest season, which lasted only for a month,
when the men would feed at the farmers' tables, their fare was
scant indeed. Barley-bread and water for breakfast ; barley-bread
and cider for dinner ; and potatoes, with a sprinkle of salt, and a
little fat, for the evening meal ; who can wonder at peasant com-
binations for secm-ing a just wage and a right to live, not simply to
exist ?

It is true there was the poorhouse in each parish for the peasant
aged couple when they could no longer work, and a pauper's grave
ready open for their worn-out bodies, provided out of parish rates.
But this was not all. The vicar, or his curate, would appear ou
the scene, and, in solemn accents, but with a grim appropriateness,
read a prayer in which he would say : ' We give Thee hearty

1

2 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

thanks, for that it hath pleased Thee to deliver this our brother
out of the miserievS of this sinful world.' Yes : too true ; for it
would be better to be dead than alive, for there would be rest in
the grave from the hard lot of unrequited toil, and from the
gnawing pains of hunger. And as'^for the soid, it may be hoped, in
all charity and faith, that a ' Righteous God ' woidd make some
reimbursement to the chafed spirit in the contentment and peace-
fulness of the future state for the unmerited disabilities the peasant
classes a hvmdred years ago endured.

I return from this digression. On the maternal side I had much
to be thankf id for. My mother's maiden name was Whiteway, and
was born, I believe, in the parish of Hai-burtonford. The Whiteways
were a family of repvite in the parish. This may be gathered from
the sympathy of the clergjinan, who took a great interest in my
mother as an orphan, and saw to her education. As an e\idence
of my mother's sense of gratitude, I have heard her refer to the
clergjTnan's kindnesses more than eighty years after their occurrence.

My grandfather Whiteway had a competency, and lived an easy,
self-satisfied life. My mother used to speak of her father having a
family ' coat-of-arms,' which was framed and suspended from the
wall in his bedroom. She remembered but little of her mother, who
was delicate in health, and died when she was about four years of
age. My uncle, John Whiteway, was a fine, gentlemanly man, and
died in Plymouth about fifty years ago. But there were two other
uncles, George and Thomas, and two aunts, Lowman and Hine, all
of whom are dead.

My grandmother's maiden name, on my father's side, was GUI,
of Totnes. The only remembrance I have of her is, that my
father took me to see her, when she had come to live with
my uncle, James Bickford, — at that time a bachelor-farmer at
Lincombe. I have a distinct recollection of her fijtie person. She
was, although over eighty years of age, tall, erect, and well-
proportioned ; the expression of her countenance was benevolent ;
she spoke in the lower tones of voice, characteristic of her refined
nature ; and her whole demeanour was that of the higher grade of
yeoman life. At the time of this visit, I could not have been more
than seven years of age, for I rode on the same horse with my
father, I sitting before him on a pillow. My grandmother took
to me very much, and when I left with my father in the evening

INTRODUCTION.

she put a half-crown in vnj hand. Her venerable and beautiful
figure is still with me, I have never lost her true ideal from that
day when I first saw her to even now, which is not far from seventy
years ago. My grandfather and father were practical farmers,
and both died at advanced ages — it may almost be said with the
reaphook in their hands. Both, like Boaz, of Jewish renown, had
been in the field with the ' reapers ; ' when, from exhaustion, they
retired, and went into then* homes to die. It seems appropriate
that it was so. It is the glory of a soldier to die on the field of
battle ; of a minister to die in the pulpit ; and it should be equally
the glory of a yeoman to die in, or from, the field.

Of my childhood I have not much to say. We were nine brothers
and sisters. I was the fifth born of my mother on May 6th, 1816.
I have understood that I was healthy from my.birth, but my anxious
mother had a strong desire to make me still more vigorous if
250ssible. I have a viAdd recollection of her taking me into the
back yard, nude and shivering, to be put under the shute for a
stream of cold water to fall upon the spine. I thus learned to
' obey ' my mother even under the force and pressure of the stream.
I had, nevertheless, a sevei"e fever in my boyhood, and I well
recollect Doctor William Langworthy's effoi'ts to save my young
life. My mother's tenderness also in personally carrying me from
the large cold room I and my brothers occupied to the fii-eside in
the little parlour, and taking me up again when the cold of the
evening came on, I well remember. This was the routine task
of each day's nursing, until, at length, I made my escape from
the bed of sickness, and I seemed to jump back into life once
more.

On our farm were two cottages originally built for the convenience
of the men who worked at the Estate's lime-kiln. But the husband
in one of the cottages died, whilst the widow and her grown-up son
and daughters still occupied the tenement. This widow (Granny
Gill, as we used to call her), kept a dame's school, and I and two
of my sisters were sent to it. I soon learnt what of reading and
spelling were set me; but, as something besides was required for
filling up the time, we were told off to learn hymns. This was our
regime of religious instruction. Widow Gill was a dear, good
Methodist soul ; and, although my father was a staunch Tory
Churchman, strange to say, he had no objection to Granny Gill

4 JAMES niCKFORD : AN AUTOBIOGBAPIir.

teaching our young ideas how to shoot. The first I learnt was the
43rd, in Wesley's hymns, beginning A\T.th the solemn inquiry :

' And am I only born to die —
To lay this body down ? '

and so to the end. What we thus learnt in the day we repeated
in the evening at home, my parents appearing satisfied that we
were learning something that was good. And so we were as far
as it went.

My next teacher was a Mr. Wreford, an extremely prim gentle-
man, a bachelor, and a sturdy Churchman. He had, however,
rooms in the house of a Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, the founders, I
think, of the Methodist Church in Modbury. Mr. Wreford held
his school in the vestries of the parish church, because of their
central position. The sons of the farmers attended Mr. AVreford's,
whilst the sons of the tradespeople attended Mr. Peter's, school. In
practice it was the germ of many a conflict since enacted : it was
'Country v. Town.' Each had its nickname; and nearly every day
on the ' Green ' small battles were fought. The Bickford boys had
rather more than their share ; my eldest brother and I, in paiticular.
But I never liked it : I thought it a brutal spoi-t, whilst wrestling,
football, bat and ball, I much enjoyed as exercises strictly allowable
and to be recommended.

My next school was at Ugborough {alias ' Ubber '), kept by a Mr.
Nicholas Webb, a retired Lieutenant of the Royal Navy. This was
about three miles from Edmeston. The main charactei^istics of the
school were ' law and order ; ' and woe betide the boy who was
caught transgressing our more than Spartan regulations ! In Mr.
Webb's estimation the greatest crime in a boy was to tell a lie ; and
punishment, swift and sure, and in full tale, always followed this
offence. But every case of accusation had to be tried by a bar of
bogus law officials and a jury of senior boys. If found guilty, there
was no commutation of the sentence. We had not the cat-o'-nine-
tails, but we had the rod, which Mr. Webb could lay on Avhen he liked
with much severity. But I am hapjiy to know that I never was
personally subjected to the indignity of this punishment.

My cousin, Mr. Robert Philips Moysey, having set up an academy
at Ivybridge, I was removed thither; the last and best of all the
schools that I attended. Mr. Moysey was an enthusia.st in his

INTRODUCTION.

vocation, a good Latin and Greek scholar, and a master in the use
of Saxon-English. There was a sprinkling in this school of a higher
class of boys than I had hitherto been associated with. 1 can truly
say that at this seminary I intensely desired to learn all that could
be learnt, save going into the classics; of which, at that time, I did
not see any immediate use. But, in every branch of what is known
as a solid English education, I was the rightful dux of the school.

I sat at the upper end of the ' Latin desk ' for two years, but I
made no attempt at proficiency in Latin. When I saw the so-called
classic boys so neglectful of their English studies, and in competition
with the other boys so far behind, I stuck to the useful, leaving the
ornamental to ' a more convenient season.' But I might, and could,
with tolerable ease, have done both, and that I did not do it I have
always regi'etted. Mr. Moysey, however, did not lose his interest in
me; for he subsequently prepared a written copy of the Greek
alphabet, and advised me to pursue the study of that divinely used
language. But would that I had done it before !

When nearing my fourteenth year, it became a question with my
parents as to whether their five sons should be brought up on the
farm, or sti'ike out in some other way of life. My eldest brother,
John, was my father's right hand, and could not be spared. My
other brothers, Edmund, George, and Nicholas, were younger than
I, and had not finished their education. So that, if a rent was to
be made in ovir home circle it must be by myself ; and, in a sense,
show my younger brothers the way.

I had become of great use to my father on the farm, for there
was not a single branch of agricultural industry that I did not
understand ; and, up to the measure of my strength, was not able
to do. But the prospects of ' renting ' farmers were anything
but cheering. There was looming in the near distance the inevitable
* Repeal of the Corn Laws,' which would seriously affect the tenant
farmers then under leases to theii' landlords, who would probably
make no abatement in their rents. Besides, there was in many a
tenant-farmer's home a galling sense of vassalage to the owner
of the soil, which the independent, native-born-yeoman-spirit, could
ill bear. Altogether, therefore, it seemed better to be free than to
remain in such conditions. Accordingly, and with the fuU consent
of my parents, I ' went out ' from ' my father's house,' and spent
in business the next seven or eight years, in the beautiful little

6 JAMES BTCKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

town of Kingsbridge, situate at the head of the Salcomlje estuary,
and the key to the South Hams of Devon.

Tlie environment of my life now was totally different from what
it had been up to that time. I itinerated throughout the South
Hams on the business of the ' fii-m ' as occasions required, and
learnt much of the manners and intelligence of the local gentry,
the better style of farmers, of tradespeople and operatives of all
classes. I was recognised everywhere as no mean sprig of an ancient
yeoman tree, and was treated with all respect. Mr. Quarm, whom
I gratefully mention as a second father, was always kind to me,
and I can say that I made his business as much my own as I
had in pre\^ous years made my father's mine own. There was
a mercifulness of providence in this change of my life.

I was free now to choose for myself in the matter of conscience
and religion, i.e. from all outside interference or coercion. I was
awakened to a sense of my lost condition when alone on a dark
night in a bye lane near my Uncle Taylor's farm, Sherford Down,
in the parish of Shei'ford. And on that very hom- my mind was
decided on the vital question of religion. I joined the Methodist
Church in Kingsbridge, under the superintendency of the venerable
Kev. James Odgers, and my ' ticket on trial,' which he gave me,
is dated 'March 1832.' My first and only leader was 'Henry
Popplestone,' to whose tender, yet, faithful guidance, I owfe, under
God, much of the stability of my early religious life. Mi-. Odgers
was a powerful original thinker, and was great in polemical theology.
No man ever understood oiu" doctrine better than he ; and I greatly
profited by his ministry.

My intellect at that time betrayed a power of receptivity which
was ■ somewhat extraordinary. I became both a reader and a
thinker upon my conversion at the age of sixteen. It was no
ordinary privilege to sit VTnder the ministry of Mr. Odgers. In
dealing with the Calvinian controversy, he was indeed ' a master in
(our) Israel.' He was a veritable ' Greatheart ' ((> la Bunyan) for
helping young theologians, for he scarcely ever preached a sermon in
the Kingsbridge pulpit but he sharpened our weapons. Upon the
* Five- points,' as they used to be called, he spoke ex cathedrd, and
no one doubted his views or challenged their scripturalness. The
Evangelical Arminianism of Wesley, Clarke, Benson, and Watson
gradually came into my intellectvial being, agreeing with the

INTRODUCTION.

instincts of my newborn life. I tried to get a grip of it loy
the most assiduous attention to the expositions of Mr. Odgers, and
by reading controversial authors, until I became myself, in the
judgment of my friends, a very David in the warfare we waged
against the * Goliath ' of Antinomianism. I accepted also the
political creed of my spiritual father. He was a Liberal of the
most pronounced type. I became one, too ; and I did not hide my
' lijrht under a bushel.' Arminianism and Liberalism were the two
beliefs which impressed their ' broad-ai-row ' upon my whole nature,
and winged my soul for flight into any project for secuiing to my
countrymen the possession of a generous creed of religious ethics
and social improvement ; religious equality, and the God-given right
to the tenant-farmers, mechanics, traders, and peasant classes, to
live happy and contented lives.

The introduction of Methodism into the southern part of Devon-
shire may be briefly noticed. In the Minutes of the English
Conference, 1810, the words occur : — ' South Devon Mission :
Nicholas Sibley, John W. Cloak.' But the honour of first preach-
ing Methodist doctrines in Kingsbridge belongs to the Eev. John
Jordan, who, in 1806, was the superintendent of the Ashburton
circuit, and who came over to Kingsbridge on a visit of observation
as to the spiritual wants of the people. There was one ^Methodist
family there ; perhaps, only one. In the afternoon of the memorable
day when Mr. Jordan came, a novel sight was seen in the streets of
Kingsbridge and Dodbrook. The town-crier — an important public
oflicer in those days — was found parading through the quiet streets,
capped with headgear which made him very singular if not dignified,
and bell in hand, which he swung to and fro with great vigour.
He would then pause to attract attention; this being done, he
lifted up his voice, and cried —

' This evening, in Mr. Parker's schoolroom, off Fore Street, at seven o'clock,
the Rev. John Jordan, Methodist preacher from Ashburton, will hold a religious
service. Public invited.'

As the result, many of the to■w^^speople came and heard the
words of eternal life. South Hams that evening heard through
Mr. Jordan's voice the words of the great Prophet-Preacher :
* Arise, shine ; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is
risen upon thee.'

8 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

The first money spent for Methodism in the South Hams was by
Mrs. Tapp, the mother of my late dear wife, Fanny Bickford, who
was of Methodist ancestry, being born and reared in Camelford,
Cornwall, under the adopting kindness of the Lobb family ; whose
hospitable and happy home was a favourite resort in their rounds of
such men as Adam Clarke, R. TrefFy, F. Truscott, W. P. Burgess,
and other able ministers of those days. It was but a solitary six-
pence for the town-crier ; but it told of her love to Methodism, and
of her adherence to the religious principles in which the donor had
been trained.

Methodism in the South Hams has not risen in numei'ical
importance as might have been hoped. But it is easily explained.
There has not been in the last sixty or seventy years any encourage-
ment to the rising yeomanry to try their fortunes under the tenant
and landlord system ; or, in the town, for the young mechanics and
tradespeople to compete for a position and a respectable living.
Hence it has been a kind of breeding ground for America, and, in
later years, for Australia and New Zealand. In London, Lincoln,
Exeter, and Plymouth they are also found. And the adventurous
spirit which the environment necessarily creates in the South
Hammers has always kept down the statistical strength of the Metho-
dist Church ; but, then, there is this compensation, other countries
and ' lands remote ' are all the better for their advent into them
as Christian citizens and fellow workers.

When I was eighteen years of age I was brought on the Plan
by the Rev. William Blundell as an exhorter on trial. This was
in 1835. The Bev. Thomas White Smith was appointed to the
Kingsbridge Circuit by the Conference of 1836, and entered upon
his charge in September of that year. As in dvity bound, I called
at the Parsonage to pay my respects to the new minister, when, to
my surprise and relief, he asked me if I had ever thought of going
as a missionary to the heathen. I replied, that I had thought about
it until my soul was neaily dissolved with grief, but no encouragement
had been given me. He then handed to me a Bible, and asked me
to read from the prophecies of Isaiah, which I readily did. From
that hoiu', humanly speaking, my destiny was fixed. I was to be
a missionary, and the good minister began to regard me with more
than common intei-est. He set me reading, directed my stiidies,
passed me, after a searching examination at the Local Preachers'

INTRODUCTION.

Meeting, into "Full Plan," and, in 1838, he nominated me in the
March Quarterly Meeting for the missionary work. But I must also
mention another minister, the Rev. P. C. Tiu-ner, of Devonport, who
invited nie to his circuit, and to go with him to some appointments.
This I did, and derived much assistance and comfort in preparing
for the work. In due course I was examined before the Devonport
District Meeting by the Chau-man, the Pev. W. P. Burgess, passed
to the satisfaction of the brethren, and was recomm.ended to the
Conference for the foreign work. With what success that work
has been done for fifty years, the records which follow will humbly
show.

THE WEST INDIES.

1786—1838.
FIRST PART.

FIFTY years ago — August 1st, 1838 — the black and coloured
population of the British West Indies saw the end of the
'Apprenticeship System' and received unconditional freedom. About
800,000 persons were on that ever-memorable day fully ' redeemed '
from the cruel bondage in which they had so long been held. But
not without a heavy price ! The English Parliament had voted
twenty millions of the nation's revenue for this object, so as to
indemnify the ' legal ' owners of the slaves against any supposed
loss. But it was well that it was done ! A strange perversion of
the meaning of a very plain word is noticeable in this great national
transaction. It was called ' compensation ' money ! But to whom ?
Not to the negroes who had been robbed of the just reward of their
own labours ; but, to their so-called owners, as if they had been
victimised on the altars of national justice. However, the money
was paid and freedom came.

Conscience, when roused, is a quick and powerful mentor of
nations as well as of individuals. England's conscience spoke out
in unmistakable language, and the Parliament felt compelled to
bow to the nation's will. Wilberforce, now 'in feebleness extreme,'
was struggling through his last illness when a friend informed him
that the Bill for the ' Abolition of Slavery ' had passed its second
reading in the House of Commons ; ' Thank God/ said he, ' that
I should have lived to witness a day in which England is willing
to give twenty millions sterling for the Abolition of Slavery.'

History is the memory of the world. But a centiiry back from
the present tine, or a few years more, will be ample for us without
further extending our notices into the dark and dismal part of
the Western Antilles. About one hundred years ago Wesleyan

THE WEST INDIES. 11

Missionaries were sent to these lands by the English Conference,
subject to the general superintendence of the Rev. Thomas Coke,
LL.D., an Anglican clergyman, who had joined Wesley in his
great work of evangelising whom he could of mankind Avithout
regard to creed, complexion, or nationality.

In 1786, Coke visited Antigua and the Windward Islands, and in
1789 the island of Jamaica. On his return to England that same
year he sent the Rev. William Warrener to take care of the work
which he had begun. In less than fifty years from this auspicious
period the Mission Churches had so grown that seventy-one ordained
missionaries, not including catechists or other subordinate agents,
were employed, having the spiritual care of nearly thirty-two
thousand persons, of whom twenty-two thousand were slaves. This
number was exclusive of the children of our people, and of a very
large number of persons of all colours, who attended the public
ministry of the missionaries, but who were not recognised as
members of the Society.

It is not to be supposed that such glorious results were accomplished
in the absence of opposition and even bitter persecution. The fact
is, that both the slave-owners and the active abettors of slavery
always cherished a latent hatred to the Missionaries, as the men who
would before long bring about the destruction of their favourite
institution. They clearly saw that slavery and Christianity could
not co-exist in the same social body. The missionaries had difficulties
enough to contend with in prosecuting their Godlike enterprise from
the terrible disadvantages under which lay the coloured population ;
but, as if these were not enough, applications were made by the
Plantocracy for restrictive measures, under Legislative sanction, for
preventing the slaves attending the ministrations of the men who
were their only friends and spiritual guides.

Jamaica appears to have taken the lead in this cruel policy. In
1807, the Lieutenant-Governor, Council and Assembly passed 'An
Ordinance,' from which we make two extracts : —

(1) ' That from and after the commencement of this Act, all masters and
mistresses, owners, or, in their absence, overseers of slaves, shall, as much as in
them lies, endeavour the instruction of their slaves in the principles of the
Christian religion, whereby to facilitate their conversion ; and shall do their
utmost endeavours to fit them for baptism, and, as soon as conveniently they
can, cause to be baptized all such as they can make sensible of a Deity and the

12 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Christian faith. (2) Provided, nevertheless, that the instruction of such slaves
shall be confined to the doctrines of the Established Church in this island ; and
that no Methodist Missionary, or other sectary, or preacher, shall presume to
instruct our slaves, or to receive them into their houses, chapels, or conventicles,
of anj' description, under the penalty of twenty pounds for every slave proved
to have been there, and to be recovered in a summary manner before any three
justices of the peace ; who, or the majority of whom, are hereby authorized and
empowered to issue their warrant for recovery of the same ; and on refusal of
l)ayment, to commit the offender, or offenders, to the county gaol until the
payment of the said fine or fines ; which shall be paid over to the church-
wardens of the parish where the offence shall be committed, for the benefit of
the poor of such parish.'

The mockery of the first clause and the brutality of the second
will be obvious to every intelligent reader. The missionaries and
their sable flocks suifered terribly under this enactment. Some of
them were thrown into gaol, the sanctuaries of God were violently
closed, and the congregations were scattered. We painfully hear
the wail of one, amongst the many, coming down to us even after
the lapse of eighty years. The Rev. WilHam Gilgrass says : —

'When I came out of prison, I found the chapel shut up, which almost
broke my heart. But, at the price of my liberty, which I had regained, and in
the faces of my avowed enemies, I ventured to open the chapel, appointing
door-keepers to ascertain the slaves as accurately as possible. Thus I continued
preaching for a fortnight, to the restoration of many of the people who were
daily falling into sin.'

We can even now hear the negroes' lament : ' Massa, me no go to
heaven now.' ' White man keep black man from serving God.'
'Black man got no soul.' 'Nobody teach black man now.' In
about two years after this, King George III. disallowed this
nefarious piece of planter legislation. The reader of English
history in Charles II. 's time will readily recognise in the barbarous
' Conventicle Act ' and the ' Five Mile Act ' the same spirit of
persecution as that resurrected in the Jamaica Ordinance. The
brutal system had not died out with the collapse of the Stuart
dynasty ; but re-appeared in every form of diabolic hate, for the
annihilation of the missionaries and their blood-bought flocks in
that island.

The same dastardly spirit appeared in the lovely little island of
St. Vincent's, in the Windward group. The object was to prevent the
missionaries preaching to the negroes. An enactment of course was
necessary. But it had to be smuggled through the House of Assembly

THE WEST INDIES. 13

when most of the members had left. It was worthy of a Caligula
or a Domitian. There were three stages ; it began with oppression,
and ended in murder. For preaching to the negroes the first
punishment was a fine of eighteen pounds, or imprisonment, for
not more than nitiety days, nor less than thirty. For a second
ofience, such corporal punishment as the court should think proper
to inflict, and banishment. And lastly, to return from banishment,
DEATH. Thus religious persecution was established by law. The
Rev. Matthew Lumb was thiown into gaol for breaking, in
obedience to his conscience, this vile law. But this Act also good
King George annulled.

The years between 1786 and 1834 may be characterised as the
* wilderness state ' of the West Indian mission churches. It was
a period of * great tribulation ' to them. The Israelites endured
cruel bondage under the Pharaohs, and the unfortunate Jews in
Babylonian captivity ; but these were light when compared to the
heartless, unmanly, un-English, and anti- Christian wTongs which
were inflicted upon the slave and Creole races in the outlying
Western Antilles. These islands were an integral part of our
own great, proud Empire, subject to the laws of England, and under
the protection of the CrowTi. And yet these wrongs were permitted
to be done as if there were neither justice nor mercy for the
unoffending missionaries and their attached followers. We do not
over-state the case : ' What I saw in the days of slavery, and in
which I was compelled to take part,' said a penitent planter to the
writer, ' can never be told. It could not be written. It is too
bad to be put into human phrase and be published for the public
ear.' *

But to return to the case of the missionaries. Were they good
men or bad men? safe or dangerous men? Let an impartial
Chief Justice in one of the islands answer for the many hundreds
who would bear a similar testimony : —

' During nearly forty years' residence in the West Indies, I have been
observant of the conduct of Wesleyan missionaries ; and, althousrh I have
heard of their being discountenanced, and even abused and illtreated, I have

* Dr. Samuel Johnston thus speaks of Jamaica in those dark days : ' A place
of great wealth and dreadful wickedness : a den of tyrants and a dungeon
of slaves. '

14 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

never known them to deserve it ; Imt, on the contrary, all those whose deport-
ment has come under my observation have appeared to be men of exemplary
lives, and more useful among the lower orders of society than those of any
other denomination. Let it, therefore, be earnestly recommended to the
Wesleyan minister here, to use his utmost endeavours to induce the Parent
Society in England to afford us more missionary labour. I do not profess to
belong to this society, as a member, and therefore I am not biassed by its
particular interests ; yet, in the true spirit of toleration and Christian charity,
I am happy in contributing to its support.'

Such a testimony from the head of a judicial establishment in
one of the islands is of the highe.st value. But we append another
from an influential merchant, a gentleman of colour, and a member
of the Legislative Council by appointment from the Crown, who
said : —

'I have had the honour of having had extensive transactions with the
Wesleyan missionaries for a number of years, and I have always found them
to be men of integrity and honesty. I never knew one of them to leave our
island without paying his debts, which is more than I can say for the ministers
of my own Church.'

Then, why were the missionaries reviled, persecuted, imprisoned,
and, in one lamentable instance, killed? The answer is at hand.
The missionaries were the friends of the oppressed coloured classes,
and of the unfortunate slaves, ' Banish the missionaries,' said the
Plantocracy, 'and we shall hold our prey.' But God in heaven heard
the cry of His faithful servants, and of His sable children, and He
'came down to deliver them.' August 1st, 1834, saw the end in all
our West Indian Possessions of negro slavery.

The letters of the missionaries written at this time are little
known. We may, therefore, allowably give from the correspondence
a few quotations, setting forth some of the scenes and experiences
of the never-to-be-forgotten Abolition Day. The Rev. Edward
Fraser, himself a coloured man, and once a slave, thus wrote from
Tortola :—

' That ever memorable and glorious day was passed by us in a rehgious and
most happy manner. Our chapels were opened, and the human beings who
had that morning, for the first time, breathed the air of freedom — of freedom
at least from absolute bondage — assembled in cheerful crowds to praise and
worship Him who "looseth the prisoners." Great was our rejoicing; — the
more so because many had foreboded soreness and discontent. As I came
out of our town chapel, a man from a group accosted me with, '■ Sir, we could

THE WEST INDIES. 15

wish a petition to return thanks to the King." I replied, " No doubt the King
will be grervtly pleased when he hears of your thankfulness and orderly
behaviour." '

The Rev. Matthew Banks wrote : —

'On Thursday evening, July 3 1st, I preached from 1 Cor. vi. 19, 20. The con-
gregation was very large. About two minutes before twelve o'clock, I desired
all the negroes and the friends of freedom to kneel down, the first to receive
their liberty at the hands of God, and the latter to take from Him the con-
summation they had so devoutly wished. "When the clock struck twelve, I
announced that the 1st of August had arrived, and exclaimed, " You are all
free!" Then the voice of their weeping was more distinctly heard, and it
became general, and mingled with, " Glory be to God ! " " Praise the Lord ! "
etc. Prayer was offered for our Gracious Sovereign, the Royal Family, the
British Parliament, and British Christians generally, by whom, under God,
the great boon is conferred. All the freed people seemed to acknowledge that
it is the Lord's doing, and marvellous in their eyes.'

The Rev. WilUam Box gives an interesting account of the pre-
liminary services, and adds : —

' It being then within a few minutes of twelve o'clock, 'I stated the propriety
of their receiving the inestimable boon upon their knees, and requested them to
silently lift up their hearts to God, until I should announce to them that slavery
was no more, by a hymn of praise to God ; but such was their joyous feeling,
and so loud their prayers, that it was with difficulty I could raise my voice so
high as to be heard. We sang, " Praise God from whom all blessings flow."
This being sung, they rose from their knees, when I congratulated them upon
their new state and relationship, so unexpectedly, so astonishingly brought
about ; and while setting forth the demands which were now made upon them,
not only of devotedness to God, but of loyalty to their beloved Sovereign, with
an enthusiasm I never before witnessed in a West Indian assembly, they one
and all shouted, " God save the King ! Long live King William the Fourth !
God save the King I " 0 how did my heart thrill with ecstasy, while hundreds
upon hundreds just delivered '-from the house of bondage," made the place ring
again with the voice of joy and thanksgiving ! It was like Israel in the time
of David and Solomon, when " all the congregation blessed the Lord God of
their fathers, and bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord and the
King.'"

But there was the holiday of juhUee to follow the night of their
departure from this ' land of Egypt.' Two grand Sabbath services
were held, and at the close of the second a fine burst of decision for
God was heard. ' Who then is willing,' cried the missionary,
' to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord ? ' Several rose,
and lifting up their hands, exclaimed, ' I will ! ' ' I will ! ' ' I will ! '
' I will ! ' 'I am ! ' 'I am ! ' 'I am ! ' — while the whole body

16 JAMES BICKFOBB: AX AUTOBIOGIIAPHY.

simultaneously joined in the declaration. Upon pressing the subject
by asking, ' Are you decided ? ' nothing was to be heard scarcely,
but ' Yes, Massa ! ' ' Yes, Massa ! ' while tears trickled do^vn theii*
sable cheeks, and heavenly joy sparkled in every countenance. The
Sunday school was then visited, and an infant negro child was
baptized.

This was a very Pentecost — the inauguration of a new era in the
civil and religious life of these emancipated and happy flocks of the
missionaries' fold. White and black, and coloured, by this merciful
Act of Slave- Abolition, entered upon new and high responsibilities,
which God in his providential arrangements had cast upon them.
The whites, under governors appointed by the Crown, and subject
to legislative bodies of diverse materials and functions, had now a
favourable opportunity of making some amends for their past cruel
and licentious misdoings ; whilst the blacks were prepared to conform
to the requirements of the new ' apprenticeship regime,^ which, in
the nature of things, would be to them irksome, hard to bear, and
savouring of a purgatory. Fair treatment and a fair wage, just
and equitable laws, political rights, and the ' rest of the Sabbath,'
they asked, and were determined to have.

The Creole increment of the population occupied a middle relation
to both. Descended at first, on the father's side, from the whites
and on the mother's side from the blacks, they had inherited a
superiority to the maternal stock ; and, in many notable instances,
were not a whit inferior to the paternal. Then, again, these
Creoles, or mixed persons, intermarried with each other, and from
them sprang a numerous progeny which have pushed theii" way into
the learned professions, the Christian ministry, and mercantile life ;
they have become proprietors and managers of sugar and cotton plan-
tations, and entered into the highest Governmental service. An
adjustment of relations as between two of these classes, say, between
the whites and blacks, would have been comparatively easy ; but the
existence of a third element made a difficulty. This was the problem
to be solved on well understood lines of i^olitical fairness, social
justice, and Christian forbearance. But the experiment of an
interim apprenticeship proved a dead failure, and pi'ecipitated the
alternative of complete emancipation on August 1st, 1838.

The ever watchful London Committee did not fail to anticipate
the still greater social change about to take place throughout the

THE WEST INDIES. IT

West India Islands. Under date, April 14th, 1838, the General
Secretaries despatched a circular upon this subject to the Wesley an
Missionaries, containing wholesome and broad-hearted counsels, for
the guidance of their -whole conduct under the new and trying
conditions in which they would soon be. The Secretaries say : —

' As the liberation of a portion of the apprenticed negroes in August next may
probably have an unsettling effect upon those who are appointed by the
Abolition Act to remain in the condition of apprentices for two years longer,
and as the efforts which have been made to procure an immediate and universal
extinction of the apprenticeship system may also tend to produce still greater
excitement, we deem it proper to give you a word of advice upon the subject.
On the question of the immediate and forcible termination of the apprenticeship
system by the Imperial Parliament, it is foreign to our purpose to enlarge : our
object is to enjoin you to use your influence to allay any excitement which may
exist among the negroes, and to inculcate upon them the duty of a quiet and
peaceable submission to their circumstances. The contrary conduct could only
prove injurious to themselves ; — it would probably be made the occasion for
imposing upon them new restrictions ; — and it would tend to check any
disposition on the part of the local legislatures, or of individual planters, to
introduce them to the enjoyment of entire freedom before the period fixed for
the termination of the apprenticeship by the Abolition Act.

' We have good ground for hope that a satisfactory settlement of the important
Negro Marriage Question mil speedily take place. We have been alive to this
subject ; and finding that a protective measure was likely to be adopted
by the Imperial Parliament for the benefit of the apprentices, we respectfully
urged upon the Eight Honourable Lord Glenelg to insert, in his Bill, a clause
recognising the validity of the past marriages which you have solemnized, and
empowering you legally to solemnize marriage for the future. Such a result
cannot fail to have a most important bearing upon the cause of religion and
public morals, and will powerfully tend to promote the comfort and welfare of
the negroes and their children.'

The document from which the above extracts are taken is very
lengthy, dealing with the question in every possible aspect, and bears
the signatures of the Rev. Edmund Grindrod, President of the Con-
ference; and of the Eevs. Jabez Bunting, D.D., John Beecham, D.D.,
Robert Alder, D.D., and Elijah Hoole, D.D., General Secretaries.

The Plantocracy had evidently had enough of the ' Apprenticeship '
system, which was simply one of semi-slavery, as all admitted. The
meddling policy of the Imperial Parliament m granting only a half-
measure of relief embittered both parties, and rendered every planta-
tion a focus of discontent and alarm. The coloured population at
this time were mostly in the towns. They were not unnaturally in
a state of frenzied excitement, and were so far an element of danger

2

18 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIO GRAPH Y.

to the peace of the general social body. The time, therefore, had
sui'ely arrived when the necessary reUef must come from the local
parliaments themselves. Antigua, to its great praise, had shown a
good example by giving unconditional freedom to its slave population
in 1834. This action was right ; and, as experience showed, the safest
thing to do. Besides, it was juit. For it may be asked, how could
the slave-owners with any sense of righteousness hold the apprentices
in bondage, and extract out of their sweat and blood gratuitous
services, when they had previously received their share of so-called
* compensation ' money out of the coffers of the English Exchequer.

Between the months of May and August the island legislatures
reluctantly opened their eyes to the unsafe condition of things, and,
in rapid succession, passed such measures as brought this desperate
iniquity to an end. The letters of the grateful missionaries are of
much interest and feeling. We may quote from one of these as a
sample of the rest. The Rev. John Lee, writing from Calder, St.
Vincent's, begins with a note of grandest jubilation : —

' " Hallelujah ! The Lord God omnipotent reigneth ! " and we are breathing
a free atmosphere. Yesterday, the glorious first of August, the apprenticeship
of this island was abrogated, and the long-enslaved population became fully
free. The day came, and with it the rejoicing of ten thousands in these islands.
Long before the time for service the chapel was crowded to excess. Knowing
that the eyes of many were upon us, I previously requested the attendance of
the proprietors, attorneys, managers, etc., to witness the behaviour of the
people, and also to hear the whole of the advices we had to give : two
magistrates and several white people came, who all heard the Word attentively.
After singing that beautiful hymn, "For the Heathen," page 417, in w-hich the
congregation heartily joined, we engaged in solemn thanksgiving to our
merciful Benefactor, for all the favours bestowed upon us, but especially for
that which had brought us together that day. It was evident tliat the Lord
was in the midst of us ; for, 0 Sirs 1 it would have done your hearts good to
have witnessed their devotion, and to have heard their responses ; and, when
thanks were returned for the successful termination of the long protracted
struggle to obtain their freedom, and blessings were invoked upon the heads
of their benefactors, then to have heard the burst of grateful feeling which
flowed from their full hearts would have made British Christians rejoice. I
proceeded to address them from 1 Peter ii. 13-19 ; after which I gave them some
general advice respecting their future conduct as free labourers ; on the nature
of their agreement ; the attention due to their children's education and
subsequent employment ; the best way of conducting themselves during their
present cessation from labour ; the necessity of all resuming their employment
next Monday morning, etc. We then sung the doxology, and concluded ■with
prayer one of the most interesting services I ever witnessed.'

THE WEST INDIES. 19

Thus, by Heaven's decree, this cruel and hellish system of slavery
came to an end. Nothing could have been more demoralising than
was this nefarious traffic. The island plantations were, in many
instances, managed by ' Legrees ; ' — who, in every phase of moral
turpitude, equalled their famous prototype as drawn by Mrs, Harriet
Beecher Stowe in ' Uncle Tom's Cabin.' Sir John Hawkins in
1556 acquired the distinction of being the father of this dreadful
traffic in slaves for the West Indies. The account is that he sailed
with two ships to Cape de Verde, where he sent eighty men on shore
to catch negroes. But the natives flying, they fell farther do^vn the
coast ; till, having taken enough, they proceeded to the West Indies
and sold them. For 282 years the original Africans, ^vith their
children and children's children were enslaved ; to which were added,
as necessity arose for labovir for carrying on the sugar and cotton
cultivation, other cargoes of captured negroes.

By the Act of Emancipation, eight hundred thousand of freed
negroes were put into possession of the priceless privileges of civil and
religious liberty. These privileges are thus defined by Wesley in
his scathing tract, entitled ' Thoughts upon Slavery,' as follows : —

' Liberty is the right of every human creature, as soon as he breatlies the
vital air ; and no liuman law can deprive him of that right which he derives
from the law of nature. '

And again : —

' Religious liberty is a liberty to choose our own religion ; to worship God
according to our own conscience. Every man living has a right to this, as he
is a rational character. The Creator gave him this right when He endowed
him with understanding ; and every man must judge for himself, because
eveiy man must give an account of himself to God. Consequently, this is an
inalienable right t is inseparable from humanity ; and God did never give
authority to any man, or number of men, to deprive any child of man thereof,
under any colour or pretence whatever.'

This liberty is now the Magna Charta of every subject of oiu-
Queen throughout her great empii-e ; but the history of the struggle
for its acquirement, ' at home and abroad,' is a monitory illustration
of the maxim —

' Who would be free,
Himself should strike the blow.'

This ought not to have been i"equii-ed.

PERSONAL HISTORY.

1838—1853.
SECOND PART.

MY engagement by the Missionary Committee in London,
acting for the English Conference, dates from August 1838,
and the ending of Negro Apprenticeship in the West Indies occurred
in the same month and year. By this action, new openings
presented themselves to the London Committee, and the whole
Methodist Chiu'ch in Great Britain sprang to the evangelistic
enterprise. ' More missionaries ' had been once more the plea
heard from across the waters of the Atlantic, and I was one among
ten others who were chosen for the work.

The official education of young missionaries begins in London.
Fifty years ago, soon after the holding of the Conference, they were
examined by a Committee, and, if approved, they were bUleted for
a short time with the London Ministers. My good fortune, in the
first instance, was to be told off for Westmoreland Place, the home
of the Rev. President Thomas Jackson, whose fatherly bearing to
me I can never forget. The President at that time was writing
his Centenary Memoiial volume. From day to day, when he came
down to dinner, he would tell us of the progress he was making.
Rev. B. B. Waddy, who that year was the President's assistant,
had most of the remarks addressed to him. ' Did you ever preach,'
said the President to Mr. Waddy, ' on St. Paul's visit to Troas % '
' No, sir,' was the reply. ' But if you were to do so,' rejoined the
President ; ' how would you treat that subject 1 ' ' Well, sii% I
Jiardly know, bvit I suppose I would make a point of the importance
of wakefulness in hearing the Word of God.' ' But there is a great
deal more than that in the narrative,' said the President ; ' there
is in fact a complete body of cUvinity in it. Only see ! we have —

PERSONAL HIST 0 BY. 21

(1) the recognition of the Sabbath institution — "the first day of
the week ; " (2) the conduct of the Apostolic Churches on that day
— " the disciples came together ; " (3) the observance of the Lord's
Supper — "broke bread;" (4) the institution of the Christian
ministry — " Paul preached unto them." ' Then the President ex-
pressed his sympathy with the young man, Eutychus, suggesting
as an excuse for his having fallen into a ' deep sleep,' that probably
he was generally employed in the field, or in some department of
active daily life, and was not therefore able to resist the drowsiness
that attacked him. The miracle of his restoration to full strength,
at the instance of Paul, was also noticed, and — (5) the result of a
well-spent Sabbath — ' They were not a little comforted.' This was
good expository teaching for us young men, for two of us were the
merest novitiates in the work.

The President always offered prayer at family worship in the
morning. These exercises were of a highly spiritual character.
The nation, the church, the missions, the family, the young men,
the sick and distressed, came in for special notice and earnest
supplication. One morning after prayer, in which the President
had been praying for favoiu-able weather for the ingathering of the
crops in the north of England and Scotland, Mr. Waddy rather
archly inquii-ed ' if the President was aware that the harvest was
over in every part of the country ? ' ' No, no, Mr. Waddy,' said
the devout man ; ' not yet. In the north of England and in many
parts of Scotland there are hundreds of acres of ungathered grain,
and if the Lord does not favour us for some time longer with suitable
weather much of it will be spoiled ; bread will be dear, then what
will the poor people do 1 ' I was much struck with the reply, as
showing how much the President's heart had imbibed the spirit of
his Master, whose special characteristic was His loving consideration
for the poor.

My next move was to 77, Hatton Garden, the residence of the
Rev. Dr. and Mrs Alder. Here I met several young men, who
were, like myself, Avaiting for ' sailing orders ' to proceed to our
allotted woi'k ' far hence among the Gentiles.' The two temporary
homes I had in London, at this time, stand out in sharp contrast to
each other. Westmoreland Place was much like a qviiet, dignified
Yorkshire home ; whilst Hatton Garden was official, restrained,
and everything was done to order. The first was an easy break

22 JAMES BICKFOBD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

from one's quiet home life in Devonshiie ; the other was a rather
unwelcome discipHne to fit one for the higher courtesies of society
and diplomatic intercourse Avith governors and leading officials in
colonial life. Long experience has confirmed me in the opinion that
both the English President and the Missionary Secretary were right.
Dr. Alder's regime was a kind of bieaking in, of which, I am sure,
that no young man capable of judging the doctor's motives would
condemn as too severe.

A few details may ]>e given. The young missionary at ' 77 '
soon learnt that he had to ' walk by rule.' On entering the house
from the street a neatly clad and somewhat stiffish femme would
conduct the stranger to a back parloiu', and take her departiu'e. The
fiu-niture was scant and plain. There was no sofa, nor couch, nor
easy chair, for the comfort of the ' young man from the country.'
There were a few books, and all of a certain kind. ' Butler's
Analogy,' ' Pearson on the Creed,' ' Wesley's Sermons,' and ' Watson's
Institute,' were among the more promiiient and thumbed. On the
wall over the mantelpiece was hung a copy of the rules to be read
and observed. The bell would ring for breakfast at fifteen minutes
or so before you were expected to make your appearance. Seated,
with the ' Boss ' at the head, and his amiable better half at the other
end of the table, the ordinary formalities of breaking-fast commenced.
Each one was expected to be prepared with a passage of Scripture
for recital, the lady of the house leading the way. Next to her sat
a nervous young woman, the wife of one of the missionaries about to
sail for Africa, whose surprise and hesitancy were so great that she
could not produce a single word from the grand old book she loved
so well. The round came to me on the left, next the ' Boss,' and
I did my best in giving the last text I had iised before leaving
Devonshire. Then the reading of the Scriptures followed, and prayer
was offered. A funny incident occurred one morning. A small boy
— a shoeblack and errand boy (whom we may fitly call ' Toby ') — was
sitting in a corner of the room waiting his tvn-n at recitation after
the rest of us had gone through our facings. He (Toby), it was
said, had been misbehaving in some matter, and was under a threat
of dismissal. Poor lad ! What could he do ? Nothing that he
might say from his own mind could avert the trouble which now
hung over him. So the arch little fellow chose a passage of Scripture
which perchance might soften the ire of his master. His turn was

PERSONAL HISTORY. 23

the last of the lot — his only chance. But lie came out with his
selected passage, full-mouthed and emphasized, with painfid emotion :
' And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing
threatening, knowing that your Master also is in heaven ; neither
is there respect of persons with Him.' The stroke was felt at both
ends of the table ; the shaft went home. Not a word was said, but
smiles were exchanged; and for Toby's sake we may hope there
was an end of the affair.

As may be expected, this regime appeared to some of our pai-ty as
savouring too much of being at school. Be it so, it was none the
worse for that. The diet itself was according to the ' Rule of Three,'
— breakfast, dinner and tea, and no fourth meal. These were
frugal enough, except the dinner, which was svibstantial and good.
Breakfast ! yes, stale bread, cut about three-quarters of an inch
thick, with a slight 'scrape of butter' to make it slide more
easily, and one or two cups of coffee as we might choose. The tea
had toast sometimes in addition, but not too much of that. The
subscribers to the funds of the Wesleyan Missionary Society may take
my word for it that, at that time, there was no waste of any kind,
no superfluity whatsoever, at 77, Hatton Garden.

This was capital discipline doubtless for the young men, whether
married or single. I felt the change very much from my freer former
life in Devon, but I did not complain. Good for us perhaps that it was
so, as a preparation for self-denial and unknown experiences which
were awaiting us in distant parts. Fifty years have passed since
then, and Dr. and Mrs. Alder have gone from among us ; yet their
memories and many generous acts are not, and never can be,
forgotten by me.

The year 1838 may be thought of by the English Methodists as
one marked with strong faith in God, and of noble daring in
missionary enterprises. The income of the Society was ^673,875, and
the expenditure had greatly exceeded that amount. There was,
unhappily, a debt, including the deficiency of this former year, of
some thousands of pounds. But, notwithstanding this painfid fact,
the Committee could not stand still when the West Indies, India,
Australia, Polynesia, and ISToi-th America were plaintively crying,
' Come over and help us.' There must have been deep anxiety in
the councils of the General Committee for the salvation of the
heathen, to have warranted the forward action so strikingly shown.

24 JAMES BICKFORD: A:N AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Australia and New Zealand were generously provided for, and so
were the Canadas.

I was present in September, in London, at an Ordination Service,
when Messrs. Warren, Ironside, Creed, De Wolfe, Lauton, Barratt,
and Marshall were, by the ' imposition of hands and prayers '
solemnly ' set apart ' for the work abroad. I well remember also
that never-to-be-forgotten Valedictory service held in City Road
on the departure of the Revs. John Waterhouse, J. H. Bumby,
Jolm Egglestone, John Warren, Samuel Ironside, Charles Creed,
and Peter Jones (the converted Indian chief) for Australia and
Canada. Great men were on the platform — The President, Thomas
Jackson, Dr. Hannah, Dr. Bunting, Richard Treffry (senior), Edmund
Grindrod, John Beecham, Robert Alder, and Elijah Hoole. The
President conducted the meeting with the impressive dignity of a
true '0 j}7'uestos, and Dr. Bunting closed the service with a prayer,
the remembrance of which has been cherished as an instance of
impassioned pleading with the God of missions never before heard
within the consecrated walls of Wesley's own church. But these
were not all of the noble men sent out that year. There were,
besides, Messrs. Moss, Edwards, Hetherington, Lauton, Parkinson,
Burrows, Impey, Fleet, together mth the following missionaries :
Messrs. Railton, Davis, Bell, Whitehead, Hurd, and Bickford. It
was a year of Pentecostal Baptism for missionary enlargement, for
the ' Lord of the harvest ' had heard the cry of His servants for
more labourers, and the Conference authorities found them, and sent
them out ' far hence among the Gentiles,' east, west, north, and
south.

Voyage to the West Indies.

It was on November 2nd that the Rev. Henry Hurd and I were
accompanied by Dr. Alder to London Bridge, to go by a small steam-
boat to Gravesend, where the Berhely was anchored ready for sea.
We soon got * under weigh ' and made for the ' Downs,' where we
remained until the 11th. After morning service fair wind sprang
up, and we were speedily shaping for ' down ' channel, some two
hundred vessels starting at the same time. Among them were the
Fame, bound for the Gambia, having Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson as
passengers; the Jamaica, bound for Antigua, with Messrs. Eraser,
Bell, and Railton ; the IIou(jhton-le- Spring, bound for Jamaica, with

PERSONAL HISTORY. 25

Messrs. Burrows, Davis, Redfern, and Whitehead ; and the Vixen,
bound for South Africa, with Messrs. Richards and Impey. Fifty
years ago the missionaries had to encounter the discomforts and
dangers of saiUng to distant parts in small and ill-equipped trading
vessels ; but now they are able to travel in monster steamships to
eveiy part of the world, with the enjoyment of ' pleasure trips.'

Nothing remarkable occurred during the voyage. We were thirty-
eight days from the ' Downs ' to the island of St. Vincent's. We
had the customary storms, contrary winds, and heavy seas, with
other disagreeablenesses, but, upon the whole, for that season of the
year, it Avas a fair voyage. Our worst weather was in the Bay of
Biscay, where the sea was lashed into fury by the north-west gales,
threatening ovir immediate destruction. A short vessel, like the
Berkehj, was ill-prepared for easily riding over such yawning depths
as ever and anon we descended into. One of these in particular
can never be forgotten. The captain, Mr. Mann, and the chief mate,
Mr. Frost, were standing on the larboard side of the quarter-deck
watching with intensest apprehension the approach of a mountain
of water. Its height was above the highest yard of our struggling,
trembling ship, and we appeared to be within a measurable distance
of engulphment in the appalling waves. But, as it approached,
within a few yards of our ' bows,' it broke and disappeared below our
quivering vessel, and left us unharmed. We then rose upon the
crest of another sea, and finally escaped the further terrors of this
fearfully dangerous bay. We caught the ' trades ' on December 3rd.
some two hundred miles west of the Canary Isles, from which time
we had pleasant sailing until we sighted Barbados.

Life for land-lubbers on shipboard is a curious phenomenon. A
Mr. Cockran, a sugar planter, and a really good-natured son of Erin,
was then one of our fellow- voyagers. He quite took to me ; and why
should he not ? Is there no affinity between Saxon and Celtic blood ?
He always addi-essed me as ' The Bishop,' — -I presume of the saloon.
One day he said to me, with afi'ectionate simplicity, ' Bishop, if you
will come to see me on my plantation in Grenada, I shall be so
pleased that I will kill a sheep for you.' His ' bulls ' were frequent
and amusing. We were sailing close-hauled to the wind, — it was
some days before we fell in with the ' trades ; ' but, it so happened,
that whilst we were below dining, the chief mate had ' put the ship
about ' so that we were on another tack, when he came again on

26 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

deck. Said he to Mr. Frost, ' What have you been doing ? Why,
you have put the wind on the other side of the ship.' But he was
tender and sensible to every little act of kindness from us. I liked
him very much. Our passengers were Grenadians by birth or
choice, and were wholly free from those complexional prejudices
which have so much disturbed and even embittered the social life of
Jamaicans and Barbadians. A missionary on board ship, provided
he act wisely, cautiously, and be tolerably reticent, may wield a
powerful influence as a general peacemaker and friend. Mr. Hurd
and I, in these respects, did our best, and succeeded. Dr. Alder's
many counsels stood us in good tui-n now that we were thrown upon
our own resources in our ship-life for the first time.

On December 18th we sighted Barbados, and at 9 a.m. were off
Carlisle Bay. We stood away at once for St. Vincent's, some ninety
miles to the west. We reached the island at daylight, and early in
the forenoon we landed at Cropper's Wharf, Kingstown Harbour.
An interesting young gentleman — a Mr. Rapier, slightly coloured
— addressed to us the inquiry, 'Whether we were Wesleyan mis-
sionaries just arrived from England 1 ' We said, * Yes.' He then
politely offered to conduct us to the mission house in the next street.

The Rev. E.. H. Crane, a Nova Scotian by birth, was the resident
missionary. He was a fine, well-proportioned man, with a benignant
countenance, who received us with courtesy and smiles. We next
saw his wife, Mrs. Crane, formerly a Miss Black, daughter of the
Rev. William Black, of Huddersfield, Yorkshire, who had emigrated
to Nova Scotia with his parents when he was quite young. Mr.
Hurd and I were much shocked when we first saw her attenuated
frame, deadly white complexion, and, as we inferred, ill state of
health. But the climate had done it all ; a common penalty, which
English ladies have to pay as the price for residing within the
tropics.

Whilst looking about the hall we heard the pattering of the
negroes' naked feet as they entered the mission yard, with our
heavy luggage on their heads. They, in much good nature, without
fee or reward, placed all our belongings carefully against the outer
wall of the strangers' receiving-room, and, scraping the right foot on
the ground as their expressive token of respect for ' Buckra,' they took
their departure. The reason of their kindness is not far to seek.
' Dem missionary imported for a wee,' was the grateful idea which

PERSONAL HISTORY. 27

underlay their action. Being glad to see us, they were willing to
serve vis as they had ability.

The island of St. Vincent's, situate in 13° N. latitude and Gl°
W. longitude, is regarded as the queen of the Antilles. Some
travellers have appropriately called it a West Indian Switzerland.
Indeed, the four leading characteristics of that famous country are
here found in miniatui'e. The Alpine, the mountainous, the hilly,
and the plain are seen to great advantage as we approach the
Carib country from the sea ; also the peak-shaped movmtains, and
extensive, broken ranges of high hills, and clean-cut precipices, as
seen at the back of Kingstown and at Fort St. George. There is,
perhaps, no portion of our Colonial empire that abounds more
in interesting physical phenomena, and rugged scenery, than this
grandly outlined island. In some localities to the leeward there are
numerous traces of the igneous character of their origin. The
magnificent Cumberland valley, for example, is the resort of the
scientific and the curious, because of its immense basaltic i-ocks,
which, rising hard by the river's side, stand straight up in columnar
order, whilst their surface, pavement-like, is laid in polygonal pieces,
fitted most mechanically into each other. The Greathead valley is
celebrated for its spa, or mineral springs, which are so valuable in
fever cases. And the Carib country to the windward is famous
for its dry river. Before the dreadful eruption of the Soufi'riere
mountain, in 1813, its bed was the natural floor of one of the
most valuable streams that ever watered a plantation, or blessed a
home.

From the time of our landing to that of holding the Annual
District Meeting was about two months. I shall never forget the
fii\st evening spent in Kingstown. Mr. Crane asked me to preach,
wloich I did as well as I could after the dissipation of a sea voyage.
My subject was ' Wrestling Jacob,' and some seven hundred persons
were present. A large choir, drawn up in a semi-cii'cular form, was
led by a coloured lady possessing a strong, full, and well-trained
contralto voice. The first tune was ' Segina,' a grand and appropriate
one for rendering with efiect C. Wesley's greatest hymn — ' Come, 0
Thovi Traveller unknown ! ' The bass was given by a Mr. Clark, a
white man, who had bought his discharge from the army. He sang
with marvellous power. The motley appearance of the congregation :
diversity of complexional shades, naked feet of the blacks, red cotton

28 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

tied headgear, fantastic hats, ydth. and without brims, together with
a few of the whites and better-to-do coloured of the congregation
dressed up in beau'jiful muslin or very light sUks, presented the most
cux'ious audience I ever expected to see even in the West Indies
themselves.

My first Sunday was spent at Calliaqua, a small village, surrounded
except seaward, by populous sugar plantations. We had from six
to eight hundred persons present. After the morning sex'vice, tho
classes were met by several leaders as arranged for them in every
part of the building, which was probably fifty feet square, much
after the manner in which modern Sunday schools are distributed.
At the close of the fellowship by singing and prayer, the officiating
minister had to call out, one by one, the names of all the members
on the roll, who would answer ' one,' ' two,' ' three,' ' four,' meaning
penny, or pence, as the case might be, and the leader would place the
contribution in the numbered bag to be handed to the missionary, to
be counted and entered in the Society book on the Monday morning.
I thought ' This looks vexy much like business,' and suggesting the
idea of ' paying as you go.' Two childrexi had to be baptized ; a love-
feast had to be held in the afternoon, and a preaching sex'vice in the
evening. Not a lazy, or bad day's work for a * new chum ' (Austral),
who had just come from the stoi-my coasts of Sovith Devon, and
exj)osed for the first time to the scox'ching and exhaustless x"ays of a
vertical sun.

Dec. 25th. — Di^dne sex-vices were held as in the old country. The
Kingstown Chapel was full of worshippers at four o'clock in the
mox'ning. This has always been a great day with our people in
the West Indies. It is to them a day to be ushered in by ' songs
in the night,' as well as in early morn, by a ' rejoicing with great
joy.' The Rev. R. H. Crane preached at 5 a.m., and it fell to me
to officiate at 10.30 a.m., axid at 7 p.m. My thoughts tx'avelled
homeward, and I acutely felt the distance which then ixitervened
between the sunny isle of St. Vincent's and Edmestoxi Bax'toxi, in the
parish of Modbury, Devon, where twelve months ago we gathered
around the parental hearth, rejoicing with our father and mother
and nine bx-others and sistex-s, whose happy and healthy circle up
to that time had been unbroken. The thought would arise, ' When
shall we meet again ? ' ' Never more ' in this wox'ld, was the stern
reply.

PERSONAL HISTORY. 29

Dec. 2Sth. — I was on the * wings of the wind.' The Rev. John
Mann, our missionary in the Carib country, had come into Kings-
town on the preceding day to take me back witli him for several
services at his station. ' John Mann ' was a man for the occasion.
He feai'ed neither sun nor rain. A salamander for heat and a duck
for water ; — two important qualifications for the kind of work he
had been doing previously in Trinidad and Tobago, and was then
doing in the windward district of St. Vincent's. Once mounted on
our mettled steeds, off we went at a canter through the town long
before the Creoles had rubbed their eyes, or the blacks oiled their
ebony. We ascended Dorsetshire Hill to the flagstaff, descended into
Greathead valley, crossed the rushing river, proceeded at full speed
over the flatter country, passed through CalHaqua, and then skirted
the sea for some miles. But why all this haste 1 Why ? Because
old Sol was rising, and the Englishmen must avoid the exhaustion
and danger of his fierce rays, not only by an early journey, but by
losing no time by the way. Calder, the head-quarters of the Hon.
Hay McDowall Grant, the just and good attorney of the Trust
Estates, soon appeared in view. We were quickly at the humble,
quiet cottage of the Rev. John Lee, before whose door we
pulled up —

'• The wingM courser, like a generous horse,
Shows most true mettle when you check its course."

Riders and steeds seemed equally glad of shelter and repose.

Mrs. Lee — dear good soul — had for us a fine breakfast of salt -fish,
roast yams, plantains, and exquisite cofiee. Didn't we eat, and drink,
too, after that ride ? The best sauce for an Englishman in the
tropics is a gallop of a dozen miles, now and then, before breakfast.
Oxu" kind host and hostess were not at all surprised at the devouring
powers we put forth. The morning hymn, the reading of God's Word,
and a short extempore prayer, concluded the repast. The negroes of
the plantation came around the house to have a peep at the new
Buckra (white stranger) and offer him a welcome.

At midday Mr. Mann and I remounted our horses, and off we
went for the Biabou mission station, where resided the Rev. John
Cullingford, the Chairman of the District. We had brought copies
of the Watchnmn with us containing the accounts of the great
meeting which had been held at Manchester in initiating the

30 JAMES BICKFORB : AN AUTOBIOGEAPHY.

movement for celebrating the Centenary festival. Mrs. Cullingfoi'd
entertained us most hospitably. Refreshed and comforted we pro-
ceeded on our way at 4 p.m., so as to have the cool of the evening
for the remainder of our journey. Romantic and precipitous cliffs,
hills and valleys, narrow riding paths, and rushing rivers mark the
way from Biabou to Georgeto-s\Ti, the station and home of Mr. Mann.
Ordinarily, a few days' rest would have been wise after such a
journey, but this was not to be. The ' next day was the Sabbath,'
and I had to do the best I could. But there was such encouragement
in the crowds that came for the worship that all previous fatigue
was forgotten. Hundreds upon hundreds could not get inside the
building, but had to come within earshot on the outside, and get as
much religious instruction as was possible under the circumstances.
Such ' hunger ' for the Word of God I had never seen before in
England or elsewhere. Speaking for the honoured pioneer of this
great work, Mr. Mann, it seemed to me that no words could be
more appropriate for the utterances of his soul than are the
folio-wing lines : —

' Who, I ask in amaze, hath begotten me these ?
And inquire from what quarter they came ;
My full heart it replies, They are born from the skies,
And gives glory to God and the Lamb.'

Two incidents occiu-red, of great interest to me, during this my first
visit to the Carib country : —

(a) My being present at the class meeting of newly con ci'ted
negroes. Mr. Mann was the leader. His beaiing was very tender
and considerate of the feelings of these ' babes in Christ,' who were
seeking for guidance and help in their spiritual life. The meeting
had the true ring. The fellowship was genuinely good all through.
The enquiries of the leader dealt alone with spiritual expei'iences and
the trials of the daily life of the members. Such replies as the
following indicate the gist of the whole exercise: (1) 'Me have no
friend but Jesus. Me love my Jesus for what He done for me.' (2)
' My Jesus give me faith : me want more faith.' (3) ' Me be
determined to live better this year ; me will ask more — ^love more —
pray more — and be better Christian.' To my own soul it was a
precious season of peace and blessing.

(b) I had heard of a miserable remnant of the red Carib race
located at Grand Sable, lying to the north of the Georgetown mission

PERSONAL HISTORY. 31

station, and I expressed a wish to Mr. Mann to visit them in their
own settlement. We accordingly mounted our horses early one
morning, and found them in due course as we expected. They — about
fifty perhaps — were the sole survivors of a once powerful race, the
original owners of the land, and masters of the seas which washed the
shores of theii* beautiful islands. Being introduced to the old chief,
it was easy to see from his bearing that we were not wanted, and
that our presence even was irksome to the tribe. Physically, they
are of a low stature, and bear a strong resemblance to the group of
copper-coloured Indians seen in the Crystal Palace, Sydenham,
London. Their look was strongly suspicious of the presence of
strangers. Theu- eyes appeared contracted, and the unmistakable
. expression of the countenance was not only forbidding but revengeful.
Some fifty years before the time of oiu* visit, under the dii-ection of
the Eev. Dr. Coke, an attempt was made to civilize these people by
establishing a school for the children. A Mr. and Mrs. Joice were
sent out from London to conduct it. But the project failed through
the severe illnesses of Mrs. Joice, and both had to leave.

The next attempt was made by the appointment of the Bev. Mr.
Baxter, of Antigua, as a missionary to reside in the Carib country,
near the river Byera, which separated the English territory from the
Indian settlement. Two years of trial were given to this experiment ;
when, having no encouragement whatsoever fi'om the Caribs, old or
young, the mission was reluctantly withch-awn, and to all human
appearance the ' day of grace ' closed. It is said that Mrs. Baxter,
on taking ' leave, wept at theu- rejection of the Gospel, and earnestly
prayed that they might have another " call," before the things which
made for their everlasting peace were for ever hidden from their eyes.
At the same time, she earnestly besought God, that when another
call should reach them, they might not reject it, as they had
hitherto slighted the overtures of salvation which had been made
to them.'

Half a century has elapsed since the visit of Mr. Mann and myself
to the Grand Sable Settlement. But the impression made upon me as
I gazed at this remnant of a once numerous race, and called to mind
the cruel methods by which it had been almost destroyed ' from off
the face of the earth,' created an agony of regretfid sorrow and
shame which has never wholly left me since. They were dejected,
sulky, and apparently so much under the influence of an ungratified

32 JAMES JilCKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

revengefiilness of feeling, that it was almost an unbearable burden
to see them. We had intruded into their secrecy, and were standing
face to face A\-ith the unfortunate sur\dvors of an ancestry whom
our countiymen had so cruelly spoliated and killed. What could we
say 1 What could we do 1 Such wi-ongs could not be condoned by
anything that we might proffer. We stood self-convicted for our
country's villanies to an innocent and helpless race. As we came, so
we departed, from a scene so full of mournful antecedents, feeling
that our absence would be a sensible relief to those whose ' hiding-
place ' we had so sacrilegiously invaded.

Jan. 5th, 1839. — My visit to the 'Windward' now closed, and I
returned to Kingstown, drawing bridle only at Biabou. On entei-ing
the mission house our Father Crane, as he was affectionately called,
met me with a benignant smile and greeting : ' Welcome back again,'
said he : ' how are you 1 I am glad to see you.' I felt much at home
with this common-sense, happy, dignified family. The true affinity
of Methodist mission life was a realistic fact in St. Vincent's. The
Calder, Biabou, and Georgetown Homes were occupied by generous
inmates, who were pleased, on every proper occasion, ' to entertain
strangers' without ostentation, fuss, or niggardliness. The mission
house at Kingstown, the centre of population and head-quarters of our
ecclesiastical establishment, was, by general consent and under-
standing, ' a house of call : ' a place of refreshment and rest for the
brother- and sister-hoods of mission families throughout the island.
And nothing could exceed the generosity and affection of the
Reverend ' Gains,' ' our host,' and that of his excellent wife, Mrs.
Crane, whose fvxll-orbed and intelligent countenance was itself a
welcome to the obligated visitor.

A halting stage, but not a place of rest, was Kingstown to be to
me at this time. By water to ' Leeward,' under the watchful 'steer'
of the Rev. Joseph A. Marsden, our indefatigable missionary at
Princes' Town, Bari'onallie, was the course laid out for me. At
5pm., we were in our canoe with four black men 'laying to the
oars' with all their strength, pulling us with rapid speed to the
place of our destination. We glided pleasantly over the green,
pellucid waters of the bay, and rounded, without a ' baptism ' from
Neptune, the ' Old Woman's Point,' where the rush and roar of the
converging waves are sometimes appalling. We hugged the coast-
line as much as possible, keeping clear of the rocks and backwash

PERSOXAL HISTORY. 3^

of the sea as we cleared the boldly jutting promontories, which mark
the romantic outline of land and cliffs, and arrived at length at the
mission place of disembarking, safe and sound. This was my first
experience in canoeing, but I took to it as if ' to the manner born,'
and soon learnt to steer over any kind of wave or sea without fear
or trepidation. Indeed, my nautical daring for seven years on the
Kingsbridge river, Devon, now stood me in good stead in piloting
our cockle-shell canoes in these West India waters. Mrs. Marsden's
reception of me was most kind, and quite in keeping with the
unobtrusive, warm hospitality for which the yorkshire Methodist
homes, from one of which she came, are beautiful examples.

My first Sunday at the Leeward was a busy day. Early in the
morning I rode some seven miles or so to Layon, where we had
an old rickety chapel full of people waiting for my ari-ival. I
preached and held a Love-feast. The Missionary Marsden was a true
Yorkshireman for feeding and drawing out the unsophisticated
nature of these negro Christians. The mother of the Society, as she
was filially called, was a coloured elderly lady — a Mrs. Gai'dner — a
woman of rare piety, gifts, and commanding influence. She rose
and gave her testimony to the work of the Holy Spirit in her soul
with modesty and hopefulness. Others also, in rapid succession, gave
witness with tearful joy to the comfort with which the religion brought
by the missionaries had invested them. At 10.30 a.m., I remounted
my steed and hastened back to Barronallie, and commenced a second
service. The chapel, to use an Irishism, without I hope ofience, was
filled inside and out. The Renewal of Covenant Service followed,
and the Lord's Supper was administered. In the evening I once
more preached to a full house, and thus concluded the laborious
exei"cises of this hallowed day.

Alas for me ! before I had time to recoup my used-up strength,
Mr. Marsden summoned me for a trip farther to the Leeward. We
were this time to go to Chateaubellair, about twelve to fifteen miles
distant, bearing to the north-west of the island. Our first adventure
Avas at the ' Bottle and Glass,' so called because, to the poetic fancies
of the natives, this reef of dangerous rocks resembled near its outer
point a bacchanalian party convivially employed. Such was the
rvish of the turbulent, boiling sea at the outermost point that no
canoe could live in it except in very calm weather, so that to shoot
oiu- little Niagara was the alternative to progress. Our ' skipper '

3

34 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

(Mr. ]\Iarsden) gave orders to pull straight for the opening and take
advantage of the swell and rush of the wave to get through to the
other side. Stealthily coming up within a few feet of the edge of
the opening our men ' lay on their oars.' Counting each wave as it
dashed over, the fifth, which was always of greater volume than
were the ordinary ones, the stroke oarsman, John B., cried, ' novo ' —
* NOW ' — ' NOW,' with tremendous emphasis, and away we went
on the crest of the swelling, rushing sea, clean over the sharp pointed
rocks, and the danger was passed. Many a canoe has come to grief,
and many lives have been lost, at the ' Bottle and Glass ; ' but,
strange as it may appear, we became so accustomed to the romance
and danger of the ' pass,' as even to like it. In after years, Avhen
stationed to the ' Leeward,' the * Old Woman's Point ' and the
' Bottle and Glass,' were an inspiration to me. I liked the peril, and
gloried in facing it.

But we were not to reach Chateaubellair on this occasion. A
strong north-wester had been blowing all the previous night, causing
a terrific sea all along the coast, and making it dangerous for us
to proceed. Mr, Marsden, therefore, ordered the men to pull into a
small bay, where we landed. We spent the day with a Mr. Beilby,
the hospitable manager of the plantation, and in the cool of the
evening we walked over the intervening hills back to Barronallie.

A new experience was now awaiting me. The next morning, just
as the day began to break, I was awoke from a sound sleep by a
kind of subterranean wave of jerky and undulating motion. It
seemed to come from seaward, passed vip under the house and shook
it most violently. What is this % thought I. Before I had time to
pick myself up. Brother Marsden, whose room was on the other side
of the hall, called out, ' Don't be afraid ; it is only an earthquake ;
it will soon be over.' But, if not afraid, I was concerned for my
personal safety, and wondered whether I would not be better off
outside the building than inside of it. Jumping out of bed and
throwing open the shutters, I could see how matters were looking
in the yard. The female servant was all astir, and rushed towards
the kitchen to the man-servant for protection. ' Budde Cudgo,' said
she, 'de hear de ground shake? I did tink the house wid fall.' But
it did not fall. For, being built of wood, it caught the sweep and
jump of the commotion underneath and escaped unhurt. But Mr.
Marsden that morning at the family altar did not forget to recognise

PER80XAL HISTORY. 35

the presence of the Fatherly hand which had protected us fi-om harm
and death.

I remained at the Leeward over the Sabbath, and returned to
Kingstown on the Monday morning. I found Mr. Marsden engaged
in raising subscriptions for the remnant of a shipwrecked crew of
English sailors who had landed on the previous Sabbath day.
Charity, like religion, seems to know no fatigue. Here was this
indefatigable missionary — a man whose height was six feet at least,
and weight perhaps fifteen stone — trudging about under the fierce
rays of a vertical sun, begging from all classes of the people money
for purchasing clothes for these unfortunate men, and to send them
on their way.

The case was this. On December 6th they had sailed from Sieri'a
Leone bound for London. On the eighth day after theii' departure
the ship was struck on the weather quarter by a heavy sea, and she
began to fill very fast. Two, boats were launched and victualled,
the captain and thirteen men manned the long boat, and the chief
mate and seven men the other. The first attempt was to reach
Cape de Verde, and for eight long days this course was tried without
success. The second boat in the meantime had disappeared. The
captain then steered for Barbadoes, which was some three thousand
miles distant. For thii^ty-two days there on the Atlantic they had
to subsist on the scantiest supply of food, whilst, during the last
fortnight, they had to subsist on two wine-glasses of water and a
small bit of biscuit per man per diem. Ai-riving off Barbadoes, the
men had not sufficient strength to pull into Carlisle Bay, and so they
had to di-ift to leeward in the hope of catching St. Vincent's and an-
choring in Kingstown harbour. Poor fellows, ' when the eye saw them
it pitied them,' and ' the blessing of them that were ready to perish
came upon' the good missionary and his sympathising friends.

Jan. '20th. — I preached at Kingstown, and received six candidates
for 'membership. I laid down for them only two conditions : (1)
That they would, by the grace of God, abandon all sinful ways and
practices. (2) They were to resolve, by the same help, to be good
members. And were not these sufficient ? So I believed, and so I
said. The pledge on their part was : ' We are tired of sin and are
ashamed of ourselves. We pray God may forgive us.' I entered
theu' names in the Candidates' book to be read at the first Leaders'
meeting thereafter, when, if no objection was raised, the names

36 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

would be entered on the class-books for further instruction. Up to
that point the pastor's action was scripturally complete.

I went a second time to the Windward, and spent nine days with
Mr. and Mrs. Lee and ]\Ir. Parsons, their adopted son, at Calder.
During this time we went to Georgetown to the laying of the
foundation stone of a new mission church for the accommodation
of the numeious families who had been brought into church relations
with us through the untiring labours of the Rev. John Mami.
The Christian negroes as a thankoffering to God placed seventy-nine
dollars on the stone. The next day I retui'ned to Kingstown to
attend the District meeting.

A sad event has now to be noticed. The Rev. Mr. Crane on the
30th was seized with malignant fever. In the hope that a change
of air might be helpful to him, he was removed to the hills about
three miles from Kingstown, where I went to see him. Everything
that medical skill could do for him was promptly done, but without
avail. On the fourth day of his illness he died. His last words
were : ' I am on the rock. I am safe — all is well.'

Feb. 4ith. — The District Meeting was commenced under the able
presidency of the Rev. John Cullingford, besides whom there were
present the Revs. George Beard, John Wood, William Moister,
George Ranyell, John Mann, John Blackwell, Joseph A. Marsden,
John Lee, William Bannister, James Bickfoixl, and Henry Hurd.
The last three had just joined the district, and were affectionately
received. The usual annual letter from the London Committee was
read by Mi-. Moister, the District Secretary. This was a compre-
hensive and valuable document, in which the financial and spiritvial
condition of each circuit, as shown in the reports and accounts of
the preceding year, were reviewed. There was, I thought, an air of
sharp business in the whole of the proceedings. The grant for the
year, for example, was apportioned, after a fvill discussion, to the
respective circuits, according to their wants. With this assistance
all deficiencies were to be met, as the London Committee would not
admit any supplementary claim. Special cases of afiliction, medical
and funeral expenses, were, however, not included in the ordinary
expenditui^e. The education grant was divided according to the
number and classification of the schools in each of the islands. The
District Treasurer was an important functionary. He had to
receive from the brethren their dues to the ' Old Preachers' Fund,'

^^zrUn-/

■\VOODBL'RYPRINT, WATERLOW it SONS LIMITED.

From a Negative bij BRUNSKILL, Windermere.

PEB.SONAL HISTORY. 37

the Oonnexional Education Fund, the Foreign Missions' Contributions
made in the circuits, the annual subscription to the Watchman
and John Mason's account. This was to be a yearly settling up ; hard
lines for some, but safe lines for all.

Feb. \Wi. — The District meeting closed, having been in session
nine days. I was appointed as colleague to the Rev. William
Moister, in Trinidad.

Feb. 15t/i. — Messrs. Beard, Wood, Moister | and I, went on board
a small American schooner, and sailed for our destinations. As the
time for ' turning in ' came round, I enquu-ed of ■ my superintendent,
Mr. Moister, what were the arrangements for our sleeping. His
look, rather than words, was an answer ; looking down upon me,
for he was a tall man, he seemed to say with that expressive eye
of his, ' Inexperienced youth, you will soon find out for yourself.'
Then looking upon the cleanly swept quarter deck, he audibly said,

* Well, as for me, I shall take the softest plank, and I recommend
my brethren to follow my example.' The fact is, that we had
neither mattresses nor pillows ; and so, making the best of it, clad
in my outfit cloak and travelling cap, I stretched myself, for the
first time in my life, upon a plank bed, and quietly went to sleep.
The sky was clear and the wind fair ; we soon passed under Bequia,
hugged the Grenadines, and at dawn of day we stood across the
channel and sheltered under the lee of Grenada. Mr. Moister, our

* captain of the mess,' was on the look-out for a good breakfast
for us, of which we all partook -with hearty relish. With the fore-
noon we had nearly a dead calm, and not till the evening had
we the usual land breeze to enable us to enter the Caunage at
St. George's the next morning.

At 10 a.m. I went on shore and called on my fellow-passengers
per Berkely, and found them very glad to see me. At 3 p.m. I
wqpt on board the schooner and found Mr. Moister displeased that
I had remained so long on shore. I had learnt, when a Sunday-
school teacher in Kingsbridge, that ' a soft answer turneth away
wrath,' and so I thought I had better begin the practice at once.
It answered admh'ably. Mr. Moister was placated, and I had
shown no unworthy temper. Good for both of us.

We had a fine run across the ninety miles' stretch of sea lying
between Grenada and Trinidad. We made the north coast of the
island, which is bold and sharply cut, behind which, and rising

38 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

iu some instances over two thousand feet above the sea-level, there
is a chain of mountains truly South American. As we reached the
Bocas (Sp. mouths), we had hoped to pass quickly through one of
them into the Gidf of Paria, but we were cruelly disappointed
through the failui'e of the wind. Our little vessel rolled and tossed
on the unbroken, heavy swell of the sea all that day and the next,
which was the Sabbath. Sometimes we were so near the rocky
cliffs and headlands that we could touch them with a long pole ;
and then the relentless current, rushing from the Gulf, would sweep
us far back into the ocean outside. The fierce rays of Sol fell upon
the deck during those two terrible days in such a degree that loco-
motion Avas impossible, and our faces and hands were sorely blistered.
At 10 p.m. on the second day a light wind sprang up from the north-
west, and gently wafted us beyond the inner line of the sweeping
currents.

Feb. \^th. — We reached the 'Five Islands,' when we were again
becalmed. We waited for four long hours for a favouring breeze,
when the good captain, out of sheer pity for us, manned a boat
and sent vis on to Port of Spain, the capital of the island.

Trinibad, 1839.

We were soon at the mission house, and Mrs. Moister cHd all that
lay in her power to refresh and comfort us after the blistering and
the exhausting ordeal through which we had passed. The ordinary
heat of Trinidad is as much as most white men can bear ; but the
additional blaze and fire of the sun we had outside the Bocas and
ill the Gulf were enough to half kill the bravest of men. This was
to me a terrible ' baptism of fire,' the efiect of which I felt for
long. Mr. Moister, however, after such experience he had had in
Western Africa and Demerara, very soon recovered. Of course, I vas
not to go to Couva, situate about halfway on the eastern side of the
gulf, between Port of Spain and San Fernando, until I had spent
a Sabbath in this queen of tropical cities, and had called upon the
Kennedys, the Cleavers, the Beilbys, the Brodies, and other friends.
By invitation I preached in the morning in the Presbyterian Chiu-ch,
and in the evening in the Wesleyan. Several of the ' Lady Mico
Charity ' day-school teachers, just come from England, were present
at the evening service.

PERSONAL HISTORY. 39

The time had come for me to go to Couva, the station to which
I had been appointed by the District Meeting. Mr. Moister went
%vith me to lay in such provisions as I should require when ' down
coast.' Mr. Gould, a respectable coloured merchant, attended to my
wants. A good Yorkshire ham, a half -firkin of Cork butter, two
hampers of American potatoes, a small bag of flour, with tea, coffee,
and cocoa, were recommended as essentials for my daily consumption.
Drinkables, in small quantities, were also put in. In those dark
days — now fifty years ago — it was thought that without alcoholic
stimulants no Englishman, nor Scotchman either, for that matter,
could live and labour in the exhausting climate of Trinidad. But
this di'eam, like many others, equally foolish and pernicious, has
been chspelled by the larger experiences of Europeans and better
modes of lining. My kind superintendent accompanied me to Couva,
to see for himself that all proper arrangements had been made for
my comfort, and in the evening returned by the local steamer to
Port of Spain.

And now I was ' left alone : ' a kind of missionary Crusoe, ' the
monarch of all I surveyed.' But I had a man ' Friday,' in the
person of Alfred, who was to be my cook, butler, groom, \\owiiemaid,
church -keeper, gardener, errand-man, and companion, all rolled into
one. 'A faithful man ' was Alfre' (Nig.), 'and feared God above
many.' Said he to me one day : ' Minister, I want you to let me
get married ! ' ' Indeed,' I replied, ' to whom ] ' Said he, ' Sister
PhilHs ! ' ' What,' I rejoined, ' marry your sister ? ' ' Minister no
understand,' said he naively ; ' is she not a member of the Church ?
Is she not a sister then 1 ' ' Yes, yes,' I replied ; ' Alfre', fix the day,
and I will tie the knot.' They were married in due course before
quite a select company of ' brothers and sisters ' in the mission
church, and a happier couple never lived on the premises than were
they. One day I sent him to the bay for a hamper of potatoes.
He put his naked feet into the stirrups, except the great toes of
the right and left feet, which he wisely kept outside the rim with
which to hold on. By-and-by, hearing some one riding up to the
gate, I looked from my study window to see what possible magnate
(planter or doctor, perhaps) might b6 coming. To my surprise it
was Alfre', but I never saw him look so tall before. As he neared
the house, I perceived that he had hoisted the hamper upon the
top of his head, thereby keeping his hands free for other purposes.

40 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

' Hallo, Alfre', what is up, eh ? ' ' Ah,' said he, ' metiiik he be
easy for de horse for me carry him so.' ' Well done, Alfre',' said I ;
* a righteous man regardeth the life of his beast,' the good Book has
said.

I shall never forget this kind-hearted fellow. When I had
my seasoning fever, he ofFei'ed to cure me better than the doctor
(Graham). So he set to work. He collected and boiled up together
some new rum, just from the still; a quantity of lime-juice, Irish
butter, and a handful of sweating herbs, and made of them a drink,
cei'tainly, such as for noxiousness, I had never tasted before. I went
to bed, and then Alfre' administered his nostrum, and almost
smothered me with sheets and blankets. That was a night to be
remembered. The fever was not sweated out, but my poor life was
almost perspired away. Poor, disappointed Alfre' ! But he did his
best : it was a perilous best for me. Fortunately, a Mr. William
Cleaver, then a student for our work, came to my relief ; and, at
Mr. Moister's request, I immediately left for Port of Spain. By
the blessing of God, under the skilful treatment of Dr. Murray, the
affectionate care of Mrs. Moister, and the nursing night and day,
without intermission for nearly a fortnight, by Polly Philips, one of
GUI' church sisters, I got rid of my fever, and was able to return to
my much-loved work at Couva.

My work at this station lay mostly among the sugar plantations.
The principal services during my first year, on the Sabbath, were at
Couva and San Fernando alternately. On week evenings I preached
at Felicity Hall, Milton, Carolina, Cedar Hill, and Palmiste planta-
tions. I occasionally visited Camben, Exchange, Providence, Claxton
Bay, and Cedar Grove, in the ISTaparimas. My hands were full,
every minute of my time was employed, and all the planters received
me with confidence, and all the peoj)le with gratitude. The Rev.
Mr. Hurd was appointed our missionary at San Fernando in my
second year, which relieved me from the longer journeys and
exposure to heavy rains and scorching heat. The new church at
San Fernando was built in Mr. Hurd's first year ; the parsonage
also. At the time of the consecration of the church, Mr. Hurd was
ill with fever in Port of Spain, and Mr. Moister and I conducted
the opening services. To Mr. Moister's great personal influence
with the Government, and attorneys of the sugar plantations, is our
church mainly indebted for the initiation and completion of this

PERSOXAL UISTORY. 41

commanding establishment in the very heart of this the second
town of the colony.

San Fernando was the natural key to the sugar-producing district
of Naparima, and upon several of the plantations were located
many of our best informed and loyal adherents.

My two years at Couva passed very rapidly. My health had so
much broken, and my sense of solitude had so depressed my soul,
that I found it indispensable to seek a removal to St. Vincent's as
the most likely part of the district in which I might be set up
again for the work of my life. My lot at Couva had been one of
ever-recurring fever ; my nervous energy had collapsed ; I was no
longer the same man. It was difficult to believe that my strong
constitution could have been so wrecked in two short years. The
official parting took place early in January 1841, after the morning
service at Couva, amid much hand-squeezing, fervent prayers, atid
many tears. Mr. Hurd had come over from San Fernando, and in
the evening we rode over to Felicity Hall plantation, and held
another service. We slept that night in Brother Samuel Kennedy's
house (' hut,' Nig.), so as to be ready at daylight to go to the landing
place for embarkation. Nearly all the adult people marched with
us in procession, and when we reached the bank of the Paria, there
and then, under the branches of a lofty cocoa-nut tree, we sang
the Hymn 534 (Wesley), followed by prayer and consecration. I
sprang into the boat, for my heart was breaking, and begged to be
at once put on board the sloop lying at anchor some distance from
the shore. Such is the history of my first experiences on a mission
station in the West Indies.

The District Meeting of 1841 was held in Tobago. We called at
Grenada on our way, and were joined by the Rev. John and Mrs.
Wood. We took a whole week to beat from St. George's, vid the
windward of Tobago, round to Scarborough, the port and capital of
the island. We had to record the retirement of the Eev. Joseph
A. Marsden, who, solely on account of health, had eai-ly in the
preceding year, with Mrs. Marsden, returned home. Mr. Marsden's
possibilities were undoubtedly great ; but his build and bulk unfitted
him for our West India work. The Revs. John Mann and John
and Mrs. Wood had also gone to England; add to which the un-
expected deaths of the Rev. John and Mrs. Lee, after a few days of
fever, at CaUiaqua, diminished our stafi", and rendered the supplying

42 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

of the circuits a great difficulty. For tlie first time we received a
white canditate, a Mr. William Cleaver, who was born in Trinidad.
He was much help to us in our dire extremity.

St. Vincent's, 1841.

By the District Meeting I was appointed to labour in St. Vincent's,
and entered upon my work on the 10th of February. The congrega-
tions of my pastoral charge were those of Calliaqua and Calder,
numbermg about fifteen hundi-ed souls. The Marriqua valley had
to be missioned by me besides. In this romantic valley there resided
many families of freeholders, who were mostly engaged in growing
and preparing arrowroot for exportation to England ; the cocoa-
berry also, which was a valuable article of export. The scenery,
^vith its majestic stream flowing thi'ough its centre, was mountainous
and grand. It was a place much to be desired, and here the people
lived in quietude, each family pursuing the cultivation of the rich
soil, and doing then- very best for both worlds.

On 23rd of April, I received from Dr. Alder an interesting
communication. It was to the effect that the London Committee
had decided on sending the Revs. W. Limmex and S. Durrie to our
help, together with Mrs. Limmex and the Misses Tapp and Silifant.
Mr. Hurd and I were requested to be in Barbadoes on the arrival
of the ship Mercy to meet our friends. Accordingly, I left Kingstown
on the following morning in the sloop Mary for that island. After
beating up the Becqui channel from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. without much
success, the captain resolved to proceed under the lee of St. Vincent
away to the northward, and when he had made a good ' ofiing ' stand
direct for Barbadoes. In the middle of the next day, to my great
pleasiu'e, I saw the Royal Mail steamer Tartarus, from Jamaica,
steering straight for Castries, the harbour of St. Lucia. I imme-
diately asked the captain to follow in her wake and put me on board.
Having cleared the island, we made direct for Barbadoes, and when,
next day, we were about midway on our voyage, our attention was
called to a dismasted emigrant ship on our lee with the usual flag of
distress flying. We made towards her, and our captain oflered help.
A hawser was soon attached, and we had the gratification to tow her
in safety to Carlisle Bay.

Whilst breakfasting, on the 5tli of May, one of our friendly

PERSONAL HISTORY. 43

' watchers' announced that the good ship Mercy liad hove in sight. My
generous host, the Rev. Alexander Mausie, and I soon started for the
wharf, secured a boat, and boarded the ship just as the anchor was
dropped. All the members of the mission party were well and delighted
at the termination of their voyage. As soon as possible we went on
shore, when a hospitable and loving welcome was accorded to the party
by Mr. and Mrs. Mausie. The next day, the 6th, Miss Tapp and I
were married in the James Street Church by Mr. Mausie, in the
presence of a large number of friends and well-wishers for our
happiness. It would be impossible to forget the generous kindness
of Dr. and Mrs. King, Mr. and Mrs. Walsh, Mr. and Mrs. Austin,
Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton, the Gills and Hynes, and other friends.

On the 14th the party sailed for St. Vincent's in the brig Helen,
and anchored the next day in Kingstown Harbour. Mrs, Bickford
and I proceeded at once to Calliaqua, and took possession of our
humble home the same evening.

The month of August in St. Vincent's is the most sickly of the
year. I did not escape the endemic visitation. On the fourth or
fifth day after my attack I had to be carried from my bed to the
hall and laid upon the sofa for the benefit of cooler air. The leaders
and some other members of our church surrounded the house and
watched for the final event. In the merciful providence of God,
Brother Parsons called to make enquiry for me, who, seeing the
prostrate and dangerous condition I was in, he remounted his horse and
hastened to the Prospect plantation, and asked the Hon. and Rev.
Nathaniel Struth to send his carriage instanter to convey me to the
healthier locality of Calder Ridge, one of the Trust estates, of which
he was the manager. In the course of a couple of hours Mrs.
Bickford and I were on our way, and the cool air much revived me.
But the crisis — the ninth day — was not yet passed. It came, how-
ever, and Dr. Choppin privately told my friend, Mr. Parsons, that
if the vomiting returned during the night, I would die before the
morning.

Two black women, Mrs. Ovid and Mrs. Hai'vey, who were in
attendance night and day upon me, asked the doctor's permission
to try what they could do. ' Oh, yes,' said he, with an ominous
shake of the head ; ' you may try ! ' Without the loss of five
minutes these Christian nurses prepared a quantity of lime-juice
and the coldest water that could be got for sopping the skin all over

44 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

the body, and au admixtm-e for internal use, of nauseous ingredients,
to be swallowed without challenge or questioning. And so they went
to work. For fully six hours they ceased not their efforts, when, at
2 a.m., they had the satisfaction of observing a change for the better.
God be praised ! The fever was broken, and the perspiration streamed
from every pore. I shall never foi-get the ' sweet rest in sleep ' which
followed for several hours. Dr. Choppin came earHer than was usual
for him, and learnt from Mr, Parsons the altered condition of things.
Coming into the room, with an evident intensity of satisfaction,
he addressed words of comfort to us, saying, ' The danger is over
and gone.'

Tobago, 1842.

By the English Conference I was appointed superintendent of our
mission in the island of Tobago. The Rev. S. H. Durrie was to be
my colleague, and to reside at Mount St. George. After the District
Meeting, January 1842, we prepared for our voyage. To go direct,
as well as to save time and expense, I chartered the William McCaul,
a sloop of thirty-five tons burthen, to convey vts thither. Starting
from the port of Calliaqua with a strong north-west wind we cleared
Mustique, the most easterly of the Grenachnes, and shaped our course
for Tobago. But, making no allowance for the strong current to the
windward at that season of the year, we were too high hj a full
point.

The voyage, under ordinary circumstances, should be made in
twenty-four to thirty hours ; but on our seeing no land after four
days' sailing I became anxious, knowing that we must have overshot
the island. To our dismay, I found that Captain Brown had neither
chart nor quadrant, so that it was impossible for our real position
to be fixed. Besides which, we had passed beyond the deep blue
water, and were rushing along in the pale green, which I knew to
be somewhere opposite the Oronooko, whose freshlets pale the sea for
a- hundi^ed miles from the coast. After consulting with Mr. Durrie
I insisted that the vessel should be put about, keeping down a point
or two below north-west, so that, perchance, on our way back we
might make land somewhere. Missing Tobago, I contended that
we shovild be brought up at the Grenadines, or, possibly, at
St. Vincent's itself. We had two captains ; the responsible in
Mr. Brown, and a consultative in Mr. . But they did not

PERSONAL HISrOBY. 45

agree, so I had to assume the direction myself. * 'Bout ship,' I
cried. Brown dissented, but I was inexorable. * Steer as I tell
>ou, and we will find out in time where we are.' After proceeding
about sixty hours in a north-west by west course, a man at the
l)Ows sang out, 'Land ahead!' I immediately called the two
captains to tell us what land it was, but neither knew. ' Then
lay off and on until daylight, Avhen we shall be able to decide
where we are, and in the meantime I will "turn in."' But, as
soon as I left the deck, the captains resolved for another departure,
and in a totally contrary direction. At 5 a.m. I was awakened by
an alarm on the deck, and the cry, ' The boat, the boat ! ' I climbed
up the ' companion ladder ' and found that our craft had heeled over
amid furious waves ; one of which had * come on board ' and taken
our cockleshell boat over the bulwarks into the raging sea. An
attempt was made to get hold of the boat, but without success.
'Let her go,' said I, 'or presently we shall lose the vessel also.'
Another grumble fi*om the captains, and the recovery of the boat
was given up. ' And now. Captain Brown,' I enquired, ' where is
the land we saw last night ? ' 'I don't know,' he replied. ' Well,
then, put the vessel before the wind, and we will go where God's
good providence may take us. We shall fall in with land some-
where.' We thus sailed the whole day, when, to our great joy,
we saw looming in the distance three sharply pointed mountainous
formations. * There are the " sugar-loaves " of St. Lucia,' I said ;
but the captains were so confused that they could not even recognise
them. 'The island of St. Vincent,' I said, 'lies somewhere over
there ; shape your course in that direction, and we shall be all
right in the morning.'

By the mercy of God we came to anchor in the Calliaqua harbour
a little before break of day, and re-entered the mission house which
we had vacated some ten days previously.

I duly reported our failure to reach Tobago to the Rev. John
CuUingford, the District Chairman, and early in the following week
we made a second start in the William McCaul, but with a new
captain. This time we were successful. Oui* arrival at Scarborough
was an immense relief to those of our friends who had learnt of our
previous departure from St. Vincent's and were at a loss to know
what had become of us. Mr. Durrie and I entered upon our work
in good spirits and were determined to extend the mission to the

46 JAMES BICKFOBD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Windward as far as INIan of War bay, and on the northern side as
far as EngHshman's bay. By God's favour, the good cause
advanced by ' leaps and bounds ; ' and much jealousy in some
quarters was felt at our great success. It was even averred that the
whole island would become Methodist unless some check was
administered. A rumour was accordingly started damaging to my
colleague's ministry, which led to an interview between Governor
Darling and myself, when I took the liberty of assuring His
Excellency of my colleague's faith and of the prudence of his public
utterances. And I published a somewhat smart and defiant letter
in the press upon the difference we make between character and
persons,-^the former being within our rights ; the latter we left
alone. The most cutting thing I said was, that as mmisters of
Christ, we would do our best to meet the pubHc demand made upon
us as expositors of the Scriptures ; but that we had come under no
obligation to supply to an indiscriminate public a faculty for
understanding what we said relating thereto.

In the month of December a great affliction came upon one of our
best families in the death of Mr. Bovell, a respectable merchant,
local preacher, and trustee of our church. Mrs. Bovell, his wife,
was an eminently holy and viseful woman. By the sudden removal
of her husband, she was left with a large family of girls to be
educated and fitted for the positions in life they were entitled to.
And the widow's God helped her to do this. Mr. Bovell's dying
testimony was highly satisfactory : ' I am a man,' he said, ' of few
words, but I can say that ever since I was sixteen years of age, the
good hand of God has been with me. I have never lost the peace of
God. I have always had the evidence of my acceptance; and; at
times, I have enjoyed the blessing of sanctification. I have no doubt
on this subject ; but my mind is not stayed upon Him as I wish.'
To Mr. Robert George Boss, a dear brother in the Lord, also a local
preacher and leader, he said, ' Christ is precious to my soul. I am
on the rock : all is right.' The day of interment was one of great
sorrow to the inhabitants. It was felt by all that a good citizen and
servant of God * was not ; ' and the Church and community had
suffered a great loss.

The commendable interest still felt in England by eminent
philanthropists was practically evinced this year by the arrival oi"
Messrs. Edwin Tregelles and James Jessop, from the Society of

PERSOXAL HISTORY. 47

Friends, that they might make personal en,quiry into the condition
of the emancipated classes. These excellent men made themselves
quite at home at the mission house and we felt greatly honoured at
having them as our temporary guests. They addressed the people
in our churches as they had opportunity, and were well received.
But the sight of two men sitting with their hats on in the pulpit,
waiting to be ' moved by the Spirit ' before they rose to speak, was a
little too much for the risible faculties of the black and coloured
people. When, however, Mr. Tregelles rose there was perfect
silence; they seemed at once subdued and listened with rapt
attention. Mr. Jessop followed in homely and touching words, and
much feeling was evinced. These good men had been travelling all
over the island in visiting the sugar plantations and free settlements,
and were much satisfied with what they had seen and heard.

We ushered in the new year (1844) in a novel manner. We in-
vited the teachers and scholars from Mason Hall, Mount St. George,
and Plymouth to unite with the Scarborough school in a grand
festival. We commenced with singing and prayer in the church,
and then the Rev. William English and I examined the scholars in
the catechisms and scriptural knowledge. We then marched in
order through the town and formed a square in the mai'ket-place,
which was admh-ably adapted for such a gathering. Immediately
in front of the court-house the ministers and leading friends stood,
delivered addresses, and sang ' God save the Queen.' We then
returned to the church and regaled five hundred and forty children
with tea, cakes, and many kinds of fruit. All our friends said the
whole demonstration was grand and beautiful ! This was our answer
to those jealous co-religionists who had maligned us. Was ' there
not a cause ] '

It was a great sorrow to us to remove from Tobago at the end of
two years. Our membership, during our incumbency, had spi-ung
from about five hundred to twelve hundi-ed and fifteen. The circuit
income had correspondingly increased and was sufficient for the
support of two married missionaries, besides which there had been
contributed for foreign missions over three hundred pounds, for
1843, which I paid to the District Treasurer for transmission to the
parent society in London. But a change, nevertheless, appeared
indispensable for our health's sake, which had been much weakened
during the year by severe attacks of fever. By the Grenada District

48 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Meeting, I was lemoved to Cbateaubellair, in St. Vincent's, in the
liope that its better climate would contribute to the i-estoration of
our strength. Still the inconvenience and hardships of such a
wandering and unsettled life, in a tropical climate, affected our
spirits and tried us greatly. And no Avondei' ; because, in it all,
there was the conscious fact of an undersapping of our originally
fine constitution, which, sooner or later, would inevitably collapse.

Our voyage from Tobago to Grenada, a distance of perhaps one
hundred and twenty miles, was very ti-ying. Lying almost directly
to leeward, we expected an easy run of some thirty hours or so.
The Kev. William English and Mrs. English, Mrs. Bickford and
I, were the only passengers. We had no sooner cleared the land
and shaped our course than the wind utterly failed us, and for
the next six days we drifted about as if upon ' a sea of glass.'
The only breezes we could get at all wei-e in the night. We at
length got to St. George's harbour ' more dead than alive.' Ill
in body and mind, I was completely unfitted for the business of
the District Meeting, and it was a merciful relief to me when its
sessions closed.

St. Vincent's, 1844.

I opened my mission at Cbateaubellair on the 18th of January
by preaching twice to our people. We had a few whites and
about fifty coloured; the remainder being mostly labourers from
the neighbouring plantations. The Rev. George Ranyell, the
Rev. S. H. Durrie, and I were the circuit ministers this year.
I had charge of Cbateaubellair and the surrounding district, being
twenty-five to thirty-five miles from Kingstown, where the superin-
tendent resided. On the second Sabbath, the 25th, I preached
twice in Kingstown to large congregations. This building will
accommodate easily fifteen hundred persons, not including the
children attending the Sunday school. It is a lasting monument
of the foresight and zeal of the Rev. John Cullingford, who designed
and superintended the erection of this noble structure.

It was our happiness once more to entertain Messrs. Tregelles
and Jessop in our humble home at this station. They visited the
plantations that they might see for themselves the condition of
the field labourers. I accompanied these worthy men to the black

PERSONAL HISTORY. 49

Carib settlement along the sea coast about seven miles from
Chateaubellair. Purposely, we passed through Fitzhugher, Rich-
mond, and two other plantations on our way thither, that our friends
might watch the process of cutting, carting, and crushing the sugar
canes at the mills. The crop season is one of a cheerful character
to whites and blacks alike. Extempore songs in the cane fields
and willing co-operation at the works max'k the recurrence of every
day's engagements. At that time, so well did the planters and
labourers understand each other that a large return was a mutual
satisfaction. ' Plenty of sugar good for Buckra and Neger too,' was
the expressed belief of employers and employes equally.

Arriving at the fort of Morne Ronde (Fr.) the head man, John
Lewis, met us and condvicted us up along the rocky steeps to the
solitary and mountainous home of these sons of the forest. The
shell was blo^vn, and the people came from their hiding places
to the house of prayer. Mr. Tregelles conducted the service.
Every word he uttered was full of dignified courtesy; whilst his
references to the terrible struggles of their forefathers with those
Etu'opeans who had reduced their once powerful tribe to a mere rem-
nant of humanity were cautious and pathetic. The prayers ofiered
by these Christian Englishmen, before parting, were such as could
only be uttered by men accustomed to ponder over the misfortunes
of aboriginal races with tearful regrets and bvirning shame.

St. Vincent's was the land of earthquakes. About 3 a.m. on
August 31 si, I was awoke from a sound sleep by an unearthly
sound, as if ten thousand horses were trampling heavily on the
ground. It appeared as if coming from the sea, making its way
through the township into the valley which terminated in the moun-
tainous range farther up. Mrs. Bickford tremblingly reached her
hand to me, and asked, ' What is it ? ' I told her that it was
an earthquake of a severe kind, 'but let us put our trust in God.'
I got out of bed to draw a match, but could not move across the
room to do it. When the shock really passed underneath the
hoiTse it seemed as if we were being tossed up and down, to and
fro, by some terrible monster, as easily as a child would jump
and toss a doll. My poor wife in this extremity exclaimed, ' The
Lord have mercy upon us ; ' and I fell upon my knees and joined
in the appeal to Heaven for protection and deliverance. It certainly
seemed as if the ' day of doom ' had come !

4

50 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

I transcribe from my journal the following record under date,
December Wth, 1844: —

' Six years ago this day Mr. Hnrd and I landed fi'oni the ship BerJtcIi/ in
Kingstown. I have spent two years in Trinidad, two in Tobago, and the
remainder in St. Vincent's. I have had four severe attacks of fever, and have
been frequently exposed to imminent peril, both by sea and land. I have
seen some souls converted to God, who will be my joy and crown of rejoicing.
I have many dear and valued friends, and I believe no human foes. Praise
the Lordj 0 my soul ! Let my life be wholly Thine ! '

1845.
My colleagues this year were the Revs. W. Bannister, J. F. Browne,
W. Heath, and D. Barley. I gratefully record the fact that
Mr. Barley's coming into the circuit was a great blessing to me.
His earnest spirituality, vintiring zeal and ability as a preacher,
Avere a stimulus to me, from which period I date a new spring and
force in my ministry. Under such conditions the year passed rapidly
away, and the hand of the Lord was upon us for good.

' April 2oth. — This day the Rev. G. T. Connell, Anglican minister, Mrs. Bick-
ford, and I visited the Souflriere. We were well repaid for the fatigue we
underwent in ascending the mountain. Mrs. Bickford rode a mule all the
way up to the old crater, notwithstanding the furrowed and broken condition
of the earth which had been deeply ploughed by descending lava. On the
south side we found an extensive basin, 450 feet deep, nearly round, about four
furlongs in width. In the centre rose to the height of 2-iO feet a miniature
hill, which was full of rocky fissures, and covered, in many of its parts, with
evergreens and shrubs. This huge crater has long been in a peaceful condition,
and a small canoe is now floating upon its waters. Curious visitors sometimes
row round this extensive lake for the purpose of sounding its depth. Pro-
ceeding up the north line from the eastern side, we came, after a most perilous
and fatiguing walk of a mile or more, to the edge of the new crater. Here,
on every hand, were marks of past violent eruptions, fearful to behold. There
was a dense fog, which hid from our vision the terrible phenomena surrounding
us ; but, after waiting for some time, it cleared away and the gulf below
revealed itself in all its horridness. It reminded one of hell itself. The old
crater charmed but the new one appalled us. We returned to Chateaubellair
in the evening impressed with the almightiness of creation's God.'

It was during one of Mr. Barley's visits to Chateaubellair that
I arranged for a second visit to the SoufFriere, taking Avith us as our
guide our faithful brother and missionaries' friend, Mr. Job Adams.
Borrowing, because of their strength and surefootedness, a couple
of mules, we made a start after an early breakfast. The first
halting place was the ' Halfway Tree.' Here we paused and

PERSONAL HISTORY. 51

were interested in reading the distinguished names which had been
cut into the trunk and branches of this time-honoured tree. We
also cut in our initials. We then proceeded up the side of the
mountain, threading our way on the narrow ridges of the paths
down which the destroying lava had rushed in 1813. Arriving at
the summit, we lost no time in making for the new crater, which was
the special object of our adventure. This dreadful abyss was
covex'ed in by the densest fog I ever witnessed. When it cleared
we foiind that we were standing on the very edge of the abysmal
pit.

We determined that we would descend to the bottom of this
crater, and we requested Mr. Adams to lead the way. Down we
went over immense boulders, sliding over sm-faces, or springing over
the spaces lying between, in a way not to be described. In twenty
minutes we reached the bottom, and we stood alarmed at the rashness
we had shown. Mr. Barley and I wandered all over the cindered
' floor,' tested the siUphureous water, which had gathered in a hollow
of whose depth we could not even form a guess. Job Adams squatted
upon his haunches not twenty feet away from the spot where we
first landed. He was evidently afraid, and some old tradition of the
supernatural must have possessed him. His happiest moment
evidently was when he heard us say, ' Come, it is time for us to get
to the top,' and he briskly led the way. I had never heard of any
white man trying this feat before, and assuredly I would never
dream of repeating it. It took us forty minutes to accomplish oui*
ascent, and it Avas the hardest ordeal of physical exertion I had ever
tried. We were so exhausted when we reached our more sensible,
restful mules, that, instead of at once making tracks homeward,
we had to recoup by refreshment, and rest on the ground. Upon
reflection, I am bound to say that it was a piece of foolhardiness,
and should not be ventured upon by English travellers.

1846.
The District Meeting was held in February, in Barbadoes, when
the Rev. John Cullingford presided for the last time over his
brethren. It was very touching to us to see him assisted from day
to day to and from the parsonage to the church in which the
meeting was held. He continued, notwithstanding his weakness,
to guide the deliberations until, within two days of the close of the

52 JAMES BICKFOBD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

session, the minutes were finalized in his chamber, and he affixed
his signature in our presence. He died on March 4th, and entered
into rest.

My appointment was now, for the second time, CalUaqua, in the
Biabou Circuit. But, in consequence of the lamented death of the
Chairman, I was removed before the end of the year. The letter
relating to this unexpected change is the following : —

' London, June \st, 1846.

' Dear Brothee, —

' The affairs of your district have cost us much anxious thought and deliber-
ation. Such conclusions as have been already come to, we make known to you
and the other brethren, by the packet now about to sail.

' In the first place, I have to inform you officially that the Eev. Williatn
Bannister is appointed as Chairman of the St. Vincent's District, and he is
instructed immediately to enter upon his functions. The Committee are fully
persuaded that yourself and other brethren will render him your affectionate
and efficient support.

' In the next place, the arrangement decided upon for the Barbadoes Circuit
will affect yourself. Mr. Ranyell is directed to proceed at once to Barbadoes,
and you are appointed to go immediately to Grenada, instead of waiting until
the end of the year. We are very reluctant to disturb a missionary in his
appointment before the regiilar time of removal, but the sudden emergencies
which sometimes take place render it indispensably necessary. The case of
Barbadoes is one of those emergencies which must be promptly met, and after
■very anxious consideration of every possible plan, it was agreed that the one
which I now announce is the best, and will be most easily effected. Your
Superintendent and Chairman are both officially informed, and desired to
facilitate your removal at the earliest convenient opportunity.

Wishing you every needful blessing, I remain, dear brother,

' Yours very affectionately,

'John Beecham.

' The Rev. J. Bickfoed,

' St. Vincent's, West Indies.'

The application of the itinerant principle in the Wesleyan Methodist
Church is sometimes one of great difficulty. Dr. Beecham recognises
this fact in the brotherly and wise letter above given. In my case,
I had only been a few months in my new station, and yet, Avithout
any refei-ence to my people, or to my own sense of duty, I was told
to proceed at once to Grenada and take charge of our mission in
that island. But the Methodist itinerancy, in some of its aspects,
is analogous to the Queen's service. It admits of no challenge ; it
demands ungrudging obedience. * Will you reverently obey your
chief ministers, unto whom is committed the charge and government

PERSONAL HISTORY. 53

over you ; following with a glad mind and with their godly admonitions,
and submitting yourselves to their godly judgments ? ' This was one
of the questions put to me by the English President in 1838, at my
ordination ! In the presence of many witnesses, I honestly said,
' I will.' This was the first time this test in its acutest form came
home to me. But I had accepted it with all its consequences. In
point of practice, as it then shaped, disobedience would have meant
discontinuance in the Ministry — a dropping out of the brotherhood.
In the Providence of God I accepted the call, and had the approval
of my conscience in so doing.

Action could not be delayed, as my arrival in Grenada was necessary
to the departure of the Rev. G. Ranyell. Without, therefore,
waiting for the next mail steamer from England, I engaged, in the
following Aveek, a small sloop to take us thither. We left Calliaqua
in the forenoon of Julij 6th, and anchored at 2.30 p.m., the next day,
in the Carenage, St. George's, and were welcomed by Mr. Richard
Walker, one of our pious coloured brethren, who kindly conducted
Mrs. Bickford to the parsonage, far up in the town.

St. Yincent's has been called the Switzerland, but Grenada may,
with equal correctness, be called the Italy, of the West Indies. Its
clear, bright atmosphere, tempered by the trade-winds, the hospi-
tality and friendliness of its inhabitants, and complete freedom of
caste, make it one of the most inviting places of residence in any part
of the Antilles. At that time, too, it was the central depot for
coaling the royal mail steamers, and for despatching mails southward
to Trinidad, Tobago, and British Gmana ; westward to Jamaica, and
northward to the Bahamas, including in their respective routes all
intermediate places. By this arrangement large numbers of visitors
from Europe from the east, and America from the west, were often
at St. George's, which helped much to break the monotony of tropical
life, and kept us in touch with the outside world.

I commenced my ministry in St. George's on Julj/ 12th, taking as
my texts St. John xvi. 23, and Deut. viii. 2. Later on in the week,
I rode across the island to La Baye and preached on the Sabbath
morning, returning in time to take the service at St. George's in
the evening. I was kindly entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Welch on
their plantation, about three miles beyond La Baye, and by Mr. and
IMrs. Rapier on my return journey to the capital. Being anxious
before casting my plans for working the circuit proper to see what I

54 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUrOBIOGItAPHT.

had to do, I made a visit to Cariacou, an island lying alx)nt half-
way between Grenada and St. Vincent's. We had two influential
families there, Dr. and Mrs. Blair, and Dr. and Mrs. Proudfoot, who
were most kind to me. I preached twice in the principal town, met
the members for the renewal of their ticket of membership, and
administered the Lord's Supper. After a week-evening service, I
went on board the sloop Dcedalus, and arrived in St. George's on the
following day.

To show the routine of my woi-k, and the number of visitors who
came by the mail steamers, I may give a few extracts from my
Diary : —

' Aug. 25th. — We were gratified on entertaining for a few hours the Rev. Mr.
Burrell from Richmond College, who had been appointed by the English
Conference as missionary at Montego Bay, in Jamaica. And by the same
steamer, the Rev. Di*. Kalley and Mrs. Kalley came from Madeira. Accom-
panied by a Portuguese Christian, they had fled for their lives, which were in
imminent peril. Dr. Kalley had raised a small Presbyterian congregation,
which had set the priests so much against him, that he and his family would
have been murdered had they not succeeded, with the help of the few converted
Madeirans, in escaping on board the English mail steamer.'

' S('j)t. 9th.— The Rev. T. Haymouth came per mail from England, and preached
an excellent sermon to our people, to whom I had sent round and invited to
come to the service. It was a famous manifesto of the doctrines we most
assuredly believe.'

^ Nov. 20th. — The Rev. John and Mrs. Mortier came from St. Kitts, on their
way to Demerara, to open Trinity Church, which the Rev. W. Hudson had been
instrumental in erecting.'

1847.

' Mi. 6tJt. — Returned in the Reindeer mail steamer this morning from
Demerara, where I had been for the District Meeting. The Revs. W. Fidler,
F. Whitehead, W. L. Binks, and Mrs. Bickford came also. The Rev. W.
Bannister presided for the first time, and with much ability.'

^ A2)ril llf//.— The Rev. Joseph and Mrs. Webster, also Rev. Mr. Collier,
called on their way to Honduras. We had a good time with them.'

' Ajn-il IQth. — This has been a red-letter day with us in St. George's. Governor
Hamilton and lady visited and examined our day school. They expressed the
pleasure they felt at witnessing the proficiency and good order of the school.
Mr. Campbell, the father of the Rev. John Allan Campbell, was our Head
Master. His son, John, was a scholar in his father's school at the time the
Governor visited it.'

'June 15th. — A mournful day for us. The Great Western mail ship came in
and brought the distressing intelligence of the death of Mrs. Bickford's mother.
Her last words were, ' O ! blessed Jesus, into Thy hands 1 commend my spirit.'
She had been from childhood a member of our church at Camelford ; after her

PERSONAL HISTOllY. 55

marriage she came to Kingsbridge to live, still maintaining her connection
with God's people up to the period of her death. This was the first breach
death had made in our family circle during the time we had been away from
England. It was hard to say, ' Thy will be done ; ' for we had wished to see
her again, if permitted to return home.'

^ June 30th. — At 5 p.m., I received *a message from the Government ?fouse that
His Excellency, Mrs. Hamilton, and Miss Yeo would attend our church that
evening. I did the best I could, preaching from Rev. vii. 14. The message
was solely for the purpose of our securing for the Viceregal party the
necessary accommodation, as om' church on Sunday evenings was generally
crowded.'

' Oct. 2'2nd. — A land of earthquakes, fevers, and hurricanes, is the West Indies.
This morning I received a letter from the Rev. Joseph Biggs, Tobago, informing
me of the devastating hurricane, which, on the night of the 11th inst., had
swept over that island. There were destroyed 30 managers' houses, and 31
much injured. The sugar works of 26 plantations were destroyed, and 33
rendered unfit for use. The homes of 456 small freeholders were thrown
down, and 176 rendered uninhabitable. Seventeen persons were killed, and a
vast number were more or less injured. In some localities om- mission
properties had been wrecked. The total loss to the Society would be probably
from £1,500 to £1,800. The noise of falling houses in Scarborough, the loud
and continued moans of the dying, the danger to life and limb all through
that terrible night, mark this visitation of Providence as the most disastrous
ever known, or even heard of, by the oldest of the inhabitants.'

' The visitors, who still came as each steamer arrived, were Peter Borthwick,
Esq., M.P., whose object was to ascertain by personal enquiry the exact
condition of the agricultural and commercial interests in the West Indies ;
Captain Peel, son of the late Sir Robert Peel, who was passing through to join
his ship, I believe, in the Gulf of Mexico ; the Rev. David Barley, to preach
on behalf of our Foreign Missions, and to address public meetings mth the
same view. In Xovember, I was laid aside by a severe attack of fever, which
brought me once more to the very gates of death. Dr. Belfon treated my
case with much skill and untiring perseverance ; and, in about a week or so, I
was able to resume my beloved work, but very feebly.'

1848.

•Jan. 27th. — The Ewerretta amved from London, bringing as passengers the
Rev. Richard and Mrs. Wrench, the Rev. Thomas H. and Mrs. Butcher, and
Miss Howse. — The Rev. W. L. Binks arrived on February Wi, and. on the
next day, the party sailed for St. Vincent's, except Mr. and Mrs. Wrench,
who were instructed to proceed to Trinidad. The Revs. W. Hudson, J. Banfield,
Henry Pargham, and W. Cleaver called, on their way to the St. Vincent's
District Meeting I went with them ; Mrs. Bickford also, for the benefit of a
change of air and scene.'

The year 1848 was spent 'in labours more abundant.' What
■with quarterly visits to Cariacou and La Baye, a visit to Gonave,
where I preached in the court-house to a large congregation, and

56 JAMES niCKFOBD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPnY.

the routine work of the churches at St. George's, Woburn, and
Constantine, the whole of my time was taken up, and all my energies
were severely taxed. But I was happy in my work and in my
' helpers,' who willingly stood by me in all my responsibilities.
It sustained me also to know that my character and labours were
held in high esteem by the official and leading gentlemen of the
colony. At the last public day-school examination in St. George's,
we weie honoiu-ed with the presence of His Excellency Governor
Hamilton and Mrs. Hamilton, His Honour Chief Justice Davis,
the Hon. the Attorney General, William Snagg, Esq., and many
other influential friends. It went off admirably well.

The Sugar Duties Act of 1846, which admitted the produce of
slave-countries to competition in the English markets on the same
terms as sugar that came from the free (British) colonies, had
wrought havoc in every part of our West India Possessions. Grenada
was collapsed, and our wise-hearted Governor set apart a day for
general humiliation and prayer. The English Government in their
fiscal legislation did us a great wrong.

1849.
Feb. 1th. — The Rev. Messrs. Bannister, Corlett, Ranyell, Limmex,
Hurd, Cleaver, Biggs, Hudson, Heath, Whitehead, and Barley
ai-rived to attend the District Meeting. No brother had died during
the year, and every one seemed in good heart. This District Meeting
had a novel service connected therewith. Hitherto the English
missionaries had been ' ordained ' before they were sent to us ; but
now there was to be a departure from this custom, and it was
determuaed that the probationers should pass through their usual
examinations, and, if approved, be ordained at their respective
District Meetings. Messrs. Barley and Binks, whilom students at
Eichmond College, London, were thus accepted and received by our
unanimous vote into ' full connexion.' The charge was given by the
Bev. John Corlett, and was eloquent, impressive, and appropriate. It
was a time of much spiritvial power \ and to our people, who witnessed
such a service for the first time, it was a deeply suggestive and
important spectacle. With the holding of this District Meeting my
connection with the work in Grenada closed. On the 24th I preached
for the last time to my much-attached and loving congregations. A
number of Episcopalians joined in the evening service, and thereby

PERSONAL niSTORY. 57

evinced their respect for me as the retiring minister of the Methodist
Church.

March 1st. — I find in my journal the following entry : —

'A day never to be forgotten. The mail steamer Comvay came in with
the English mails, and her arrival was the signal for our departure. I pass
over all the distressing scenes connected with the tearing of ourselves away
from this affectionate and pious people. " If I forget thee, let my right hand
forget its cunning." We sailed from the Carenage at 4 p.m., called at Trinidad
and Tobago to land the mails, and reached Georgetown, Demerara, at 7 p.m.,
on Sunday, March itJi. Mr. Biggs, one of my colleagues, was preaching, and,
at the close of the public service, I joined him in the administration of the
Lord's Supper.'

Our appointment to British Guiana, of which Demerara was the
central province, was more formidable than welcome. Still, as a
matter of stern duty, it had to be undertaken. There were elements
in the political, social, and religious life of the people which were
unknown in the quieter islands away to the north. For example,
at the very time of our arrival there was a deadlock in legislation,
to remove which Sir Henry Barkly, afterwards Governor of Victoria,
was sent by Earl Grey, Secretary for the Colonies. For a consider-
able time it was impossible for the Court of Policy to get a ' Ways
and Means ' Bdl passed for raising the general revenue. What were
called ' Imperial ' taxes could alone be collected, which were utterly
incommensurate for meeting the public wants. Perhaps a whole year
elapsed before this sad condition of things was overcome. When the
crux really came, the Hon. Bruce Ferguson, a merchant of high
character and just ideas, gave his vote with the Government and
ended the ci-isis. The contention secured the Civil List for the
Crown ; and for the Plantocracy, coolie immigration, at the expense
of the State. The ordinary routine of legislation was revived, and
all necessary revenue was collected for the purposes of governmental
administration. Governor Barkly was too wise a man to occasion
hitches between his official members in the Court of Policy, or of
the Combined Court, during the whole time of his stay in the
colony. His reign was one of reasonable conciliation, and the peace
and prosperity of the three provinces were thereby seciu'ed.

It always appeared to me a curious circumstance that so many
educated and well-to-do English and Scotch settlers so contentedly
put up with the form of Government as that which obtained in
British Guiana. It was a Dutch inheritance, and could not at all

58 JAMES BICKFOUD: AX AUTOBIOGJRAPHY.

be called a Parliamentary Government ; and yet the merchants
and planters quietly endured it.

There were the College of Keizers, the Court of Policy, and the
Combined Court, as forms of public life quite unknown previously
to the gentlemen who had now to take prominent and responsible
positions in regard to them. The Keizers (electors, English,) dating,
we suppose, from 1803, when British Guiana became an English
colony, were seven in number ; and, in the first instance, it may be
presumed, were chosen by the Crown for life. They were colonists
of the old type, were connected with the pi'opertied classes, and out
of all sympathy with the general community. The Court of Policy
was the sole legislative authority, composed of the Governor as
president, eight high oificials, and of four gentlemen, who were
chosen by the College of Keizers. This court had the power of
self-creation and of self-perpetuation. On any vacancy occurring,
the remaining members would nominate two, from whom the
College of Keizers would select one, who would, in due form, be
gazetted by the authority of the Governor. Thus this court was
always packed ; but, it must be admitted, it was quite in accordance
with the modus vivendi of the constitution of the colony. The only
' set-off' to the great powers of this singular court was the presence
therein of the Governor and his officers of state, who would, on
occasion, checkmate the lay-members, but not always with success.
It was a perilous game to play. The Combined Court was composed
of the members of the Court of Pohcy and six financial repre-
sentatives, elected by the provincial districts, whose powers were,
however, limited to raising colony taxes, and in auditing the public
accounts. When the court, thus constituted, did its business,
the financial members withdrew, and the Court of Policy, with the
Governor as president, took the necessary action for giving the
recomnaendations of the Combined Court the force of law.

There was, as might well be expected, a feeling of disquietude
among the emancipated classes. Within the memory of many of
these, the former cruelties of many of the Whites towards their class
were still treasured. They could not be forgotten, but rankled in
their minds. And the utter absence of all popular electoral lights,
enabling them to exert an influence favourable to their class, was a
cause of miTch discontent. Governor Barkly was conscious of this,
and did his best for its removal. At a large meeting held in the

PERSONAL HISTORY. 59

city of Georgetown tor establishing a court of registration of the
emancipated freeholders, he took the chair, and gave an admirable
speech, which was instinct with justice and high consideration for
the aggrieved.

But there was one more difficulty induced by the existence of
* State aid to religion,' which was recognised by the Government,
and accepted by some of the denominations. The leaders in opposition
to this branch of public policy were the missionaries of the London
Missionary Society and the Rev. Joseph Ketley, an eminent
Congregational minister in the city of Georgetown. These honoured
men were not to be hastily blamed for their conduct, for they were
the lineal successors to the Old Independents, who had suffered so
much for their principles of religious freedom and equality in the
Mother Country. Tbe recipients of State aid, not for the White
increment of the population, but as helpful in supplying the means
of religion and of education to the recently emancipated classes,
were the Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Presbyterians, and Wesleyans ;
the latter in an extremely modified degree. Against one of my
predecessors, the Rev. William Hudson, the displeasure of the
Independents was specially directed. But Mr. Hudson was, in many
respects, a strong man, who could hold his own without even once
entering into the arena of conflict with his co-religionists. In this
particular instance, the passive power was the stronger, so that when
I entered upon my mission in 1849, it had eventuated in something
like a drawn game. Of course I was under no obligation to unsheath
the sword, but let it remain in its ' scabbard ' there to rust. Upon
one point, however, my [mind was made up, viz. that as long as the
principle of concurrent endowment lasted — purely for the spiritual
benefit of the black and coloured people — this assistance should be
taken. But I also resolved, that for myself personally not one
dollar should be accepted. I thus ' cut the Gordian knot,' and left
myself free to act in the future as circumstances might require.

March 11th. — I opened my mission in Trinity Church, Georgetown,
by preaching from Deut. viii. 2, to a large congregation. At the
close I met six classes for the renewal of tickets of membership,
which was always to me an exhaustive labour. In the evening I
walked to the eastern extremity of the city, at Kingston, and
preached from St. John xvi. 23. The first Sabbath in a new
circuit is generally a time of much anxiety to the missionary

GO JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

itinerant. I found it to be particularly so in my case that day.
But my trust was in God.

The responsible woi-k of my mission was scarcely begun when I
found that there was deepest crime to be contended with ; to correct
which, all the energy Grod had given me to do my part would be
needed. A melancholy instance of awful turpitude had just occurred,
and a pubhc execution followed. The incident is thus noticed, under
date March 1 7th : —

' This has been a melancholy day. At twenty minutes past eleven this
morning, Pompey Face, the murderer, expiated his offence on the scaflEold
in front of the court-house. To the last he asserted his innocence of the
crime for wliich he had been condemned. But he confessed, I was informed,
to his having committed a murder before the transpiration of this one. He
was impenitent to the last ; and not until lie was pinioned and was conducted
to the upper platform did he evince any emotion. Tlien his bosom hove
convulsively ; indeed, almost to suffocation, but not a word escaped his lips.
He was a married man, and died in his sin, it may be feared, even as he had
lived. I drove through the city late in the evening, and there I saw the dead
body of the unfortunate man still suspended, wliich I could not but regard as
a grim mockery of the boasted dignity of man. My whole soul revolted, too,
at the public character of the execution and unnecessary exposure of the
hideous spectacle for so many hours in the face of the multitude. The effect
on the excitable natives, I am sure, would be anything but salutary, and in
dead opposition to that the officers of the law desired.'

In consequence of the settlement in Berbice, the sovithern province
of British Guiana, of many Methodist families from the Virgin
Islands, the Revs. W. Hudson and W. L. Binks paid a visit to
New Amsterdam, the capital. A Miss Dow, a coloured lady from
Tortola, had been holding prayer-meetings — fii-st, in her father's
house at the hour of morning family worship, and, afterwards, at
the east end of the town, where large numbers of the people
attended. In the course of a few months nearly a hundred
members were gathered into church-fellowship ; added to which,
the Dutch Reformed Church was without a pastor, and a beautiful
sanctuary and commodious manse wei-e unoccupied. To meet this
double need a correspondence had been opened up with Mr. Hudson:
it was the Macedonian appeal once more heard — ' Come over and
help us,' to which this honoured servant of God was bound to
i-espond. Mr. Hudson i-ecognised that 'a great and effectual door'
was there presented to our Church, and it was agreed that Mr. Binks
should remain for a while to ' shepherd the souls ' already gathered

PERSOXAL HISTORY. 61

in, and to make any practical arrangements with the committee of
the Dutch Reformed Church for public services and the occupancy
of the manse.

In connection with my advent into Demerara — acting under
instructions from our Committee in London — I hastened to visit
Berbice. I was told at once to close up our mission and retire
from the province. The ostensible reason was that there were
no available funds for the commencement of a new mission in
Berbice ; the real reason was the unexpected and unjustifiable
opposition of the agents of the London Missionary Society, who
had made such representations to their directors in London, as
led to the incorporation in the oificial letter of the instructions
before referred to. But it was an easy duty for me respectfully
to show our Committee that the brethien of the London Missionary
Society had no justification for their unwise interference, and our
good work in Berbice has remained intact to this day.

My jotting of this visit is as follows ; —

' April 'ii'd. — On Monday morning last I left Georgetown for the country of
Berbice by the English mail conveyance, and, after passing over shocking
roads for twelve hours, I arrived at the Berbice river. I crossed over in the
ferry-boat, and proceeded along the western part of New Amsterdam until I
came to the mission house, consisting of two hired rooms. I remained in the
town and country eight days, " preaching the kingdom of God, and testifying
of the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man
forbidding me." The Dutch Church is lent us for holding Divine worship, and
our way is plain and cleared for future evangelising efforts. I left at half-past
2 on Monday, and arrived in Georgetown at 1 p.m. the following day. Never,
never shall I forget the Lord's goodness to me in this visit to Berbice and return
to Demerara.'

The best devised arrangements for working our mission circuits
are liable, from want of unexpected circumstances, to serious dis-
turbances. On the 15th of May the sad intelligence reached us of
the deaths of the Rev. F. Whitehead and Mrs. Whitehead, in Tobago,
within two days of each other, leaving behind them a daughter child.
By the same mail I received a letter from the Rev. William
Bannister, the Chairman of the District, directing me to send the
Rev. David Barley, my colleague, to take charge of the bereaved
circuit. I thus lost the society and willing help of one of the best
of colleagues I ever had. Mr. Barley's departure from us, under
such painful circumstances, seemed like a being ' baptized for the
dead ; ' his parting words were, ' Brethren, pray for Tobago.'

62 JAMES BICKFORD : AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Is it true that the EngUsh emigrant ' carries the soil of his native
hind at the soles of his feet' into whatsoever country he may wander?
It may be so, or it may not be. But this is certain — the Christian
Englishman, when he emigrates, carries in his heart a profound
respect for the free institutions of the dear old land fi'om which he
hails. And even those of that honoured class whose lot has been cast
in the ' swamps of Demerara ' cannot separate themselves altogether
from even the ecclesiastical contests of the Mother Country. As an
example, the dispute between the Rev. James Shore, of Totnes, and
Bishop Phillpotts, of Exeter, on the question of ' Baptismal Eegeuera-
tion,' was as fiercely discussed in Georgetown as it probably was in
the ancient, radical borough itself. And, as far as Demerara was
concerned, it was not a profitless discussion, for there were those who
showed substantial sympathy with the persecuted clergyman. I
was honoured as the medium of sending a draft for the amount
subscribed to Mr. Shore, and in due course received a letter of
acknowledgment and thanks.

A few extracts from my journal will show how many were the
incidents and how continuous were the labours of which my daily
life were now made up.

'June loth. — To-day the Rev. William CleaTer, Mrs. Cleaver, and Mr. Robert
George Ross, a lay minister, arrived in the mail steamer, — Mr. Cleaver to assist
me in the city during the absence of Mr. Barley, and Mr. Ross to labour in New
Amsterdam."

' Jioic '20th. — This morning I sailed for New Amsterdam, Berbice, a distance
of ninety miles up the east coast, with Mr. Ross, to introduce him to our friends
and to the work in this part of the Georgetown Circuit.'

'■June 2lst. — Arrived safely this evening, after having contended with many
inconveniences during the voyage. Preached in the church, and found it good
again to meet my friends.'

' June 2Uh. — Preached twice to-day, administered the Sacrament, and met the
Society. We had Lutheran and Methodist Christians at the Lord's Table ; the
former stood to receive the elements, and the latter knelt, each party following
the custom of their own churches. This was Christian liberty.'

' June 26th. — Sailed last evening from Berbice, and safely arrived this morning
in Georgetown. Found my dear wife pretty well, but I was suffering severely
from headache occasioned by the sickening smell of the bilge-water on board
the sloop.'

My next trip was to the Abram Tuil Station, some forty miles
westward on the Essequibo coast. When I took charge of the
Georgetown Circuit proper, I found that by previous arrangement
this dependent out-station had been attached to it. This action

PERSONAL HISTORY. 63

Lrought a serious monetary charge upon our funds, and threw
additional responsibility and labour upon the Superintendent. My
lirst visit was to preach on the 22nd of July, in the Lorg, Abram
Tail, and Queenstown Churches. It was a laborious day, but I got
thi-ough with Divine help. I went on board a sloop the next day,
Avhich was lying in the Lorg Creek, and at three o'clock in the
morning of the day following I landed once more in Georgetown.

1850.

' Jan. \st. — Praised and blessed be God for having broueht me and mine
through another year. It has been a year of incessant labour and unremitting
anxieties, but God has crowned it with loving-kindness and tender mercies.
The " Watch-night Service " was a solemn time. Trinity Church was crowded
with a serious and attentive congregation. Lord, help me this year iu the work
of this mission ! '

Feb. '2\th. — The offering of praise is my grateful duty. The Kevs.
Limmex, Heath, Biggs, and I have been to the District Meeting in
St. Vincent's. Mesdames Limmex and Bickford accompanied us. We
sailed in the Agnes, a small brigantine, and took a whole week in
going. The wind being noi'therly we were driven off our course, and
the first land we saw was Point Galileo, on the south-east side of
Trinidad. But the wind changing to the south enabled us to stand
up for Tobago, to which island we were purposed to go to take up the
brethren, Messrs. Barley and Elliott. Mr. Biggs and I only went on
shore, as the vessel was anchored far out near the ' Bed Rock.' It
was a great pleasiu-e to me to see again my old and deai- friends, the
Hon. J. Keens and Mrs. Keens, Mr. Joseph Commissiong, and
Mr. Angus Melville, whose dear wives, since my departure, had gone
to be ' for ever with the Lord.' I saw also Mrs. (Widow) Bovell,
Mrs. Howieson, Miss McKenzie, the Wilcoxes, Mrs. Owen, and
other friends. We sailed the same day at 5 p.m., and the next day
we made the Grenadines, passed under their lee, and at 7 p.m. stood
across the ' Bequi ' Channel for Kingstown Harbour. The night was
so dark and windy that we were in imminent peril sometimes in
tacking to and fro in the channel. The longest night I ever knew
at length passed away, and we put forth new energies to beat up
from the leeward for the harbour. The wind was of hurricane
force, and by the time, at midday, we came to anchor we were
in a shattered condition.

64 JAMES JilCKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

We remained in St. Vincent's eleven days, attending the session
of the District Meeting. The business was most harmoniously gone
through, and we could rejoice in the prosperity of the missions.
We again embarked for Demerara, and in due course we reached
our homes and cii-cuits for the happy toil of another year.

The Foreign Missions of our Church have a grand record of
successes among the Europeans as they have among the native-born
in the West Indies. British Guiana is no exception to this remark.
I had, for example, in Georgetown, Messrs. Retemeyer and Obermiiller
(Dutch), Messrs. Ross and Cameron (Scotch), Messrs. Davis, Spooner,
Watson (English), not to speak of many others. The man, among
these, who held the largest space in the public eye, was INIeinhaard
Johannes Retemeyer, Her Majesty's Receiver-General for British
Guiana. Mr. Retemeyer sprang from a wealthy family in Holland,
whose interests in sugar and cotton plantations he came to
Demerara to watch over and to promote. Mrs. Retemeyer was a
high-born lady, and in every way suitable to adorn the circle which
her husband commanded in the city. But the climate forbade her
residence in Demerara, so that she settled in Holland. Mr.
Retemeyer was induced by a confidential housekeeper to attend the
ministry of the Rev. William Hudson, who, under God, was the
means of leading him to the Saviour ' in whom he trusted.' Mr.
Retemeyer's subsequent Chi-istian life was ' full of good works which
he did.' He was a devout worshipper of God. The Holy Com-
munion Sabbath was to him a day of deep humiliation and prayerful
consecration. He never forgot the poor. He was a true friend to
ministers. He promoted education among the emancipated classes.
At his sole expense was published a monthly religious serial for
gratuitous circulation. He gave largely to the cause of God. He
was not encumbered in his last affliction with sordid wealth. I well
i-eniember him saying, after confiding to my discretion a hundred
dollars' note for his ' friends,' meaning the Lord's poor —

' What should I do now if I had allowed the tens of thousands of dollars that
for so many years have come into my hands to have accumulated as some do /
Why, I would be so distracted and weighted that I would not be able to attend
to my soul. No, thank God, I have no trouble of that kind to contend with,'

His character stood so high, that he was not expected to put in an
appearance at the balls and great dinners at Government House as
officials generally are expected to do. It was quite understood that

PERSOXAL HISTORY. 65

INIeinhaard Retemeyer was as loyal to the Queen as was the dancing,
flippant courtier, who never missed the golden opportunity of bask-
ing in Viceregal smiles on these exclusive occasions. To my great
sorrow, I lost the presence and help of this rare Christian gentleman
in the second year of my incumbency in the Demerara Mission. I
lo^^ngly attended him all through his last illness, and I was with
him when he died. I may appropriately supplement from my journal
the short sketch just given : —

'■March lith. — This has been a day of mourning and deep distress to us.
Mr. Eetemeyer, the old and valued friend of Methodism, died this day at 3 p.m.
He had been ill for some months, but bore his sickness with much resignation
to the will of God. He died in the Lord. " Come, Lord Jesus ! " " Come " —
" Come," he often said. I saw him die ; and from my heart I can say, " Let me
die the death of the righteous ; and let my last end be like his.'' '

^ March loth. — This day I committed to the grave the remains of dear Mr.
Retemeyer. It was an affecting time and touching spectacle. Eight black
men from the Herstelling plantation, as directed in his will, carried him to his
grave. His corpse was followed by the highest dignitaries, public officers, and
merchants, and by thousands of the citizens. Oh, may his death make a lasting
impression upon the community ! '

' March 2ith. — This day I have endeavoured to improve the death of our late
dear friend, Mr. J. Ketemeyer. My text was taken from 1 Thess. iv. 13, 14.
It has been a trying time. Trinity Church was filled to overflovring, with
friends and hundreds of others, who were anxious so show their respect to the
memory of one of the best of men. Mr. Retemeyer 's death has created a sensation
in the community which I hope may ripen in the conversion of hundreds of
souls. I have lost a father — a friend — a counsellor. Lord God of my fathers,
raise up others, I beseech Thee : let the mantle fall in mercy and in grace ! '

The taking on the mission in Berbice entailed upon me much
harassment and additional work, so much so that in three days
after passing through the exciting scenes of dear Mr. E-etemeyer's
last affliction and funeral sermon, I was again upon the sea on a
\T.sit to that country. This time I went in the schooner Clyde, and
arrived on the 27th after a fair passage from port to port. I had as
a fellow-passenger a Mr. Hollingsworth, a white Barbadian, who had
a strong prejudice against our mission in Berbice. Of course, I had
it out with him. How strange are the coincidences of thought !
Why, a man of the same name had a hand in the demolition of our
mission premises in the island of Barbadoes many years ago. The
question crossed my mind. Is hatred to Methodism hereditaiy in
some families ? Was some grandfather of my fellow-passenger one
of the historic crew who sought to kill Methodism in Barbadoes ? If

5

66 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

so, we shall hear something more of this name farther on in our
narrative.

April 1st. — I had a most agreeable interview with the Rev. John
Dalgliesh, the resident London missionary. He is a man of fine
spirit, and was glad to recognise us as fellow-labourers in New
Amsterdam. The next day I returned to Demerara in the Henri/
Treiv, and found all well.

Mai/ 16th. — A strange experience awaited me. I was sent for to

visit W. F , Esq., ex- Attorney-General, who was dangerously ill

with the prevailing fever. I had not been more than two or three
minutes in waiting, when wo legal gentlemen came out of the sick
man's room and addressed me. ' They hoped,' they said, ' that I

would not say anything to Mr. F of a frightening chai-acter, but

persuade him that he is not so bad but that he may soon be well
again.' ' Gentlemen,' I replied, ' you have performed a duty of
friendship, and I thank you. But I have to perform a duty of
reHgion. I hope, by this time, I know how to speak to a sick man,
no matter who he is.' With these words, I went into the room, and
addressed my friend. This, under great pressure of conscience, I
had done before, and nothing but family pride and caste prevented
him from following my faithful counsel. But now that course of
reparation to one who deserved it from him was impracticable ; and
I could only exhort him to cast his soul upon God's infinite mercy in
Christ for forgiveness. I then proposed to offer prayer for him.
But the offer was rejected, and I could only say in sorrowful tones,
' 1 will pray for you at home.* After I was gone, and several times
during the night, he expressed his deep regret that he had ti-eated
me as he had, and asked whether I might not be asked to come to him
in the morning, that he might apologise to me and still have the aid
of my prayers. But it was too late. Nevertheless —

' When the wicked man
Turns from his sins to Thee ;
His late repentance is not vain,
He shall accepted be.'

In the mercy of God, may we not hope that this now repentant
sinner found salvation 1 Three days after my visit, W. F — — was
buried. Members of the bar, the judges, and other high officials
followed him to his last resting-place.

Jidy 18th. — I was no sooner, as I supposed, settled down once more

PERSOXAL nisroRY. 67

foi' my beloved work in Georgetown than I was called away to
Berbice to befriend our lay-minister, ]\Ir. Robert G. Ross, Miss
Dow, the leader, and the members in New Amsterdam. These good
Christian people Had been informed against by the Mr. Hollingsworth
before named, as a nuisance, ' for praying and singing Psalms,'
somewhere in his neighbourhood, which greatly disturbed him. But
this was not the worst ; by his vn\y misrepresentations, he had even
induced Mr. Sheriff Daly to threaten to send them to prison if the
practice were continued. With letter in hand, I went over to the
public buildings to see the Governor about it. The surprise of his
Excellency was very great, and he promised me a letter to jNlr. Daly,
which I might send to him after my arrival in Berbice. So armed,
I again sailed from Georgetown, having as my fellow -passenger the
Rev. Mr. Bolinder, an Anglican (ritualistic) minister. He seemed
somewhat stiff at first, and I thought he would be anything but an
agreeable companion. However, in beating down the river, by some
mischance the boom swung over to where we were standing, and
both had to di'op instanter inside the stern lee-bulwarks to avoid
losing our heads. Thus a threatened danger made us speak to each
other, and so we became friends. Mr. Bolinder proved to be an
agreeable and an intellectual conversationalist, and I enjoyed him
very much. We dropped anchor at 10 p.m. the next day in the
port of New Amsterdam : the Methodist presbyter and the Anglican
priest all the better and happier for ' the talk by the way.'

And now I had to deal with Mr. Sheriff Daly. By a policeman I
sent Sir H. Barkly's letter to him. But he had been prepared for it
by the news of my arrival on the previous night with a philippic
fi'om the Governor. I have often thought how he must have felt
as he read this communication. Quoting now from memory, I may
venture to say that His Excellency told him of the right of all
classes of Her Majesty's subjects to worship their God as they
pleased, and according to their own convictions ; that how much
better it was the persons complained of so to engage themselves
at the close of each day, than to be found in associations and
practices of immoral and dangerous tendencies; how that gentle-
men holding good positions under the Government should encourage
all those habitudes among the people which were promotive of
sanctity of life and good order. He concluded by saying that he
would as soon think of complaining of the services in the Cathedral

68 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Church, in Georgetown, where he Avorshipped, as to complain of the
innocent psalm-singing of the Methodist Christians in Berbice, and
more of the same kind. The effect was immediate and sure in the
interests of I'eligious freedom and the equality of status of all
Christian persons befoi-e their Creator. I remained over for the
Sabbath, and visited the new station at Cumberland, and on the 24th
once more arrived in GeorgetoAvn.

Mr. Sheriff Daly sent a lengthy report to the Govei-nor, enclosing
a bitter letter from Mr. HoUings worth, both of which were handed
to me for perusal. I immediately sent a rejoinder, couched in such
terms as a true-born Englishman would be likely to vise in dealing
with such narrow-minded zealots. The Governor, I am sure, was
satisfied with my defence, for 1 heard nothing more of the matter.
Thus ended the miserable opposition to our cause in Berbice ; and
the shot that secured its death was fired by my own hand.

The resources of our West India Missions were crippled by
Imperial Legislation in 1846. Eight years previously the House
of Commons paid twenty millions sterling to the so-called owners of
slaves; and now, in 1846, in a frenzy of folly, it passed an Act for
admitting the sugar of slave-producing countries into competition
with our own free sugar, in the markets of England. The craze to
bring this about was irresistible, and this staple of our own colonies
was sacrificed. It cannot be pled that the mechanical and peasant
classes of Great Britain clamoured for cheap sugar at the price
of Christian consistency and pohtical justice ; but, on the contrary,
tens of thousands of them would have preferred to forego this small
delicacy than to have encouraged Cuba and other slave-producing
countries in any shape whatsoever. Like many other questions of
Imperial policy, this vital question to the comfort and loyalty of
all classes of our West India fellow-subjects could not be considered
upon its own intrinsic merits. Too many interested and unprincipled
men were behind the scenes, and were stealthily working their own
nefarious ends through the House of Commons. ' The weakest,' of
course, * went to the wall ; ' and, as the immediate result, there
followed, throughout the whole of our West India possessions, an
insolvent proprietary, bankrupt firms, increased taxation, and a
dearth of employment for the emancipated classes. And nowhere
were these sad reverses more generally witnessed than in the hitherto
prosperous British Guiana. Several plantations were thrown out

PERSONAL HIST OB Y. 69

of cultivation, and the streams of commercial intercoiu'ise were
dried up.

Is it any wonder, then, that the Parliamentary ' break ' being
suddenly applied, we came to grief? It was cruel to the planting
interest ; but it was diabolical to the peasant classes, whose ' life '
depended upon the prosecution of their great industry of sugar-
growing. Not a tear that I ever heard of was shed in England over
the wi'ecked condition of our West Indian colonies, occasioned solely
by the legislation of 1846 ; but denunciations of the severest kind, as
might be expected, were poured forth by the I'uined classes upon the
heads of those in England who brought such mischiefs upon them.

The Wesleyan Mission in British Guiana for many years had
been self-supporting. And it was our justifiable boast that in this
grand province we could do without ' grants ' from the London
Committee. But now my journal records the existence of financial
difficulties, which had been brought upon us by our imperious
masters at St. Stephen's.

July 2Wi.— Held our Quarterly Meeting to-day, and found the circuit still
in debt. These are hard times for conducting the West India Mission, thanks
to the famous legislation of the mother (?) country. 1846. This year, surely
never will be forgotten in the annals of West India history. I could write
many pages on the evils of the legislation referred to ; but I forljear. The
penalty will be paid some day in full tale. ... I trust, however, that the
Lord will again smile upon our people, and overrule and overturn the fiscal
legislation of the Imperial Parliament for these colonies. Their encouragement
of slavery (as before noted) hath beggared thousands upon thousands, and
caused many to withdraw their loyalty from the parent state. This is Lord
Harris's opinion, the popular Governor of Trinidad. Very many also of our
once respectal)le females have been so bereft of employment, that they have
been obliged to earn a living by means fi'om which their very souls revolt. It is
dreadful to think of the untold miseries the infamous Act of 1846 hath occasioned
to these once valuable appendages of the British Crown. '

But underlying this question is an important principle of Imperial
legislation. What right, we may ask, has the English House of
Commons to pass certain fiscal laws so disastrous to the best
interests of the colonists, without their consent or even privity?
As British subjects, living abroad, we have no right of representa-
tion, personally or by pi'oxy, in the Commons of England, and yet
that House, by its legislative action, may inflict untold evils upon us
before we can become aware of its bad intentions. What can we do
in the presence of so mighty a factor — a self-imposed master — as is

70 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

the Imperial Parliament ? ' Grin and bear it,' said a Dutch gentle-
man to me, on one occasion, in Demerara ; but that is no remedy
for political injustice. One thing is certain, that under the con-
ditions we have noted, the affection of the colonists, and the loyalty
of the emancipated classes themselves, have been so stramed, as to
render the tie that holds the West Indies to the Crown very weak
indeed. But there should be no necessity for such an ordeal ! Let
the English Parliament 'do justly,' which is a high command;
unjustly — and the colonies will rebel. The bai-gain, as between
the Imperial Parliament and the colonies, has two sides to it. And
the sti'onger should always act in justice to the weaker. This is the
old and tried way for securing mutual confidence, trustiness, and
satisfaction.

Aug. \^th. — The yellow fever epidemic visited Demerara this year.
The first person I was called upon to visit was a Captain S. T.
Gibbons, from Baltimore. I was taken to him in the forenoon by a
Mr. Hicks, a Christian merchant, to whose firm the ship's cargo was
consigned. I found the captain very ill. He had to me a strange
appearance. I learnt that he had the black-vomit, which accounted
for the change in the expression of his countenance. I conversed
with him, in as tender a manner as possible, on his dangerous
condition, and knelt down for prayer with him. I had not offered
more than a few sentences when he raised himself up in his bed,
and exclaimed, ' Oh, my God ! This man is a Roman Catholic
priest.' I came, of course, to a halt, and, rising from my knees, I
addressed him in suitable terms, assuring him that I was a veritable
Wesleyan missionary, connected with the English Conference. He
was satisfied, and desired me then to pray for him. At 3 p.m. I
visited him again, and found that during the interval he had
received an answer to his prayers. He testified, in the presence of
Mr. Hicks and me, that the Lord in His mercy had forgiven him
all his sins. He asked to have the Holy Sacrament before he died.
' I do not expect the ordinance,' he said, ' to save me ; but I want
to show my love to my Saviour Jesus Christ. I have been to sea
all my life, and I have neglected it.' It was a solemn and gracious
time. All in the room communicated, and ' the Lord was made
known to us in the breaking of bread.' Before I left the room his
poor mind was unhinged, and he became so violent that two strong
men were necessary to keep him in bed. This dreadful fever makes

PERSONAL HISTORY. 71

awful havoc when it seizes the bx-ain, and the strongest man soon
succumbs. He died at twenty minutes to 11 the same night,
leaving in Baltimore an affectionate wife and one child to mourn
their loss.

' Avg. 20;'/!-.— To-day I buried the remains of poor Captain Gibbons ; a great
many gentlemen attended the funeral. Dr. Blair informed me that, from the
2>ost-mortemc:s.Vimm2ii\o-n, they had come to the conclusion that Captain Gibbons
had left Baltimore \^dth typhus fever in his system, and that his illness at sea
and in the colony resulted from this cause. There were not all the outward
manifestations of typhus fever ; but this peculiarity may be attributed to the
influence of the tropics on his physical system.'

A few particulars of the history of Captain Gibbons may be inserted
here. I learnt from him that he was the son of Methodist pai-ents,
and that he had been nursed in Methodism ; that he had not served
his father's God, but had cast off His fear. The Lord, however, had
laid His hand upon him, and that he hoped in His mercy alone.
Two or three advantages I observed to result from the training
Captain Gibbons had received in the doctrines and duties of
Christianity : his clear views of the plan of salvation he possessed ;
' Christ crucified ' was his sheet anchor.

The Foreign Missionaiy Meetings were duly attended to. In the
month of October they were held in the city, T. A. Spooner, Esq.,
and the High Sheriff, George Bagot, Esq., brother of the late
Captain Bagot, of North Adelaide, presiding. The weather was
hot, being 95 degrees in the shade, and 124 degrees in the sun,
which necessarily affected the attendance. And then the lassitude
induced seemed to be a burden of life hard to bear. In November
I went to Abram Tuil, Essequibo, accompanied by Mrs. Bickford, in
the interests of the foreign missions. I preached three times on the
Sabbath, and spoke at three meetings during the week. At the
Abram Tuil meeting our day-school teacher, Mr. Thomas Trotman,
informed us of the introduction of the ' swinging-pole ' by the coolies.
The resident missionaiy, the Eev. Joseph Biggs, told us that ' he had
gone to see it.' Mr. Trotman spoke also of other idolatrous practices
the coolies were introducing, and exhibited one of their 'gods.' A
case of Afi-ican cruelty was also reported. A black man, a negress,
and three boys were working together in the cane-field. The man
inveigled one of the boys into the canes, and commenced with a piece
of notched iron hoop to cut the boy's throat. The cries of the poor

72 JAMES BICKFOBB: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

bo}' brought the necessary help, and he was saved before it was too
late from the would-be murderer's hands.

Our campaign being over, we returned, being accompanied by
the Rev. William Heath, in the Murray schooner to Greorgetown.
It was a trying time for us — headwinds all the way and excessive
heat. Our faces and hands were literally scorched. In beating up
the river Demerary, we came under the lee of the ship Fame, a fine
vessel laden with Coolies. They appeared to be contented with
their new condition ; they were mostly boys and girls. We are
importing into the colony all kinds of grossest superstition, ignorance,
and depravity, so that we are on the high road of becoming once
more a heathen land. Hence the necessity of an increased missionary
staff, with more of the ' power from on high ' for counteracting the
threatened evils arising in our midst.

For excitement, probably no place under the sun can siirpass
Demerara. The following jotting from my journal sets forth one
of its elements : —

' Nov. 2oth. — Preached yesterday at Kingston and Trinity. When offering
the last prayer I heard the shout of '• Fire, fire ! " and before the Benediction
could be pronounced the congregation crowded to the door. I hastened into
the parsonage to get my pilot coat, and then returned to the church to see
after Mrs. Bickford's safety. I found her at the vestry door, in company with
Mrs. Cameron, Mrs. Van Watt, and Captain MacEachem. Having seen Mrs.
Bickford safe, I went forward with the crowd to the ' place of destruction.' It
was a fearful sight. It would be in vain for me to attempt a description of
its fuiy and volume. Four houses were consumed, and one life was lost. I
returned to Werk-en-Kust Parsonage about 10 p.m., and found Mrs. Bickfoid
sitting with her bonnet on, ready to depart if necessary. I read Psalm xci.,
and offered prayer at our family altar, and then we retired to rest under the
safe protection of Him who "never slumbers nor sleeps."'

' Bee. 2nd. — A Coolie young man came this afternoon with a candle, which
he had purchased to be burnt in the church to cure his bad leg. I told him
that the burning of the candle would not cure his sore, but, if he would come
next day, I would examine it and give him some ointment to cure it. He
promised to come, and seemed grateful. " Kindness melts the savage breast,"
it has been said ; but I perceive that it also touches the superstitious mind.'

'Bee. 12th.—To-daj I posted to the Rev. W. L. Thornton, M.A., London, a
manuscript memoir of the late Meinhaard Retemeyer for publication in the
Methodist Magazine. It has run to the length of twenty-six pages of foolscap,
and cost twelve shillings postage. This amount was generously paid by order
of the Governor, the subject of it having been for so many years a highly
respected servant of the Crown. I have had much chastened pleasure in
preparing this memoir, and sensible communion of soul with my departed
friend. I often felt that it was a very thin partition that separated him from

PEBSOJVAL HISTORY. 73

me. Oh, blessed religion of Christ 1 What hopes or joys can equal those Thou
inspirest ? '

^ Bee. \Uh. — I had a long conversation to-day with Mr. H , one of our

GeorgetoM'n merchants, on Surinam slavery. He appeared to maintain that
the slaves were happy ; and that it was better for them to be slaves and be
provided for than to be let loose upon the country, no one caring for them, A
few remarks were suflBcient for convincing him that slavery was an evil — a
great and monster sin. He then told me of a case of crying cruelty which had
come to his knowledge in Surinam. The proprietors of the plantations have
what are called ' Bush-days,' once or twice a year, to hunt up and catch
runaway slaves. On the occasion he was refemng to, they came upon a
settlement where were several of these unfortunate creatures. Thej' had located
there for some years, and had erected a small sugar mill, and had many comforts
about them. On the approach of these white wolves, the more agile of the
negroes ran away, but the young and decrepit were unable to escape, and so
fell into the clutches of their merciless persecutors. They were at once conveyed
to Paramaribo. And as they could not now be identified, they were forfeited
to the Dutch Government. These slave-hunters then set fire to the negro
establishment, notwithstanding the many years of toil it had cost to bring it to
what it was. Poor unhappy slaves of Surinam ! Oh, that the Lord would
arise for their deliverance ! '

Mr. H bore his testimony to the valuable ser\4ces of the

Moravian missionaries in Surinam. He had attended one of their
services, and was much interested in the manner of the worship and
in the demeanour of the congregation. I wish from my very heart
that we had a mission in Surinam. Two grand objects would be
accomplished by it: (1) The extinction of slavery in two or three
years ; (2) the ingathering of thousands of coloured persons, for
whose souls, at present, no one cares. There are, I am informed,
eighteen thousand of these, who are without the Gospel and the
blessings of the Christian pastorates. The Moravians attend to the
blacks ; the coloured would fall to us.

The Christmas season entails many additional duties upon the
ministers of so large a circuit as was that of Georgetown, Demerara.
The annual examinations of the day-schools, which came off at
Christmas, was a time of great interest. At the Werk-en-Rust
examination the Governor, Sir Henry Barkly, the High Sheriff,
George Bagot, Esq., and some other gentlemen were present. Nothing
could exceed the condescension of Sir Henry to the coloured and
black children, as they came up to him Avith their copy-books and
slates for him to see what they were able to do. The ready replies
of the pupils in mental arithmetic, English grammar, geography,

74 JAMES BICKFOBJ): AN AVT0BI06BAPIIY.

and spelling, were most satisfactory to our distinguished visitors.
The special service on Christmas Day, the * Watch Night,' New Year's
Sabbath, the ' Renewal of Covenant,' followed by the Lord's Supper,
constituted the Chiu-ch's great festival season for the year.

1851.

The Berbice Mission called me away during the month of January.
On the 22nd, I sailed in the Governor Barkly, which was full of
passengers. We had a tedious passage, and I was very sick. On the
Sabbath, early in the morning, I preached at Cumberland, on the
Cauji Creek, and gave the Sacrament. Returned rapidly to New
Amsterdam, and held service at 11 a.m., and in the evening I preached
again to a large congregation. We had the Sacrament at the close
of the service. The next day, I had an interview with Roelof
Hart, Esq., the leading official of the Dutch Church. Mr. Hart
again informed me of the earnest desire of the Vestry to have an
' ordained ' minister as their pastor. He offered me, in addition to
the free occupancy of the manse and the untrammelled use of the
church, =£100 per annum to secure such an appointment. This is a
clear providential call to us ; and yet, hitherto, it seems impossible
to convince the London 'Committee that it is so. Hence their
stolid refusal to allow us to occupy the place for the benefit of
nearly one hundred members, who will have no other ministry
but ours ; together with many of the Dutch families, and other
white persons, who plead and pray for our ministrations. But we
shall see, sooner or later, that our persistency will alter the views
of the Committee, who will then consent to our and the people's
wishes.

In preparing the statistical information for the coming District
Meeting my feelings were of a mingled character. Through the
generous help of several friends the circuit debt was paid ofl". But the
number of Chiu-ch members was less than the previous year. Nearly
a hundred had been removed from the class books because of their
non-attendance at the weekly fellowship ; besides which, it had been
a year of great mortality among our adherents. Such a result was
very discouraging, in remembrance of the toils and troubles we had
passed through. But never were my sympathy and indignation
more excited than when I heard of the death of the unfortunate
C. I . She had been a girl of beautiful form and many charms.

PERSONAL HISTORY. 75

but decoyed from her pure home in Barbadoes by a young white
scoundrel — a sprig of the law, I believe. As long as she pleased him
there was a cruel kindness in his conduct. But, a few months
before I saw her, he had cast her off, in a land of strangers, unpitied
and unknown : —

'Woman,' cried the seducer, ' hold thy tongue,
For thou art weak, and I am strong.'

0. I was in extremis when I was called in to minister to her

soul in its agony of distress. I did all that I could — and she died.
Her last words were, ' I do hope Christ will wash my guilty soul
in His precious blood.' Poor Magdalene ! how I pitied thee !
and prayed for thee ! ' More sinned against,' in the first instance,
'than sinning;' thy guiltiness could not overleap His 'uttermost.'
May I so hope and believe !

The annual voyage from Demerara to one of the Windward Islands
to hold the usual District Meeting was to us a salutary and beneficial
change. Never did I want it more than in the beginning of this
year, 1851. Mrs. Bickford and I had passed through several attacks
of fever, and we naturally looked forward to two or three weeks
at sea, and to the society of friends in the District Island, with
pleasurable hopefulness. Accordingly, on the 10th of February, our
little company, consisting of the Revs. Limmex^and Heath, and our
respective wives, went on board the brigantine Agnes, for Barbadoes.
We made a fair start from the ' lightship,' and nothing special
occurred until we were off the east coast of Tobago. Mr. Limmex
and I occupied the two ' dog-houses ' upon the quarter-deck, so as to
be near at hand in case of an emergency. We had a sudden wind
upon us of hurricane strength, which would have capsized our
struggling vessel but for the wakefulness and nautical expeiience
of Mr. Limmex. The Agnes was heeling over dangerously when I
looked out for my friend on the lee quarter. I saw him spring
forward and ' let go ' the main-sheet, when the brig rallied to her
rightful position. Captain Stanley, at the time, was ' for-ard '
helping the men to shorten sail. The man at the helm was skilfully
steering through the terrible seas ; and, but for Mr. Limmex's timely
interposition, we must have come to grief. He was the only man
to see the danger, and by his help we escaped a watery grave.

We reached Carlisle Bay on the 16th. Here, on landing, a new

76 JAMES BICKFORD : AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

trouble began. Tlie land-sbai-ks, alias ' Barbadoes ' porters, were
ready to devour us. But with the help of the E.ev. John Corlett,
the resident senior missionary, and a few obliging policemen, we
succeeded pretty well in escaping theii* extortionate demands. In
the evening of the same day, the Revs. Messrs. Bannister (Chairman
of the District), Hurd, Horsford, D.D., Binks, Butcher, Brown, and
Wrench, arrived from the ' leeward ' per royal mail steamer. The
next day the sessions of the District Meeting began, and in six days
we got to the end of our business. It was a most harmonious and
successful meeting.

On the 27th Mr. and Mrs. Banfield and Mr. and Mrs. Limmex,
Mr. Heath, and I left by the Iris for Demerara. Mrs. Bickford, who
was much reduced in strength, was left behind for quiet and the
advantage of sea-bathing. Mrs. Cameron, a dear Scotch sister in
Christ, remained also as her companion.

March 27icl. — "We arrived in Georgetown in time for Divine service
in Trinity Church. Messrs. Heath and Banfield preached morning
and evening. At the close, we took the Lord's Supper once more
together. There was a large number of communicants. Thus we
began a new Methodistic year.

March 28th. — The R.M.S. Derwent arrived from Barbadoes, but
without our lady friends. I was informed by one of the gentlemen
that two boats with passengers were within the swell of the steamer,
but that the captain would not wait. His act was un-English and
cruel. Great was our disappointment in Demerara.

I now give a few extracts from my journal, indicating some of the
larger questions which crowded this ecclesiastical year : —

' Ajyril 2Sth. — Since my last entry, I have been incessantly engaged in Church
and colonial business. Mr. Attorney-General Arrindall having originated the
idea of an Orphan Asylum for British Guiana, Mr. Sheriff Bagot called a
public meeting at the court-house to take the subject into consideration. His
Excellency, Sir Henry Barkly, with his accustomed readiness, took the chair.
I attended and spoke on the general question, and I observe that my suggestions
have been adopted by the committee appointed to carry out the details of the
scheme. I was thankful to have an opportunity as a Wesleyan minister to
express my views on the benevolence of Christianity, and on the duties of all
Christian people in relation thereto. Bishop Austin (Anglican) spoke a few words
very gracefully. On Wednesday evening, a tea meeting was held in Trinity
schoolroom to raise funds to aid in paying for the outbuildings. About three
hundred persons were present. With the exception of the conduct of a few
ignorant, ill-trained youths, the meeting was well and happily conducted. On

PERSONAL HISTORY. 77

the Thursday our Ministerial Quarterly Meeting was held. Messrs. Limmex
Heath, Banfield. and I were present. We had to consider several important
matters, viz. Friendship Station and Day School, now vacant throuo-h the
lamented death of Mr. Thomas S. Maddison, a worthy and excellent officer of
our Church ; Berbice Mission, and the continuous cry of the Dutch Vestry for the
appointment of a resident ' ordained ' minister ; the recently promulgated
scheme of the Educational Commissioners ; and the application for a missionary
to the Coolie immigrants, many thousands of whom were now in British Guiana.
Mr. Limmex and I sat up till a late hour in preparing a document for the
Governor and Court of Policy on the new scheme of Education. Wrote the
London Committee also, beseeching that one or more of the General Secretaries
should forthwith interview Lord Grey, Secretary of State for the Colonies, on
the Education and Coolie questions. Wrote a few more letters, and then
settled with the workpeople for the outbuildings. Mr. James Rogers, of Rome,
was my foreman for carrying on the work. He was a very reliable man.'

'"In labours more abundant." I find such questions as the following
pressing upon me : (1) What avails all this labour as to myself? I trust that
although I am so constantly going round the cii-cumference of duty, I still feel
that my permanent dwelling place is at the centre : " All my springs are in
Thee." (2) As to the church. Here, I say, my work is the Lord's, and I leave
it with Him to give what prosperity it may please Him to grant. (3) As to
the cause generally. An impression in this province in favour of religion
under the form of Wesleyan Methodism. Lord, I am Thy unworthy servant :
I appeal to Thee ! '

' 3Imj 5th. — In reviewing the last week, I have much to be thankful for. I
visited Golden Grove and Mahaica to consult with Messrs. Limmex and
Banfield on the Berbice and Friendship Stations. On returning to the city, I
found that I had to leave immediately for the " Supply " Station, fifteen miles
up the Demerara river, for important ministerial duties. Whilst there, I heard
of a dreadful murder committed by the villagers upon a Kroo man, who had,
with several others of his own tribe, been plundering their provision grounds,
and keeping them in constant dread of their lives by their prowling about
armed with murderous weapons. I gathered up the facts, and wrote his
Excellency Governor Barkly upon the whole case. I specially requested that
the necessary steps might be taken forthwith for clearing the Bush districts of
these bloodthirsty wretches.'

• JIai/ 6th. — This day I am thirty-five years of age, more than thirteen of
which have been spent in the West Indies and British Guiana. The Rev, W.
Fidler and Mrs. Fidler, the Rev. W. Cleaver and Mrs. Cleaver, and Mr. J. L.
Savory, oui" teacher at Werk-en-Rust, dined and took tea with us. " Bless the
Lord, 0 my soul."

And now dear friends were leaving us for the old country. On
the 13th, George Ross, Esq., and on the 14th, the Rev. William
Fidler, Mrs. Fidler, and their two youngest daughters, sailed for
England. The latter were passengers in the ship Laura, Captain J.
Le Messurier, a good Guernsey Methodist. It is impossible to

78 JAMES BICKFOBD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

describe the feeling of melancholy sadness -which steals over one's soul
as friends leave foi- the dear old country, and we are compelled to
remain to contend with the exhausting climate, fever, and death.

May 2^rd. — Went on board the Clyde for Berbice, and arrived at
the Cauji Creek, in the Berbice river, the 24:th. The next day
had a long conversation with Roelof Hart, Esq., on the sore business
of placing an ordained minister in New Amsterdam. Bode to
Cumberland, 2"»reached at 7 a.m., and gave the Lord's Supper to the
members. Eeturned to New Amsterdam, and preached at 11 a.m. and
6.30 p.m.; renewed the tickets of membership of sixty persons, and
finished up by administering the Lord's Supper to the Lutheran and
Methodist adherents. It was a hard day's work, but a happy
one. Spent the whole of Monday in pastoral visitation, and saw
Mrs. Obermiiller and her four fatherless children. We lost a true
friend in Mr. Obermiiller; he was the Secretary of the Dutch
Vestry, and always sympathized with us in all the discussions on
the subject of appointing an ordained minister in New Am.sterdam.

The captain of the Clyde told me of a horrible case of cruelty
on the Waterloo estate in Surinam. A poor slave, he said, was
chained to the ' copper-hole ' by the leg, and remained there, with
very little intermission, day and night. He is compulsorily the
fireman of the sugar-works. Previous to this punishment, he ran
away several times, seeking to achieve his freedom. But he was
always captured, and this was his punishment. The o-\vners on the
plantation, or their representatives, had erected a shed over him
to shelter him from the sun, and this is the only consideration
shown to this courageous man. Oh, Slavery, thou monster of
cruelty ; surely, if there be a God who heareth the cry of the
captive, thy days are numbered !

'■Jane Wtli. — Mrs. Bickford aud I sailed for the Arabian Coast, and arrived
ofE Lorg, and stuck on a sandbank until 11 p.m. We landed, and walked to
the church at 12.30 p.m. I then walked to Abram Tuil, a distance of three
miles, and knocked up the Rev. W. Heath, who instantly harnessed his horse
and fetched Mrs. Bickford from Lorg at half-past two in the morning. Returned
to Georgetown on the 21st, just in time for the Sabbath services at Kingston
and Werk-en-Rust.'

The term of service for European missionaries in the West Indies
was ten years. But I had been able, ' by reason of strength,' to add
a few years to that number. Still I now began to feel that the

PERSONAL HISTORY. 79

time was come when I should make known to the London Committee
my earnest desire to return as soon as convenient. Accordingly,
under date 'July 11th, 1851,' I wrote to the Committee asking
permission so to do after the next District Meeting, which would
be held in February 1852. Supposing my request were granted, I
would then have laboui'ed fourteen years in a tiopioal climate.
But I was not tii-ed of the work, for I loved it. My whole energies,
and brain, and prayers, had been given to the mission all this time ;
but I was now painfully conscious of the existence of mental and
physical enervation, which rendered the financial and spiritual care
of the Georgetown Circuit a burden I could no longer sustain. Mrs.
Bickford, also, from many attacks of fever, and the trying character
of the climate, had become the subject of a weak and nerveless state
most distressing to witness. I sent no medical certificates, or recom-
mendations from my dear missionary brethren, but simply told my
own tale, and left the final decision with the Committee. The result
will appear farther on.

In the month of July also an important public question engaged
the attention of Governor Barkly, the Court of Policy, and the pro-
nounced educationists of British Guiana. It had been felt for some
time that the then arrangement was insufiicient ; and, yet, during
the first years of the regime of freedom, it seemed to be the only
practicable one. The Mission Chvu^ches had done the bulk of the
woi'k, which was in part supported by an annual j9er cajmt payment
of two dollars for each pupil under tuition. Of course this small
sum did not meet the cost of salary, books, and bviildings, necessary
for carrying on the work.

It was now proposed, as the consequence of Mr. Commissioner
Dennis's investigations in Europe and America, to set aside the
existing denominational schools, and to institute in lieu thereof a
national system, providing secular education only. So serious and
unexpected a departure from the arrangments which bad obtained
ever since freedom had been established was at once opposed by the
Anglican, Presbyterian, and Wesleyan bodies. The discussion came
on on the 12th, when three petitions were presented against the Bill,
which was down for a second reading. The first speech was
from Sir Henry Barkly, who generally explained the principles of
the proposed measure in a fairly reasoned manner. But the second
speech did the business of the day. The High Sheriff", George

80 JAMES BICKFORD : AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Bagot, Esq., smote it 'hip and thigh.' Ic was then held in abeyance,
and the protesting documents were referred to the Commissioners
for report. Beheving that Mr. Attorney- General Arrindall would
be glad of as much information as he could get upon the question
now in such sharp dispute, I called upon him and begged him to
read Watson's great sermon, entitled ' Religion, a part of Educa-
tion,' which he politely promised to do. Mr. Arrindall was the
Chairman of the Commission, and a man of impulsive and forceful
character. It was, therefore, very desirable, if possible, to get him
en our side.

Our action was severely commented upon by the Editor of the
Colonist. I accordingly addressed a letter to him, demanding
that our ' memorial ' should appear in its columns, that the thinking
public might be able to jvidge between us. This was done, but the
Editor — editor-like — would have the last word, in which he poured a
heap of abuse upon me.

The position of the Wesleyan missionaries in their relation to the
Education question, then so fiercely contested in British Guiana,
must be briefly stated. It was not with us, at that time, a question
as to the comparative merits of the two systems of public education —
the denominational and the national. Indeed, our personal pre-
dilections, if we had any, scarcely entered into the matter at all.
We— each one of us — were ' under law ' to the British Conference,
whose repi-esentatives and servants, in a filial and Christian sense,
we were. The Conference of 1840 laid down certain principles,
which, as far as practicable, were as binding upon us in Bi-itish
Guiana as they were upon our ministers and day school committees
in England. Such as —

' The Bible, in the Authorized Version only, shall be the basis of all the
religious instruction ; and a certain portion of every day, at least, half an hour
each morning and afternoon, shall be set apart for the devotional reading of the
Holy Scriptures, with explanations by the teacher or visitor.'

' The Conference records its deep and solemn conviction of the duty and
necessity of providing the means of obtaining, in week-day schools, an efficient
education in scriptural and other useful knowledge ; and would regard, with
much satisfaction, any public measure which would secure this desirable object,
on just, tolerant, and liberal principles.'

'The school duties shall uniformly begin and end with prayer.'

And much more to the same efiect.

We might have gained, in some quarters, a temporary populaiity

PERSOXAL HISTORY. 81

by adopting a contrary course to that we felt bound to follow ; but
that would have been no compensation for disloyalty to the English
Conference and the traditions of English Methodism. We took, I
am sure, under the conditions of the whole question, the right course ;
but we had not yet reached the end. The feeling that binds the
British Emph-e together, is the outgroAvth of a common interest in
the unity and prosperity of the whole. So it is with large Clu-istian
bodies. The Wesleyan Methodist Connexion is no exception to
this remark. The reception, at the Georgetown Mission House, on
July 11th, of the intelligence that through the reform agitation
55,000 members had been lost to our Church, caused much thstress,
followed by tearful prayers, that the 'God of our fathers ' would,
in His great mercy, interpose and cause that good might come out
of this great trouble.

How chequered was my Demerara life ! It was panoramic in a
wonderful degree. ' Fightings without,' if not ' fears within,'
mostly filled up the ' cup ' of my every day's experience. I had
been preaching on the evening of July 24th, at Trinity Chiu'ch, on
the ' Life and death of Dorcas,' and had returned to the parsonage,
Avhen I was hastily called to go to Kingston, in the eastern part of
the city, to see Mrs. Thomas Spooner, who, whilst spending the
evening with our friends, the Rev. William Cleaver and Mrs,
Cleaver, was taken alarmingly ill. On reaching the place, about a
mile distant from Trinity, I found her dying. We united in prayer
and commended her soul to God. The next day she ' passed away,'
in the fortieth year of her age. The day following, we followed her
dear remains to the grave ; which had been prepared in the officers'
burial ground. Mrs. Spooner was a Christian woman, and was
brought to God under the ministry of the Rev. W^. L. Binks, a few
years previously to her last sickness. She was a true missionaries'
friend, as was also her devoted husband, Mr. Thomas Spooner.
She was one of the white ' stars,' gathered into brightness and
beauty by the untii'ing laboiu-s of our missionaries,

' Aug. 2nd. — This has been a busy week. On Monday attended to Society
business, met my large class, and Jirom 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. was incessantly
employed. On Tuesday attended to the brethren's wants in the country
circuit ; and purchased the lumber wanted for the new school-house at
Kingston. On Wednesday, Mrs. Bickford and I left for Mahaica, that I
might be present at the Quarterly Ministerial Meeting, when I addressed the
congregation in the evening. Thursday : we spent the day with our dear friends,

6

82 JAMES JilCKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

the Eev. W. Limmex and Mrs. Limmex. Mr. James McSwiney, a stipendiary
magistrate — " a just man " — was one of our party. Friday : we left Mahaica for
Golden Grove, the residence of the Kev. James Banfield and Mrs. Banfield.
I preached a commemorative sermon on August 1st to our people in the Victoria
Church. In the evening we went to the tea-meeting at Friendship, and
returned to Golden Grove at 1.30 a.m., wearied and spent. On Saturday we
returned by train to the city well in health but greatly fatigued.'

The Rev. William Moister was my first Superintendent in tlie
West Indies, and to iiim I still have, notwithstanchng the lapse of
fifty years, grateful remembrance of his interest in me. I was as a
' pupil ' under him ; and, in various ways, he helped me veiy much.
Mr. Moister after his return to England was sent by the Missionary
Committee to the Cape of Good Hope, as Chairman and General
Superintendent of Missions in that district. But he did not forget
me, as the following quotation from my journal will show : —

' Aug. StJi. — Received to-day a budget of papers, pamphlets, and letters from
the Rev. W. Moister, now stationed at Cape Town, in South Africa. His
correspondence was truly acceptable and welcome. He is a valuable missionary
of the " Cross of Christ ;" and I have no doubt that in the day of the Lord
very many will be the seals of his ministry. He invites me to join him at the
Cape, and suggests that I might take the English congregation as my charge.
But my inclinations are towards Australia, in the event of my returning to
England after the holding of our District Meeting.'

The subject of Coolie immigration had become in 1850-2 a very
serious business in British Guiana. The Governor and Court of
Policy were at their wits' end to know what to do Avith the several
thousands of Coolies who had been imported into the colony under
agfreements with the East Indian Governments. To utUise this new
increment of labour on the sugar plantations, and to secvire for the
immigrants ' a fair day's wage for a fair day's work ; ' to see that such
accommodation was provided as wovild be preservative of health ; to
defend them in courts of justice; and to keep in the immigrants'
view their right of return to India after five years of indentured
work, were problems in Coolie social life not easy of interpretation
and practice. There was not an Englishman in the colony of such
repute for character, linguistic ability, and of Christian sympathy
with the Coolie people, as could help the Government in its praise-
w^orthy efforts to do justly by these thousands of immigrants, who
were spread over the province, and occasionally swarmed into the
city.

PERSOXAL HISTORY. 83

How to Christianize these heathen strangers, and to bring them
into woiking harmony with their new conditions, was the problem
which awaited sohition. I am sure that none of the good men now
living, who were in Demerara in 1850-1-2, will accuse me of
assuming an unwarrantable position when I affirm that, besides the
Wesleyan Methodist, no other Protestant section of the Church
showed either adaptability, or desire, to contribute towards the
smoothing away of the Coolie difficulty. And I do no injustice to
my own brethren when I say that the whole burden of negotiating
with the London Committee, and, subsequently, with the Court of
Policy, fell upon me rather than upon any of them. But T think,
however, that I was providentially led into it through the conversion
and ' baptism ' of a Hindu gentleman, in whose case God made me
the honoiu'ed instrument. He took the name of Samuel Johnston,
in the presence of a large and sympathizing congregation in Trinity
Church. Mr. Johnston prepared an interesting letter, signed by
himself and many of his countrymen, to the London Committee,
earnestly praying that a missionary might be appointed for then-
special benefit. The Rev. J. E. S. Williams, who had been a
missionary in Ceylon, prepared a reply in Tamil. On the 11th of
August the English mail arrived bringing this very letter to my
address, which I delivered to Mr. Johnston and his co-signatories.
Such correspondence was bound to bear fruit. Hence, on the 28th
August, I received a beautiful letter from the Rev. Dr. Hoole on the
spii'itual condition of these Coolie immigrants, and encouraging me to
hope that a missionary would be sent as soon as possible for their
evangelization.

Sept. I^tli. — The English mail came in. I say in my journal,
under that date, —

' Received my mail letters, and was glad of affectionate renewals of regard and
love from Revs. John Corlett, Joseph Biggs, and W. L. Binks. The Englisli
Conference had closed, and I had not heard one syllable from the Committee in
reply to my application to return to England. A press of business, no doubt,
and other causes, have prevented the usual courtesy of a reply. But I am much
disappointed. I must wait a little longer, and all will be explained. The
Committee's reply to our District Minutes will have a reference to it, I am
certain, and, till then, orare et laborare.'

One of the oldest and ablest ministers in Demerara was the Rev.
Joseph Ketley, a Congregational ' standard-bearer.' By invitation,
I went to the Old Agricultural Rooms to hear from him a lecture

84 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

addressed to the Athenjeum Society. There were three divisions :
(1) Science, in its general principles; (2) Literature, in its outHnes
and advantages; and (3) Arts, which he described as the application
of science to the purposes of life. The subject was most skilfully
handled, and I was thankful that the young men present had such
an opportunity of being instructed by such a master.

Oct. 7th. — The true idea of a missionary's i-elation to his flock is
that of a father, and to any afflicted or troubled family, there-svith
connected, that of a sympathizing friend. In both these aspects I
had to appear under the above date. Amongst our respectable
coloured families in Greorgetown were a Mr. E. N. Pieters and
Mrs. Pieters, with whom Mrs. Bickford and I had been guests at
one of our District Meetings. Their kindness was so simple and
abundant that I became quite attached to the whole family.

At this time we were much engaged in providing buildings and
a,pparatus for the education of the children of our people. On
October 8th we opened the new schoolroom at Kingston, when
two hundred and fifty persons took tea together. The addresses at
the after meeting dealt with the all-engrossing subject of Combined
Education, a principle to which we felt ourselves committed in the
best interests of the emancipated classes, and as missionaries under
the direction of the English Conference. On the 13th the Eev.
W. Heath and I preached, at Kingston and Trinity, the annual
sermons in aid of our Foreign Missions. In the afternoon of the
same day we held a special service at Trinity, when two hundred
and fifty children and young people were present. Mr. Heath,
Mr. E. N. Pieters, the superintendent of the school, and I gave
addresses. Edward Pieters, junr., the secretary, read the rules of
the school. It was a time of much interest and good feeling.

Hitherto I had had pretty plain sailing in Demerara. I had
made and had retained hosts of friends. How much, therefore, was
I surprised when, on October 13th, I received a confidential note
from the Hon. Richard Haynes, a coloured gentleman of high
character and mercantile standing, informing me that a letter had
been addressed to him, as the intended Chairman of the Trinity
Church Missionary Meeting, to the efiect that I was ' prejudiced
against the coloured people,' and requesting him (Mr. Haynes) to
demand from me, at the pubHc meeting, a distinct disclaimer of any
such feeling. I was at a loss for the clue to this foul accusation,

PERSONAL HISTORY. 85

until I remembered that I had, a few days previously, a somewhat
spirited conversation in my study with a young coloured man on the
subject of the utility, or otherwise, of debating societies — my con-
tention being that such as he, and those he represented, did not need
to be taught how to ai^gue upon difficult questions ; but rather to
commence at the foundation of real mental woi'k, by threading their
way through the elementary lessons of English literature, and acqvdre
thereby a confidence in root-truths, and an aptitude in using correctly
English forms of speech. I had no intention either of discouraging
or ottending the young man in question, and this Mr. Haynes most
thoroughly believed.

But I was grievously pained, and could not but ask whether so
cruel an assumption held good with the character I had borne during
thirteen years of voluntary residence in a tropical climate, and with
the sacrifice of health and many comforts I had made to serve the
people, one of whom had so cruelly maligned me !

The missionary meeting was held under the presidency of the
Hon. Richard Haynes. His was a Christian and comprehensive
speech. The congregation was large, and the feeling deep. But
there were no clapping, no noises : the utmost decorum obtained, just
as if it were a Sabbath service. This was an improvement on the
missionary meetings in England and in the islands.

As an inevitable outgrowth of freedom, money became somewhat
plentiful in the hands of the wages-receiving labourers on the
plantations. This improvement in theu' social position enabled
them to form large associated bodies for purchasing abandoned
estates from the English proprietors on the east coast, on the
southern side of the river Demerary, and in other parts of the
colony. Several such properties were purchased, calling into
existence a new form of political and social life, w^liich was
designated '■ The Village System,' whose slow but sure growth
occasioned much concern to the Government. A form of queries
was drawn up, and copies were sent with the imprimatur of the
Governor to all the clergy, the missionaries, and the stipendiary
magistrates for information, showing to what extent this system
had reached, the acreage purchased, the kind of cultivation carried
on, and the number of the population who had come under this
novel form of co-operativism. Suggestions also were invited for
the governmental control and development of such associations.

86 JAMES lilCKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

The question, it was admitted, was extremely (.lifficult, because of
the self-created and self -controlling functions these new* pi-oprietary
bodies assumed and exercised. In the islands the case was different.
Take, for example, St. Vincent's, where a new proprietaryship came
into existence ; but there it was the piu'chase by an individual free
labourer from an individual propiietor. Whereas, in British Guiana,
there were in these transactions combinations of men and consequent
commvmity of interests, which gave formidableness to these bodies,
and required attention from the Government. It must be confessetl
that the Governor and Court of Policy had not, pari passu, launched
any system of municipal or police control to meet this novel state
of things ; and yet it should have been anticipated, because when
the free labourers became possessed of money, they woidd no longer
be content to remain in great numbers upon the estates Avhere they
had once been slaves.

To illustrate, ab inconvenienti, the nature of the conditions upon
which ' The Village System ' was sought to be built, we may take
as a t}^ical case the plantation ' Friendship,' on the east coast of
Demerara, which was purchased for seventy-five thousand dollars by
one hundred and forty (black) proprietors. One of the conditions of
sale and purchase was, that no white man should ever legally become
joint proprietor with the original purchasers. The idea of a numbei-
of head men to be over the remainder could not work ; therefoi-e,
one was chosen to be manager, or ' Boss,' to conduct the general
business of the plantation. But up to this point there need not
have been any practical difficulty, provided that the whole number
of the proprietors agreed. But a new and vinexpected cfitx arose,
and in this way. One of the original owners became insolvent, and
in due process of law his interest in the proprietary was sold at public
auction by the Provost Marshal at the court-house steps in the city
of Georgetown. The purchaser happened to be one of the prohibited
class. It need hardly be observed that the ' Act of Insolvency '
was stronger than was the private compact of the one hundred
and forty proprietors. The compact was overridden, and justice
was done.

A second embarrassment arose in which the Wesleyan missionaries
were involved. A large Logie, originally used for drpng coffee, had
been fitted up for Sabbath worship and Sunday and day school
objects at considerable expense. When the plantation passed fiom

PERSOXAL IIISTOKY. 87

the original ownei-s to the new proprietary body, it was felt that
our tenancy was insecure. Hence, after some negotiations, the
Rev. James Banfield, the Superintendent Minister, pui-chased the
building, not the land, with the fi-ee consent of the proprietors at
one of their business meetings. About three months afterwards, at
another of theu' meetings, when the proceeds had to he divided,
there came to the surface the bitterest opposition of eighteen of
the proprietors. The dissentients took legal proceedings for setting
aside the action of the head man as their representative and executive
officer, and gave us considerable trouble.

We had ' fallen among thieves,' but the end was not yet. I find
in my joiu-nal the following entry : —

' Mr. Banfield, Mr. Cleaver, and I have been engaged in getting up a " report,"
in obedience to the judge's "order," on a petition presented to the " Court of
Justice " by eighteen of the proprietors of Fricndshij), praying that the sale of
the Logie may be prohibited. Mr. Banfield had bought this building three
months previously, when these very men were apparently satisfied with the
transaction, until the appropriation of the money took place. What the result
will be it is impossible to divine.'

Numerous other cases of difficulty, provocative of expensive
litigation, were constantly arising in different parts of the colony.
Legislation, therefore, ensued and solved many a perplexity. The
Court of Policy at that time, with Governor Barkly as president,
had some very able men in it. The Bill that was passed arrested
needless litigation, and provided against future vexatious proceedings.
The colony generally, but especially the emancipated classes, were
laid under great obligations for the intervention of the law members
of the Court of Policy, and to Governor Barkly, who gave much
earnest attention to this perplexing subject.

Nov. 2nd. — My journal entries are now showing that the elasticity
of my spirits, as well as my bodily health, were seriously giving way.
To get out of the city, and have only one day free fi'om worry, was
a perfect Eden to me. We had a sweet retreat about a mUe up the
river in the Euimveld sugar plantation. Our dear friends, Mr. and
Mrs. George Ross, at their beautiful home, afforded the relief
Mrs. Bickford and I so much needed. We would drive out in the
morning and enjoy the cool river aii-, and in the evening we would
return to Werk-en-Rust quite refreshed.

Nov. Sth. — Mr. Robert G. Ross and I sailed for Abram Tuil to

88 JAMES BICKFORD : AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

attend to the interests of our Foreign Missions. Our congregations
were good. We wei-e some twenty-four hours on our return voyage,
and I suHered terribly from the sun. Mr. Ross was a native of
Tobago, an excellent man, lay-preacher, and had been a day school
teacher. I had engaged him for Berbice when the London Committee
did not choose to send an ordained minister.

As an interim supply, Mr. Ross did us good service. On the
death of Mr. Maddison, the Rev. J. Banfield engaged him for the
Friendship Station.

' Nov. 9fli. — Preached twice yesterday from Acts ii. 38, 39. A good day, but
much wearied from the exposure and fatigue of the previous week. Heard this
morning of some, from whom I had expected better things, who had gone to
the races. May the good Lord take not His Holy Spirit from them.'

' N'or. 2itJt. — Last week was one of extreme agony of mind occasioned by home
correspondence. What can be the design of Providence in thus afflicting my
relatives in their circumstances, and opening sources of discomfort to us all
such as we have never been accustomed to ? " Lord, Thou knowest.'' '

'Nov. '2~th. — Returned this morning from Supply village in torrents of rain,
and wearied almost to death.' ' "

'Nov. 'iOfJt. — Went to Nismes and preached. I baptized twenty-two adult
Africans, and three infants. I renewed the membership tickets of sixty
persons, and administered the Lord's Supper. Arrived at home at half-past
4 wearied and hungry. Preached in the evening at Kingston, to a large
congregation. Two months more and then I shall go (d.v.) to another sphere
of labour in the Lord's vineyard.

The ' rise and progress ' of the cause at Nismes are worthy of a
passing notice, as illustrative of what one really good man may do
in the cause of Jesus. Tliis out-station was situate about five miles
up on the north side of the Demerary river, and about half a mile
fi'om the Hei'stelling plantation on the opposite side. The con-
gregation was composed wholly of free (black) labourers. The
head man in our society was known by the title of Father Liberty ;
he had a family of grown-up children, and he was anxious that
each of them should follow in his footsteps. Said he one day to my
predecessor, the Rev. William Hudson, ' Massa Hudson, before you
do leave the colony, me want you to build one new church at
Nismes.' ' That I fear,' replied the minister, ' is impossible.
Where is the money to come from 1 ' ' Oh, if dat be all, then me
go and see.' The very next day, to Mr. Hudson's grateful surprise,
who should be at Iiis office door but Libei'ty, with a Bristol tripe jar
on his head. ' What have you got there ? ' said Mi. Hudson.

PERSOXAL HISTORY. 89

' Massy going to see ! ' And he turned the contents of the jar out
upon the table, amounting to $750, equal to .£156 3s. 4fZ. The
old man explained : ' Dat money be saved for me children, but
they no love de religion. So me say, " Me build for them one house
of God, and they will be no able to spent Him." ' And the church
was built.

But Father Liberty's good work did not end with the pi-incely
gift just noted. On our Sabbath and weekday visitations to
Nismes, the old man would come with his hatteaux across the river
to the Herstelling jetty to take us over and back. He never failed
when we wanted him. He felt that he was doing service for his
Master Christ, and this conviction strengthened his arm and will,
in spite of wind, rushing tides, or a scorching sun. ' Me cannot
preach de Word of God,' said Liberty to me one Sabbath morning,
as we were gently proceeding out of the creek towards the rushing
river, ' but me can take preachers to do it.' ' Oh, yes. Father
Liberty,' I replied, ' and you are doing God's will in what you do
as much as we, in what we do, in coming to Nismes.' These words
cheered the old negro's heart.

The Rev. George Osborn (now Dr. Osborn) had been appointed to
the London secretariat of our Foreign Missions, and on December
1 8th, I had the pleasure of receiving my first letter from him. It was
not a business, but a friendly, brotherly communication, which was
a great comfort to me. By the same mail I received a letter fi*om
Peter J. Bolton, Esq., one of the Secretaries of the ' British and
Foreign Anti-Slavery Society,' on the subject of the further equali-
zation of the sugar duties. The House of Commons was about to
inflict a further injury upon the West Indies, and this just and
humane society was awake to the importance of helping us to
prevent any further wreckage being done. There were two aspects
in which the matter had to be viewed : (1) In the interests of the
defrauded and oppressed slaves themselves, who were still held in
bondage in Cuba and other countries ; and (2) in the interests of
the West Indian proprietors, and of the emancipated classes.
The Home cry, it was aifirmed, was that of the British people, who
wanted still cheaper sugar, no matter that it would be at the cost of
prolonged suffering and of political righteousness. But what could
we do ? We could only cry to heaven in our weakness ; for to
memorialise the Imperial Parliament, under the circumstances,

90 JAMES BICKFORB: Ay AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

would be of no use whatsoever. We had thus to wait in indignant
silence for the paralysing blow.

Dec. \W). — The annual examination of the Werk-en-Eust Day
School came off. Sir Henry Barkly, as was his custom, presided,
and did us good service. The Hon. William Walker, colonial
secretary, John Lucie Smith, barrister, and W. B. Pollard, Esq.,
membei'S of the Board of Education, and George Ross, Esq., were
present. The pupils were in fine form and did well. In mental
arithmetic their skill in calculating surprised us all. The writing of
two black children — a brother and a sister — were specially good, and
specimens of their penmanship were requested by the Governor.
Mr. John J. Savory, the master, and Miss Blair, the first assistant,
won great praise to-day.

We had visitors during this month with whom we were much
pleased. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Carter, from Luton, England,
and Captain Furze, from Mevagissey, Cornwall, were among the
nvimber. Away, from year to year, fi-om the dear old Mother
Country, and residing in the tropics, it was quite a Godsend to
have now and then intelligent persons in one's domicile. Mi-.
Carter was an able local preacher, and Captain Furze was a
Methodist of the true Cornish type.

Dec. 2bth. — Christmas Day has always had a red letter in the
calendar of West Indian Christians, by whom it is gratefully and
religiously observed. My Journal jottings say : —

' Preached at 5 a.m. in Trinity Church to a large congregation. Mr. T. Carter
preached at 11 a.m., and kindly took the service in consequence of the pain in
my chest.'

' Bcc. 28th. — The last Sabbath in the year. Preached at Trinity and Kingston.
Was very poorly in the morning, and had hard work to get through the services
of the day. A year of toil and mercy.'

1852.

Jem. 1st. — Praise the Lord for crowning another year with His
goodness. The ' Watch Night Service 'was a solemn season. The
church was filled to overflowing. Mr. John J. Savory assisted me.
This year may I Hve to God alone. Lord, help me ! On the 5th the
usual ' Renewal of Covenant Service,' and the Lord's Supper were
duly observed. It was a good beginning of the year's services.

PERSOXAL HISTORY. 9]

The feelings of my heart ai-e correctly expressed in our beautiful
hymn,—

' Oh, happy day, that fixed my choice,' etc., etc.

Jan. \Oth. — ' And in the garden there was a sepulchre.' This
singular association of a ' garden ' with a ' sepulchre ' represented
the beautiful but suddenly changed home-life of the Rev. W. Cleaver
and Mrs. Cleaver, at Kingston, in this city. During the year just
closed, no member of the mission family had died of yellow fever;
but, in the first month of this year, one death from that fearful
scourge took place. It was little Charles Carlton Cleaver, only son
of my colleague, Mr. Cleaver, who had passed away. He died in
the morning, and in the evening we buried him under the bi'anches
of the lovely tamarind-tree in the Lodge burial-ground. Precious
dust ! In sure keeping until the resurrection morn.

Jan. 2Qth. — In the absence of further information from the
London Committee, we concluded that our application for permission
to return to England after the District Meeting could not at present
be granted ; and that my prospective appointment to Barbadoes
would take effect. We accordingly commenced packing and other-
wise to ' set our house ' (circuit) ' in order,' so as to be ready for
our removal. If our health could have permitted it, there were
some very good reasons why, at that time, we should have re-
mained two or three years longer in Demerara, But that seemed
impracticable, and hence our preparation for a removal to the
salubrious climate of Barbadoes, which had become, in our estimation,
a providential sanatorium for the worn-down and fever-stricken
missionaries from the southern stations of British Guiana.

This was, of necessity, a time of much anxiety to us. I had,
because of the non-arrival of the royal mail steamer from England,
to arrange to go to the District Meeting, to be holden in St.
Vincent's, without Mrs. Bickford, although she had been again
so dangerously ill from the terrible Demerara fever. We were
much ' perplexed.' At length the steamer arrived, about midnight,
and we were informed that she would leave again at 4 in the
morning. So that my colleagues and I were greatly hurried to
get away by her. We had a fine run across to Carlisle Bay,
Barbadoes, arriving there at 1 p.m., on February 5th. I was
most kindly welcomed by the Rev. John and Mrs. Corlett, at

92 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Bethel Parsonage, and I was their gi'ateful guest as long as I
remained on the island.

I spent two Sabbaths in Barbadoes, and preached at James Street
and Bethel. On the 9th, Mr. Corlett and I called at Government
House to pay our respects to His Excellency Ker Baillie Hamilton,
whom I had so intimately known in Grenada. We also called
on Mrs. Doctor King. I was much affected at seeing her, now
bereft of her affectionate husband, but full of Christian resignation
and good works.

Feb. VMh. — Left per steamer Derwent for St. Vincent's. On
stepping on to the deck, gi-eat was my joy at meeting my old friends,
the Rev. Heniy and Mrs. Hurd and their children, the Rev. Mr.
Silifant and Mrs. Silifant, and the Rev. J. E. S. Williams and
Mrs. Williams. Mr. Williams was sent on a special mission of
evangelisation to the Hindus in British Guiana. Mr. Silifant
was a Baptist clergyman, on his way to labour in Jamaica, and was
a brother to Mrs. Hurd.

From my reverend brother, Mr. Hurd, I learnt that he had
been charged by the General Secretaries to assure me of the
affectionate sympathy of the Committee, and that it was with
the greatest regret they saw that the way for my immediate return
was not quite open ; that it was mainly at my earnest request the
Rev. Mr. Williams had been sent as their missionary to the Coolies
in Demerara, and that the Committee feared that my removal at
this juncture from the colony might seriously imperil the success of
the enterprise. Besides which, the Education question was far from
being settled ; and it was believed that my absence, when the matter
came again before the Court of Policy for discussion and settlement,
might result in damage to thriving and numerous mission schools ;
that I was requested to return to Demerara for a fourth year
to gviide in the arrangement of these important questions; and,
generally, still to help in prosecuting the glorious work of our
missions in British Guiana ; and, further, if Mrs. Bickford's health,
as well as mine own, were insufficient to bear the strain of a full
year's residence in Georgetown, then I was at libei-ty to use my
own discretion and retiu-n to England, when it might become
absolutely necessary. All of which suggestions seemed so reasonable
and just that I could not but say, ' The mil of the Lord be done.'
* God helping me,' I said, ' I will remain at my post and do my

PERSONAL HISTORY. 93

best to justify the confidence the venerated fathers in England
repose in me.'

Feb. I'^th. — The Rev. Wilham Bannister, Chairman, commenced the
business of the District Meeting. We had a blessed prayer meeting,
and the business went on comfortably all day. The Rev. Mr.
Williams was introduced to the brethren by the Chairman, and he
was conducted to a seat according to his seniority. The Rev. Mi'.
Silifant was welcomed as a visitor, and requested to be present at the
sessions when it suited his convenience.

The official i-eply of the General Secretaries to the Minutes of the
previous District Meeting is always received with becoming respect
and gratitude. I have sometimes thought, when listening to those
famous manifestoes from our head-quarters, that there is more of the
minute in them than there need to be. Every report of the state
of religion and education in the several circuits, and the expenditure
of the grants from the Committee and of locally i-aised moneys for
carrying on the work, evidently had been subjected to a watchful
criticism, the result of which appeared in the yearly official com-
munication. Sometimes there is such an appearance of severity in
the comments, that a nervous, thin-skinned brother would feel it to
be a trying ordeal. But no ' bones ' are ' broken ; ' and, upon the
whole, it must be admitted that such a review of the internal life
and working of a foreign district is healthful to the brethren's own
tone of spiritual life, and sustaining to the administration of our
Episcopus, as the executive officer of the Committee, in the faithful
discharge of his onerous, and sometimes very unpleasant, duties.

From the official letter, dated January 2nd, 1852, we copy so
much as refers to the appointment of the Rev. J. E. S. Williams as
missionaiy to the Coolie immigrants in British Guiana. It has never
been printed, although worthy of a place in the missionaiy literature
of this remarkable century. It marks also the beginning of one of
the most merciful missions the great men at the head of our affairs
at that time in London ever had the honour of undertaking : —

' The state of the Coolies in Demerara has occupied the serious attention of
the Committee, and encouraged by the experience of Mr. Bickford that the
Colonial Government were disposed to make provision for the support of a
missionary among them, they have decided upon sending Mr. Williams, a
returned Indian missionary, and his wife, in company with Mr. Hurd, by the
packet of the 17th inst., who shall devote his lime to the work of preaching the
Gospel to them in their own language. Mr. Hurd and Mr. Williams, in repeated

94 JA.VES JilCKFORD : AX AUTOBIOGBAPHY.

conversations which we have had with them, are made fully acquainted with
the Committee's views upon the subject, and the strictest adherence to those
views will be expected. Mr. Williams is sent in his proper character as a
missionary of the Society, not as a Government agent ; and will receive his
allowances, and fall under the general district regulations, the same as all the
other missionaries. The mission among the Coolies must be undertaken and
conducted as a Wesleyan mission, in which the character of the Society is
involved ; and the Government is not to be applied to, to provide for it as a
State institution, but to make annual grants to enable the Society to support
its own mission. The Committee are encouraged to commence this mission to
the Coolies, because they regard it as an especial act of Christian charity to
send the Gospel to these poor outcasts of society, and under the persuasion that
a well-conducted mission will strengthen the credit and influence of the Society
among the friends of religion and humanity in general ; it being an undoubted
fact that the wretched state of the Coolies has taken a strong hold upon the
Christian philanthropy of this country. Still, however, the undertaking must
l)e with the strictest regard to "economy, and the utmost exertions must be
made to supplement the annual grant of the Government by local subscriptions,
which we are led to expect may be obtained from parties in the colony, who
feel deeply interested in the welfare of the Coolies, some of whom have even
hesitated to continue their subscriptions to our general mission fund, because we
have hitherto neglected to provide for those degraded and destitute strangers.'

There was no mistaking the meaning of this document. The
District Meeting accepted the responsibility of the appointment of
the Rev. J. E. S. Williams as the missionary to the Coolies in British
Guiana ; and, in a few days, he and Mrs. Williams embarked with the
Demerara brethren, for this new field of labour.

March \st. — Sailed from Kingstown Harbour, St. Vincent's, at
4 p.m., in the sloop Nautilus, thirty tons burthen. We were a large
party, and had to arrange as best we could. We had an opening
made through the partition which separated the ' hull ' from the
cabin, and in the ' hull ' we laid mattresses and hung up sails for the
ladies' night-quarters. The brethren looked out for themselves — lying
on the cabin floor, or stretching themselves on the softest planks on
deck. It is really wonderful how English people can accommodate
themselves to strange and trying conditions. We were as jolly and
content as if we were in nice quarters on board one of the princely
royal mail steamers.

The party consisted of the Revs. J. Banfield, W. L. Binks, John
Wood, B.A., and J. E. S. Williams, with Mrs. Banfield, Mrs. Binks,
and Mrs. Williams. I was a kind of supercargo, and catered for
the whole party. We were in for a dead beat for the night, and
tried to adjust ourselves to our ' environments.'

PERSONAL HISTORY. 95

March '2nd. — All the party are very ill from the to.ssings of the
sea.

March Zrd, 10 p.m. — We arrived off Barbadoes, and agreed to go
on in the Nautihis to Demerara. Captain Stanley laid down his
course, which was S.S.W. Carlisle Bay then bore east.

March 4th. — We had a beautiful day and fair wind.

March 5th. — We are still going on delightfully towards our ' desired
haven.' We caught a fine barracuda to-day, which our good captain
had cooked for the use of the passengers and crew.

March Gth, 12 a.m. — The captain has just taken the latitude, and
we find ourselves sixty miles from the lightship. 6 p.m. : We are
full of anxiety about making the land. It is so low that it is
dangerous on account of sandbanks and strong currents to approach
too near until the lightship has been seen.

March 1th. — Praise the Lord. We saw the ship Hirunda bound
for London and spoke her. The captain informed us that the mouth
of the river Demerary bore south. He also told us of the lightship.
We then made direct for the river, took a pilot from the lightship,
and sailed straight into port. We anchored at ten in the forenoon,
just in time for the service at Trinity Church. The Rev. W. Heath
was preaching a sermon full of sweetness and beauty from St. John
XX. 20. It was so good after our voyage, which that morning
had so happily terminated.

An interesting incident occurred as we were threading our way
among the anchored shipping in the port of Georgetown. The ship
Lucknoio was right in our way in the stream. It was suggested to
our pilot to pass close under her lee, as there appeared to be a great
number of Coolies on board. ' Brother Williams,' said I, ' here are
some of your sheep just about returning to Madras after the
expiration of then- five years of apprenticeship. Give them a right
hearty salaam. It will cheer and please them.' Instanter Mr.
Williams sprang on to the near bulwarks of our Httle craft, and
shouted to them in their own tongue, much to their sm*prise. The
emigrants rushed to the ship's side, wildly vociferating, and expressing
tlieii- delight. The passing conversation closed with an understanding
that Mr. WilHams would go on board the next day before their
departure for Madras.

March. 9 th. — 'Promptitude being ' the soul of success,' I lost no
time on the morning of the day in taking the necessary steps for

96 JAMES JUCKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

bringing the fact of the Rev. Mr. Williams's arrival before the
Government and the community. Accordingly at 11 we started off
for the public builchngs to interview Sir Henry Barkly. The Rev.
John Wood, M.A., accompanied us that he might be introduced also
to the Governor. Mr. Williams carried over his head in true Eastern
fashion his Indian umbrella, made of the bamboo, and Avhich was
artistically and beautifully ornamented. As we approached the
court-house, he, with his vegetable parachute, became the object of
staring surprise to the spectators. A few of the more respectable of
the Hindus were standing about, so I said unto him, ' Give them a
salutation ;' which he immediately did in their own Tamil, vnth. such
a full yet sweetly modulated tone, that it echoed along the corridors
with magical effect. The delight of the missionary was ecstatic ;
and from that hour he became the accepted friend and religious
teacher of the Coolie immigrants.

Our interview with the Governor was all that could be desired.
Sir Henry was very kind, and spoke freely to Mr. Williams on the
svibject of his mission to the Hindu population, and promised his
support in every practicable manner. The Hon. W. Walker, Govern-
ment Secretary, was also pleased to see Mr. Williams, and spake words
of encouragement to him. In the evening Mr. Williams, accompanied
by Mr. Wood, went on board the Lucknow to see the Coolie passengers.
He went round amongst them, speaking in familiar terms to each,
giving them tracts in Tamil and Hindustanee, and commending them
to the care of their common Father in heaven. The joy of these
wandering Shemites was unbounded in finding, after five years'
residence on the sugar plantations, a white Englishman, who could
and would speak to them words of wise counsel and kindly feeling.

All classes of the community seemed gratified that, by the arrival
of the Rev. Mr. Williams, the sin and shame of neglecting the
spiritual condition of the Coolies were to be removed. It was,
therefore, hardly a surprise that our memorial to the Combined
Court for a grant of salary to Mr. Williams was so successful. Our
expectations were not large, because at that time the mission was
simply an experiment. But we were careful to set forth the whole
case, and leave the Court to deal with it on its merits. It was
on the 11th, two days after the advent of the missionary, the
memorial was considered. My jotting under that date is very
jubilant : —

PERSONAL HISTORY. 97

' March Wth. — The Hou. Richard Hayncs moved, to-day in the Comljincd
Court, and the Hon. George Booker seconded, that £200 sterling be put on the
estimates in aid of salary to Rev. Mr. Williams, and £100 to defray travelling
expenses ; which was unanimously agreed to. Ebenezer ! Ebenezer ! '

Mr. Williams now entered upon his work ' with a will.' He was
plainly a man who could do nothing by halves, and seemed possessed
of all those qualities for the mission upon which his whole heart
was set. A missionary to a weak and despised race, yet a man of
ripe intellect, great conversational powers, ready resources, and of a
quick, fine temper. I was pleased to see how he made the question
of the fair treatment of the Coolies by their employers one of
essential importance to the success of his work. The first plantation
I visited with him was Nismes, where there was a large batch of the
immigrants employed under a contract of five years. The evident
sympathy he manifested in the best interests of these poor strangers
and the acboitness of his remarks gi-eatly pleased me. At the close
of his address, one of the head men entered into a discussion -with
Mr. Williams. The main point of his argument was that there
were no two things in nature exactly alike — then why should there be
a forced similarity in religious beliefs 1 Holding out his right hand,
he said, ' See these fingers, how they difier both in lengths and uses !
Yet each is equally needful to the construction of the hand, and
each has its own functions. So with religion. The English have
theu' own, and so have we. They have their long finger, and we
have the shorter one. But because the two fingers difier in length,
shall I cut oft" the shorter one and cast it away ? No : both are
necessary — both useful — both good. So with religion. Why throw
ours aside for yours, when it has been good for our people, the same
as yoiu' religion has been good for yoiu* people ? ' The discussion,
of course, was in Tamil, so that it was not till afterwards that I
knew the exact character of the contention.

The effect of the objections of the head man upon the whole
personality of Mr. Williams was most striking. In reply, he treated
the symbol of the ' two fingers ' somewhat playfully, and then
proceeded to deal with the ' thing signified ' with due seriousness.
He had, he said, something better for them than they had ever
previously had ; and he was come all the way from England to
make it known to them. Then, by a process of incontrovertible
facts, he proved to them that the religion of ' the white man of the

7

98 JAMES lilCKFORD: AN^ AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

West ' was a move powerful factor for removing all the ' evils that
are in the world ' than was any system of religion that India had
ever produced. He would tell them of that better thing if they
would listen to him ; besides which, he would help them in any
other way that lay within his power. We were standing all the
time on the edge of the verandah in front of the ' big ' house, and
the Coolies crowded on the steps leading vip to it. At the close
Mr. Williams was thanked for his visit, and the immigrants returned
to their work.

As we walked together from the plantation to our Nismes Church,
about a mile away, for an evening service, Mr. Williams manifested
much anxious concern for the salvation of these poor strangers.
However, he had begun an attack upon the citadel of an ancient
superstition, and had secured the respectful attention of his autlitors.
Even the short dialectical battle was to him an omen for good.

Mr. Williams's next visit was to the Industry sugar estate, about
three miles from Georgetown. The manager, Malcolm McNabb, Esq.,
was a hospitable Highlander, and a regular woishipper at our Trinity
Church. We were quite a party on the occasion, consisting of Mr.
and Mrs. George Ross, Mr. and Mrs. Allan Cameron, Mrs. Williams,
Mrs. Bickford, the Revs. John Wood, J. E. S. Williams, and myself.
The Coolies were collected in front, and Mr. Williams spoke to them
for half-an-hour or so. It was a beautiful spectacle : the visitors in
the background, Mr. Williams and Mr. McNabb a little in advance
of us, and in the verandah and on the steps were the immigrant
hearers. A few of the free labourers, black and coloured, were on
the margin. It was a grouping which, if it could have been photo-
graphed as we weie all under the spell of the missionary's impassioned
speech, would have possessed an historic interest of no mean value.
The Coolies thanked Mr. Williams, and said it was very kind of him
to come and speak to them.

I will here express, a second time, my conscientious belief that the
labours of our missionaries have been a known blessing to the white
colonists as well as to those of the sable race. This remark specially
applies to the two classes as they existed in my time. It may be that
there was a degree of repugnance of feeling among the more respect-
aVjle of the whites to mingle with the so-called inferior race in our
large city congregations in Demerara and Barbadoes ; but then there
was always a sprinkling of such through whom our names became

PERSOXAL HISTORY. 99

familiar, and the influence of our characters were felt in the best
circles of white society. And this influence begot a confidence in our
piety and far-reaching knowledge of spiritual experiences, which were
availed for times of affliction and seasons of bereavement. This was
very much the case in the city of Georgetown, during the period of
my incumbency as pastor of Trinity Church. As a sample only I
quote the following from my Journal : —

• March '2'ird. — The Hon. George Booker called this morning to ask me to
visit the Hon. John Croal, who was very ill. He is an old and respectable
colonist, and if he be taken off he will be greatly missed from the colony. I
called back af,'ain at '> o'clock, and found Mr. Croal a little better.'

' March 2ith. — Called again on Mr. Croal. He was considerably improved,
and hopes to leave for Barbadoes by the steamer now expected. May a gracious
Providence interpose in his behalf ! '

The case of the Hon. John Croal and my visits to him in his
dangerous illness should have some explanation. There were two
gentlemen in Demerara, John Croal and Peter Rose, who had been,
as members of the Court of Policy, a difliculty, if not a terror, to
many an English Governor sent to the colony. Acting together,
they could so control the votes of the Court as to create at will a
' deadlock ' in all legislative action. They were men of stalwart size,
strong in pui'pose, and powerful in debate. When they would have
their own waj' they always had it. The Governor, although backed
by the Colonial Office, and supported by numerous officials, was
powerless to resist them. The deadlock in 1849, from which the
colony suffered so much, was their united creation. The points in
dispute were the reduction of the enormous Civil List, and the making
a legislative provision for the inti-oduction of thousands of Hindu
Coolies to assist in keeping the sugar plantations in a state of efficient
cultivation. There was, however, reason in what some people called
Rose's madness, as the events clearly proved.

The strain upon Mr. Croal was such that ultimately liis health
gave way, and he was laid aside by a terrible illness. When his
friend, the Hon. George Booker, called upon me to visit him, I was
taken by surpi'ise. I asked to know how it was that I had been
selected for this painful duty, when Mr. Booker informed me that
on that very morning the doctor had advised the calling in of a
Christian minister to give spiritual coimsel to the sick man. Further,
that the names of several clergymen had been mentioned, and that

100 JAMES BICKFORD : AX ArTOBIOGBAPJIY.

Mr. Croal had selected me. Thus armed, I went in the name of
the Lord, to minister to this aident poHtician in his distress. I
found him lying in a hammock in the centre of a beautifully furnished
room, surrounded by a number of sympathising friends. ' Mr. Croal,'
said I, ' I have come at your request to see you. Would you like nie
to explain to you in a few sentences what the Heavenly Father is
willing to do to help pei'sons situated as you are % ' ' That is what I
want,' he replied ; ' I am very ill, and I may die and I am not pre-
pared.' ' Oh, my God,' I inwardly said, ' this is the crisis of his soul ;
help me to lead him to Thee.' I then explained to him the plan of
salvation ; assuring him that if he would accept a free and full
pardon for all liis sins, he would have that blessing even now. ' Will
you accept 1 ' I said ; * there is nothing else.' You become a child
of God by being forgiven, but all for Christ's sake.' I then knelt
down and commended him in prayer to God.

I was deeply penetrated with the belief that the Almighty Father
would hear prayer for the removal of the fever which had so merci-
lessly prostrated this hitherto very strong man. I expi'essed this
belief when I returned to the Werk-en-Rust Parsonage. During
the next five or six days I was constant in my visitations to Mr.
Croal, when, to our great relief, the R.M. steamer arrived, and our
friend was carried on board and left for England, vid Barbadoes, if
so advised on his arrival in that island. But Mr. Croal had so much
rallied during this short voyage, that his physician recommended
he should stay in the mild climate of Barbadoes, in the belief that
that would be sufficient. I received during his stay a grateful
letter from him, in which he mentioned the rapid progress he was
making towards the full restoration of his health. In due course,
Mr. Croal returned to Demerara, and, on the very next day after
his arrival, he was driven up to our house, that he might personally
thank me for my sympathy and prayers ' in the hour of his distress.'
He also stated to me his earnest desire to do something for the per-
manent support of our mission, by providing in a ' Clergy Bill,'
which he intended to lay before the Court of Policy, an annual en-
dowment, in recognition of the invaluable services the Wesleyan
missionaries had rendei'ed to the Government and the general
community by their unostentatious and disinterested labours. As
such provision would be exclusively for the educational and spiiitual
good of the emancipated classes, I accepted, in behalf of my brethren

PERSONAL HISTORY. 101

and the London Committee, the aid so generously proffered. But
Mr, Croal had been for many years an annual subscriber to the
funds of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, and in many other
ways had showed his friendly feeling towards the honoured men
who had superintended the woi-k in Bi-itish Guiana.
I now insert a few jottings from my Journal : —

' Marcli 21th. — I attended by invitation a meeting of the subscribers to the
New Orphan Asylum, held in the court-house, when eight directors were
chosen from the contributors. But such had been the indifference of the Non-
conformists to this humane institution, that we could not even elect one
director. This is too bad ; and 1 felt thoroughly ashamed.'

' AjjHI ■ith. — Preached this morning at Trinity, and in the evening at Kings-
ton. A splendid prayer meeting at the close of the service was held at
Trinity. This is the day appointed by the District Meeting to pray for the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon cur congregations and churches in the
district.'

' April oth. — This morning I felt very happy, and I could say : " Now, Lord,
I feel that I have only one desire to live, and that is to do good." I was much
blessed yesterday. My prayer has been answered and now I am wholly Thine.
Oh keep me, gracious Lord, in this state all the days of my earthly pilgrimage !
Henceforth this shall be my motto : " This one thing I do, forgetting those
things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are
before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God
in Christ Jesus." '

I am not sure that I had received the grace of a ' perfect ' conse-
cration to God, in the same measui-e, before the period just noted.
It was a baptism of ' holy fire ' from Christ's mediatorial altar.
And what was its merciful purpose? But to prepare me for the
terrible ordeal of suffering which was shortly to come upon me. I
was to be suddenly arrested in the midst of a series of labours and
responsibilities which were being borne, but only for Christ's sake.
As long as I had full strength it was a pleasurable toil ; but the
' last feather ' was laid on, and the ' back ' broke.

I was sitting at my desk in the upper or third storey of the
house, writing an important ofiicial document on the subject of the
Coolie Mission for the Governor and Court of Policy, when, suddenly,
the cerebrum came within the grasp of power which paralyzed all
further effort. I could only compare it to what would probably be
the effect of a sti-ong man standing before me with a pair of extended
pincers, with one claw gripping one side of the forehead, and with
the other claw gripping the other side. My power of further mental

102 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGBAPIIY.

action collapsed, and my pen dropped from my hand. I crawled to
my room and was laid on the bed. The doctor came in a few minutes,
and recognised the case at a glance. * Twenty grains of calomel and
twenty-four of quinine,' said he ; ' and in three hours two-thirds of
a tumbler of castor oil.' For a desperate attack a despei-ate remedy
was needed. The sufferings I endured for the next three days no
tongue can tell. The news that I had been seized with the yellow
fever spread like wildfire through the city. During the forenoon of
the third day it was reported that I had passed away. But it was
not so, God having more work for me yet to do in His vineyard.

' May \st. — Since my last entry, I have been on the east coast for a fortnight
for the benefit of ray health, but, at Mahaica, I had a relapse and was obliged
to call in Doctor Miller. I was again much prostrated. On the evening of the
26th, Mrs. Bickford and I returned to the city, as weak as when I left a fort-
night previously. The whole of this week I have been improving, and I have
now the prospect of being able to engage in the blessed work to-morrow.'

' 3Iay ird. — Yesterday I preached at Kingston from the words, " It is good
for me that I have been afflicted ; " after which I gave the Lord's Supper. Re-
turning to Werk-en-Eust, I learned with much pleasure that Mrs. Cameron, our
dear friend, had taken the Sacrament with us.'

' " In the midst of life we are in death." Henry J. Sawyer, a young gentleman
recently from England, and who had been Sheriff of Essequibo, died on Saturday
and was buried yesterday morning. He died at Government House, having
been stopping with his cousin the Governor. He died of the yellow fever :
hundreds of others also have been cut off by the same dreadful scourge. I
trust the merciful God has pitied them and saved them.'

' May 6th.— This day I am thirty-six years of age. Another year of mercy
and goodness. This will be a year of change if my life is spared. Whether
the time is come for us to return to England, or to take the prospective
appointment in St. Vincent's, I can hardly say.'

' May ISth. — The full effects of the Demerara fever do not altogether cease
with the apparent removal of the cause. Frequently a strange affection of
the brain remains, which is most painful to bear. I had to call in again Doctor
Blair to help me, if possible. He prescribed sixteen grains of calomel and
sixteen grains of compound extract of colocynth. I was very ill, and Mrs.
Bickford and I spent the remainder of the week with our kind friends, Mr. and
Mrs. Ross, at Ruimveld plantation. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron were there also,
and ministered to our comfort.'

'■June 1st. — Death, fire, and fever ! Such is the record. My dear and vene-
rated father, John Bickford, yeoman, and formerly of Modbury, Devon, died at
North Rhine, South Australia, on the 25th of November, last year, and his
precious remains were interred in the little cemetery at Angaston, there to await
the resurrection of the just.

' The new Orphan Asylum has been destroyed by fire. It was a mournful
spectacle. Mr. Attorney-General Arrindall was the benevolent projector of this

PURSO-VAL HISTORY. 103

humane institution. I called, as in duty bound, on him to tender my condolence,
which he received for himself and Mrs. Arrindall with much feeling. The
destruction of the asylum was a great calamity to our orphan poor.

' The Rev. John Wood, my colleague and inmate at Trinity Parsonage, was
taken ill with fever. On the 25th Dr. Blair said it was decidedly a case of
j^ellow fever, and that next day would be a critical time for him. In the night
he was apparentlj^ approaching death. Mrs. Bickford and I rushed to his help,
I holding him up in an erect position, and she bathing his poor forehead with
eau-de-Cologne to prevent his fainting away. It was a crucial moment, and
we feared the worst. But, in God's mercy, a copious flow of perspiration broke
out, and immediate danger was over.

' The Rev. James Banfield, at Golden Grove on the east coast, has been ill
from the same scourge twelve days. We had given up all hope in his case, as
the black vomit had set in. But what in so many instances had been the pre-
cursor of death was in Mr. Banfield's case the turning point of his recovery. I
went up to see him, and soon detected symptoms of coming restoration to health.
But, it seemed to me, judging from the details Mrs. Banfield gave me of those
twelve days of prostration and suffering her husband had passed through, that
the sparing of his life at that time was a physical miracle wrought Ijy God, in
mercy to the tried Mission families, " lest we should have sorrow upon sorrow."

' Mr. Wood is pronounced to be nicely convalescing. Thank God for prompt
medical skill and the Divine blessing upon the means employed.'

Jiili/ 5th. — My Journal records —

' Preached to-day at Trinity Church on the conversion of the Philippian
gaoler, and gave the Lord's Supper. In the afternoon I visited a Scottish
Presbyterian lady, a Mrs. Macintosh, who was very ill. In the evening at
Kingston, just after the commencement of the sermon, the cry of " Mi-e ! fire !
FIRE ! " was raised, and the congregation had to be dismissed. A fortnight ago,
a similar cry was raised just as the evening service closed, and a rush to the
doors took place. Last evening, the house of a Mrs. Thomas was burnt down :
her daughter was very ill at the time, but she escaped unhurt. She is a member
of my class. Mr. Wood was able to preach yesterday, and seems no worse for
it this morning.'

' July \oth. — To-day, Sarah Jane, daughter of the Rev. W. L. Binks, died at
Mahaica, on the east coast, of yellow fever. I hastened up bj^ an early train to
comfort and to assist our dear friends in this hour of their great trouble. On
arriving at the mission house I was much distressed at the appearance of Mr.
and Mrs. Binks themselves. They had both " been down " with fever, and were
prostrated with weakness. An immediate change from the fever-hole, which
Mahaica, at certain seasons of the year was known to be, was a dire necessity.
But the first thing to be done was the interment of the remains of the dear
child, whose pure spirit had fled to the " arms of Jesus." After consultation
with the sorrow-stricken parents, I got the sexton to dig a grave under the
floor of the scLool-house, and therein we deposited all that was mortal of that
once beautiful child. This solemnity being over, I secured the loan of a carriage,
and we drove off for Golden Grove and rested there. By the evening train

104 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

we procee^led to the city, and arrived at our humble home in due course. The
afflicting scenes of that day are so impressed upon my memory that they can
never be forgotten. It was, indeed, a day of sadness : our sun appeared to be
covered with a cloud,'

' Jnlji 8l)fZr. — Mr. Williams, our Coolie missionary, returned fron Rerbice this
morning very ill. Dr. Blair was called in and prescribed twenty-four grains of
quinine and twenty of calomel, to be followed in two hours by the usual quantity
of castor oil. A malignant fever is still raging, and the " faculty " prescribe
these large doses in the beginning to save time.'

' Aur/. 1st. — llr. Williams is convalescing very assuredly to-day. Praise God.'
' Auf/. 3r^. — My last visit to the Arabian coast. Mrs. Bickford and I went on
board the dredging schooner, the Pheasant ; but, leaving the river somewhat
late for the falling tide, we were not clear before it began again to wash. We
had therefore to come to anchor on the Zeelaudia bank for the night. With
the rolling of the vessel and the effluvium from the bilge- water, I suffered much
ijain in my head, and was very sick. Mrs. Bickford bore the strain much better
than I. Reached Lorg the next day. On the ith, 5th, and 6th, I attended
three tea and public meetings, and spoke at each. On the 9th, I preached at
Lorg, Queenstown, and Abram Tuil. It was a good day in every respect, and I
trust the congregations were comforted and edified.'

On the occasion of my visits to the country parts of this wide and
laborioiis circuit, I always pressed into them as much work as I could.
I did not omit either to call upon the local gentry, who w-ere friendly
to our missionaries. Such visits were mvTch valued ; and, oftentimes,
left a blessing behind. Theiefore, 'on the day after the Sabbath,'
I waited upon the Rev. William Austin, an Anglican clergyman, and
brother to Dr. Austin, Bishop of Guiana, Mr. Bagot and family,
and other gentlemen, both coloured and white. At the close of the
day's exercises I was much fatigued, but I was comforted in the
belief that the time was not by any means lost. We returned by sea
to Georgetown, reaching our home at midnight on the 13th, and
found all well.

The arrival of the fortnightly mail steamer is an event of com-
manding interest in Demerara to all the Europeans. For days
together sometimes, our eyes would be strained by using our telescopes
for i-eading the semaphore at the east end of the city. When, at
length, the north arm would fall, that was to say that a steamer
was in sight ; when the south arm, that was to the effect that it was
the royal mail steamer from England. On the 24th, the assuring T
appeared, and the whole city was on the qui vive. No letter from
the Missionary Committee came to hand ; but my old friend the
Watchman did, and was full of Conference news. Mrs. Bickford

PERSONAL HISTORY. 105

and I eagerly insjieeted the official ' Stations Sheet,' and therein we
saw the welcome words —

'James Bickford is returning Home.'

The answer to my prayers and requests, which these five words
brought me, seemed to re-nerve my hand for answering letters, as well
as to inspirit my heart for attention to other duties. Under date
August 25th, my Journal says : —

' Wrote by this mail to the following- friends : — Mrs. Furze, Mevagissey,
Cornwall ; Captain James le Messurier, Guernsey ; the Rev. W. L. Thornton,
14, City Road, London ; and my niece, Miss Boon, Modbury, Devon. And in the
islands to Rev. John Corlett, Barbadoes ; the Rev. Henry Hnrd, St. Vincent's;
the Rev. W. Limmex, Trinidad ; Sidney Stead, Esq., Buxton Grove, Antigua ;
Mr. Edward Drew, a student in the Mico Institution, Antigua. So much
correspondence is a heavy matter, but it must be attended to. I have been
much impressed with this view of correspondence since reading the " Life of
William Wilberforce," one of England's greatest philanthropists and Christian
statesmen, who, when embarrassed with •' an immense accumulation of letters,"
remarked, '■ How can I clear away the arrear ? It will cost me a month to do
it. Yet courtesy is a Christian duty, and I must write to those who may fairly
claim answers." So will I — "giving no offence in anything, that the ministry
be' not blamed." '

During my absence in the West Indies my parents had emigrated
to South Australia. My father had died there, and my widowed
mother was still living in the colony. I was sorely distressed on her
account, and on August 31st I wrote the London Committee
oflfering, on our return to England, to go out as one of their
Australian ministers. The rush to the goldfields had set in, and
the English Confei*ence was anxious to sti-engthen its staff of
preachers, especially in New South Wales and Victoria. I qviote
from my Journal : —

' Wrote a letter to-day (the 31st) to the Committee, offering to go out to Australia
for these reasons: (1) I have from the time of my conversion in 1832, felt my
sympathies to be in that direction, and these have been strongest when my soul
has been most alive to God and to the welfare of my fellow-men ; (2) I prefer
colonial to the English work, and I could not but with extreme pain consent
to settle down at home and thereby sink, or set aside, the experience and
information I have obtained from fourteen years of residence in the colonies ;
(3) I strongly desire that my next tield of ministerial labour should supply a
home for myself and dear wife for our lifetime ; (4) The climate of Australia
is of a medium character, and therefore better adapted to us after so long a
sojourn in the tropics ; (5) I would add that the remains of my late venerable

106 JAMES BICKFORB: AX ATJTOBIOGBAPITY.

father are interred in a cemetery at Angaston, South Australia ; that my yet
^^'ido^ved mother is still resident in the colony. ... I crave your forgiveness
for adding that it would be a mournful satisfaction to see my father's grave, and
" o'er it drop a tear ; " to be with and aid b}' my sympathy and prayers my
mother in her declining years ; and to use my best endeavours, morally and
spiritually, to benefit my lirothcrs and sisters and their families, now in Australia,
by my presence and ministrations.'

' Sept. \th. — This day Mr. Wood is again ill. He is very unwell of the
fever.'

' Sept. Wi. — " Deep callcth unto deep." iMrs. Bickford, Mr. Williams, and
Mr. Wood are prostrate with fever. In the afternoon I buried our clear friend,
Miss Fisher, late sister of Mrs. John Evans. She died of yellow fever.'

' Sl'jH. \Wi. — Mrs. Brown, the overseer's wife at Thomas estate, died yesterday,
and this evening her remains were interred. She has been called to seek the,
Lord about eighteen months, and she walked obediently in God's statutes. Her
affliction was a deeply painful one, but her soul was happy. She has gone to
heaven to be with Jesus.'

'Sept. 17th. — Returned yesterday from the Supply village (up the river), to
which place I had gone for services the day before. I was overpowered with
heat, and was compelled to lie down in the hattcaux. I was very ill as the
consequence of this exposure, and had to take strong remedies.'

' Oct. lOfh. — Received a kind letter to-day from the Rev. George Osborn, Junior
Missionary Secretary, on the subject of our return to England, but not one word
about the appointment of an ordained minister for Berbice, nor concerning the
circuit whose superintendency I am so soon to vacate. This is verj' perplexing.'

• Oct. 25th. — The Annual Missionary Meeting was held at Kingston : Thomas
A. Spooner, Esq., in the chair. It was a deeply interesting time.'

' Oct. 26th. — The meeting at Trinity Church came off ; Sir Henr_y Barkly
presided with great ability. The Hon. W. Walker and the Hon. W. Bruce
Ferguson spoke for our Foreign Missions. The Revs. J. Banfield and J. E. S.
Williams assisted. The Governor told me at the close how much he had been
pleased. He said " that such sustained eloquence as he had heard that night
be had never kno^vn surpassed ; not even in the English House of Commons.
That evening would always be a pleasant memory to him." '

'Oct. 21th. — After nearly four years of pleading with the London Committee
for the appointment of an ordained minister for Berbice, we succeeded in our
request. Another illustration of the famous maxim : " All good things come to
those who wait." Dr. Hoole communicated this pleasing news to me. He said
in his welcome letter : " The Committee has concluded to send a missionary to
Berbice." That was all, but it was enough.'

'Nov. Zrd. — And now it became necessary for me once more to visit Berbice,
for I had good news to tell our Dutch friends and our own people. I therefore
left in the steamer Tynr, and made a quick passage from port to port. We took
only seven hours and twenty minutes. Surely there is nothing like steam for
speed and comfort in traversing the sea ! Mrs. Dalgliesh, wife of the Rev. John
Dalgliesh, London missionary in New Amsterdam, had just returned from
Scotland, and was one of our passengers. She lent me her copy of Mrs. Stowe's
world-renowned book, entitled " Uncle Tom's Cabin," which I read all .the way
up. By turns I laughed and I cried ; yea, I almost cursed as I learnt of the

PERSONAL HISTORY. 107

senseless and brutal conduct of the Legrees, on the southern plantations, towards
the black and coloured people. In my soul, I hope, I did not sin, but I was on
the very edge of doing it. I was enraged at the tale unfolded by Mrs. Stowe.
'• Is the story true," said I. Well, upon this point I will get corroborative or
condemnatory evidence from the lips of the old planters still living in these once
accursed slave-holding lands, and the world shall know the result. Alas ! alas !
I found that there was hardly an incident of wickedness told in ' Uncle Tom '
that could not be paralleled in the earlier history of British Guiana, Mutatlt
mutandis. And Mrs. Stowe's story would be true of the slave renlvie in these
once unhappy lands !

' On this occasion of my visit, I spent nearly a week in preaching and visiting.
On the evening of the 3rd, the day of my arrival, I preached in Mr. Dalgliesh's
church to 130 persons. On the 4th, I visited our members and Scotch and
Dutch friends, and preached in the Lutheran church in the evening. On the
.oth, I did more visiting, and in the afternoon I went out to Cumberland and
held a religious service. On the 6th, I passed over the river to the west coast,
and spent the day very profitably with the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Roome, at the
London Missionary Station. I returned to New Amsterdam by the evening
boat, and went directly to the house of Mrs. Hancock's son, to christen it, as it
was called. This is a good custom, and I tried to encourage it. On the 7th, I
preached in New Amsterdam twice, and once at Cumberland. Besides, I
renewed the tickets of ninety-five members, and gave the Lord's Supper at both
places. It was a busy, but a happy day. On the 8th, I returned overland in
the mail waggon for Georgetown, a distance of seventy-five miles. Our good
people at Berbice are blessing God that at length a minister is to be appointed
for them. I praise God also with all my heart.'

A gap of twelve days occurs in my Journal. On the 20th, I say —

' Since my last entry I have been laid aside with fever, superinduced, no
doubt, by the heavy labours in Berbice, and the fatigue of the overland journey.
I-ast Sunday I was unable to preach, and Mr. J. J. Savory and the Rev. J. E. S.
Williams took my appointments. On Tuesday Mrs. Bickford and I went up to
the "Industry" plantation, at the invitation of Malcolm McNabb, Esq., the
hospitable manager. I improved very much by the change, and came home last
evening pretty well. Oh, that the Lord in mercy may " prop the house of clay "
a few weeks longer, when I hope to leave the tropics for a more salubrious
clime ! '

' Bee. ith. — A busy week ; employed in collecting the annual subscriptions for
our Foreign Missions, and in superintending a lot of mechanics about the
premises. Mr. James Rogers, one of our best men, employs and directs these
workers, and I pay them every week. Preaching and visiting the sick have also
been attended to. The temporal and spiritual prosperity of the mission lies near
my heart.'

' Bee. 5th. — A very wet day, and congregations small. We have had great
sorrow to-day from the following circumstance : Captain John Smith, of the
barque Gratitude, belonging to Messrs. J. Lidgett & Son, London, shipowners,
a good man, who had rendered himself very dear to us, was to be buiied to-day.
He was taken ill on Friday on board the vessel, came on shore on Saturday, and

108 JAMES BICKFORB: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

died on Sunday. He sent for me, but it was too late. As I was leaving our
house, a second messenger (one of our members; came with the melancholy news
of his death. His last Sabbath was spent with us, and the last sermon he heard
was from my lips. The text was : '• The Master is come and calleth for thee."
He died of the prevailing fever, which has taken ofE many of the sailors,
especially the captains of vessels lying in the river.'

' Bee. 10^/(.— This morning the " mate " of the Gratitude died after two days'
illness ; also the " mate " of the PhoewLr — both of the yellow fever. Mr.
Murray, one of our respectable merchants, called on me to perform the funeral
service over them, which I did, but it was a mournful sight.

• News came to hand that the Revs. Chatterton and Eotherham have suc-
cumbed to the relentless foe — both young men and full of promise for useful-
ness, but they are gone. When will the Heavenh^ Father stay His hand in
mercy to the white life in Demerara and Barbadoes ? When / ' . . .

' Bee. 16tJi. — To-day in the Court of Policy the battle was again fought over
the " Secular Education " project, which, if carried as provided in the Bill,
would have crippled and ultimately destroyed our mission day-schools. We
could not stand quietly by and allow such a finale to come about without a
strong protest. The clerical educationists mustered in great strength in the
Court whilst the discussion was going forth. We heard the " memorials " read ;
and, from where we sat, we could watch the effect upon the countenances of
the members. The three best speeches were those of the President of the
Court, Sir Henry Barkly, Mr. Secretary Walker, and the Hon. Thomas Porter.
The feeling of the Court evidently was that the religious bodies, which had for
so many years expended money, and time, and ability, in aid of the educational
work of the colony, were entitled to be heard, and to have justice done to them ;
and that no case had been made out by opposing parties for ruthlessly arresting
the good work they were doing. Besides which, it was felt by several of the
members that such a system as that proposed would cost more than the colony
at that time could bear. Beyond, therefore, the providing for a more careful
and vigorous inspection of existing schools, and the gradual introduction of
such improvements as Mr. Commissioner Dennis might suggest, nothing more
of a i)ractical or destructive kind was done. But a principle was affirmed,
which should apply to any prospective legislation upon the subject, as follows :
" That in all schools deriving any portion of their support under the provision
of such Bill, religious instruction founded upon the precepts of Holy Scripture
be imparted to the pupils." By this resolution of the Court of Policy the posi-
tion of the Wesleyan missionaries in their relation to this question was upheld,
for, in the absence of specific instructions from the London Committee, we were
not at liberty to diverge from those principles the English Conference had
adopted.'

' Bee. I'th. — By the mail I had the satisfaction of hearing from the General
Secretaries on the subject of the Coolie mission ; also a kind letter from the
Rev. Dr. Hoole on matters of a personal and circuit character. I received
another letter from the Rev. John Corlctt detailing the particulars ancnt the
affliction and death of Brother Rotherham.

• The Rev. J. E. S. Williams and I called upon Governor Barkly to lay l)cf ore
him certain particulars relating to the Coolie mission. We had to tell him that
the London Committee threw the entire support of the mission upon the

PERSONAL HISTORY. 109

Government and Christian friends and well-wishers in the colony. We required
to rent and furnisli a house, as the parsonage at Kingston was no longer avail-
able. He was very kind, and promised us £50 in aid of the expenses of the
mission.'

' Dec. 2Wi. — The annual examination of the Werk-en-Rust School came off
to-day. There was a large attendance of pupils, nicely clad, and looking
healthful and happy. His Excellency Sir H. Barkly, Chief Justice Arrindall,
and several other gentlemen were present. The result of the examination was
most satisfactory to our distinguished visitors.'

As this was the fourth and last time I expected to be at this
annual demonstration, I was anxious that the Governoi- and the
Chief Justice should know what we were really doing for the mental
and moral improvement of the pupils of this large and influential
city school. And they were greatly pleased. Nothing could exceed
the beautiful simplicity and practical value of His Excellency's
address to the scholars and teachers at the close of the exercises.
The pupils cheered him heartily as he left. It was a proud day for
Mr. Savory, Miss Blaii-, and the assistant teachers.

1853.

Jan. \st, 1853. — I quote from my Journal :-

Praise the Lord, 0 my soul, and forget not all His benefits." The last two
hours of the last year were spent at the ' Watch Night Service,' at Trinity Church.
The Rev. J. E. S. Williams preached an eloquent discourse from Dan. v. 2o.
His studies when a missionary in the East greatly helped him in his expo-
sition. I followed with an exhortation, urging an immediate abandonment
of all sin, and a renewed consecration to God. It was a solemn time for both
ministers and people. I do not remember ever to have had such a delightful
sense of God's goodness as when I rose from my knees, and congratulated the
congregation by offering to them in the Name of the Lord " A Happy New
Tear."'

^Jan. '2nd. — Preached at Trinity Church to a large congregation. We then
renewed our covenant to be the Lord's, and sealed it at the Lord's Table. It
was a solemn and blessed time. '

^ Jan. \2th. — I had now to pay my final visit to Berbice : Mrs. Bickford
accompanying me. We had a nice passage up, and were received with much
affection by Mr. Thomas Eraser, Miss Dow, and other Wesleyan members.
When not holding public services, I visited the Society and our Scotch and
Dutch friends. I preached as usual three times on the Sabbath ; twice in
New Amsterdam, and once at Cumberland. I renewed the tickets of member-
ship of nearly one hundred members, and gave the Lord's Supper twice.

' I cannot refrain from mentioning the names of those dear friends who were
most hospitable and kind to us on this occasion of our last visit : Mr. and Mrs.

110 JAMES BICKFORB: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Roelof Hart, Mrs. Dr. Koch, Mrs. Obermiiller, Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Fraser, and
the Rev. John and Mrs. Dalgliesh. I preached my last sermon in the Dutch
Church, on the evening of the 17th, to an immense congregation. Vale!'

We returned by sea to Georgetown on the 20th, and found that
during our absence Mrs. Williams had been very ill. The Rev. W.
L. Binks, who, after ten years of incessant and useful labour and
many personal and family afflictions, has obtained permission to
' return home,' came from Mahaica that we might consult over the
affairs of his circuit. We had no practical difficulty in making
arrangements for the caring of the work until a successor airived.
We also agreed that we would go by the same ship from Demerara
direct to London.

The Annual District Meeting was this year to be held in St.
Vincent's ; but, in consequence of the prevalence of that dreadful
scourge, the yellow fever, it had to be postponed. The Rev. R.
Ridyard, a promising young missionary, had died at Oalder, and a
Miss Handley, a Christian young lady employed as governess in one
of the mission homes, had died at Calliaqua ; whQst Mrs. Bannister,
the wife of the Chairman, was hopelessly ill. The Rev. Mr. Pritchard
was laid aside also. The early months of 1853 set in with a heavy
cloud over the whole of the white people, and we seemed as walking
upon the very edge of eternity.

We in Demerara were under very great pressure, and every day
of delay in our departure for England, appeared to imperil our
very lives. Therefore, on February 23rd, Mr. Binks and I went on
board the barque Cleopatra, Captain McEachem, and took our
passages for London. We wrote a joint letter to the Rev. W.
Bannister, Chairman of the District, informing him of our inability
to be present at its sessions this year.

March 5th. — I copy from my Journal as follows : —

* Visited my much-respected and venerated friend, the Hon. George Bagot.
Old age and ailments have come upon him, and his time cannot be long. His
mind appears to be in a tranquil state. He rests alone for salvation upon the
atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ. I also called upon my friend, the Hon. W.
B. Ferguson, who, with his family, expects shortly to leave for London. The
friendship of Messrs. Bagot and Ferguson were to me, under some trying
responsibilities, a source of strength and of much comfort. I cannot but
believe that God " raised them up " for my aid in conducting the important
mission entrusted to me in British Guiana. Mr. Sheriff Bagot was an Irish
Episcopalian, and Mr. Ferguson was a Scotch Presbyterian — both representa-
tive and Christian men, whose friendship I both needed and valued.'

PERSONAL HISTORY. Ill

In order that the work of the mission might be sustained and even
prosecuted with greater vigour than ever, we brought all the influence
we reasonably could to bear upon the Combined Couit, whose annual
session was to be held this month. To our former clients, the eman-
cipated classes, we had now to add the Coolie immigrants, whose civil
and spiritual condition lay heavily upon our hearts. With no grants
from the London Committee for any branch of the English or other
work in the Province, we were again compelled to look to the Colonial
Treasury for the pecuniary help required. Memorials to the Court
were accordingly prepared, and confided to the financial representa-
tives for presentation at the proper time. The result is noted in my
Journal : —

'The Combined Court has sat, and much Inisiness has been got through. The
Court has been very liberal to us. It has granted .$1,840 to the Coolie
mission ; $250 to aid in building a " Chapel-schoolhouse " in Stanley village,
near Mahaica ; .S2.50 to aid in establishing a Wesleyan daj^-school in New
Amsterdam; and $500 in " aid of children of indigent parents " in Georgetown.'

The Coolie mission met with great favour from the Government.
And no wonder ! For the presence of the Rev. Mr. Williams was a
great relief to the authorities in dealing with this imported increment
of our mixed population. Soon after Mr. Williams's ' arrival,' there
was a murder case to be tried, in which one or more of the Coolies
were concerned ; when the services he alone could render were availed
of as sworn interpreter. It was a long and painful trial ; and, for
the first time, the judge expressed his satisfaction that they now
had a gentleman of high character and linguistic ability to help the
Court in the administration of justice. In the preparation of official
documents relating to the social conduct of the immigrants ; their
obligatio]is as indentured labourers on the sugar plantations to the
managers and the free blacks ; together with a number of other
questions arising out of their location amongst us, and then" amena-
bility to oiu' laws, Mr. Williams was a willing and invaluable
assistant. Indeed, he was soon known and recognized as the Coolies'
friend as well as spiritual guide.

Every da)^ now spent in Demerara bi-ought the time of our expected
departure so much the nearer. It was, therefore, because trending in
tliis dii-ection, that I felt considerable relief when, on March 11th, our
brethren, the Revs. W. Heath and J. Banfield, sailed in the R.M.S.
Derwent, vid Barbadoes for St. Vincent's, to attend the session of the

112 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Annual District Meeting, thereby relieving me from all further
official connexion with. it. All the necessary documents I had
prepared, and I committed them to the custody of Mr. Heath for
presentation to the Chau-man of the Distiict. I had also arranged
for paying to the Treasurer of the District all Connexional moneys
which, once in every year in oui' West India districts, are required to
be settled. ' John Mason's ' book account, and the annual subscription
for the London Watchynan, had to be included, or the Missionary
Committee would know ' the reason why ' ! I purchased a liill, at par,
on the Colonial Bank, in London, for £308 15«. 4rZ., and committed
it to the custody of Mr. Heath to pay over at the District Meeting,
This transaction settled all my monetary relations to the St. Vincent
and Demerara district, of which I had been a member fifteen years.
The sense of conscious relief I experienced seemed as if Godsent.

My interest in Demerara had not yet completely gone. For
instance, at the ordination of the Rev. Mr. Mui-ray in the Scotch
Church, ' by the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery,' I could not
but feel a deep concern. This church had suffered much for many
years, and now it was hoped that a ' time of reviving ' and re-establish-
ment of the good cause would be witnessed. On the 15th I attended,
by special invitation, the olfieial opening of the ' Orphan Asylum
and School of Industry,' when, at least, 400 persons were pi'esent.
I was much delighted with all that I saw and heard. On the 25th,
we heard of the death of the Rev. Mr. Pritchard, at Calder, St.
Vincent's, of yellow fever. When will this ' Reaper ' cease his
desolating visitations of our much weakened missionaiy staff?
Lord, when?

' March 2St7i. — This is my last officiating Sabbath in the city of Georgetown.
I preached at Kingston and Trinity on Acts xxvi. 22, 23. At tlae latter service
wc had an overflowing congregation, and I was much affected. My physical
strength was unequal to the effort, and my soul was " cast down and disquieted
within me." The thought that this is the last time for me to preach to this
dear, loving people quite overwhelmed me. Four years of preaching, making in
all over seven hundred times, and with what result ? I will not afflict my
already burdened heart with unprofitable regrets ; but hope for the best. 1
have gone "forth weeping bearing precious seed ;" shall I not, when the harvest
time comes, appear " rejoicing," with " sheaves " of success ? '

The remainder of my tale is soon told. The missionai'ies, Messrs.
Banfield, Heath, Biggs, and Wrench arrived in Georgetown on the
29th March. They brought to us comfoi-ting news respecting

PERSOXAL HISTORY. 113

the new appointments for BritLsli Guiana. The Rev. John Corlett,
a man of impulsive natiu-e and fine disposition, well-cultured and
eloquent in the pulpit, was by the District Meeting sent to succeed
me in the Georgetown Cii^cuit. His colleagues were Messrs. Biggs
and Heath. The Rev. John Wood was appointed to the Bei'bice
IMission, and Rev. R. Wrench to the Mahaica Circuit. The Rev. J.
Banfield was continued in the Golden Grove Circuit, and the Rev.
W. Heath in the Abram Tuil Circuit. All the circuits were provided
for in this manner. On April 1st I prepared a Cu-cuit Balance
Sheet, and committed it to the custody of Mr. Biggs for presentation
to my successor on his arrival. On this being done, I gratefully say
in my Journal : —

' My miud is greatly relieved, and I am now looking forward to next Monday,
when we expect to embai'k for our native land. It was the casting ofE a heavy
burden, which I was unable any longer to carry.'

My reverend brethren assembled at the District Meeting were so
good as to place upon their Minutes an expression of then* respect
and love for me, and of the work in the several circuits in which I
had laboured for the term of nearly fifteen years, being five years
over the usual term of service for English missionaries. The resolution
is as follows : —

' The brethren acknowledge with thankfulness the kind permission of the
Committee for the return home of Brother Bickford. He has laboured in this
District upwards of fourteen years with great acceptance and usefulness, and
his removal will be long and deeply felt by us, and also by our people in the
different circuits where he has been stationed. They affectionately commend
him and Mrs. Bickford to the kind attention of the Committee, and to the ever-
watchful providence of our covenant God.'

' A Roland for an Oliver.^ — The historian, J. A. Froude, recently took a
hasty run through the West Indies, since when he has written a book, in
which he says : ' You must not trust the negro with political power ; remember
Hayti. ... A religion, at any rate, which will keep the West Indian blacks
from falling back into devil worship is still to seek.' Mr. Froude ought to
have known better than thus to have written. He little thought, as he was
preparing his scandalous libel on the character of the Queen's coloured subjects
in the West Indies, that, at the very time, there was living in Trinidad, an
educated black gentleman, a Mr. Thomas, who, like a modern Xemesis, would
scourge him for his audacity ' with many stripes.' A book, having the
appropriate title of ' Froudacity,' was published, in which the insulted author
stingingly says : ' Away with your criminal suggestion of the hideous orgies of

114 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOniOGRAPTIY.

heathenism in Hayti, for the benefit of our future morals in the West Indies,
when the political supremacy which you predict shall have been an accomplished
fact.' But let us see how this question really stands ? "Why, such has been
the steady progress of our West Indian Missions, that in 1884: the English
Conference gave them a constitution for managing their own affairs by a general
triennial conference, and two colonial annual conferences, subject only to an
affiliation with the parent body in England. There are, at least, one hundred
and seventy-five thousand persons in our schools and congregations ; and,
inclusive of the Moravians and other Christian denominations, there will
probably be a million of the black and colom-ed races under the preaching of
the Gospel, and guided by the faithful pastors in all matters of faith and morals.
Instead, therefore, of retrogression — 'a falling away' — as Mr. Froude basely
insinuates, there has been marked advance aU along the lines.

The Voyage Home.

' They that go down to the sea in ships . . . see His wonders in
the deep.' The prevailing reason why Mr. Binks and I chose to go
home by a sailing ship and not by the royal mail steamer was that
it would cost less money ; besides, it would be more direct than by
making the islands' route as far west as St. Thomas's, before finally
leaving for London. But if we could have foreseen what woidd be
the disagreement on board the Cleopatra^ we should have gone by
steam. Still, we got over the voyage safely ; but rouglily, as must
be admitted by all the passengers.

The Journal jottings possess even now a freshness of interest for
the waiter ; and, possibly, as showing what a sea voyage was like
thirty-six years ago in one of our West India sugar-carrying vessels
they may have some interest for modern sea-travelling missionaries,
in the magnificent steamships of the present time. We can only
give briefest extracts : —

^ Cleojpatra, April ith. — We went on board, and the anchor was raised at
2 p.m. The Revs. Biggs, Williams,* Banfield, and Wood accompanied us.

* In the month of August 1853, this devoted missionary, in the fulfilment of
his duties to the Coolie immigrants, again visited Berbice. Whilst there he was
attacked a second time with the yellow fever. On the news reaching Demerara,
Mrs. Williams, accompanied by the Rev. John Corlett, hastened by the overland
route to Berbice, just in time to see this eminent man pass away. He died on
the 27th. A chastened grief pervaded the whole colony, and all classes of
persons bewailed the public loss in his early removal from his beloved work.
Governor Barkly, in a touching communication to the Colonial Minister, Earl
Grej^ bore testimony to the high character and great usefulness of the labours
of the deceased missionary.

PERSONAL HISTORY. 115

Mr. J. N. Pieters came alongside in the Customs' boat, once more to thank mc
for some little kindnesses to himself and family. Our old friends, Mr, George
Eoss. Mr. Allan Cameron, and Captain Millard remained until we were some
six miles beyond the lighthouse. The pilot is a Mr. Adams, a short, black man,
well up in his calling, but it is easy to see that his " word of command " is not
liked by the white sailors. It is too authoritative and vehement, they say ; and
is like nigger driving. We got on a bank and anchored for the night. We got
again " under weigh " the next day and reached the lightship at 10 p.m., when
the pilot left us, on the Sth ; we made Barbadoes, covering the distance from
Deraerara in sixty-eight hours. Captain. McEachem, fearing that he could not
weather the island, bore away N.N.W., and passed between St. Vincent's and
Barbadoes to the north. We are now away from the sight of land. The
certainty of our severance from our West India friends we now realized with
much acuteness and affectionate regrets. Mrs. Bickford and I sat down ii^
mute wonderment at the mercif alness of God's providence in permitting both
of us to have lived through our West India term, and to be now on our way back
to the fatherland, from which we had gone out so many years before.'

' April 10th. — This is the first Sabbath on board, but so different from those
spent in. Trinity Church, Georgetown. Everything is quiet, and the captain,
officers, and crew are showing their respect for the Sabbath by putting on
their black coats, and otherwise presenting a cleanly appearance. We had
Divine service on deck, and in the evening family worship.'

' April I3th. — By a sudden squall our ship was thrown aback ! By the captain's
prompt action we were soon out of danger " of going down by the stern." We
made a complete circle in getting right again.'

''April Mill. — Holy Sabbath. Mr. Binks preached on the " Parable of the
wise and foolish virgins." It was a faithful and excellent discourse.'

' April 2Wi. — The Holy Sabbath. There had been so much unpleasantness
on board, that I preached on the subject of God's love to a lost world, in
the hope that the hearts of all present might be softened toward each other.
Mr. Binks at the close offered up an affecting and solemn prayer. '

' May 2nd. — Last night, at eleven o'clock, we had a heavy squall. All hands
were called on deck, and the studding sails were got off. Some injury was
done to the sails, and one of the bumpkins was wrenched from its place.
4 p.m. : We are carrying only one double-reefed topsail and a foresail. Wind
furious, and sea tremendous. Nevertheless, we are making seven and a half
knots on the right course.'

' 3Iay drd. — 12 a.m. : The wind came suddenly fi'om the north-west, and had
hurricane force. In the midst of this awful storm we narrowly escaped a
dreadful collision. We showed our light at least ten minutes before it was
apparently recognised by the passing ship. At the last moment our captain
" kept away," and the threatening intruder passed close under our stern. The
captains exchanged some words not of the most complimentary kind.'

' May ith. — The Cleojjatra is a spectacle of distress, with nothing hardly
but bare poles. We had only one able seaman capable of steering over these
tremendous seas, and he kept to the helm until the danger was over. Such an
instance of physical endurance I never saw at sea before. I thanked him for
his devotion to duty. Our captain, too, behaved admirably all through this
trying time. His skill and steady courage were beyond all praise. I should

116 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

think that for forty-eight hours he was not ten minutes together absent from
the deck.'

' May 6th. — To-day I am thirty-seven years of age. I seem to have lived
long ; although I am some years from the period accepted as the meridian of
English life, say from forty to fifty. " God be merciful to me," and direct my
future steps aright.'

During the remainder of the voyage nothing of special notice
occurred. We had, as is usual, fair, foul, strong winds and calms
in irregular succession. The distances, kindly furnished to us by
the captain, marked the gradual l)ut sure approach of the Cleopatra
to the end of her voyage : —

' May I6th. — We are four hundred and eighty miles from the Lizard.'
^ May 20t7i. — We are one hundred and twenty-five miles from the Start.'

My last jotting is —

' " Praise the Lord." ^Ye at last see the Eddystone, thirteen miles distant.
At 3 p.m. we left the ship, and went on board a Cowes cutter, and in four hours
we landed at Plymouth. Once more we were in our beloved native land. " So
He bringeth them unto the haven where they would be." '

The Eetrospect.

Mr. Wesley, after having been two years and eight months in
Georgia, returned to England in 1738. Reviewing his mission, he
says, * I went to Amei-ica to teach the Georgian Indians the nature
of Christianity, and what have I learnt myself ? ' Mr. Wesley found
Georgia to be a sevei'e disciplinary school, but his experiences were
turned to good account. ' God showed him,' in that unfriendly land,
' what was in his heart.' In like manner, many of Wesley's sons
have learnt in the discipline of the foreign field many lessons tending
to develop a fitness for the onerous duties of a mission station,
which could never have been gained in the stereotyped routine of
English Methodist circuits. Personal observation, extending over
many years, suggests the desirability of a certain class of our young
men beginning their ministerial life by a ' breaking-in,' in such
countries as may climatically and intellectually suit them. Some
very sage and earnest men have even suggested, not ill-naturedly, but
in view of the greater influence of young ministers, that a ' breaking-
down ' also could not fail of being of the greatest use. Many of our
ablest, noble.st and sense-endowed men, now in English Methodism,
had their earliest training in India, Africa, the iSouth Seas, the

PERSONAL HISTORY. 117

West Indies, and Bi'itish Guiana, who, on returning to England at
the close of their terms of honourable service, have taken influential
circuits and the highest official positions ' the British Conference '
can confer upon its most trusty members.

What have I learnt myself % My answer is : —

(1) I have learnt from incontestable evidence that God, in His
pi'ovidence, gave to English Methodism a vocation to carry the
Gospel of the ' common salvation ' to the black and coloured popu-
lations of the British West Indies; — the conversion of the Hon.
Nathaniel Gilbert, Speaker of the House of Assembly in Antigua, in
1760, under Mr. Wesley's preaching in London ; the advent of Mr.
Baxter, a local preacher, into Antigua, in a responsible position in
His Majesty's dockyard; the eniigration of an Irish jNIethodist
family for Georgia, but driven by stress of weather to Antigua ;
and, at last, on Christmas Day, 1786, Dr. Coke himself, with three
missionaries, originally designed for North America, were compelled
by wind and storm to make for this elect island. These incidents,
in our judgment, are links in a Divine chain of causes and effects,
for giving force to the purpose of a mei-ciful God in making known
in this part of His vineyard the gloriovis Gospel of Christ. The
further proof is found in the generous willingness of the English
Methodists to subscribe the funds for fostering and extending the
good works ; also, in the chivalrous spirit shown by a succession of
missionaries, of eminent piety and ability, whom God has raised up
for carrying on this loving enterprise. ' It is the Lord's doing.'

(2) I learnt to respect and love the black and coloured people in
the West Indies. Amongst them I had generous and loving friends.
I never had any sympathy with the cruelly absurd and depreciating
remarks made by cynical and ungenerous white people, in regard to
their mental powers and capacity for appreciating and practising
the doctrines and precepts of Christ, as recorded in the New Testa-
ment. And the names of very many are still present to my mind
as synonyms of all ' that is lovely and of good report.' As leaders
of classes, male and female, in my belief, they have never been
surpassed for faithfulness and loyalty by any of their co-officials
in England or elsewhere. Many of the young men, mostly of the
coloured class, have given themselves to the Ministry, and aie
effectually helping the English missionaries in carrying out the work
of the Lord with credit and success.

118 JAMES JilCKFOBD : AX AUTOJilOGRAPHY.

(3) When the social evolution -wrought by the Emancipation Act
in 1838 was fully realized, complexional distinctions died out ; and
as years succeeded to that blessed event, a clear and broad road was
created for all classes to respectable professions, intermarriages, and
the acquirement of material comforts, without prejudice or distinc-
tion. Absolutely there was no bar to the improvement and happi-
ness of the West Indians, but such as those they might unwittingly
throw across their own path.

(4) I learnt that my mission had not been ' a fool's errand.'
Every truth of Divine revelation I accepted during my student days,
and which I firmly held at the time of my ordination in 1838, I
tested in the presence of numerous congregations to whom I sustained
the responsible relation of ' pastor and teacher ' for about fifteen
years. I found that human natiire was the same, and that the
needs of the human soul were the same, in the sable and white races,
without exception or qualification. I proved to a demonstration
theii' equal eligibility to experience a sure process of personal recon-
ciliation with God, and heirship to etei-nal life. ' There was no
difference : ' ' Christ was all and in all.'

(5) I have no regrets at having given the best years of my earlier
manhood to this portion of our great mission-field. True, the West
Indies had ' the beginning of my strength.' My residence there, as
English life goes in the tropics, seems to have been a protracted
period ; but I do not begrudge it. The gratitude and the love of our
people are an abundant rewai"d.

(6) In the civil elevation and spiritual improvement of what was
once the slave population, we have both the pattern and the pledge
of what may yet be done for Afric's sons and daughters on their own
great continent, as well as for other sable races in different parts of
the world. The experiment of a hundred years of evangelising and
civilising appliances, in these once benighted islands, for the salvation
and elevation of all classes of the people, has been a gratifying success.
The slave has sprung up into a freeman of Jesus Christ; the Creole has
shown the possession of an innate force of character for which he had
gained no credit ; and ' the white man ' has put away his mean and
foolish prejudices, and now lives in peace and harmony with those he
once oppressed. There has not been witnessed, as yet, the welding
together of these varied races into one sohd, social mass, as may be
hoped and prayed for ; still, all things considered, the conspicuous

PERSONAL HISTORY. 119

advancement of Negroes and Creoles alike to the position of a law-
abiding, contented, and religious people is such as should gladden the
hearts of all philanthropists and Christian workers in every part of
the civilised world. ' He hath visited and redeemed His people : '
' Blessed be God ! '

England, May 1853 to January 1854. — My health was too feeble
for me to do much work during the above period. However, I
managed to preach over sixty times in the South of Devon, Cornwall,
and in London. I spoke, as I had opportunity, at missionary
meetings ; but I was unable to place myself at the disposal of the
London Committee for deputation work. I was frequently the
subject of distressing fever pains, consequent on biliary derangements,
which laid me low during their continuance. Mrs. Bickford also
was very unwell, and we needed each other's help a good deal. The
good Methodist people in Devonshire had to take the ' will for the
deed ; ' for active, effective service was for me impossible at that
convalescing, transition period.

AUSTRALIA.

1853—1888.
THIED PART.

BY the English Conference, August 1853, 1 was a^^pointed as one
of the ministers of the Melbourne Circuit, Victoria. It was
expected that I shoidd be in my new circuit in the early part of 1854,
io that Mrs. Bickford and I would have only about eight months for
' pulling up ' our health and for visiting our kindred and friehds. We
took in regular order Kingsbridge, Salcombe, Modbury, Ivybridge,
Ashburton, Plymovith, and Camelford, Avhere we had brothers and
sisters or acquaintances. At each of these places, I either j)reached
on the Sabbath, or church anniversaries, or missionary meetings. I
attended the Annual Conference at Bradford, and had the great
pleasure of being the welcome guest of the Misses Pickles and Townend
at Great Horton. I and three other West Indian missionaries,
Messrs. Bannister, Hudson, and Binks, spent many a happy hour at
the Marsdens, in their beautiful home. The Bev. John Lomas was
elected President, and the Rev. William Barton, Secretary. The
platform was filled with venerable men, whom for many years I had
longed to see. I may mention Doctors Bunting, Newton, Beecham,
Dixon, the brothers Thomas and Samuel Jackson, the Eevs. George
Marsden, George Osborn, and William Arthur. Dr. Beaumont was on
the floor of the ' house,' and so was Joseph Fowler, a keen and fearless
debater. Everything I saw and heard greatly interested me. The
preaching at the Conference was of a high order. The first seimon
was from Dr. Hannah, on " Jesus Christ, the true Foundation ; " the
second was from Dr. Jobson, on " Sowing and Reaping ;" and the thir-d
was Thomas McCuUagh, then a young preacher, on the " Power of the
Holy Ghost." Dr. Jobson's sermon was the most telling attack upon

AUSTRALIA. 121

the conscience of the sinner I ever listened to. Such specimens
of earnest and soul-saving preaching made me feel very small ;
nevertheless, I glorified God in them.

1854.

The months passed rapidly away.

Jan. 12th. — Mrs. Bickford and I left Kingsbridge f or London. We
joined the train, at the ' Kingsbridge Road Station,' and sped our
way to England's metropolis. A little after the_ start, I said to Mrs.
Bickford, ' Give me the Bible from youi- bag, and I will read the chap-
ters for the day. Perhaps some words of comfort may come to us.'
The first of the tlii^ee chapters to read, according to our custom, was
Genesis xii., in which these words occur : ' Get thee ou.t of thy country,
and from thy kindred, and fiom thy father's house, unto a land that
I will show thee ; . . . and thou shalt be a blessing.' Our hearts were
very soft, and no wonder ; for the second farewell to our kindred was
worse than the first. But the comfort came !

Jan. nth. — The valedictory service for ovir party was held in.
City Road Chapel. The Rev. Dr. Hoole conducted the devotional
part, and the Rev. Charles Prest gave the address. I remember how
he strove to impress upon us the necessity of close application to our
great work, and to keep clear of the political questions which would
agitate, moi-e or less, the Australian communities. Good advice, no
doubt, I thought, but not always to be followed. The great matter
in settling new countries is for wise and good men to prevent the
transmission to them of the abominable feeling of caste, class
legislation, unjust laws, and other meaningless disabilities ; to say
nothing of the poverty, intemperance, and impurity, which for so
many centuries have cursed England and embittered the lives and
homes of tens of thousands of her sons and daughters. I inwardly felt
sure that, if God permitted me to land in Australia, it would be
with me ' an obligation of Providence ' to do whatever in me lay, to
secure for the Antipodean communities full religious liberty and
equality, just laws, fair taxation, and the unchallenged right of every
family-man to a reasonable share in the public estate. Justice,
freedom, progress, and everything else that is true, were bound to have
my uncompromising advocacy and support. This might be done quite
consistently with the conscientious discharge of the higher obligations
which my ' ordination ' devolved upon me.

122 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

I append a few jottings from my Journal : —

' Jan. 22nd. — I heard Bishop Blomfield preach this morning, and Dr. Cumming
in the evening — both great men on their own lines ; but I liked the Bishop better
than the Doctor. The first sermon had the great merit of scholarly plainness,
was orthodox, and practical; the second was pedantic, very theoretical and
unspiritual.'

'Jan.2[^th. — This morning I heard the Rev. H. L. Church, at St. Gcorge's-in-
the-East. preach an excellent sermon from the story of Caleb. Mr. James Nibbs
Brown, from Grenada, was present also. After the service we walked in
company, and conversed mostly on West Indian affairs. It was a very great
pleasure for me once more to see my friend and co-worker in our Lord's vineyard
after so many years of separation. In the evening, I heard the Kev. John
Farrar, in Jewin Street, with much satisfaction. Clear in intellect, and full of
spiritual power, he could not fail to hold his audience as if under a bewitching
spell.'

As sliowiug the I'eckless manner in wliich large ships, quasi-
' emigrant,' Avere despatched from England to Australia, say, thirty-
five yeai's ago, I record the followmg facts : —

Ja7i. SOtli. — This morning Mrs. Bickford and I journeyed to
Gravesend, to join the American Lass, commanded by Captain James
JSIcKellar, of Glasgow. As soon as our friends had left us, the chief
steward called me aside and informed me that the ship was not
properly provisioned for the number of passengers who were on
board. Our party alone was eight first-class ; and there were many
other passengers, both fii-st and second. The steward f lu'ther stated
that he had made known to me how things were so as to avoid trouble
during the voyage. I was much perplexed, and laid the whole matter
before the captain. In the evening I sent Mr. Vanderkiste, one of
the young ministers, to London in charge of a letter to Dr. Hoole,
setting forth the predicament we were in, and that we were resolved
not to go to sea until we were satisfied that the stores were sufficient
for all the passengers for so long a voyage.

Jan. 31st. — This morning Mr. Vanderkiste retm-ned from London
with a letter from Dr. Hoole, authorizing me to purchase such
supplementary stores as might be necessary, and to charge the cost
to the mission house. I went on shore accorcUngly, with the captain,
and bought 4 cwi;. of fresh beef, 10 cwt. of potatoes, 2 barrels of
flour, 1 cwt. of ling fish, 500 eggs, and some other articles of food.
The captain made some purchases also. In the meantime the
Emigration Agent had gone on board, and found fault as follows : —

(1) The ship had been cleared as carrying one class of passengei's

AUSTRALIA. 123

only, whilst there were two classes ; (2) the provision was for
sixteen weeks, whereas the law was that it should be for twenty
weeks; (3) the number of passengers had been reported less than
they actually were, and the stores were laid in for the lesser number ;
(4) the agent complained that the London agent had deceived the
second-class passengers, by telling them that there was to be no
dift'erence between them and the other (first) passengers ; (5) he
took exception also to the dietary scale, and finally refused to allow
the ship to proceed to sea.

The captain had to proceed to London to see the agent, and to
procure additional supplies for the second-class passengers. A clerk
was sent from the office to further look into the matter. He took
the names of the second-class passengers, and paid each one shilling
per day for the time they had been detained in London. The ship
had to be re-cleared. The Emigration Agent informed the clerk that
his principals had laid themselves open to heavy penalties for making
false entries, and for obtaining a clearance under false pretences. It
seemed an unaccountable thing to me that a respectable London firm
could have been guilty of such conduct as this narrative of facts
discloses.

Feb. Zrd. — We were taken in charge by a tug, and on the 5th we
reached the Downs. We were now away from any further disputings
between the charterer of the ship and the Emigration and Custom-
house officers. We were thankful for this deliverance. We were
detained by foul winds until the 9th, when, at 3 p.m., we finally
got away with a fair wind.

The incidents of this our first voyage to Australia will best be
learnt from my Journal : —

' Feh. lOf/i. — At 5 p.m., we were oflE the Start, and at 9 p.m. we were abreast
of the ' Eddystone.' In passing, we saw Bolt Head and Sa] combe Harbour.
Mrs. Bickford and I thought much of our ' kith and kin ' as we ran rapidly
through these waters. It was but nine months ago, on our return from
Demerara, we first saw the Bolt Head, and now, in obedience to a Providential
call, we are passing away from it to unknowii scenes in far distant Australia.'

Selfishness and cowardice are closely allied in some men. A
striking proof is found in our ship-life this evening. We were
informed that the London broker [alias agent) had confided to the
captain secret instructions to be observed in dieting our party. The

124 JAMES niCKFORD : AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

nature of these will appear from the terms of the letter we imme-
diately addressed to the captain : —

' Ship, " Amebicait La.ss,"

' February lOth, 1854.

' Captain James McKellae, —

' Sir, — We the undersigned first-class passengers bound for Sydney, having
learnt that Mr. Alexander Milne, the broker in London, has sent for your
observance a dietary scale for us, do hereby respectfully protest very strongly
against our food being supplied to us by weight and measurement. "We are
compelled to add that, should you determine, notwithstanding our protest, to
subject us to such an indignity, we shall, on our arrival in port, hold you re-
sponsible for any ill consequences which may thereby have resulted to our
health during the voyage.

• {Signed) JAMES BiCKFORD, R. W. Vaxderkiste,

Lonsdale Abell, Hans Mack,
John Gale, Thomas Angwin,
William Kelynack, Willia m
CuRNOw, Fanny Bickford.'

The cowardliness of the intended action is seen at once. For if
we had been made acquainted with tJie existence of a sealed in-
struction, to be acted upon when we were out at sea, before we left
Gravesend we could have left the ship or have insisted upon its cancel-
lation ; but when it was sprung upon us we were in a sense helpless •
still, knowing what was right and honourable, we addressed the cap-
tain as above, and threw all responsibility upon him. The captain
felt his position, and we heard nothing more about the matter.

We had now before us a long voyage through, to us, untra veiled
oceans. All our surroundings had become du'e realities. We com-
mitted our ' way in the sea ' to the care of God. We did not forget
the earnest prayers which had been ofi'ered up for us by our
reverend fathers at the London mission house. These prayers ever
accompanied us as an inspiration against the fear of destruction and
death. My Journal up to this time tells of fair winds, freedom from
gales, undisturbed worship, and good health.

' Fcl). null. — The captain remarked at the table to-day that he had crossed
the Atlantic (west or south) forty-seven times, and he had never had so fine a
run as at this time. From the time of our rounding the South Foreland, we
had not had to 'bout ship, or reef a sail. He even said he believed the God
of missions was with us and giving us His favour.'

' Feb. ISth. — We have run 208 miles since yesterday. The supply of potatoes
was finished seven days ago ; and the vegetables the captain put on board at
his own expense were finished to-day. As far as the charterer of the ship was

AUSTRALIA. 125

concerned, his provisioning was shamefully cruel, and yet we are informed that
his profit from the voyage will be over one thousand pounds.'

'March 8f/<.— South latitude 0° 44', west longitude 28° 17'. This is the
holy Sabbath. I preached on the main deck, and afterwards in the saloon I
baptized Mr. and Mrs. Pass's two infant children. Several of the sailors
came to witness the administration of the ordinance. I also gave the Lord's
Slipper to the mission party and to some of the passengers.'

' March \Oth. — The thermometer to-day was 87° in the shade. The awning
was not spread for us, although we asked that it might be. We went from
one part of the ship to another seeking shelter from the sun's rays. On the
11th we secured this favour, and the relief afforded was very great, but
especially to the sailors who worked under its shade. Still, the condition of
the exposed men was the cause for the spreading of the awning, and not the
inconveniences of the passengers in the least degree.'

' March \?>th. — Several of our party are ill, and it is no wonder. Our potted
meats and fruits are unfit for use. Yesterday, when a pot of the former was
opened, the stench was so dreadful that the passengers ran for shelter to their
cabins or to the main deck. Several bottles of fruit had to be thrown over-
board. Not a third of our voyage is yet done, and this is the state of our
stores.'

'■March loth. — The thermometer in the saloon to-day stood at 102°. We
could hardly breathe.'

' March l&th. — The atmosphere has undergone a complete change. The rain
has fallen heavily ; the wind has come from every point of the compass, and
the sea is as if it had been boiling in a caldron. These phenomena indicate
the failure of the south-east trade-winds, and suggest that the ' variables ' are
solely caiised by atmosjiheric influences. Every appearance above, around, and
below is confused and wild. 5 p.m. .- For the first time since we left the Downs,
on the 9th February, we have tacked ship and reefed topsails. It is blowing
very hard and foul, compelling a south-south-east course. '

'March \Mh. — The stormy weather continues. We had a gale of wind this
morning, and the fore-topsail was split from top to bottom. We are now
running under double-reefed topsails, forecourse, jib and spanker. Nearly
all the passengers are ill.'

' March 20th. — Close-hauled and a gale of wind.'

' 3farck 23?y7.— (Dead reckoning) South latitude, 32° 18', west longitude
23° 50'. Wind changed in the forenoon from east-south-east to south-west.
This is a dangerous part of the ocean from " wind-checks," and our captain is
anxiously watching so as to be prepared for them should they come. The sea
has an imposing appearance this morning, reminding us of certain passages in
Job : " He maketh the deep to boil like a pot ; He maketh the sea like a pot
of ointment. He maketh a path to shine after Him : one would think the
deep to be hoary." A stream of fire seemed to follow the wake of the ship
whilst tearing through these terrible seas.'

' March 28th.— Saw the Magellan clouds and the Southern cross. Both
brilliant and beautiful. Who could look for the first time upon these and
remain an infidel or atheist ? Dark indeed must be the mind, and corrupt
must be the heart, of the man that failed to recognise in such magnificent con-
stellations the wisdom and the goodness of the great Creator of " all things.'"

126 JAMES BICKFORD : AW AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

'March Z\st. — Obscured sun. Wind again foul. We are off our course, and
are compelled to run at the rate of seven or eight knots an hour. This is now
the fiftieth clay from the Downs, and we want nearly two thousand miles of
being half over the voyage. " 0 Thou, who art Lord of the winds and seas,
mercifully interpose for us." '

' April 1st. — The wind still foul. This is now the sixty-fourth day since
most of the passengers joined the ship in St. Catherine's Dock, and, naturally
enough, fears are being awakened in some minds that both provisions and water
cannot last to the end of the voyage. The second-class passengers are to-day
put on short allowance. Mr. Vanderkiste is very poorly.'

' April 2nd. — Tristan d'Acunha is in sight this morning, bearing west by
south. It is 8,000 feet high, and is pyi-amidal in form. It is cheering to see
even a solitary rock amidst these trackless deeps. But how came it there I
and wherefore ? Is it a primitive creation 1 or is it the work of ages upon
ages 1 evolution, or something of that kind ? '

^ April Srfl. — Still foul wind. We divided into two companies, and "gave
ourselves to prayer." '

' April Itli. — The captain intimated this evening that, as the voyage would be
unusually long, we having been out seventy-five days already, it would be
necessary to reduce the water for each to half-a-gallon per diem, so as to pro-
vide in time for any emergency which might arise. I at once intimated oui
willingness to leave the matter implicitly in the captain's hands.'

' April 8th. — A day of thanksgiving and joy. We have now a fair and
strong wind. Speed nine knots.'

' Ap>ril Sith. — " Rejoice with trembling." A small bolt having worked out of
its place, the foretop-gallant mast and yard broke, and left the fore-rigging a
perfect wreck. WTiat a change in a few hours ! Most of the sails had to be
taken oil ^v^th a view to repairing damages. This has been the Sabbath Day.
Messrs. Angwin and Gale preached, but it has been almost a lost Sabbath to me.
Oh, for the Sabbaths on shore ! I hope I shall love and prize them more if
permitted again to have their hallowed hours and hallowing worship.'

' Ajrril 10th. — Sun obscured, consequently no sights could be taken. The
captain and carpenter are engaged in making a new mast, and the •' watch " in
making preparations for rigging it. What a change in twenty-four hours ! '

^ Ajjril \lth. — The new foretop-gallant mast was put up this afternoon,
and the yard is being spliced. The wind is from the north-west, and is tolerably
fresh.'

' April \Mh. — The Albatrosses have been flying about our ship to-day, with
mufli apparent confidence in our kindly feeling towards them. Two or three
were unusually large, and, under their wings and over and around their bodies,
as white as alabaster. The upper parts of their wings were of a dark grey
colour, and from " tip to tip " were from ten to twelve feet. The sea has been
rolling heavily. We have had scarcely twelve hours of carrying wind since we
passed the equator.'

' April nth. — The ship is under double reefed topsails, and close hauled to
the wind. The gale has been furious ; but as we are passed the meridian of the
Cape we may expect to have steadier winds. In the night, the passengers, who
were about, cheerfully assisted in taking off the canvas so as to ease the ship.
The ladies were much alarmed, and not without reason. In the afternoon we

AUSTRALIA. 127

saw, " sporting in the deep," five whales, taking their pleasure as if they were
the monarchs of the sea. How strange it is that these ocean monsters should
so often fall a prey to other sea-animals inferior to them in strength and size.
One of their enemies is a small shell-fish, which insinuates itself beneath their
fins, where, in security, it feeds oii the thick layers of fat. But the most terrible
foe of the whale is the sword-fish, at whose approach, in dread of the battle
that must ensue, it exhibits an extraordinary degree of agitation, and seeks to
retreat in the opposite direction. Having no insti'ument of defence but the
tail, this inoffensive monster is ill-adapted for conflict with the sharp tooth-
edged beak of the rapacious sword-fish, which, darting first on one side and
then on the other, lacerates and mangles its huge frame with impunity. These
whales were from ninety to one hundred and twenty feet in length. We also
saw to-day an enormous shark, whose fearful equipment of teeth renders its
possessor an enemy to be much dreaded. These teeth are arranged in six rows,
in a wedge-like figure, and are one hundred and forty-four in number. Sailors
have a mortal dread of the shark.'

'April \Uh. — South latitude, -11° 5.5', west longitude, 21° 43'. 8 p.m.:
This is Easter Sunday, the comforting memento of our Lord's resurrection from
the dead. Messrs. Abell and Angwin conducted the services. II p.m. :• Before
I had any personal experience of sea-voyaging, I thought the life of a sailor
was one of comparative ease, but I have since observed it to be a life of
laborious toil and of undefinable hardships. The people who live in comfort on
shore little think of the risk to life and health undergone by mariners, to pro-
cure for them the productions of foreign countries. With too many vpstarts of
men, the sailor is little better than a " dog ; " but I have found him to be brave,
kind, and generous.'

' April IStli. — Wind strong, cold and fair. We are now running up our
" Easting " with some rapidity. Our longitudinal degrees are now about forty-
three or forty-four, so that we have a prospect of doing from five to six daily.
A few years ago the mariner, who would go so far south, as we now are, and
expect yet to be, would be regarded as mad, but scientific knowledge of the
most satisfactory kind, has constrained the adoption of this track as not only
the easiest but the shortest by several hundreds of miles. The principle is that
known as the " Great Circle ; "' and to those who have studied the rotundity of
our globe it will be easily understood. In fact, it is simply " going round the hill
instead of going over it." The Marco Polo ran the distance, on the Great Cii'cle
course, from the Cape of Good Hope to Melbourne in twenty-seven days.'

' Ajjril I'dth. — The captain is now getting good observations. The last of our
sheep was killed to-day : she would eat no food ; suitable fodder having been
all used some time ago. The fowls, pigs, and sheep have had to be fed upon
soaked biscuits. So much for the generosity of the London broker. His
covetousness has even afflicted the poor brutes we had on board. To be starved
or eaten was the alternative. The sugar, too, for more than a fortnight we have
had for our tea was the commonest, undrained muscovado, which shows how
grievously our Missionary Committee have been taken in. I begged of the
steward for Mrs. Bickford a little of the sugar sent to the forecastle, and now
she is able again to take her tea. The captain told us this evening that
he would not send to his men the sugar put upon our table for £50. If he
were to do so, he said, in the first place they would throw it overboard ;

128 JAMES BICKFORD : AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY,

and in the second, on arrival in Sydney, they would every one desert the
ship.

' Mr. Curnow preached this evening an able sermon from Psalm cxix. 160.
I am struck with the apparent inability of the young brethren to adopt a
ready, simple, and elementary style of preaching, as that which is only appro-
priate on board ship.'

' Airril 20/:/;.— South latitude 4.5° 12', cast longitude 88° 40'. Wind fair and
cold. An immense quantity of birds have followed the vessel to-day. This
may be proof that we are not far from " Cavern " and " Prince Edward's Islands. "
A sight of them would gladden our eyes and hearts.'

' April 22iid. — Wind strong and cold. Run 244 miles since j'csterday. We
have been much perplexed that Noray and the Admiralty chart differ in more than
three degrees, re the longitude of Crozer's or Desert Island. It would be well
for the English Government to send out a surveying party to ascertain the
exact position of this island, that mariners might know where danger is and
how to avoid it.'

' Ajjril 2'?ird. — To-day for the first time we have seen the Cape pigeons. They
are about the size of the English pigeon, have webbed feet, and have four large
spots of white on their wings. They appear to have no fear of us ; but fly all
around the ship, and even over the quarter-deck, doubtless in search of food.
Here, far away from the haunts of civilised men, the very birds seem to live in
primeval harmony ; but, would it be not so with them if perchance they lived
in those portions of the globe '■ where men each other tear ! " '

' AjJril 25th. — We have escaped a frightful accident to-day. Through the
rolling of the ship a large jar of vitriol broke away from its lashing, and a portion
of the main deck was covered with a wave of liquid fire. The two remaining
pigs were severely burnt, and one of them, maddened with pain, whilst we were
at dinner, rushed into the saloon and from thence into our state-room. It was
at first intended to kill the animal right away, but by throwing a quantity of
salt water over it, the pain decreased. How dangerous it is to carry large jars
of this fiery liquid on board a ship which, at the same time, was carrying such
a quantity of gunpowder in her hold ! Mr. AUardice, the chief mate, got his
hands and boots burnt in trying to arrest the surging vitriol on the ship's deck.
There seems to be no end to our troubles. For example, the water we have
for drinking to-day is very bad. It has the smell of rotten turnips ; but we
have no alternative, for it is that or none. There is a large supply of excellent
water in the tank, but the captain has forbidden any more of it to be used for
the present. His idea is to reserve it as a supply in stormy weather, when
access to the puncheons could not be had. The precaution seems to be
reasonable, but the privation is hard.'

' Ajjril 2(Jth. — To-day, at the dinner table, Captain McKellar remarked on the
water as being much affected by the climate, to which Mrs. Bickford replied
" that it was very bad, and that it was impossible to cMnk it." Dr. James then
suggested that a small quantity might be taken from the tank for our use at
dinner, which called forth a rejoinder from the captain to the effect '' that he
would not receive any suggestion on the matter." Messrs. Angwin and Mack
reiterated the request for a small portion daily, solely for drinking purposes.
But the captain firmly refused, saying, that if a gale should overtake us, and
carry our casks away, we should have the cistern to fall back upon. In this style

AUSTRALIA. 129'

the conversation proceeded, and when I was afraid of high words ensuing, I
suddenly rose and returned thanks. Catchine: the captain's eye, I retired from
tlie table. I heard, but somewhat indistinctly, sharp words between the captain
and the doctor, but what they were I only know by report. In the evening of
the same day, Mrs. Bickford came to me with the information that the water
had become quite good. Whereupon I went to the steward for an explanation.
He told me that another cask had been opened. It was now as good as could
be desired ; and had it therefore been given to us all the unpleasantnesses of
to-day would have been prevented. However, we need to exercise the utmost
precaution in the article of water, because of the great distance we have yet to>
go. Possibly some circumstances may yet arise which may show us after all
that the captain was prudently right.'

' April 2Si'/;.^Dead calm at 3 a.m. The sails were in danger of being injured
by flapping heavily against the masts and yards. At 8 a.m., the wind sprang
up, but was dead ahead. 10 p.m. : Our ship is now going her course, and the
rain is falling in torrents. We have a dreary night before us.'

' Ajrril 2dth. — This evening heavy rain. Ship under double reefed topsails,
and two points off our course. At 12 a.m. to-day we were about a degree east
of St. Paul's.'

' April 'SOth. — Terrible gale all last night, and portion of the bulwarks were
carried away. AVe lost also a pipe of water. No service this morning beyond
singing a hymn, reading Psalm cvii., and prayer. It has been a day of anxiety
and alarm. The fore and main topsails are double reefed, and the forecourse is
held down with chains. This is all the sail we can get at present. The cross-
seas come tumbling in upon us, and threaten to break our ship in pieces. Several
big jars of oil of vitriol had to be thrown overboard ; the captain most wisely
removing the danger by casting the whole lot into the sea. The ladies and
other passengers were much alarmed at seeing the liquid fire, for a second time,
running from side to side of the ship's deck, and no one daring to go near it.'

' iMay 1st. — Blowing almost a hurricane. The same canvas on as yesterday.
At 10 p.m. it was almost a calm, when the ship rolled heavily in the troughs of
the sea. South latitude 46° 33'.'

' May 2nd. — In the middle watch there was a terrific squall. This morning
we shipped a sea over the stern, and through one of the stern windows. All
the cabins as well as the saloon were deluged. The " dead-lights " were put in
for the first time.'

' May 'ird. — This afternoon we had a heavy gale and showers of hail. The
ship has been under the canvas called ' long-reaching,' i.e. close-reefed maintop-
sail and forecourse. The ladies are much dejected, and wearied out with
anxieties and the ship's motion.'

'May Mil. — The gale came on again this morning from the north-west, and the
sea has been very high. The captain told me to-day that during the forty-five
years he has been to sea he had not had such bad weather as during the past
week. The question is as to whether we should have come so far south as we
have done. Probably 43° or 44° south latitude would have been better for us
than 46°.'

' May Gth. — My natal day. I am now thirty-eight years of age. The past
year has been crowned with lovingkindness and mercy. We have visited our
native land ; have seen those of our kindred yet living ; and now we are braving

9

130 JAMES BICKFORD : AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

tempestuous seas for another sphere of Christian enterprise. May the merciful
God be with us in Australia, even as He was with us in the West Indies ! We
shall require much grace ; but it will be given "in the time of need." '

' May Sth. — We have had a gale all the 'day, and heavy rain. 10 p.m. : This
evening we had the most terrific gale I ever saw. Nothing could be done during
its fury but to commit the safety of the ship to the care of the Most High. The
lee point of the foreyard dipped three times in the sea, so fearfully did the
vessel careen over. The " whisker " on the lee-bow was carried away. We are
now sailing under close-reefed fore maintopsails and the foresail. Not a rope
has given way or sail split, notwithstanding the tremendous gale we have
encountered. If the American Zasx had not been of immense strength, she never
could have weathered the storms she has encountered in the Southern Ocean.
I deeply sympathise with Captain McKellar in the harassing cares and exposures
he has to wade through. '

' May 10th. — Very fine day, with the wind from the north-M"est, which s too
••' sharp up " for us for making much progress. 10 p.m. : The wind now threatens
to increase to a heavy gale : the topsails are again double reefed, and other
sails have been taken ofE. How strange it is that, in the AiLstralian Directory,
it is said, that in these latitudes the gales are from the south-west to the south-
east, whereas ever since we left the meridian of the Cape of Good Hope, all the
gales we have had came from the north to north-west. There appears to be no
uniform law for the winds and the waves ; concussion disturbs the atmospheric
phenomena above us, and these terrific outbursts occur to restore the equilibrium
which has been disturbed. I would have expected here, in the Australian Bight,
that the land to the north of us, being two thousand miles in breadth, would so
rarify and moderate the wind as to make it of less density than the ocean wind,
•and as a consequence retire from the latter ; but it is not so. Instead of
prevailing south-westerly winds, we have had them from the north.

' Mr. Kelynack preaf^hed this evening on the words, " Not by might, nor by
power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord." An eloquent and highly-pitched
discourse ; but totally inappropriate to our little congregation.'

' May IS^'/t.— South latitude 40° 00', east longitude 132° 01'. Last night the
top-gallant sails had to be taken in, and the topsails single reefed. The rain
fell heavily. But this morning, as the weather cleared, the long-expected south-
west wind came ; since when we have been making good progress. Another
week is gone, but how little I have done for the improvement of my mind, or
for the growth of holiness in my soul. Many Christians, who have never been
to sea, think that seclusion from the world for so long a time would be followed
by much mental and spiritual advancement ; but it is not so with me. We are
nearly sixty souls on board, and we are in such close contiguity to each other,
that the usual privacy and application enjoyed on shore are unattainable here.
Hence, retrogression, rather than advancement, is more generally the conse-
• quence of a long sea voyage than the contrary.'

' May lith. — We are now about two hundred and forty miles from Cape
Otway, Messrs. Mack and Gale preached to-day. We then had the Lord's
Supper together, which would be the last time on board the American La.ys.'

^ May \bth. — We had a delightful time at our weekly class to-day. The
.brethren appeared to be in a good state of mind.'

' May 16f/t.— South latitude, 39° 20', east longitude 144° 00'. A day of great

AUSTRALIA. 131

mercy and goodness. At 2 p.m. we saw Cape Otway bearing north of us. The
captain altered the ship's course to east, direct for Curtis' Island. " Bless the
Lord, 0 my soul, and all that is within mc, bless His holy Name." "

' May nth. — This day at 9 a.m. we sighted Curtis' Island. At 2 p.m. we
passed Kent Group. These islands are of peculiar appearance, and look as if
destitute of all verdure.'

' May \%th. — This morning we made the land on the Australian coast. The
wind became very light, and we remained in sight of Cape Howe all the day.
As night came on, the wind became northerly, and drove us out to sea. "

'May \^th. — At 10 a.m. we tacked ship, and made the land a little to the
south of Cape Dromedary. The wind is dead ahead. We saw a colonial
steamer running for Cape Howe. We are about one hundred and sixty-five miles
from Sydney.'

' May 20th. — We are now one hundred and forty-six miles from Port Jackson
Heads. AVind still from the north.

' Twelve months to-day we landed in Plymouth from Demerara. I view the
country to which we are going with deep emotion. There is no romance in this
undertaking. It will be hard and stubborn fact, and will impose upon me
duties of a serious and affecting nature.'

' May 2'ird, Sydney. — By the good providence of God, we came into this
harbour to-day. We had a trying time of it up from Cape Howe, except for the
last ninety miles, which we ran with a leading wind. We were one hundred
and three days from the Downs to Port Jackson.

' It was some time after we passed through the Heads before the pilot came on
board and took charge. We had to beat up to the anchorage, and for six hours
each man of our party, except poor Mr. Vanderkiste, who was still ill, nobly
helped the captain to work the after-sails of the ship, and it was the hardest
work I ever did. I almost feared my arms would be pulled away from their
sockets. At last, the welcome words were shouted out by the pilot, " Let go the
anchor ! " and out ran the chain with a rush and rapidity that made the old Lass
shake from stem to stern. But the voyage was over, and we were anchored in
the waters of one of the most beautiful harbours in the world.

' In the afternoon, I went on shore to report our arrival. I soon found my way
to the Prince's Street Parsonage, and called upon the Eev. Stephen Rabone, the
second minister of the York Street Circuit. He courteously received me, and
promised to see the Rev. W. B. Boyce, the General Superintendent of our
Missions in Australasia, and inform him that Mrs. Bickford and I, with
seven young ministers, had just come from London. I then returned to our
ship.'

' May 2ith. — The Rev. S. Eabone and other brethren came on board to take
us to friends' houses on shore. Mrs. Bickford and I were kindly welcomed by
Mr. and Mrs. John Caldwell, in Pitt Street, with whom we remained until we
sailed for Melbourne, Victoria.'

Mr. Boyce came in due course to Mr. Rabone's, where we assembled
to meet him. The Rev. T. N. Hull was also there. At the request
of Mr. Boyce, he addressed us in terms of encouragement and
thankfulness. Mr. Boyce followed in one of his characteristic

132 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

addresses. It was full of practical wisdom, and delivered in a
brusque, conventional style. To me he was pleased to say, ' that he
did not expect to see me in such good health. He had supposed that
I was a fever-stricken, worn-out West Indian missionary, whom the
Committee had sent to Australia to save their funds.' If he had
known, he said, that I was so physically capable for the Australian
Circuits, he certainly would have kept me in New South Wales. He
had thought that, possibly, I might have been a confirmed invalid,
and would be wanting to be carried about in a sedan chaii-, and much
more of the same kind. I heard it all, and, without moving an
expression of my face, simply told him that the English Conference
had appointed me to the Melbourne Circuit, in Victoria, and that I
intended going thither by the first opportunity. And so the con-
versation ended.

But there was nothing unkind in all this. It was his manner,
and Messrs. Chapman, Hull, and Rabone enjoyed it vastly. But I
think, nevertheless, that there is ' a more excellent way,' in certain
conditions, which might be followed. One of our party, I know, was
much surprised at the character of the interview. It was so
evidently different from what he had expected. He had likely
imagined the General Superintendent, who was a veritable and
venerable episcojnts, at least, among his own people, to be the symbol
of a dignified ecclesiasticism, with garb and speech in full keeping
with it; but, herein, he was much mistaken. Mr. Boyce was too
erudite in scholar^ ip ; too greatly endowed with good common
sense ; too sure of his scriptural position as a leader and teacher in
his own Church ; and too much in sympathy with the free, democratic
kind of all society in New South Wales, to put on any foolish airs, or
to assume any superiority even over the weakest of his brethren.
He was a great man in his very humbleness, and a wise man in his
condescending affability towards all classes of religionists among
whom he moved. At the bottom, he was one of the truest, best men
I have ever known.

The Australian Connexion had to purchase its independence, by
becoming responsible to the English Conference for the support and
extension of its prosperous missions in the South Seas. This was a
somewhat perilous compact on our part, and involved generous giving,
if not sacrifices, from our people. The arrival in Sydney of so large
a number of ministers as our party represented had therefore to be

AUSTRALIA. 133

turned to some account. The Rev. Thomas Adams, a brother of the
famous astronomer of that name, and both hailing from Cornwall,
had just come up from the Friendly Islands, full of information, love,
and zeal. Mr. Adams and I were despatched to the Hunter River
District, to preach sermons and hold meetings in aid of the good
cause. During this visit Mrs. Bickford and I were the welcome
guests of Mr. and Mrs. Little of Maitland, Avhose hospitality was in
keeping with that for which Austral-Irish Methodist families have
been always distinguished.

We traversed the whole of the Hunter River District, and did our
utmost to strike such a keynote as should vibrate in eveiy Circuit
in the colony. The result was .£400, or a few pounds more. The
people gave mth a princely munificence, especially at a small place
' Bulwarra.' The Rev. F. Tuckfield, the resident minister at
Maitland, helped us with a true heroic courage, and chaperoned us
throughout his extensive circuit.

On our return to Sydney, for a few weeks before leaving for
Melbourne, I preached at York Street, Prince's Street, Surrey Hills,
Chippendale, and Wooloomooloo, and was much cheered by the
evident appreciation of the intelligent congregations to whom I
ministered. A second and last Sabbath was given to York Street,
when sermons were preached by the Rev. T. N. Hull and myself
in aid of our South Sea Missions. The annual meeting of the York
Street branch was held on the Monday evening, when the Hon. G.
Allen, M.L.C., an old and true friend of Methodist missions, and lay-
treasurer of the society, occupied the chair. The Rev. W. B. Boyce
read the report. Mr. Hull and I were the only speakers. The
interest was kept up to the end, and the financial response was very
good. With this meeting ended, at that time, my public appearances
in our churches in the Mother City of Australia. I was anxious tc
be in my Circuit in Victoria ; for, although my time had been well
occupied in New South Wales, I felt [ was a minister Avithout a
charge — a shepherd without a flock. With me the pastoral office
was in abeyance ! I availed myself, therefore, of the first steamer
for Melbourne, and had not long to wait. Although thirty years
have elapsed since these occurrences took place, yet I cannot forget
the great kindness of the Rev. S. Rabone and Mrs. Rabone, Mi-,
and Mrs. Caldwell, to us during this our first sojoui-n upon Australian
soil.

134 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Melbourne, Victoria.

It was on ,hdy 8th that we, early in the morning, passed through
Port Philip Heads, and made our way up the Bay for Cole's Wharf.
We overhauled an emigrant ship, and took from her as many
passengers as crowded our deck in every part. This was far from
being agreeable, but we had to submit. On reaching the world-wide
reputed Cole's Wharf, how was I disappointed to find that it was
only a bank of hardened mud, shaped by the ebb and flow of the
Yarra Yarra, and flattened on its surface by the tread of many
thousands of immigrants.

We had all our material belongings with us, and all in a heap,
with that of scores of others, in the fore part of the steamer's deck.
The stern order was soon given : ' All passengers on shore and their
luggage.' And then the helter-skelter began. I never before saw
such a confusion ; and I certainly feared, not without very good
reason, that some few of my_ twenty-eight packages would get into
wrong hands. So I requested Mrs. Bickford to stand by, and see
that our luggage was handed on to the wharf, and I would keep
watch over it when once there. Luckily the largest and heaviest of
my boxes came fii-st on shore, on which I had had my name painted
by a coloured youth before I left Demerara. Tliis name I saw was
immediately recognised. A young farmer-looking man was not only
interested, but seemed made fast to the spot. Here is a chance of
some help, thought I. So looking straight into his fine, open face,
I said, ' Is there anything in that name that possesses any interest
for you ] ' ' Oh, yes,' he replied, ' I know it well, and yesterday I
saw your brother Nicholas, who is expecting you.' ' Where did you
come from ? ' I enquired. His reply astonished me : ' From Wakeham,
about four miles from Modbury.' ' Then your father and mine rented
under the same landlord, Archdeacon Froude ; is it not so 1 ' An
affirmative reply made us friends at once. ' Take care of these
packages for me, will you ? whilst I go on board to look after Mrs.
Bickford (who was standing amid a Babel of talk), and bi-ing her
ashore.' This was quite a providential help for us, for without it
we may have fared badly.

My young Devonian friend, at my request, called a 'trolly' (Eng.,
wain) to take us and our belongings to the Wesleyan Parsonage in
Collins Street, where resided the Rev. John Egglestone. The trolly

A USTRALIA. I35

being loaded, the next thing to do was for Mrs. Bickford and I to
mount to the top of the luggage, and hold on for very life, lest \\q
should topple over into the ' slush,' some twelve inches thick at the
very least, which then covered Flinders Street.

I told the driver where we had to go ; but, instead of going up
Elizabeth Street, he chose to go up Flinders Street, then up Russell
Street, and then turned down Great Collins Street. Just opposite
to what has been for a nvimber of years the Melbourne Thunderer,
i.e. the Argus office, we were bogged, and came to a stand. We had
to dismount and make enquiry, so unfortunate had we been. Messrs.
Allison k Carter, di-apers, whom we had intimately known in Bar-
badoes and Demerara, had their shop close by. I went into the shop,
and my appearance was a great surprise to them. They gave the
driver the necessary directions, and once more we made a start
for the Collins Street Parsonage. Arriving here, I met for the first
time the Eev. William Butters, the Chairman of the Victorian
District. At first sight I was drawn to him, and I placed myself
at once under his f athei-ly and official guidance. The next thing to
do was to get Mrs. Bickford down from the trolly, in which Mr.
Butters assisted. Of course we were introduced to the Egglestones,
who gave us a truly Christian welcome. Mr. Butters informed me
that the Melbourne District Meeting had made certain alterations
in the boundary of the City Circuit, and that I was appointed to the
superintendency of the new Circuit of Brighton. It was a salubrious
marine township, about six miles to the south of the city, Ijring
within ' Dendy's Survey.' Mr. Butters thought that it would save
both expense and time, if the man in charge of the ti-olly were sent
at once along to Brighton with our luggage, to which I agreed. I
thought, ' This looks like business, and provided it be one of the
concUtions of service in Victoria, under Mr. Butters' administration
of our Church afiairs, I shall like it all the better.'

On the evening of the same day, July 8th, we found oiu-selves
quietly ensconced in the hospitable home of my former Kingsbridge
friends, Mr. and Mrs. John Wills, Moore Street, Collingwood. Here
also I had the unspeakable pleasure of again meeting my dear, aged,
widowed mother, and my brother Nicholas, whom I had not seen for
about sixteen years. My parents, after I left for the West Indies
in 1838, emigrated to South Australia, and my father cUed at the
age of seventy-five at North Rhine. To see my mother, and, with

136 JAMES BICKFORB: AX AUTOBIOGRAPirY.

my brother and sister, assist her in her widowed life, was the strongest
motive I had for coming to Australia.

Brighton Circuit, 1854.

We went to our Circuit on July \Zth, and on the 17th I opened
my commission by preaching at East, Little, and Great Brighton.
In the evening, at the latter place, I administered the Lord's Supper.
* It was a good day, rather cold in travelling, and fatiguing to the
body ' (Journal). I was now entered upon the full work of an
Australian Circuit, and I resolved to spare no pains to pi*eserve the
good work as I found it ; and also to extend it to localities outside
the Circuit proper, where as yet there was no preaching nor churches,
nor day nor Sabbath schools. My time and strength I consecrated
anew to God and to the salvation of all the people in the district.

A few jottings from my Journal will show how I attempted to dp
this work, as well as to indicate some incidents of a family kind : —

^ July 22ncl. — We have heard of the death of my sister ricbecca (Mrs. Treby).
She died in hopeful trust of God's mercy through the merits of our Lord Jesus
Christ. The first of the band of nine brothers and sisters is removed : the chain
is broken, the links are separating. May we not hope for a re- uniting by-and-byl
' I have been across the country to see my brother Nicholas, at Gardiner's
Creek. He has made a nice selection as to locality, but the soil is poor. All the
industry he could put forth in a lifetime in England would have been insufficient
to procure the necessary means for purchasing so much land, and to have become
so nicely settled.'

' July 26th. — At Little Brighton to-day I saw two brothers of the Rev. Joshua
Jordan, a West Indian missionary. Tliey are small farmers, and well-to-do. I
visited in the afternoon our day school at Little Brighton — Mr. John Webb,
master. I did not think the children were so sharp and intelligent as they ought
to be. Mr. Charles Stone, the senior Circuit Steward, kindly accompanied me.
' To-day the Revs. Isaac Harding and John Egglestone came out to see me.
Mr. Harding, who is an ardent educationist and great worker, has a wish to
establish a Wesleyan Grammar School in Geelong, and believes it would be a
great success. Both appeared to be excellent and affectionate brethren. I much
enjoyed their visit.'

' July 2Sth. — This morning I went to the house of a Mr. Campbell, beyond
Little Brighton, to see a Mrs. Carvill, whose husband was killed yesterday by
blasting the underpart of a big gum-tree. I tried to comfort her with the
promises of the Heavenly Father.'

' July dOt/t. — This has been a trying day. I again visited Mrs. Carvill, and
performed a short funeral service on the remains of her late husband. All the
friends present appeared deeply to feel the painfully mournful event which had
occurred. I preached at the three Brightons as usual, to attentive congregations,
and was much blessed.'

* Aug. Srd. — This has been a very solemn day. In accordance with the pro-

AUSTRALIA. 137

clamation of the Governor, Sir Charles Hotham, \vc have devoted its hours to
fasting, prayers, and charit3^ I preached from Isa. xxvi. 9. A collection was
made on behalf of the widows and orphans of the brave men who have fallen in
this cruel and unj ustifiable Crimean war.'

^ Avg. 7th. — Pastoral visitation at East Brighton, and spent several houra in
walking from house to house. Twelve souls had been recently converted, and
joined the church.'

' Aug. nth. — Pastoral visitation at Moorabbin. I called upon every member,
and prayed in every house. I also visited non-members, i.e. hearers and wor-
shippers with us. Several incidents of an interesting kind came up, and suitable
conversations took place. Will not God bless the sowing of this seed ? So I
beheve.'

' Aug. 18th. — Went to Collingwood to-day amidst clouds of dust. We had
the pleasure of seeing the young T. T. Wills, who had just arrived from England
with his wife. They had stood the voyage pretty well.'

' Aug. I9th. — Mr. Butters preached twice to-day with great acceptance. He
told me of the resignation of the Rev. W. Byrnes. He is going over to the
Anglican Ministry, which will be a great grief to his old Methodist father at
Paramatta. But if he be discontented in our Ministry, he had better go.'

• Ai/g. 22nd. — Mr. Hawkins and I went to Melbourne to solicit subscriptions
for our new church. Messrs. Pascoe and Cocker advised us to defer our appeals
until a later period.'

' A7tg. 2ith. — Went to Beaumaris to see Mr. Charland, who is anxious to have
religious service established in his neighbourhood. He oilers a piece of land
upon which to build a church-schoolhouse, which I accepted. I arranged for
Mr. Charles Stone to open preaching services on the coming Sunday evening.'

' Sept. 6th. — I went to Melbourne to-day to solicit subscriptions for our new
church at Brighton, and succeeded pretty well. In the evening .1 attended a
church meeting at Prahran, at which were the Revs. W. Butters, J. Egglestone,
and J. S. Waugh. It was a very fine meeting, and the whole debt on the
building was subscribed.'

' SejJt. 8th. — An awful storm of hail to-day. I measured one of the stones,
which was one inch and a quarter in diameter. The lightning was very vivid,
and the thunder railed heavily over our heads. I was reminded of some of those
terrific thunder-storms peculiar to the islands lying near the Spanish main. I
am convinced that the winds and clouds were from opposite directions, and that
the sultry atmosphere of the morning caused the wind to come from the north
and north-west, whilst the cold above brought the wind from the south and
south-west. These phenomena appeared to be over our house, and greatly
alarmed us. Blessed be God, we were preserved fi'om all harm.'

^Sejpt. I3th. — To-day, Mr. William Head and I rode over to Oakleigh, a small
township about seven miles from Brighton, to see if there were any religious
services held. We found that up to this time there were none. But there were
three public-houses, and that the desecration of the Sabbath was dreadful. We
called upon several of the families, all of whom were anxious for us to provide
for their spiritual wants. There is an " open door " here, but as soon as we shall
enter it we shall have many adversaries. '

' Sept. 2lst. — Opened tenders this evening for roofing the new church at
Brighton. A large undertaking for our few people, but the work has to be done.'

138 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

' Oct. Sfli. — I preached at Beaumaris, and took Mr. Butters to see my cousins,
Mr. James Bickford Moysey and Mrs. Moysey, and dined with them.'

' Oct. lOfli. — A great tea meeting at Brighton on behalf of the new church.
The Eev. Mr. Butters greatly helped us. Some four hundred persons were
present, and the financial result amounted to £120.'

' Oct. I9tli. — I went to Oakleigh to meet the people about building a church-
schoolhouse, who subscribed then and there £30.'

' Oct. 22)ul. — This Circuit is full of backsliders, who arc hard to be aflfected
for good. To-day in one of my congregations I had one of this class, who for
sixteen years had been a leader in England. Drink has been his bane. Alas !
for his poor wife and children."

' Oct. 2ith. — The Marco Polo has arrived from London, bringing six hundred
souls. A three months' voyage and full of discomfort. My dear friends, Mr.
and Mrs. Allan Cameron, of Demerara, were passengers, whom I shall bring to
Brighton for a few weeks.'

* Oct. 28th. — Heard to-day of the death by cholera of the Rev. W. Bannister
and two of his children in Barbadoes. This dreadful plague has killed some
fifteen thousand of the island population.'

' Oct. 'SOtJu— The Annual Missionary Meeting at Collins Street. Collection
£40 l.«. I met Mr. Ramsay from St. Vincent, who, with his family, has come
to Victoria to settle.'

' Nov. 6th. — The first Melbourne Exhibition was held. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac
Groves, Mrs. Bickford, and I went. We were much pleased at seeing what the
country could produce under the industrious operations of the colonists.'

' Dec. 1st, — I went for the first time to Keys Station, Mordialloc, about
twelve miles from Brighton, to establish religious services. Mr. Battrick drove
me thither. Here I found a thriving Irish Methodist family ready to welcome
me as Christ's messenger. There were Mr. and Mrs. George Keys, the aged
parents ; Mr. and Mrs. William Keys, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Keys, Thomas Keys,
and several neighbours. After dinner, the preaching service was commenced,
and at the close the class-meeting was held. It was a unique spectacle in the
midst of the Australian forest, — a nucleus of light and moral force for the
whole neighbourhood.'

'Dec. 'Srd. — Preached missionary sermons at St. Kilda, and gave the Lord's
Supper. The Hon. A. Eraser and Mrs. Eraser were my hosts.'

' Dec. 6th. — A dreadful conflict, which had been long foreseen by thoughtful
men, has taken place between the military and miners on the Ballarat Gold-
fields. The harrowing and insulting behaviour of certain officials, in searching
for mining licences from the men whilst engaged in working their claims, was
at the bottom of the disturbance. The soldiers and the '• diggers " joined issue
at Eureka Hill, when some fifty of the miners were shot down at once. Mr.
Peter Lalor, one of the leaders of the resisting force, was shot through the arm,
which had to be amputated. There were serious casualties among the military
also. Martial law was proclaimed in the Government Gazette, and copies were
posted all over the district. But the excitement was fearful all over the colony,
and great indignation was felt at the administration of the Chief Secretary,
Mr. Foster, and the troubles he had brought upon the coj.intry. He was super-
seded, and he returned to Ireland.

' The Argo arrived in sixty-two days " fi-om land to land," and brought the

AUSTRALIA. ' 139

news of the taking of Sebastopol by the allied armies. It may be hoped that
this is the beginning of the end of this useless, cruel, and wicked war. With
John Bright's sentiments in reference to this war every Christian statesman
must agree. It is a great national sin.'

' Dec. '2^th. — A fine day for Brighton. The Revs. W. Butters, J. Egglestone,
and J. S. Waugh dedicated l)y prayers and worship our new church to God. In
erecting this sanctuary, we have been generously helped by Methodist gentlemen
in Melbourne, St. Kilda, and Brighton ; also by the gratuitous labours of Messrs.
Hawkins, Baker, GifEord, German, and other brethren. Without their personal
services, the building could not have been ready so soon after our arrival in the
Circuit.'

' Dec. 2(ith. — The tea and public meetings were a great success. Every table,
most abundantly supplied, was given, and about three hundred persons sat down
to tea. In the evening the church was crowded. The senior Circuit Steward,
Ml'. Charles Stone, presided with much kindness and ability. Messrs. Butters
and Waugh helped us with excellent addresses. We had a good collection and
subscription list, which seemed to put heart into our dear people for the work
so auspiciously begun.

* We had nearly reached the end of the year. All the customary services of
Christmas, " Watch Night " and " Renewal of Covenant," were held as in
England. In the observance of these, we got a gracious help from " on high "
for the arduous enterprises of the New Year.'

1855.

The Annual District Meeting, for the whole colony, was commenced
on January 3?tZ, the Rev. William Butters presiding ; the Rev. John
Egglestone was elected as Secretary. Besides the brethren mentioned,
there were, as members of the meeting, Messrs. Harding, Symons,
Lightbody, Curry, Raston, and Hart, with Messrs. Waugh, Hill,
Wells, Taylor, and Bickford, who had come from England during
the year. Under the genial guidance of Mr. Butters the orcUnary
business was soon despatched. This District Meeting has an important
historical bearing on the future constitution, permanence, and exten-
sion of our Church in Australia. A jotting from my Journal will
explain this : —

' The various subjects placed before the meeting were of an interesting natirre,
and supplied strong inducements for yet more abundant eilort in the Lord's
work. A very spirited discussion took place in the financial District Meeting,
on a proposal made by Mr. J. R. Pascoe, and seconded by Mr. H. Cook, that
lay -representation should be an element in the constitution of the Australian
Conference. The ministers allowed them full scope for the discussion of the
principle ; and, on the motion of Mr. Walter Powell, it was referred to a
Committee, to be empowered to sit during the year and to report to the next
District Meeting.

140 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

We give the Statistical Returns from the District Meeting Minutes,
as they may serve a purpose of comparison with those of subsequent
years. But, it must be observed, that at that time we had a
responsible charge in respect to public education, and these ' I'eturns '
will be useful as showing how we utilised our own buildings for day
school purposes, and thereby correspondingly relieved the Government
from a large expenditure of money in erecting school buildings,
especially on the Goldfields. We also heartily assisted the Board of
Education in the administration of the system then in vogue.

The ' Retui'ns ' I have summarised as follow : —

' Churches. 30 ; other preaching places, 40 ; ordained ministers, 13 ; assistant
missionaries, 2 ; catechist, 1 ; church members, 1,055 ; on trial, 85 ; Sabbath
school teachers, 401 ; Sabbath scliool scholars, 3,527 ; local preachers, 151 ; day
schools, 37 ; day school teachers, 59 ; day school scholars, 3,007 ; buildings used
for day school purposes and Divine worship, 15 ; total adherents, 18,897.

These glorious results had been the work of less than twenty years
of prayerful and generous toil : ' So mightily grew the Word of God
and prevailed.'

1856.

Jan. 12th. — One of the most painful yet necessary duties of the
pioneer ministers at this date, was to find and shepherd lone women
and their families in the bush. The men for the most part would be
away for weeks together, engaged in carting goods from Melbourne to
the Goldfields, that they might get a little ready money for the
support of their families, and paying for the small allotments of land
they had purchased. To the loneliness of the situation, must be
added the fear of bushrangers, whose very presence was a teri'or to
unprotected settlers. A sample of the effect of such circumstances I
discovered, as I was riding through the forest to fulfil my monthly
engagement at Keys Station.

^ Jan. \^th. — Our house accommodation has been very poor since we came
here in July last. One-half of the building has been used as a church, literally,
" a church in the house," as in earlier times. But now, the whole space being
available as a domicile, we have had several tradesmen employed making the
necessary alterations. For six months my usual studies have been interrupted.
New stations always impose inconveniences upon the ministers and their
families, especially when it is attempted to make the homes what they ought to
be. The respectability of the Ministry is often gauged from the character of the
establishments over which they are placed. A good appearance has a great deal
to do with the success of the cause '

AUSTRALIA. 141

' Jan. 2Wi. — We are making history. Our beautiful new church was honoured
to-day with its first marriage. J. C. and A. D. were joined together by me
in holy matrimony. A marriage in the Lord, on both sides, according to the
Apostolic injunction. Here is the guarantee of a happy union and blessings
from God.'

'Jan. 28th. — Hot winds at last. Tliermometer in the shade 110°. The air
was heated as if it had come from a " fiery " furnace. To the south and east of
Beaumaris there was a raging fire devastating the whole district. Had not the
wind suddenly changed the whole township would have been consumed. I was
in the neighbourhood on ministerial duty, and saw a poor settler, his wife, and
one child, who had been burnt out. Their little all was gone. The poor woman
had not time even to get her bonnet ; she could only snatch up her child and fly
for her life. The clouds of smoke could be seen for miles stretching away
towards Mordialloc and Dandenong.'

The old settlers take but little notice of these hot winds. But to
those English persons, who are doing the novitiate of a first or
second year's residence, they are almost unbearable. And were it
not for the heavier south-west winds, rushing in to fill the vacuum
created by the heat and storm of the north wind, they would be
hardly able to retain either elasticity or power of motion. But when
the change comes, so great is the relief, that the di-eadful ordeal is
soon forgotten, and the pleasure of existence is again enjoyed.

'Feb. bth. — The great gathering place of new arrivals of Methodists from the
old country was our church in Collins Street, Melbourne. I preached there this
day, morning and evening, to good congregations. After the morning service,
I saw Mr. Richard Major, whom I formerly knew in the Kingsbridge Circuit.
He and his family have come to settle in Victoria. I met Mr. Ick also, a long
standing Methodist from Antigua. He has arrived with a family of twelve to
share in the fortunes of Australia-Felix. I visited Mr. and Mrs. Henly,
formerly of Torquay, and other Devonians, at his house. These new arrivals
little know of the difficulties they will have to contend with in this, as yet,
unsettled country. The colony, from a number of causes, is in a fearfully ab-
normal condition : an unwelcome contrast to the quiet, prosaic sort of life, these
friends had been accustomed to in their English and West Indian homes.'

^ Feb. \8th. — At the invitation of the Rev. Isaac Harding, I preached to-day
in the Yarra Street Church, Geelong, the annual sermons in aid of the Trust
Funds.'

This being my first visit, Mr. Harding took me to see a few of the
principal friends — Mr. and Mrs. John Lowe, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas
Forster, Mr. and Mrs. E-ix, and some others. Of tliis visit, my
Journal says : —

' There were good congregations, and a fruitful effort in finance. Mr.
Harding entertained Mrs. Bickford and myself with much Chi'istian kindness.
Geelong and the surroundings are very picturesque and beautiful. It well

142 JAMES BICKFORD : AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

deserves to rank as the second place in the colony. I like our Weslej'an friends
in Geelong very much. They are a hearty and sensible people. I should think
they are a happy flock to shepherd, with truth and grace.'

^Fei. 2StJt. — Special efforts at Little Brighton this evening for meeting the
expense of stuccoing the church. Mr. T. Vasey, from CoUingwood, presided.
The debt altogether v/as £85, which we raised. Mr. Hurlstone, senr., gave £20.'

1857.

At the Sydney Conference, held in January last, under the New
Constitution, great changes were made in the appointments of several
of the senior ministers. Those which most affected Victoria and
South Australia, were changes in the positions of the Rev. William
Butters and the Rev. D. J. Draper. These zealous and able men
had been for some years respectively in Melbourne and Adelaide, and
it was felt by the Conference that a change was desirable. On
February lith, a breakfast- meeting was held at the ' Home ' as a
farewell recognition of Mr. Butters' mportant services in Victoria.
We presented to our ex-Chairman a valuable gold watch and a
massive chain, with an appropriate address. The Rev. Mr. Chase
(Anglican) and the Rev. Dr. McKay (Scotch Free Church) were
present with us. Mi-. Butters' reply was manly, affectionate and
broad, but evidencing deep emotional feeling at his leaving us for
another field of labour.

Church Extension had been our keynote since our advent to this
Cii'cuit. But now the time was come for church solicUfication, by
erecting inexpensive buildings for ' church and school ' purposes in
the localities we had taken up. On March 20th, therefore, I rode
up to Beaumaris, and laid the first block on which the sill of the
new building would rest. We came into this neighbourhood before
any other religious body showed any interest in the spiritual welfare
of the people or of their children. By precedence of action, therefore,
this place belongs to us.

' The same process has begun at Oakleigh. I have been over, and accepted a
tender for erecting a " church-schoolhouse." There is a Building Committee,
who will see the work faithfully carried out. Our heads and hands are getting
quite full of enterprises connected with the Church in this Circuit. And God
will bless the work.'

' March '3rd. — Educational progress is the order of the day. This morning I
went to Melbourne to see Mr. Colin Campbell, the Secretary of the Board of
Denominational Education, that I might apply (1) for a master's and sewing-
mistress' salary for East Brighton ; (2) for a sewing-mistress' salary for

.-1 USTEALIA. 143

Moorabbin ; (3) for a master's and sewing-mistress" salary for Brighton. There
is nothing like having " plenty of irons in the fire." I find it alike good for
body and soul to be always pushing, always employed, I have just concluded
my quarterly visit to the day schools, and find them in a satisfactory
condition.'

' Ajfril 1st. — God's own daj% and preached three times us usual. After the
service at Moorabbin, a fine young man came to me for an interview. He told
me that he had been five years in the colony, and had been only once in a place
of worship before that very day. But the Lord had brought him there, he said,
and he was determined to serve Him. He is a native of Hampshire, and I
judge he had known of the grace of God before at the parental home. The
sermon was founded on Titus iii. 4-7, and powerfully touched the young man's
conscience.'

^ April ftth. — The Rev. D.J. Draper opened our little church at Beaumaris
to-day. The place was packed ; I could not even get a seat inside myself. Our
friend, Dr. MacNicol, from St. Kilda, presided at the after meeting.'

' April I6th. —How the work grows ! " More preachers ! " is the cry from every
pari of the colony. Mr. Draper has a wonderful faculty for detecting moral
and mental worth in young men, when they come in his way. Joseph Dare
(afterwards Dr. Dare) was one of his captures in Adelaide, and now his keen
scent for labourers has brought him into contact with a young man of the name
of Dyson, whom Mr. Draper thinks God has called for the work. We had a
special meeting of ministers, and examined the young man, and approved of his
being employed in the Castlemaine Circuit.

' I afterwards attended a meeting in the Mechanics' Institute, called by some
influential citizens, for protesting against the influx of Chinese into the colonj".
It was a noisy and disgraceful meeting, and could have no effect in the direction
sought. It was so one-sided, and so narrow, that I do not see how any just and
cosmopolitan Englishmen could side with the speakers.

' The inevitable tea and public meeting were held. Charles Stone, Esq., took
the chair, and Messrs. Reynolds, Barker, and Sykes addressed the after meeting.
The people expressed their gratitude to us for our attention to themselves and
their children. Mr. Reynolds has been appointed as master of the school.'

' Jlay 2Sth. — ^Our financial economy for carrying on and extending the work
is being rapidly developed. The present move is for establishing a " Church
Extension Fund," so that we may be able to overtake certain Counexional and
Circuit funds. I think this effort first took form in the Brighton Circuit, when
the Revs. D. J. Draper and J. S. Waugh preached the sermons. At the public
meeting subsequently held, the Rev. J. Egglestone was the chief speaker, and
eloquently pleaded for the people's practical sympathy. We collected in all
£21 10s. for the fund.'

* Jkiw oth. — I rode over to Oakleigh on business connected with the new
church and school. On my way back my good horse " Rusty " fell, and caught
my right leg under him. I extricated myself, but not until I had felt the heavy
pressure of the sprawUng beast in a most painful manner. I feared at first that
I had sustained serious injury ; but, after a while, I was able to remount and
pursue my way, I turned aside to visit a " backslider," upon whom the hand of
God was laid. He was penitent, and before I left him he promised to retrace
his steps to the good old way. i.e. his church.'

144 JAMES BICKFORB: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

' June 1th. — A bit of busli mission work again to day. I rode to Kingstown,
and preached to fourteen adults and seven children. This is charity and mercy
too. Leave bush settlers to themselves, and they rapidly degenerate, and in the
end become dangerous elements to the peace of the social body. It is in such
accidental groupings of men, far av?ay from the influences of civilisation and
religion, where the class known as "bushrangers" are manufactured. Are they
not, under such conditions, more to be pitied than shunned .' '

' June 8tJi. — This day I buried the mortal remains of the late James Hurlstone.
He died in the Lord.'

' Jnly 8th. — I have now completed twelve months' work in this Circuit. We
have had both enlargement and prosperity. I have preached two hundred and
thirty-two times ; pastorised the Circuit with regularity and fidelity ; looked
after every matter, great and small, with assiduity and carefulness ; have made
many friends, and, thank God, not one single enemy.'

The record of the remainder of my work in the Brighton Circuit
was but matter of routine ; and only such incidents as are of an
important or pviblic natui'e will now be noticed.

' August 6th. — I preached at Williamstown yesterday in aid of the Church
Extension Fund ; and this morning the resident minister and I called upon
Mr. and Mrs. Mason and other friends. We afterwards went to see the un-
fortunate convicts, as they were working in "chain-gangs." I felt a deep,
deep sorrow for them. It seemed to me that this so-called "Prison Discipline,"
instead of being corrective and reformatory, must have the contrary effect. And
the " life-long "' sentenced men, in particular, must become yet more hardened,
because for them there is no hope in this life. Good for such men if they had
not been born.

' At the public meeting held in the evening a Captain McKay presided. The
Rev. D. J. Draper made an excellent speech. The collection was £15.'

Sept. ith. — The Rev. J. S. Waugh, the Superintendent of St. Kilda
Circuit, became mi;ch interested in a young local preacher, who was
resident therein, of the name of Samuel Knight. Mr. Waugh was
impressed that he had both the piety and the gifts for becoming a
minister of our body. He accordingly sent him up to Brighton, that
I might hear him, and advise upon the case. Mr. Knight came and
preached. My Journal note is the following : —

' Mr. Knight, from St. Kilda, preached here this evening on the " new birth."
He is a promising young man ; and, judging from appearances, as a whole, I
think we should encourage him to prep.ire for the full work of the Ministry.'

' Sept. lifh. — I buried at Beaumaris the remains of my second cousin, Sarah
Jane Moj'sey, who was just eight years of age. Her knowledge of Christ's
hi.-tory was wonderful, and she loved Him as only a regenerated heart could.
The most constant couplet upon her lips was : " I the chief of sinners am ; — but
Jesus died for me." She was the first ripe fruit gathered from the children'*
" iiock " at Beaumaris.'

i^!||!^;^liPy /

AUSTRALIA. 145

' Oct. 2U•^— The Rev. J. W. Crisp preached here this evening, and at the
after prayer meeting five dear young sisters came up to the communion rails, and
found peace with God. Miss Elizabeth Baker led the way.'

' Oct. 26^/*.— Church Extension towards Western Port. Preached at Mr.
Patterson's station, to settlers who came from miles round to hear the Gospel.
I was much impi-essed that it was our dutj' to establish religious worship at
Dandenong and Western Port. Mr. Sykes accompanied me.'

' Xov. 23/y/. — To-day the New Constitution was proclaimed, and we have
now " Responsible Government." Thanks to Providence, we shall be out of
the " leading strings " of the Colonial Office, and be directly responsible ta
the Crown.' *

• Xov. 2'6th. — The Annual District Meeting was commenced this day in Geelong,.
under the presidency of the Rev. D. J. Draper. I was elected Secretary of the
District, and the Rev. William Hill, Assistant Secretary. On this day, too, the
Rev. W. L. Binks, Mrs. Binks and child, and the Rev. George B. Richards and
Mrs. Richards arrived from England. The reception of these honoured brethren;
by the District Meeting was most hearty. Thomas James, originally from near
Lelant, Cornwall, was received as a candidate for our Ministry. He approved
he said, of the Constitution of the old Bodj^ and desired to exercise his ministry
under the direction of the Australasian Conference. The increase in all depart-
ments of the work was most encouraging. We were in session until December
4th, when the Minutes were read and signed. The Binkses came to Brighton
to remain with us until they were appointed to a Circuit.'

1856.

' Jan. drd. — Church Extension is still our " Watchword." This day. Rev.
Binks, Mr. T. Rej'nolds, Mr. W. Head, and I visited Wellington, Mordiallock,
and Damper Springs, with the view of providing the inhabitants with religious
ordinances. We met with much encoiu-agement, and resolved that services
should be commenced the very next Sabbath.'

'Jan. ith. — The funeral of the late Governor, Sir Charles Hotham, took place.
There were many thousands of persons watching with mournful looks the
procession, as it passed from Toorak to the Melbourne Cemetery. The adminis-
tration of His Excellency had not been a success, through a want of adaptedness
for ruling over the democratic population of the colony. In the department of
public service, which he had chosen, and for which he had been trained, doubt-
less he did as well as any of his compeers ; but the qualities for governing a free

* The New Constitution had been prepared by the old Legislative Council for
endorsement by the Crown. It provided for two elective chambers. Thus
nomineeism was for ever dismissed. We had some very able colonial statesmen
at that time, among whom may be mentioned Sir William Stawell, Mr. Fellows,
Sir Charles Sladen, Mr. W. C. Haines, Mr. Ireland, and Sir John O'Shanassy.
Mr. R. Heales, Sir Graham Berry, Sir James MacCuUoch, Mr. Higinbotham, and
Ml-. James Service had not then come to the front. Mr. Haines was the first
Premier under the New Constitution.

10

146 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

and independent province he did not possess. He did his best, but it was a poor
best. He was too " high-metalled" to be an acceptable Colonial Governor.
Civilians are better adajited for the position than military men can ever be :
especially if they have had some years of experience in the English House oi
Commons.'

'•/««. ^th. — Held the Quarterly Meeting, and we decided that the junior
minister, the Rev. John Catterall, should reside at Moorabbin, and l)e charged
with the pastoral care of that part of the Circuit.'

^ Jan. 2Uh. — The Second Australasian Conference was commenced in Mel-
bourne to-day. The Rev. W. B. Boyce, who had been appointed by the English
Conference, presided. The Rev. W. Butters was elected Secretary. There were
about thirty brethren present.'

' Feb. dth. — The Conference was closed. The formality of reading and
signing the Minutes was observed as in the English Conference, all the brethren
standing when the President and Secretary affixed signatures. Upon the whole
it was a fairly successful Conference.'

' Feb. ISth. — We are making a beginning at Dandenong. Mr. Binks and I
this day have been over and laid the first of the corner blocks for the new
building. We knelt down upon the grass, and Mr. Binks fervently prayed to
the Heavenly Father for His favour upon the undertaking.'

^ March ISth. — The Rev. J. S. Waugh opened the church-schoolhouse at
Dandenong to-day. Mr, and Mrs. James Webb, James Webb, junr., Mrs. Bick-
iord, and I made up the party from Brighton. We had an excellent sermon from
Mr. Waugh, and a large congregation. Mr. Webb presided at the after meeting,
and Mr. Waugh and I addressed the audience. It being St. Patrick's Day, Mr.
Waugh took for his subject the Irish saint and the evangelist of Ireland. The
people were greatly interested.'

Ma^/ Q)th. — I quote in full from my Journal under this date : —

' I am this day forty years of age. I have therefore reached the meridian of
life. I now feel that, with my constitution, it behoves me steadfastly to look at
this fact, and prepare for those yet undeveloped events which may occur in the
■course of God's providence. " If I live, I live unto the Lord ; if I die, I die unto
the Lord : living or dying, I am the Lord's."

' " 0 may life show forth His praise,
Who died a shameful death, to raise

A rebel to His throne :
May every act, and thought, and word
Be to the glory of my Lord ;

I'd live to God alone."

This day I have given myself anew to God and His Church. The Lord help
me ! '

' May XWt. — Old Mrs. Wellard died to-day. She had been a member for
over sixty years, and received her first ticket from AVesley himself. Her sheet
anchor in her dying hour was Rom. iv. 5 : " But to him that worketh not,
but bclieveth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for

A USTRALIA. 147

righteousness." Her views of personal acceptance through the great atonement
were as clear as sunlight. I never saw a happier death.'

'■ Jvnc 8th. — Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? The aged Mrs.
Sykes is gone. She lived without God for more than eighty-four years, and
then she was awakened to a deep sense of her danger, and she sought
salvation and died in peace. An answer to her son's prayers, I have no
doubt.'

'June Wth. — This night that dear young Christian, Elizabeth Baker, departed
this life in the faith and hope of Christ. She had been laid aside ten whole
months, during which period I saw her once or twice a week. Only on one
occasion did she manifest a want of resignation to the will of the Heavenly
Father ; — when, seeing her younger sister and a number of young ladies going
out for the Sunday school picnic, she exclaimed: " Oh, that I could go ! Is it not
hard that I should be denied this pleasure ? " But it was only for a moment.
Tlie feeling of impatience passed off, and never again did she show anything
but the completest resignation. Her early happy death created a salutary
impression amongst the young people of the Brighton Church.'

' June 2.5^//.— Thank God for good news. We have just heard that on March
30th, at Paris, the plenipotentiaries of England, France, Austria, Prussia, Russia,
Sardinia, and Turkey have signed the " Treaty of Peace." But why could not
these Powers have agreed to keep the peace, and thus escaped the great wicked-
ness of going to war at all ? '

^ Jidy oth. — To-day the mortal remains of the Rev. Walter Tregelles were
buried in the Melbourne Cemetery. All the ministers in and about Melbourne
were present. Mr. Draper conducted the service at the grave.'

^ Aug lath. — This morning at 4 o'clock, Mr. Edwin A. Bignell, formerly
of Kingsbridge, Devon, died of chronic imflammation of the kidneys. His
sufferings were intense. I was with him all through his last illness, and 1
believe his end was peace. Mrs. Bignell and her large family had arrived only
fourteen days before this bereavement came upon them. But they will have
many sympathising and helping friends.'

'Auf/ldth. — We are now electing members for the Southern Province
under the New Constitution. There were eleven candidates, for five of whom I
voted. May God be gracious to this land ! '

A^ov. 1st. — Not having yet seen Ballarat, I accepted an invitation to
the cii-cuit in the interests of our Foreign Missions. I left Melbourne
by Cobb & Co.'s coach. We started from Bourke Street with splendid
horses, and turning by the Post Office we went up Elizabeth Street
at great speed. We went through Bacchus Marsh, where I saw the
finest field of English clover my eyes had ever beheld. Somewhere
about the Black Hill we had the trouble of being bogged, in an
attempt to rush through a water-soaked gully. The two leaders
turned quick round, broke the pole, and became so entangled with
the wheel horses, so that we were in danger of making no fiu-ther
progress for the day — ' Every one off the coach,' cried the driver,

J 48 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

' and help to get the horses free.' We all helped as desired, repaired
the damages as far as possible, and, after perhaps an hour's detention,
we made another start. We at last reached the ' Spread Eagle,'
where man and beast were alike refreshed. I now commenced a
conversation with the driver on the profanity of the language he had
been using all the way from Melbourne. I reminded him that he
ought to have some regard to the feelings of his passengers. Instead
of turning upon me with abuse, he frankly acknowledged the badness
of the habit, and apologised for his ill manners. I engaged to nudge
him each time during the rest of the journey if he broke out, and,
bv the time we had got to Ballai-at, I had almost cured him of his
profanity. He was a CanacUan by birth, and, I think, from certain
admissions he made, he had been religiously brought up.

The journey from Melbourne to Ballarat was about one hundred
miles ; and I must say that it was the roughest I ever undertook.
That we reached, late at night, the great Goldfield at all, with sound
limbs and decent apparel, is to me a wonder.

I was the welcomed guest of the Rev. Theophilus and Mrs. Taylor
—the one, a man of fine intellectual powers and a great pioneer
worker ; the other, a beautiful specimen of the real English lady in
manners and hospitality. They were well-yoked ; di'awing together
with loving unity in carrying on the Lord's work.

Nov. 3rd. — I preached at the Township to about five hundred
persons. There was no choir, but a Mr. John Davy, one of the
miners, led the singing — and it was singing, such as those Cornish
men and women could render with unrivalled power. After the
sermon, I baptized several infant children, among whom were
' Cissy,' the firstborn of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor ; and a child of Mr.
and Mrs. W^illiam Couch, formerly of AventongifFord, Devon.

I attended missionary meetings at Creswick, Mount Pleasant,
Magpie, and Ballarat. On my return journey, I spent a Sabbath at
Geelong, and held religious services.

Nov. Idth. — To-day we finished the sessions of the District Meeting,
which had been held under the judicious guidance of Mr. Draper.
The routine business was soon disposed of, and in a highly satisfactory
manner.

The question of public education had already become crucial, and
it was therefore necessary that we, as a recognised ecclesiastical
educating ' body,' should put forth our views as to the general

AUSTRALIA. 149

principles and guards we were prepared to adopt. "We agreed to the
following : —

1. All schools supported in whole or in part by the State to be called • Public
Schools.'

2. Not less than four hours consecutively in each day shall be devoted to
secular instruction.

.3. A portion of the Bible to be read at the commencement or close of the
school, or both, and the school to be opened and closed with the Lord's Prayer,
or some form of prayer approved by the Local Board.

•i. No child required to be present during these religious exercises if the
parents (in writing) object to it.

.5. No attempt whatever to be made to disturb the particular religious tenets
of any sect, and no catechism peculiar to any Church to be used by the teacher.

6. That no person appointed as teacher in any school, without a certificate of
moral and religious character shall have been laid before the Local Board from
the minister of whose Church such teacher is a member.

7. That one minister of religion from each denomination to be, cv officio,
members of the Local Board, and permitted to give religious instruction on any
school day, according to previous arrangement during the period allotted to
religious instruction.

8. After a period to be named, no teacher shall be appointed to, or retained
in, any ' Public School ' who shall not have submitted to an examination, and
received a certificate of qualification from the Central Board of Education.

9. A Central Board of Education, consisting of five members representing the
different Churches, to have the direction of the education of the colony.

10. Public Schools to be open to the inspection of the Central Board. l)ut only
in reference to secular teaching.

11. No school to be entirely built or supported by the State, except it be a
Normal Training School or Schools.

12. Provision to be made by the State for the gratuitous education of orphans,
and the children of destitute parents.

The debate which took place in the preparation of these resolutions
was earnest and able ; and I well remember Mr. Draper expressing
his regret that a shorthand writer was not present to take down the
speeches. Of course, it was assumed all through that the Denomina-
tional system was the only practicable one ; and, further, that it
was only in connection with those Churches which were willing to
expend both time and money in the work, that public education
could be carried on at all. This was certainly the prevailing conviction,
and all the conditions of the* question justified it. Such a resolution
as the ninth of the series could never have been passed in the absence
of such a beHef.

' Dec. 2Zrd. — Our new Governor, Sir Henry Barkly, arrived in Melbourne
to-day, accompanied by Lady Barkly and childi-en. We are fortunate in having

150 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Sir Henry appointed in succession to the late Sir Charles Hotham. Our New
Constitution requires further adaptation to the unique circumstances of the
colony. We want vote by ballot, manhood suffrage, the abolition of the pro-
perty qualification for the House of Assembly, the throwing open of large areas
of land for selection and settlement, before or after survey, as the Parliament
may decide, and the passing of a bill for legalising mining on private property.
Sir Henry Barkly is just the man to see what are the real exigencies of our social
and political environments, and he will be ever ready to assist the Council and
Assembly in making legislative provision for meeting them. I am sure of this,
that he will act judiciously, justly, and with due consideration in upholding alike
the prerogatives of the Crown and the rights of the people. To have had, in our
present circumstances, so wise, and strong, and good a man to rule over us, is
evidence to my mind of the continuous care and love of God over us in this new
and difficult country.'

1857.

' Jan. \st. — This day begins a new epoch in my laborious and anxious life.
The Christmas and New Year's festivals have been of deep interest to me. As
it respects my future, I use Wesley's own words, "Lord, I appeal to Thee." I
had the great pleasure of seeing Governor Barkly to-day. I found him as affable
and courteous as he used to be in Demerara several years ago. He answers
exactly my ideal of what the iinest type of an English gentleman Ls and should
always be.'

^ Jan. 20fJi. — We have a large addition to our ministerial staff by the arrival
from England of Messrs. King, Lough, Lane, Mayne, Fidler, Beasley, Dubourg,
Lloyd, and Dawson. Also Mr. and Mrs. Ingram and Mr. and Mrs. Hessell.
Misses King and Boundy were likewise of the party. They came by the Walmcr
Castle, and are all in gooil health.'

' Jfflw. 26^7(. — I preached at Dandenong aud Western Port. We have gathered
in some precious souls already in this extensive district, over whom I have
appointed as leader Mr. William Sykes, a man admirably adapted to the office.'

I carefully watched over the interests of the Brighton Circuit until
March .3rd, when my connection with it ceased. On the 6th, a tea
and public meeting were held to say farewell to Mrs. Bickford and
myself. Mr. Charles Stone presided, and Messrs. T. Wellard, John
Webb, James Barker, Edward Barker, W. Sykes, and T. Reynolds
addressed the meeting. A purse of fifty sovereigns was presented to
me in acknowledgment of the earnest service I had rendered in the
Circuit, and all felt deeply the sorrow of parting.

Ballarat.

I was appointed to the charge of this metropolitan Goldfields
Circuit by the Adelaide Conference. My colleagues were the Rev.
James W. Crisp, who was to reside at Creswick, and the Rev. Charles

AUSTRALIA. 151

Lane, who was to be my assistant in Ballarat. We arrived on the
evening of the 6tli of March, fi"ee from accident in travelHng from
Melbourne, vid Geelong, to the place of onr destination. At the
parsonage several friends had gathered to give us a hearty welcome.
Our cottage was of weatherboard, having six very small rooms ; and
most of the cooking, washing, etc., had to be done outside. But it
was as good as most people had, and better than many could get. In
the cold winters, we were almost blown away by the strong, gushing
winds which came up from the flats in the south ; and in the summer,
especially when we had hot winds fi'om the north, it was hard indeed
to endure the strain.

The ' Church Reserve ' had been turned into a ' paddock,' and was
well taken up by miners' tents ; whilst on the north side, about
halfway down the hill, was the Waterloo claim, sunk to between two
and three hundred feet deep, and was worked night and day by the
Company. Anything more unlike a decent Church establishment
could hardly be found under the sun. Our ' chiu'ch ' was a school-
house, into which were crowded from Sabbath to Sabbath some five
hundred j^eoplf- In this building also were conducted a Sabbath
and day school. Behind the building stood a cottage occupied by
Mr. and Mrs. George Knox, the master and mistress of the school.
Below the slope of the hill stood the tent of Mr. Dimsey, who was our
sexton, groom, and gardener. Eight in the centre of the * paddock '
was the large tent once occupied by Mr. John Hoiles and family,
but now used as a classroom on Sunday afternoons; Mr. Hoiles
himself being the leader. There was also a garden plot, worked by
Mr. Dimsey, whose privilege it was to grow vegetables for the
minister's family and for his own. There was also a rough stable on
the south of the parsonage, on the same level as itself, for the two
horses which had to be kept for working this part of the Circuit.

The ' Waterloo Company ' had entered into a contract with the
trustees for sinking a shaft inside the north fence, and to pay a
royalty of 2| per cent, on the net proceeds of the mine. But in
an evil hour another company started sinking a shaft on the out-
side of the south fence, intending, when they had bottomed, to woi'k
towards the centre of our ' paddock,' where the ' gutter ' lay, and the
gold was to be found. But this was strongly objected to by the
Waterloo Company, as it meant, according to the understood rules
of mining, intrusion and robbery. There was no law to regulate

152 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

such operations, consequently the Waterloo Company, the qibasi-\eg»\
occupiers of the gi-ound, determined to take the matter into their
own hands. During the dinner hour on a certain day, they went
across the ' paddock ' in a body, and took foi'cible possession of the
new shaft. They then broke down all the machinery and other
appliances, and threw the whole into the shaft, and then returned to
their own company's ground. The vigilant eyes of the pohce
watched the whole transaction, and, the next day or so, summonses
were issued against the leaders of the adventure. The presiding
magistrate, Mr. Clissold, gave it against them, and they were bound
over to take their trial in the Supreme Court. There was great
excitement thi'oughout the Goldfields ; and it was clearly seen that
the Parliament would have to pass some bill for regulating ' mining
on private property.'

The second day after my arrival, a public meeting, attended by
three thousand miners, was held in an open space outside Her
Majesty's gaol. The leading politicians of the district took the
question up, and spoke with great cogency and power. Resolutions
were passed condemnatory of the non-action of the Government, in
not having provided by Parliamentary intervention for the seiious
dif&culty which had arisen. Expressions of sympathy with the men
of the Waterloo Company, who had defended their just rights,
although in an improper manner, from invasion, were also heard.
Each miner in voting held up both hands, the effect of which was
very imposing. Mr. James Oddie, J.P., an influential citizen, and
I stood in the midst of this vast assemblage, and watched the
proceedings with intense interest.

The more I pondered over the case, the deeper was my conviction
that the px'osecution of the men ought to be abandoned. I therefore
wrote the Governor, Sir Henry Barkly, a long, confidential letter,
in which I pointed out the unchallenged fact that the ' Waterloo '
men had no other course open to them than that they had taken
for protecting their rights. And I asked for three concessions : * ( 1 )
That the Crown Prosecutor should be instructed by the Cabinet to
enter a nolle j)rosequi^ and so let the matter drop ; (2) That the
Government should immediately introduce a measure into Parliament
for validating agreements entered into between owneivs of private
property and mining companies; (3) That the Crown should demand
a small royalty on the net proceeds, so as to be a party to all such

AUSTRALIA. 153

contracts.' The prosecution never came off"; but nothing was clone to
prevent breaches of the peace in the future under like conditions.

Ballarat itself was an abnormal Goldfields town. The old land
and population marks have not been altogether obliterated by the
' civilization ' which has set in in these later years. There are still
old Golden Point, Gravel Pits, Specimen Hill, Black Hill, Bakery
Hill, Brown Hill, Soldiers' Hill, Mount Pleasant, and Canadian
Gully ; places and localities where much of the yellow dust used
to be gathered, and which has made Ballarat the wonder of the
world. Here also have been seen some of the grandest tiivimphs of
the grace of God ever witnessed. To be made the Superintendent,
i.e. ' Bishop,' of this great circuit, was at that time the heaviest
responsibility the Conference could have put upon me.

I soon found that I and my colleagues had much work cut out for
us. We were three men in full physical vigour, and were much in
earnest to ' spread scriptural holiness ' throughout the whole district.
The area was extensive, and may be thus described : from Mount
Bolton to Mount Egerton, and from Spring Hill to Scarsdale. Any
English county, with the exception of Yorkshire and Devonshire,
might be put within these outposts, leaving a pretty large margin
for unimportant excursions.

A few details from my Journal may be given : —

' March Sth. — I opened my commission by preaching at Magpie and Ballarat.
In the afternoon I visited the school, and found only a few children in
attendance.'

' Afarch 15th. — I rode out to the Warrenheip ' Sawmills,' some fourteen miles
from Ballarat. After much difficulty I found Mr. and Mrs. Biddle at this
place. I did not think at first I should be a welcome visitor, for Mr. and Mrs.
Biddle, before leaving England, had been strong partisans of the Everett
" reform " movement. On my way back to Ballarat, I fell in with a prize-fight.
It was a brutal sight. It was said that there were a thousand persons present.
I duly reported this breach of the law to the authorities.'

' Api-il nth. — This morning I heard of the melancholy death of Lady Barkly.
I wrote immediately a letter of condolence to Sir Henry. His repl.v was very
touching, and worthy of his fine character.'

' June 1st. — Preached twice at Creswick, and addressed the Sunday school in
the afternoon. Monday : Mr. Crisp and I walked out to Mangilla, the residence
of Mr. and Mrs. Whitfield Raw. Mr, Raw is our senior Circuit Steward. In
the afternoon we went to the top of " Cattle Station " hill, from which we saw
the historic " Seven Hills," innumerable dales, and extensive grassy plains. It
was a beautiful panorama. In the evening I rode to Ballarat, and was much
bewildered in my progress by the new fences which are springing up in every

154 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGBAPIIY.

direction, so rapid is the settlement of farms as the result of success in mining
in this matchless auriferous district.'

' June 2\th. — To-day I have ridden to Mount Mercer, Messrs. Crombie and
Davies' station. I preached to a small company in the hall, and formed a cla.ss
of six members. We agreed to build a church-schoolhouse at Harilie"s Hill,
on a site generously presented to the Conference by Mr. Thomas Dunstan. In
going and returning T visited a number of families, who received me with
thankfulness.'

' Sept. &th. — This day we consecrated to the worship of God the new church
at Lake Learmouth. May this the first sanctuary erected in the whole of this
extensive district, be filled as time rolls on with grateful and holj' worshippers 1
In the after part of the Sabbath I rode to Spring Vale, and held Divine service
in Mr. Maiden's barn. This neighbourhood is the most lovely I have seen in
England or Australia. It is perfectly "Edenic" in charm; and the soil is
lich indeed.'

' Sej)t. ViitJt. — This morning I preached at Mount Pleasant to a fine congrega-
tion. After which I rode to Durham Lead, and opened the new building for
the worship of God.'

• jVoc. 9th. — The holding of the Annual District Meeting was a welcome
relief to me from the toil and anxieties of the Ballarat Circuit. My travelling
companions to the meeting were Messrs. Crisp and Lane. The coach was
driven over to the Parsonage that we might be sure of seats. Our final start
was from the '• Charlie Napier," in the main road or street, then up Specimen
Hill, and away to Melbourne, via Warrenheip. We were sixteen passengers in
all. Everything, except the severe " bumping," went on well until we were
some ten miles on our journey. Our driver was one of those venturous Americans,
who, in those days, were the " whips " between the Goldfields and the city. I
fear the optic nerve of our "Jehu " had been disturbed, so that its measuring
faculty was at fault, for, unexpectedly to us, at least, we had an unpleasant
capsize through his driving against a " stump." An immediate spring by the
inside passengers, though the uppermost window-door, was an amusing sight,
There was but one slight injury, the remainder escaped with a fright and
shaking. All helped to right the coach, when the horses were re-harnessed,
and we made another start. We had other casualties, such as the breaking of
the linchpin ; and the aft wheels were on fire through the want of grease for
several miles, as we neared the end of our journey. However, we got into
Melbourne at last, and thankful we were that nothing more serious had
happened than the breakage and fire before noticed.'

From the 10th to the 18th of Kovember we were engaged in the
District Meeting ; the Rev. D. J. Draper, Chairman, and the
Rev. W. L. Binks, Secretary. No business of special importance
came up, and the sessions were pleasantly passed. Messrs. Draper,
Binks, and I were elected as representatives to the ensuing Con-
ference. Mr. Lane and I returned to Ballarat on the 20th, safe
and well.

' Bre. 20f7t.— To-day we have at Miners' Rest and Wendouree consecrated to

AUSTRALIA. 155

the Lord two additional places of worship. I preached again in the evening at
Ballarat. It was a hard day's work. The cause is prospering in our hands,
which sweetens the toil.'

1858.

The Ballarat Golclfields were discovered in 1851, from which period
the population steadily increased. The time, therefore, appeared to
have come for erecting a building in the township for accommodating
from twelve to fifteen hundi-ed persons. We supposed the cost would
be some ,£4,000. The necessary steps were accordingly taken for in-
augurating a financial scheme for accomplishing our object. A tea
and public meeting were held, presided over by the Rev. TheophOus
Taylor, at which over seven hundred pounds were subscribed.

Jan. \Wi.- — ^The foundation-stone was laid by Sir Henry Barkly,
when from fifteen to twenty thousand persons assembled from all
parts of the district to welcome the Governor, who that day was to
make his first entry into the metropolitan Goldfield. It was a day
of great rejoicing for his suave bearing and his able speeches. The
trustees of the new church, Messrs. Oddie, Doane, Creber, Francis,
and Couch, to mark their appreciation of the kind services of Sir
Henry, presented him with a suitably inscribed trowel, made of
Ballarat gold, whose handle of native wood was ornamented with small
quartz nuggets, most artistically arranged. The Building Committee,
consisting of fifteen gentlemen, acted with commendable generosity
in the presentation of this valuable memento to His Excellency, in
association with the trustees.

The ' stone,' having been ' well and truly laid,' by Sii- Henry, he
gave to the surrounding crowd an excellent address, in which he
complimented the Ballarat Methodist Church for its zeal in undei*-
taking, in the general mterests of that large district, the erection of so
costly a builchng. He also spoke of the sincere pleasure he felt in
meeting again his former friend, the Rev. James Bickford, whom he
had known and esteemed as a Christian minister in the colony of
British Guiana, when he was Governor there some few years before.
Other speeches followed, and the ceremony of stone-laying was
over.

At 5 p.m. on the same da)^, I left by coach for Melbourne, and took
the steamer the day following for Hobart, Tasmania, to fulfil my duty

156 JAMES niCKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPIIl.

as one of the representatives of the Victoria District to the Austral-
asian Conference. I arrived on the 22nd, and entered the Conference
at 2.30 p.m., and was heartily welcomed hy the Reverend President
Butters and the assembled brethren. I preached at O'Brien's Bridge,
at Melville Street, and, on my way home, at Launceston. The
President's official sermon was delivered befoi-e the Confei-ence and a
large audience on the evening of the 27th, for which he received the
hearty thanks of the Conference. I left Launceston by steamer on
February 9th. Mr. and Mrs. Allan Camei-on, formerly of Demerara,
Mr. Norman, and Mr. John Munroe, came on board to wish me hon
voyage. On the 12th, I reached Ballarat, and found all well at home.

March 25th. — The new chiu'ch at Black Lead was opened. Mr.
Roberts, a Welsh lay -preacher, and I officiated. I baptized eleven
children in connection with the service. On the 29th, we held a tea
and public meeting at Spring Hill, and paid off the church debt. On
the 30th, a similar effort was made at Belfast in aid of the new
church-schoolhouse erected there.

Jlay 15th. — At the request of the Building Committee, I have
been to Melbourne financially to arrange for carrying out our great
enterprise at the Township. Mr. Draper accompanied me to see Mr.
Henry Miller, the responsible manager of the Bank of Victoria, in
the colony. Mr. Miller, when he found it was a Church transaction
we were seeking accommodation for, unhesitatingly granted our
request. I returned to Ballarat with ' a light heart,' in possession
of a letter to Mr. Robertson, the local manager, to honour our
cheques for the new building.

July 18th. — A memorable day for Ballarat. The Rev. Mr. Draper
came up from Melbourne, and dedicated our beautiful church to the
worship of God. At the public meeting on the 19th, we raised
.£341 9s. 7(1. On the 25th, the Rev. Joseph Dare, from SancUiurst,
preached twice. At the prayer meeting, at the close of the evening
service, several penitents came forward to seek salvation. Every one
of us present felt that the ' Ai-k of the Covenant ' was ' in the house
of the Lord.' Mr. Dare also gave us, on the 26th, an able lecture on
the adaptability of the Methodist Church to the condition and spiritual
needs of our Australian population. In writing to Mr. Draper, re
Mr. Dare's visit and service, I gave as my opinion, that the reverend
preacher, at whose feet I had been sitting, would be the future
'Robert Newton' of the Australasian Methodist Church.

AUSTIiALIA. 157

' Sept. \Wi. — I improved this evening the melancholy death of Hugh Ander-
son, who was killcil behind the "Charlie Napier." There were about one
thousand persons crowded into the church. A black man, from Jamaica, is
accused of the murder of Anderson, but he accused two others, whose names he
has given.'

' Oct. Srd. — A hard day's work. I preached twice at the Township : baptized
seven children, and married a couple. There were one hundred and fifty com-
municants at the Lord's Supper at the close of the public service.'

' Oct. 2lst. — This evening I gave a lecture at Durham Lead on Total Abstinence.
Seventeen took the pledge.'

I much regret that I cUd not, Avhen I was a missionary, give some
portion of my time to this branch of Christian work, as well as to
preaching the Gospeh

I^ov. 1st. — I attended in Melbourne Gaol the execution of Thomp-
son and Gibbs. Both died protesting their innocence. If really
so, would not the pitying Christ, who saved the malefactor on the
Cross, show mercy to them also 1 I had previously visited both in
gaol, and tx-ied to prepare them for the dreadful death the law had
condemned them to.

I^^ov. 2nd. — The District Meeting commenced in Melbourne. Mr.
Draper presided, and the Rev. T. Williams was elected Secretary.
The business was soon despatched in a satisfactory manner.

I^ov. 27th. — At Mr. Draper's request I went to Ararat to assist
the Rev. W. Woodall to establish this new circuit. At Fiery Creek I
found that there had been no religious service for over two years.
I \n.sited, in order, Pleasant Creek, and held service in a calico
building ; Great Western, Cathcart, and Ararat. I preached six
times, met five Societies, and pastorised several families. I decided
that Mr. Woodall should, for the present, reside at Great Western
Diggings, it being central to his work. He has a fine, unchallenged
field for his ministrations, and ' no adversaries.' The people through-
out this scattered district seemed to ' esteem him highly for his
work's sake.'

Dec. 10th. — This evening a public reception meeting was given to
the Rev. Thomas Binney, from London, Mr. Oddie presided. The
resolution of welcome was moved by me, and seconded by the Rev.
Cooper Searle (Anglican). Mr. Binney's reply was grand and good.
We were all vastly interested. On the evening of the 12th he
preached in our new church, it being the largest in Ballarat. My
Journal jotting of this service says : —

' The building was thronged, and hundreds had to go away, being unable to

158 JAMES BICKFORD : AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

get within hearing distance of the great preacher. His text was : •' And every
man stood in his place." Mr. Binney exhibited a profound acquaintance with
human nature, and gave us wise lessons on our duty in this new country. " I
never preached," said he. "to such a congregation before. There is not an old
man amongst them. The best sinew and brains from the Mother-land are
gathered together here. Their intelligence and force of character beam in their
very countenances."

It was a grand service. At its close, the Lord's Supper was
administered.

1859.

' Jan. ith. — A great shadow has fallen upon us. Mr. Taylor's health had
failed under the heavy labours of establishing the Ballarat Circuit. He died
this morning in the presence of Mrs. Taylor, Rev. C. Lane, and myself, without
a struggle. His end was peace.

' About ten days before this melancholy incident occurred, he opened his mind
to me as follows : Now that death was rapidly approaching him, he felt, he
said, no fear. His soul was full of gratitude, and thankfulness, and peace. If
the Lord were to put it to him whether he would prefer to die or live, his
preference would be the former. The glory at God's right hand he longed to
enjoy. He had been, he said, reserved in his communications to others of
his experience of religion. He had considered it too sacred a thing to be talked
about. He had had, nevertheless, a " spring under a spring ; " the upper had
been his official life and through that he had gone without fear or timidity. No
hesitation or hanging back had ever marked that department of his life ; whilst
underneath it had lain " a spring " of sweet enjoyment and strength. This was
unseen, and often it had been thought that his was an official piety, but it was
not so, " I could never be converted in those meetings yonder ; ' it pleased God
to reveal the Son in me ' was the manner of my conversion, and in secret. I
shouted for hours, ' Glory ! Glory ! ' My soul was full to overflowing. I feel it
now, although my disease considerably affects my mind and gives it a false
colouring, and makes me irritable. But I am on the Rock — I give up all to
Him — I am safe." We knelt down and prayed. It was a deeply solemn time.
Mr. Taylor's responses were clear, hearty, and appropriate.'

' Jan. 6th. — The funeral of our late brother, Mr. Taylor, took place to-day.
After an affecting service in the church, we proceeded to the New Cemetery,
Creswick Road, and laid all that was mortal of this pioneer preacher on the
Goldfields in their last earthly resting-place. There was a great assemblage of
mourners of all denominations, who were anxious to show their love and
respect for this faithful servant of God. On the 9th, I improved the death of
our dear departed brother. My text was Isaiah xl. 6, 7, 8. Mrs. Taylor was
graciously sustained throughout all the distressing incidents, thus briefly stated,
by the presence and love of Him who is the widow's Husband and the Father of
the orphaned.'

' F/ih. IGth. — To-day I opened the new church at Clunes for Divine worship.
We raised at the public meeting on the Monday £120 towards the expense of
the building '

AUSTRALIA. 159

' March Wi. — The Rev. William Hill, from Geelong, visited us for our Town-
ship Sunday School Anniversary. He preached two eloquent and suitable
sermons to large congi-egations. The collections on the Sunday and on the
Monday evening showed the great interest the people took in Sunday School
work. The Conference of this year appointed the Rev. J. G. Millard, of Sydney,
as my colleague. He comes to us with the reputation of being an able preacher,
and a successful soul- winner.'

In the settlement of some of our agricultural districts, serious
misunderstandings frequently arose among the purchasers, or lessees,
in relation to the boundaries of each other's holdings of fee-simples.
I felt that it was quite -within the scope of my duties, as a minister
of peace and righteousness, to assist in preventing as much as possible
expensive litigation amongst such parties. Besides these, misunder-
standings often arose among members of our own church, who, with
their families, had settled on small farms bounded by each other's
farms ; having only logs of wood, ' dog-leg ' fences, or post and
rail, for dividing between them. Such a condition of things only
made mischief in the midst of the families in their relation to each
other.

Notwithstanding the enormous calls upon our people on the Gold-
iields for local contributions, they could not ignore the obligation we
owed as a prosperous branch of the Australasian Church to our
Foreign Missions. In recently making up the returns for the
Ballarat Circuit, I was thankful to find that the noble sum of
^301 4s. 6d. had been raised. I had been, during the quarter, as a
deputation in the interests of the missions to the Carisbrook and
Castlemaine Circuits, where I found amongst the ministers and con-
gregations a fine missionary spirit.

The wear and tear of mining life, especially in the deep sinkings
of Ballarat, soon brought to the painful notice of the leading men
of the city, the necessity there was for some generous provision of a
benevolent kind being made for an increasingly large increment of
prematurely old, unfortunate, and indigent persons within the dis-
trict. Private funds under the direction of a large committee, had
been distributed for a few years as occasion required ; but this, as a
means of out-of-door relief, was found to be altogether unsatisfactory.
It may appear somewhat invidious to mention anyone's name in
particular when so many nobly helped ; still the name of ' James
Oddie ' cannot be overlooked. To him, more than to any other

160 JAMES BICKFORB: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

gentleman of that time are we indebted for the capacious and hand-
some building, known as the Ballarat Benevolent Asylum, in the
■western part of the city. On the occasion of the lapng the founda-
tion stone, on March 17th, by Mr. Oddie, there were about five
thousand persons present. The Revs. Messrs. Potter (Anglican),
Henderson (Presbyterian), and I, gave addresses on the duties and
privileges of Christian benevolence. The cosmopolitan objects of the
institution commended it to the paternal assistance of the Govern-
ment, whose aid was generously rendered.

''March l^th (8 a.m.) — I was at Mount Mercer Station, and after family
worship with Mr. and Mrs. Cromby, I came over to Hardie's Hill, and marked
oflE the land given by Mr. King for the new school-house. Messrs. Wilson,
Dunstan, Thomas, and Eoach were with me. We all knelt down on the
ground, and prayed that God would bless the project. It being the end of
the quarter, I visited the Durham Lead, Magpie, and Mount Pleasant Day
Schools on my way back to Ballarat.

Our greatest ecclesiastical event of this year was the division of
the circuit, by forming into a new charge Creswick, Spring HUl,
Clunes, Mount Bolton, and Lake Learmouth. The Rev. George
Daniel was appointed superintendent, with the Rev. Charles Lane
as his colleague. The Conference had been generous in its gifts,
for both ministers ranked among our best men. The Quarterly Meet-
ing for carrying this division into effect was held at Creswick on
April 4th. There was a large attendance, and forty-two brethren
sat down to a real English dinner of roast beef and plum pudding.
The arrangement of the finances took up a great deal of time, and
we found that we had a deficiency of <£51 10^. 8d. This amount the
Ballarat Circuit agreed to take over. We appointed stewards for
both circuits, and broke up in harmony. It was not a case of the
stronger throwing ofi" the weaker, but of mutual adjustment in
the common interest of the cause. Six day schools went ofi" with the
division. We agreed that the Rev. J. G. Millard should reside at
Billarat East, and that his salary should be £300 per annum.

' AjJi'il ISth. — Mr. and Mrs. Millard, four children, and servant arrived in
Ballarat. The Stewards not having as yet provided a house, we took them in,,
and did our best to make them feel at home with us.'

' Api'il 20th. — We had a reception meeting for Mr. Millard. About four
hundred persons sat down to tea. It was a capital meeting, and realised
£20 16.V. towards Mr. Millard's removal expenses from Sydney to Ballarat.
During the evening Mr. Daniel arrived from Geelong on his way to Creswick.

AUSTRALIA. 161

He was lamod through the upsetting of the eoaeb. it was v/cll that he escaped
with so little hurt.'

' Mnij 2ifh. — A busy day as usual. I went to the hospital and admitted ten
applicants, and dismissed five or six. I called on Widows Barker and Evans.
In the afternoon I rode out to the Warrenheip railway works to the chui'ch
opening services. We had a fine meeting, and paid off the whole cost of the
building. Messrs. Guthridge and Little have liberally helped us in making a
home for a Methodist Church at this station.'

• Jiinr '2nd. — -The Rev. Mr. Buzacott, a London missionarj', from the South
Seas, preached this evening and interested us greatly. We made a collection of
£o 10^., which was handed to him for his glorious mission. Mr. George Howe,
of the George Hotel, whom I have been visiting for some weeks in his great
illnei'S, took the Sacrament from me to-day. God is Showing him His salvation.'

On the 4th Mr. Howe died. I was much distressed at not seeing
him again. ' Saved by mercy ' I humbly believe. Mrs. Bickfoid
and I went to the ' house of mourning ' to condole with Mrs. Howe.
Her dear Lucy came home too late to see her father alive. It was
a crushing sorrow for the child. On the 7th the mortal remains of
my late friend were interred. The Rev. C. Searle (Anglican) read
at the grave the usual service, and I addressed the sympathising
audience, and offered extempore pi-ayer. I was very unwell after-
wards, and had to call in Dr. Nicholson. My pulse was 106 degrees.
On the 8th I was too ill to leave my room.

'■ Julji 25tJi. — I have had severe headache all day, occasioned by the cold of
yesterday and heavy labours. In the evening I met my Bible class. I am
won-ied almost out of my life with our day schools. Under this Denominational
System we have to find all the buildings and appurtenances, appoint and
superintend the teachers, examine and report on the condition of the schools,
and preside at all meetings of the Local Boards. In this district I am myself
the GoiTesponding Secretary with the Central Board in Melbourne of some
fifteen or twenty schools ; have to examine and sign all returns, receive the
grants, and pay the teachers their salaries. Large packages of books and ^;?aK^
come to me, for which I have to account from quarter to quarter to the Central
Board. Indeed, it is a heavy burden — a trouhlesvnw " department " — requiring
much time and method of action to keep matters straight.

' My pastoral and preaching duties are almost as nothing compared wiih. the
constant attention and care these schools impose on me. I wish that I could
be rid of this burden by some new legislation, through which the churches
would be freed from all further connection with so responsible and thankless
a work. i\Iy fi'iend, Mr. James Bonwick, is the District Inspector, but his
duties are quite distinct from mine. And were it not for his judicious sugges-
tions and countenance, I certainly would l)e compelled to retire from all further
connection with the administration of the Denominational System of education
in this extensive district.'

' July 2Sth. — A singular example of the effect of de/'jj conviction of sin upon

11

162 JAMES BICKFORD : AX AUTOBIOGBAPIfY.

the phj'sical man occun-ed to a Mr. Langfley at the Wendouree Swamp, \\\\o had
become both lilind aud speechless for some thirty or forty hours. I was sent
for, and promptly rode up to see him in his now quiet cottage home. Messrs.
Holier aud Morgan had spent much time in prayer for him. When I came
into his presence, I found that he could see and speak, and was saved. The first
words he uttered were in testimony of that great spiritual change ; God had
forgiven him, he said, and he was now happy. In sad contrast to this
'•incident of gi-ace " was the case of a man — a complete stranger — who called
on me in Lydiard Street, and disclosed a melancholy tale of wi'etched conjugal
and colonial life. A sadder case I never heard of. Poor fellow ! He is to be
pitied ! But on whose side is the fault ?

' I went to the hospital and admitted ten patients, and spent the rest of the
day in pastoral visitation. At the meetius' of the Benevolent Association I was
elected a member of the Committee of Management.'

• Avgiist oth. — We had been contending with the Eastern Council for many
months about our site at the Gravel Pits, which we had occupied in the usual
manner for several years. But now the Council sought to dispossess us of our
land, and use it for the purpose of a town hall, institute, and library.
Mr. Belford, the mayor, had no sympathy with our church, so he determined
to seize our chosen ground. Finding that the longer we corresponded the more
entangled the matter became, I prepared and despatched a letter to Sir Henry
Barkly, our Governor, upon the whole case. It was our only hope for a just
settlement.'

' Avffust 23rd. — My first visit to Smythesdale and Brown's Diggings. At 7.30 I
preached in the Primitive Methodist Church to about one hundred persons.
I supped at Mr. John Davey's tent, and slept at Mr. Mitchell's. The next
morning, after breakfasting with Mr. and Mrs. Harris, and family worship
I sallied forth on pastoral work until 1 p.m. I dined at Mr. Frost's and
baptized his youngest child. I then started for Ballarat, and got lost in the
ranges for nearly two hours. At last I fell in with a couple of wood-splitters,
who informed me that I was going in the opposite direction from Ballarat, and
kindly put me on the track for Cherry Tree Hut. I got home at 7 p.m., and
Avent into the church and preached. I was much tired, and my whole nervous
system was upset.'

'Sept. 16t7i. — This day Mr. Belford. on behalf of the Eastern Council, and
I, in behalf of the Wesleyan Church, met at my house, and we settled the
dispute about the Gravel Pits site, after two years of smart and obstinate
contention from both sides. We erect entirely new premises on the other
side of Barkly Street, upon a new site to be granted by the Government, and
the Council would erect their buildings upon our old site. We were to receive
a monetary payment from the Council as compensation.'

On the 19th I went to the Gravel Pits to see the miners, and
arranged with them for clearing away from our new site. I had
not much trouble with them about compensation.

' Sept. 28tJi.—l learnt to day that there are 17,0r)0 persons on the Smythesdale
and Brown's diggings without a resident minister of any kind.'

AUSTRALIA. 163

Oct. ^ith. — Went to Mount Mercer, and attended a 7;os^?/ior^e«i,
examination of the late Mr. Crombie. He was shot by a Prussian
labourer, over a disputed five pounds which he claimed for sinking
a, dam for Mr. Crombie. It was beyond doubt an unjust debt, but
better it had been paid. Mrs. Crombie is left with one son and two
daughters. Deeply did I sorrow for tlieni, but that brings not back
the dead to life.

We lost another excellent Christian man in the death of Mi-.
Thomas Guthridge. He died at the Warrenheip railway works after
a painful, lingering illness, and entered into rest.

Oct. bth. — We held our Quai-terly Meeting. The deficiency on
the quarter was ^54 12s. Qd., which, with the balance of £139 for
furnishing Mr. Millard's house, made a total deficit of .£193 12s. 10c?.
I had to leave the meeting to inter the remains of the late Mr. John
Crombie. The funeral procession was large, and the crowd moc-t
sympathetic. Mr. Draper, in a letter to me, under date Oct. 21st,
only expressed the general sentiment when he said, ' Poor Crombie !
I moui-ned over the sad tidings of his barbai'ous murder for days. I
never heard of anything more truly appalling. Surely the wretched
murderer must be an incarnate fiend.' The murderer was sub-
sequently adjudged to be of unsound mind, and did not therefore
forfeit his own life for that he had so cruelly taken.

Nov. \st. — 'The Bonwick Testimonial.' As an inevitable resvilt
of the harassing laboui-s of our ' District Inspector of Schools,' the
health of Mr. James Bonwick completely broke down, and a special
fund was forthwith started, to enable this most valuable public officer
to take the needed rest and chance of being again set up for his
beloved work. Mr. Bonwick was an educationist by inspiration and
special endowment. To permanently lose him from the district was
i-egarded as a great i^ublic loss. In mentioning this painful case
to the Rev. Mr. Draper, who had known Mr. Bonwick for many
years, he replied as follows : —

* Mr. Bonwick's case is very distressing. I hope he will get something sub-
stantial from the public, and from such private friends as have it in their
power. I wrote to him yesterday, and shall see him before he leaves for
England. He is a genial soul. You will scarcely meet with a more cheerful
and intelligent man ; one in whom the greatest confidence may be placed. I
never had reason to doubt his genuine sincerity as a Christian man, and as a
friend.'

In a few weeks we raised over one hundred guineas to enable our

164 JAMES niCKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

friend to visit England, which, as treasurer of the fund, I had the
pleasure of handing to him.

Tlie Annual District Meeting this year was held in Geelong. There
were six of us attending from Ballarat and adjoining Ch'cuits. We
commenced on November 8th, under the presidency of Mr. Drapei-,
and concluded on the 15th. By appointment, I preached the oJSS.cial
sermon in Yarra Street Church, choosing as my text 1 Cor. xv. 58.
I received the next day the warm thanks of the ministers for the
service. We had had a prosperous year in every department of
the work. On the 15th I had the pleasure of again seeing my aged
widowed mother, at my bi-other's, at his house in the Crown Lands
OiBce, and returned in time to Geelong to address a large crowd at
the Institute, on the Christian duty of abstinence from the use of
intoxicants. At 10.30 p.m. the Rev. W. Woodall and I left by
coach for Ballarat. The night was cold, dark, and fatiguing.

Dec. Srd. — I went to Sandhurst in the interests of the Foreign
Missions. I preached twice on the Sabbath, and attended four
meetings in the week. I reached home on the 11th, and heard of the
particulars of two desolating fires which had occurred in the Main
Road during my absence. The Rev. T. Williams had come up from
the city as a deputation in aid of our South Sea Missions. He
preached on the Sabbath, and spoke with much effect at the public
meetings. Messrs. Daniel and MUlard also assisted.

1860.

The time had now come for the erection of a hospital at Ballaiat.
A number of influential gentlemen met for initiating the movement,
and it was agreed to send a memorial to Sir Henry Barkly, asking
for a grant for the object. At the request of Mr. Lynn, sohcitor, I
agreed to take charge of the document, and hand it to the Governor
on my arrival in Melbourne. On January 14</i I left Melbourne for
the Clyde, beyond Dandenong, to open the new church. I was the
guest as usual of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Patterson, who received
me with much courteous attention. 1 preached on the Sabbath, and
spoke at the public meeting on the 16tb, Mr. Patterson presiding.
We had a large attendance of kind friends from many miles round.
It was the first meeting of the kind ever held in the Western Port
District. Mrs. Dunbar, of the Dandenong Hotel, entertained me,
free of charge, on my way back to the city.

AUSTRALIA. 165

Jan. nth. — The Stationing Committee, consisting of Revs. Messrs.
Manton, Butters, Buddie, Draper, Harris, Cope, and myself, met
at Wesley Church. On the 18th the Connexional Committees met
and got thi'ough much business. The Conference was opened ou
the 19th ; the Rev. John Egglestone, President, and the Rev. D. J.
Draper, Secretary. On the 21st and 22nd we had scorching hot
winds, much to the discomfort of all the brethren. The Conference
closed on February ^rd, and 1 left for Ballarat. Reached home
at 6.30, a.m., the next day, and found heaps of arrears awaiting my
attention. The Rev. John Egglestone, the President, and the Rev.
John Thomas, from the Friendly Islands, came in the evening for
missionary purposes. Mr. Thomas was our guest, and his whole
demeanour convinced me of the thoi'oughness of his character as an
honoured missionary of the society.

Feb. lOth. — The ' foundation-stone' of the new church at Creswick
was laid to-day by the Hon. A. Fraser, M.L.C., from St. Kilda.
We had a fine after-meeting, and the people nobly responded to the
call for contributions.

Feb. I8tk. — At last we are able to accept a tender for the new
church, Barkly Street, It may be hoped that our troubles, re Gravel
Pits, are nearly at an end. On the 20th I arranged with Alexander
Morrison, Esq., manager of the National Bank, for such advances as
we should need for carrying out the work.

Feb. '25th. — Preached at Smythesdale to open the new church, and
to inaugurate the new cu'cuit. The Rev. Ebenezer Taylor had been
iippointed by the Conference to the charge of this extensive district.
On our way up to the new church, on the Sabbath morning, Mr.
Taylor and I came up to a tent, in front of which a miner was
lustily engaged in splitting small logs of wood. Said I to Mr. Taylor,
' If you want to do any good at Smythesdale you will have to
get into the way of repi-oving men who may be engaged on the
Lord's Day morning, as is this man. Now let me see how you
would deal with such a case.' ' Very well, I will try,' he replied.
So, making up to the man's tent, he said, ' We have kindly called to
enquire if you have any children you and your wife ' (she was peeping
out of the tent door) 'would like to send to the Sunday School, to be
established next Sunday at the top of the hill there ? ' The man was
taken ' all aback,' and his axe fell behind his back. Then, turning
to his wife, he said, ' These men are going to start a Sunday School

166 JAMES BICKFOBD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

up in that new church ; I think we may send oiu- children after a
week or two.' ' It is very good of tliem,' she rejoined, ' and we sha'l
be glad to send some.' So much gained, Mr. Taylor proceeded, * I
have been appointed the minister of that chiirch, and to-day this
gentleman ' (pointing to me) ' has come all the way from Ballarat to
open it for Divine woi\ship. Will you come to the service this
evening ? ' The man made a kind of half-promise that he would try
to do so. We then proceeded on our way. ' Brother Taylor,' said I,
' yoii have managed that man admirably well. I looked on all the
time, watching you in your attack upon him.' * Well,' said he, ' 1
have learnt this, that if you want to get at the hearts of parents you
must do it through their children. If I had reproved him at the first,
it is likely he might have resented it, and insulted me ; but now I
think that > have made him my friend.' Happy man, I thought,
to be able thus to combine 'the wisdom of the serpent with the
harmlessness of the dove ' ! The services passed off well, and the next
day I held a local preachers' and quarterly meeting. The evening
meeting was well attended, the subscription list came up better than
expected, and the Scarsdale Circuit was staz'ted on old Methodist
lines. It was midnight before I could retire to rest.

March 30th. — Met my class for the last time. The members
presented me with a beautifully bound Bible in token of their love.
The next diiy I was very ill, being completely run down with the
burden of toil and anxieties I was cariying. My good and skilful
doctor, George Nicholson, had to be called in. He prescribed for
me, and gave me excellent counsel in regard to my future health.

April 2nd. — Held the last Quarterly Meeting in Lydiard Street.
It was largely attended, and the finances came up well. The brethren
Slid many kind things of Mrs. Bickford and myself. Messrs. Bell,
Biddle, and Gillingham — formerly connected with the, !^o called,
English Reformers — bore grateful testimony to my conciliatory,
administrative conduct, whereby they had been restored to the
Church, and many blessings had come to then- families. What
they thus volunteered touched me deeply. Mr. Millard, my
colleague (sotto voce) said to me, ' I wish such acknowledgments
could be circulated througliovit our whole Connexion.' The member-
ship was 738. The superintendency of the Ballarat Circuit now
devolved upon Mr. Millard, and the Rev. Thomas Boston was
appointed as second preacher.

AUSTRALIA. 167

The usual 'farewell meeting' was held on April At/i, and was
attended by official representatives from every part of the Circuit.
INIr. James Oddie, the senior Steward, presided, and was supported
by Mr. Joseph A. Doane, the junior Steward. The Pie\-. J. C.
Symons, who was on his way to the Amherst Circuit, took his seat
on the platform. Ministers of other Churches were also present, and
took part in the meeting. A lieautifuUy embossed address, with
several valuable presents, were handed to me. An unexpected
sui-prise came upon the meeting, in the appearance upon the plat-
of a coloured brother, a Mr. Edmondson, from Jamaica, who, for
himself and some ten or twelve other coloured persons, presented
me with an address, and Mrs. Bickford with a handsome silver
cake-basket. As an old West Indian missionary, I had done my
best to make them feel at home with us in Ballarat, where the
cursed colour prejudice was happily iinknown.

Thus ended my official connection with the Ballarat Circuit. The
three years of my incumbency had been mai-ked by much Ijlessing
from God and much extension of the work. We had })uilt our
churches and school-houses in every part of the district ; our
ecclesiastical organisation was complete, and our local preachers
and leaders were devoted and excellent men. My journal shows
that I had preached five hundi-ed and eighty-two times, besides
lectures and other ministerial work. Lcms Deo !

Sandhurst.
Aj)ril 5th. — We left Ballarat this morning for Sandhurst, vid
Creswdck and Castlemaine. It rained heavily when we started ; still
we had to go, for such are the exigencies of the Methodist itinerancy.
Our kind friends, Mr. J. A. Doane and Mrs. Edmondson, went with
us as far as Creswick. The journey from this township to Castle-
maine was rough and trying, from the unmade condition of the
roads, and the swollen creeks through wliich we had to pass. At
Yandoit the passengers had to leave the coach, whilst the driver, at
full tilt, dashed into a creek, and swam the horses over. The coach
itself was partially submerged, and had become quite unfit for our
further occupancy. We, the passengers, had to ford the creek with
the aid of fallen trees, and otherwise do the best we could for om--
selves. We idtimately got round to where the coachman pulled up,
rejoined the coach, and proceeded on our wretched journey. We

168 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

reached Castlemaine at 5 p.m., cold, weary, and dispiiiteil. The
next day we left foi' Saiidliui-st, and reached the parsonage at
6.30 p.m. Mr. Allingliam, the senior Circuit Steward, was there to
receive us. 1 opened my commission on the 8th, by preaching at
Eagle Hawk and White Hills, and had good congregations. On the
21st, Mr. Allingham and I accepted a tender of £102 for improve-
ments to the parsonage, being indispensable to our health.

I certainly had hoped that, in coming to Sandhurst, I should have
escaped many of the difficulties I had had in Ballarat in connection
with the day schools. Our chief ti"ouble, however, arose from the
action of the ' Central School Board," in their appropriation of the
Annual Grant. The full sum for the year 1860 was ^6125,000,
' with power resei-ved to the Board to re-distribute equitably, after
October 1st, with the sanction of the Governor in Council, any sums
for the expenditure of which provision may not have been made.'
After deducting from the gross amount of grant £32,500 for the
' National Board,' the remainder was thus apportioned : — Denomi-
national Board: Salaries, Normal Inspector and Secretary, £1,000
each ; six inspectors — four at <£600 each, and two, at £300 each ;
Churchof England, £35, 461 9^; Roman Catholic, £16,258 13s. Id. ;
Presbyterian Chm-ch,£ 14,622 14s. 6fZ. ; Wesleyan MethocUst, £11,068;
other Protestants, £6,831 18s. Id.; Jewish, £464 Is. \d.

The fundamental error of this scale of appropriation was that it
was made not on the basis of the number of childien each of the
educating denominations actually provided for and instructed ; but,
on the ' General Census ' of the entire population, which was taken
for another purpose entirely, and upon which the ' State Aid to
Relisrion ' Grant of £50,000 was made to those of the denominations
who chose to accept it.

The ' General Census ' gave the Wesleyan body, as one of the
accepting denominations, one-fifteenth part of the State Grant
as its share in aid of the support of the Ministry, and other Church
objects ; whereas, by adopting as the basis of distribution of the
Grant for Public Education, the Official Returns of attendants at
our schools, we should be entitled to one-fifth of the amount set
apart for Denominational Schools. And whilst we were thus
ci-amped in our educational woik by this unjust appropriation the
other bodies had a larger amount to their credit, than they had
schools to take up.

WESLEY CHURCH, MELBOURNE.

AUSTRALIA. \m

In common fairness to the Roman Catholics, Presbyterians, and
* other Protestants,' it should be stated that they were no parties
to the pressure the Anglican bishop, Dr. Perry, brought upon the
C'entral Board to withdraw all support from Wesley an Schools
requiring assistance outside what the ' General Census ' gave to the
denomination. Hence several of our schools were in danger of
immediate disendowment, to the disadvantage of the teachers, and
to our diserecUt as an educating body. We fought the battle of
right and justice with the Central Board, and, in the end, its
Secretary, with the consent of the Government, informed the Rev.
Mr. Draper, the ' Head ' of our Denomination, that if the other
' Heads of Denominations ' would consent thereto, a part of the
unused portion of the vote might be applied to what was offensively
called the ' Surplus ' Wesleyan Schools. The only opponent to this
righteous solution of the question was Dr. Perry himself. W^e, in
Bendigo, then took the matter into our hands, by placing three of
our schools under the wing of the Rev. Dr. Nish, the Presbyterian
clergyman, and two under the Rev. W^. R. Fletcher, M.A., the
Congregational minister. Thus we saved five schools to the district.

The annoyance and vexation caused to us by the Anglican bishop,
naturally produced in our minds a set determination to upset, at the
earliest possible moment, the then Dual system of public education.
And I distinctly remember Mr. Draper remarking, with considerable
emphasis, that the only effectual remedy for removing the unfairness
of the present administration of the parliamentaiy grant, was the
abolition of the two Boards of Management, by the substitution of a
thoroughly National System, free from all ecclesiastical interference,
and to be under the sole chrection of a Minister of Education cUrectly
responsible to Parliament.

The River Murray District, lying to the north of Bendigo, was
as yet untouched by effective evangelistic labours. Accordingly,
on the morning of May 25th, I left by coach for Echuca, and
ai-rived at my destination at 5.30 p.m. Messrs. Watson and Powell
kindly welcomed me, and arrangetl for my stay at Mrs. Redmond's
hotel. The next day we secured the Court House for the Sabbath
services. The first Methodist sermon preached at Echuca was
from 1 Tim. i. 15, and the second was from Rev. vii. 14. I made
the acquaintance of Mr. and Mrs. Hopwood, Mr. and Mrs. Sabine,
Mr. Veale, Mr. Tomline, and some others. On the 28th, I returned

170 .JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

to Sandhurst and liad tlie honour of finding Mr. and Mrs. Draper
as guests at our house. The Sandhurst Church Anniversary was
hekl at this time, and Mr. Draper greatly helped us.

June 'dth. — Received this morning a letter from the Chief Secretary.
' No more schools for us this year.' Surely ' the triumphing of the
wicked shall be short.'

June 237-d. — Mr. Dowling drove me to Tarnagulla. On the 24th
I preached twice, and on the 25th I hekl the Quarterly Meeting
at Inglewood. Thei-e are in the Cu-cuit 117 members. At the
public meeting in the evening we raised =£48. On the 26th we
held the Church Anniversary at Tarnagulla, when 350 persons sat
down to tea. The Revs. Beer, Adams, Bunn, and I, spoke. Mr.
Pybus also helped us with a fine speech. On the 27th I returned
to Sandhurst.

An important meeting was held at Sandhurst by the local clergy, to
consider the advisability of commencing a series of religious services
in the ' Lyceum,' for the special benefit of the non-churchgoing
portion of the people. We also agreed to call upon the merchants
and shopkeepers to come into an arrangement for shortenmg the
hours of business. Messrs. Hart, Fletcher, and I, made the appeal.
On the 23rd, I preached in the ' Lyceum ' to a crowded audience, on
Ezek. xxxiii. 1 1 .

Sept. 15th. — I again left for Echuca, and reached Runnymede at
11.30 a.m. Here I was disappointed in not finding a coach to take
m.e on. I therefore arranged with Mrs. Stephenson for holding a
religious service in the hotel parlour in the evening. I spent the
afternoon in visiting all the families in the neighbourhood, and in-
vited them to the service. I preached to twenty-five adults. On the
16th I preached twice at Echuca and once at Moama, on the N. S. W,
side of the Murray. On the 22nd, I was again at Sandhurst.

Sept. 23rd. — I had again to leave for Inglewood. Preached twice on
the Sabbath, and addressed the Sunday School at 3 p.m. On Monday
I held the Quarterly Meeting, and found the Circuit free of debt.
We passed, after the usual examinations, the brethren Collins,
Davies, Jenkins, and Tucker as full local preachers. Messrs. Jenkins
and Davies will likely enter the Ministry after a while. Mr. Bunn
was the young minister in charge.

October 1st. — We held the Sandhurst Quarterly Meeting, and
Mr. Hart and I Avere unanimously invited to remain a second year.

AUSTRALIA. 171

Xov. 13<A.— The District Meeting was commenced in Melbourne.
We were in session eight days, and I returned to Sandhurst on the
24th.

The time had now come for us to give an ecclesiastical form to our
work at Echuca. 1 accordingly went up again on December 8th.
I preached and gave the Sacrament and married two couples. I
selected as our first trustees, Messrs. Henry Hopwood, Oliver Veale,
George James Walker, and George Charles Watson. These with
myself made the number the Government required before granting
sites for churches.

Dec. 15th. — I cnce more visited the Tarnagulla and Inglewood
Circuit. I preached on the Sabbath, held the Quarterly Meeting next
day, and lectured on the West Inches in the evening in aid of the
Circuit funds. The business Avas interrupted in the afternoon by two
miners finding a corpse in an abandoned shaft between the chui^ch
and the Main Street. It was so decomposed that identification was
impossible. The case was duly reported to the police.

1861.

The usual solemn service was held last night. My first Journal
entry is : —

' Praise God for the commencement of a new year. May it be a renewal of
mercy to my spirit, and may I be more useful than hitherto in saving souls and
in promoting the glory of Uod ! '

The Confeience of this year, beginning on January 17th, was
held in Sydney ; the Rev. S. Eabone, President, and the Rev. T.
Buddie, Secretary. We had the pleasui-e and advantage of the Rev.
Frederick Jobson, D.D., who had come to us on matters relating to
the Foreign Missions, and the claims of those of the Australian
ministers who are still members of the English Annuitant Society.
Dr. Jobson proved himself to be an apt diplomat in the management
of these questions ; they were soon satisfactorily arranged. Dr.
Jobson 's ofiicial sermon before the Conference was a masterly exposi-
tion of the doctrine of our Lord's Priesthood, and was delivered with
much eftect. It was a beautiful specimen of Methodist pi-eaching
in her Augustan age in the Mother Country. The Y'ork Street con-
gregation hung upon the preacher's lips for the full hour, during the
delivei-y of this never-to-be forgotten sermon.

172 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

By this Conference, on the motion of the Rev. W. L. Binks, I was
appointed as Superintendent of the Melbourne Fourth Circuit, of
which St. Kilda was the head. My former colleague, the Rev. C.
Lane, was appointed as second preacher. I had not the least idea of
so early a removal from Bendigo ; but when the change was proposed,
I accepted it, on account of the heavy financial cares and harassing
journeys I had had throughout the year. I could not have borne the
strain much longer without permanent injury to my health.

Feb. I2tli. — I sent the first of a series of papers to the Rev. J. S.
Waugh, Editor of the Wesleyan Chronicle, entitled ' Missionary
Recollections,' in the hope such reminiscences might be useful to the
young men of Methodism, in fanning in their souls a holy flame of
love to our own South Sea Missions.

March dth. — I went by coach to Castlemaine, to help the Rev. John
Harcourt in holding his Foreign Missionary anniversary meetings.
We had a vile set of drunkards as fellow-passengers, one of whom
shall be nameless because of her sex. Reached Mrs. Hai'court's at a
late hour. Preached on the Sabbath ; attended two public meetings,
and returned to Sandhurst on the evening of the 13th, quite well
though much fatigvied.

April 1st. — I held the last Quartei-ly Meeting for this Circuit. The
Rev. R. Hart, my good and faithful colleague, and twenty-four
brethren were present. The income paid all demands for the quarter,
but there was still the standing deficiency of £160. Important
resolutions were passed for clearing off the debt occasioned by the
additions and repau-s to the parsonage, and for preventing future
circuit debts. The Rev. George Daniel had been appointed as my
successor, and Mr. Hart as second minister. On the 9th, we left for
our new Circuit.*

After visiting Ballarat, Geelong, and Melbourne, we reached

* The departure of the Eev. J. Bickford, fi-om Sandhurst, is thus referred to
in the Bcndign Advcrtlwr : — " The crowd that gathered at the evening Sabbath
service was attracted by the farewell sermon of the reverend gentleman, who is
leaving Sandhurst for St. Kilda. At the public meeting held next day, a
resolution, expressive of the deepest regret at the removal of the Rev. J. Bickf ord
from Sandhurst, and breathing earnest wishes for the future welfare of himself
and his lady, was unanimously carried. The Revs. Butler, Smith, Nish, Fletcher,
and Messrs. Fizelle, Hooper, Coombs, and Marrarck, addressed the meeting. A
few parting woi-ds from the Rev. J. Bickf ord, full of deep emotion, followed,
when the meeting was closed with singing and prayer."

AUSTRALIA. I73

St. Kilda on the 13th, and received a warm welcome from the Hon.
A. Eraser, M.L.C., Mr. John Whitney, Mr. T. J. Crouch, and other
officials and friends. In the evening, my mind was much exercised
about this new .sphere of woi'k, and my feelings were much excited as
to the success or otherwise of this appointment, I now found that
the time had come for me to give effect to the Rev. Thomas Binney's
famous maxim, which he gave us in his great sermon in Ballarat
some few years ago, viz. : ' To do anything worth while in religious
and philanthropic works, a man must first believe in his God, and
then in himself.'

St. Kilda.

I did not retire to rest vintil 11 p.m., by which time my mind was
made up as to three courses of action : (1) 1 resolved to be a pastor
in a more persistent manner than I yet had been ; but, especially, in
relation to the artisan classes and poor families ; (2) that I would
regard as sacred to God a sufficient proportion of my time for
preparing for the pulpit, so as to have new and stimulating truths ;
thereby keeping in the congregations an expectation of instruction
and interest ; and (3) that I would devote as much time as possible
to the Sabbath schools, and to such other means of improvement for
the young men and women, as might help them in the acquirement of
studious habits and intellectual strength. I felt convinced that each
of these might be secvired by a rigid economy of my time, and with
the blessing of God. I was aware that, being now in close proximity
to Melbourne, I would likely have to take my share of committee
work for the general benefit of the Connexion ; nevertheless, I
resolved thoroughly to work the Circuit, and not to permit such a
diversion for any other purpose as would interfere with my success
in winning souls.

April 14f/i. — I began my ministry by preaching at St. Kilda and
Prahran, on 1 Thess. iii. 1. It was an appeal to the congregations
for their sympathy and help. The routine work of this compact
Circuit came upon me as an every-day duty. I commenced on the
15th, and preseiwed the even round until the 22nd, when Mrs.
Bickford and I went to Richmond to see our afflicted friend, Mr.
Samuel Merrick, who was dying. Mrs. Merrick was heart-broken.
One short year of beautiful conjugal life was to be suddenly closed.
We sorrowed deeply for her.

174 JAMES BICKFORD: AN aUTOBIOGBAPHY.

April 2StIi. — I opened otu- new church at Keysborough, and next
day I assisted at the public meeting. It was largely attended. We
raised, in all, £130. I simply went to fulfil an old promise.

The question of the Day Schools seemed to baflfle all settlement. 1
accordingly wrote an article, headed ' Public Education,' for the
Wesleyan Chronicle on the subject. I quote one portion of it : —

' The present time is opportune for the extinction of the two rival systems of
education, and for the introduction of a general system in their stead. We have
no hesitation in saying, that it is our solemn conviction — in view of the jealousies
which have existed now for several years between the two Boards ; the envious
and checkmating spirit which has. in numberless instances, marked the conduct
of one denomination towards another ; the use which has been made of school-
grants to build churches, and work out thereby ecclesiastical objects : and the
needless expenditure of jjublic money in supporting two executives, and two
(sometimes even more than two) schools in localities where one would be
sufficient— that the present rival systems should close with the present year.'

God has put it into the heart of a young Methodist Chi-istian,
Mr. John Watson, to do something for the sokUers at our Barracks,
near Prince's Bridge. He enlisted me in the work, and on the even-
ing of May ith, he and I walked over to see those of the men who
were ill. We read and prayed with them, and arranged for holding a
Bible class there on Fridays at 8 p.m. Serjeant-Major Hurworth
would be our mainstay in these services.

May lOth. — At the request of the Rev. T). J. Draper, I accepted
the office of Missionary Secretary for the Victoria District,

June I9th. — I forwarded to the editor of the Wesleyan Chronicle,
an article on the dispute which had arisen at Castlemaine and
Sandhurst, in connection with the interment of the dead by their
own ministei's in the public cemeteries. The contention had thriven
so much in intensity, and to such an extent, that Bishop Perry had
appealed even to Sir H. Barkly for legislative interference. He
informed the Governor that ' several of the clergy,' including the
' Archdeacon of Castlemaine ' had complained of ' persons ' violating
the ' law of the Chm-ch of England, not belonging to her communion.
And what was all this stir about 1 That certain mourning relatives
had seen fit to choose certain unoccupied portions in the public
cemeteries in which to inter their dead, and to call in any minister
they chose to officiate at such interments. In this free country, in
which there was not, and would never be, a State Church, it was a
great oversight for Dr. Perry to ask that the Attorney General

AUSTRALIA. 175

should get the Act so amended, as to make it a ' penal oifenee, punish-
able in a summary manner by the Magistrates,' in the event of such
interments being made. The foolish stir, as might be expected,
ended in smoke.

June 2Qfh. — I visited the Female Refuge, at Prahran, and con-
ducted a service Avith the inmates. Mrs. Peny (the bishop's wife)
was present.

Juli/ 1st. — I attended the annual meeting of the Victoria Anti-
Liquor League. The Hon. R. Heales, Premier, presided ; Dean
Macartney, the two Fletchers (father and son), Duboiu-g Kean,
and Ramsay spoke. It was a glorious meeting. My first Quarterly
Meeting was held to-day ; the C'ircuit is out of debt.

Jtdij 8th. — A drunken mother, in St. Kilda, this day cut her
child's throat. Is not drink a devil ?

Aug. 3rd. — Mr, Draper to-day, at my request, made an application
to the Government for a grant of land at Elsternwick for church
purposes.

Aug. Ifith. — I preached twice at Ballarat, and next day attended
a public meeting in aid of the new church at SokUers' Hill. We
raised ^147.

Nov. 12f7i.— The District Meeting was begun to-day at Brunswick
Street, Fitzroy. The Rev. D. J. Draper in the chair. We had a
long discussion on the marriage question, and we agreed to be uniform
in the administration of the ceremony. We spent much time in pre-
paring a station sheet for the forthcoming Conference. The official
sermon was preached by the Rev. Thomas Williams. It was an
admirable discourse. The meeting thanked me for my services as
Missionary Secretary and re-appointed me to the office. We closed
on the 22nd.

Nov. 24:th. — John King, the only svu-vivor of the Burke and Wills
party, came to St. Kilda to-night. He was a mere shadow, and his
whole nervous system was unhinged. On December 5th, I accom-
panied Mr. King to Melbourne, and introduced him to Sir William
Stawell, the Chief Justice, who received from him Mr. Burke's note-
book. His last record was, ' King has acted nobly.' Sii- William
appeared to be deeply affected. He made many enquiries of King,
to whose replies he paid the closest attention. I then -n-ent with
King to the Parliament House, and left him there for examination
before the Committee of Enquiiy. On the 6th I went to the house

176 JAMES BICKFOBI): AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

of Henry Jennings Esq., to meet several ladies and gentlemen who
were favom-able to the establishment of a Moravian Mission at
Gipps Land.

Dec. \Hh. — I attended the funeral of the late Eev. William
Fletcher. The Kev. E,. Connebee gave the adch-ess in the church.
* A good man and a just ' has gone to his reward, and the church-
life of St. Kilda is all the poorer for his removal. On the 19th,
Mr. Draper and I waited upon Sir H. Barkly, to ask him to pre-
side at our Missionary Anniversary. He readily agreed to comply
with our request. On the 21st, I finished the series of ' Missionary
Recollections,' nine in number, and sent it for publication in the
Wesleyan Chronicle.

Dec. 31s<. — I copy now a Journal jotting : —

' This year has been full of mercy and f^oodness from the Lord. The future
I leave with Thee ! May the Lord undertake for me ; guide and protect me
and mine. Also, may the Holy Ghost rest upon the ordinances of His house,
making them wells of salvation to the souls of the people ! '

1862.

Jan. Qth. — The fii-st of the United Prayer Meetings was held in
our church this evening. The Rev. Mr. Seddon (Anglican) gave the
address, the Revs. Moir, Poore, and I, offered prayer. These services
are bound to be a blessing.

Feb. lOth. — I wrote another article on ' Public Education ' for the
Chronicle. The object was, in part, to keep this still unsettled
question before the friends of education and the Victorian Parliament.
In the second paragraph of the article I say : —

' The present Systems stand condemned for their extravagance, sectarianism,
and rivalry. Not only have we two Boards, officered at great expense, but, in
almost every part of the country, schools under both are set up in opposition
to each other, and, in some instances, schools under the same Board are
established in the same locality, sometimes even on opposite sides of the same
street ; as, in the Bendigo District, greatly to the surprise of Her Majesty's liege
subjects, to the deep injury of the teachers, who are thereby reduced to a mere
pittance for support, and to the creation of hatred and jealousy in the children's
minds of the one as against the other school. " See how these children hate
one another," is the remark of the passer-by. " Beautiful training this," they
say, " of the rising generation of the Colony." Alas ! Alas ! '

Feb. 2\st. — John King asked me to go with him to Castlemaine,
where he was to be entertained at a public banquet. It was largely

AUSTRALIA. 177

attended. I spoke of Burke's last experiences as told me by King,
which touched the guests deeply. In reply to the address which was
presented to King, he modestly said * he had nothing to boast of,
for he had simply done his duty.' Noble fellow ! A true man
was he !

The Conference this year was held in Adelaide. It was begun on
January 26th ; Rev. James Watkin, President, and the Rev. J. B.
Waterhouse, Secretary. It seems to have been a happy and successful
Conference. There are two paragraphs in the Address which are
wox*th transcribing, as follows : —

' We think no body of men more happy than ourselves. Our work is honour-
able ; we regard our position, as Wesleyan ministers, as being the most
honourable in which God could place us. We are happy in that success
with which, year to year, He has crowned our labours, and in beholding
the many evidences we have of your piety, your zeal, your liberality, your
affectionate esteem of us, your order and stability, and your growing in-
telligence.' . . . ' On the subject of dress we exhort you to be plain. Let
not the poor dress themselves in costly apparel, and let not the rich adorn
themselves in such a manner as to excite the envy of poorer members. Let
your dress be such as shall not attract attention. Do not strive to be first
in following the changing and often foolish fashions of the day. Be yourselves
patterns to others, and let the world imitate the church rather than the church
the world. How can you indulge in costly apparel, while so many about you
are destitute and afflicted 1 Let your dress be such as shall not unfit you for
visiting the homes of the poor and the bedside of the dying.'

This is very apostolic and seasonable advice.

March 14i/i. — Amongst all the other duties I have managed, by
changing the weekly Bible class service to a Tuesday evening, to get
the Friday evening for a theological class. I began in my study
with nine young men, all members of the church. I hope this
weekly exercise aa^II be good for the students, and be of use to me
also. I much need a systematic acquaintance with our standard
theology, so as to be upsides with the scepticism of the age.

March \^th — Mr. John Whitney informed me that Mr. Walter
Powell, now in London, has engaged to give <£500 towards the
reduction of the debt on the St. Kilda Church, on condition that
we raise £500 ourselves. We gratefully accept the condition.

May 9th. — I finished the first of a series of papers on the ' Wesley
Family ' for the Chronicle. The subject was, — the Rev. Bartholomew
Wesley, the great-grandfather of John Wesley. He was a veiy fine
man ; full of wit and wisdom.

12

178 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

May 20th. — I called on Six- Henry Barkly, and informed him that
John King, the explorer, wished to have granted to him six himtlred
and forty acres of land on the Flinders River.

I then went to see the Hon. John O'Shanassy, Premier, on the
Education question. He was very courteous and fair with me on
this and two or three matters on which I consulted him. On the
22nd I wrote another article on ' Public Education ' for the Chronicle.
The question had now become crucial, and must be settled. Two
Bills were brought before the House of Assembly, one by Mr.
O'Shanassy, whose principle was payment by results ; the other by
Mr. Heales, which was based on payment upon numbers. The
former was rejected, and the latter, entitled ' The Common Schools'
Bill,' received the Royal Assent in due course. So that from the date
of the new law one general system of education will be established
throughout the colony. We had further gratification by the publica-
tion of the 'Census Returns' of 1861, which gave ixs 46 per cent,
increase on the previous census, and we are now one-ninth of the
entire popvxlation.

There was not much room for church extension in the St. Kilda
Circuit. Still, we had one promising outlet in the direction of Glen
Iris, lying between Gardiner's Creek and Oakleigh. By previous
arrangement I went over on September 9 th, and held a religious
service. I visited, previous to the service, Mrs. Kent, Mr. and Mrs.
Bainbrige, Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. Glanshot, Mr. and
Mrs. Mann, and thereby secured a nice congregation. I conversed
with the friends upon the subject of having foithwith Sabbath
services, and the erection of a church for the neighbourhood. This
was the beginning of the work at Glen Iris.

The fruits of our efforts for the young men were now beginning to
be shown. At the local preachers' meeting, held at Prahraii, on
the 24th November, young Thomas Grove, who, having preached an
excellent trial sermon, was examined in the usual manner and
passed. Other young brethren were also taken by the hand, viz..
Brothers R. M. Hunter, John Moorhead, J. Cooper, and Andrew,
who were received as exhorters on trial. We were having prosperity
on every hand. The membership had risen to 227, with 12 on trial.
Balance in hands of stewards, <£42. By an unanimous vote, I was
invited to remain a third yeai- as Superintendent of the Circuit.

The District Meeting of this year was marked by important

AUSTRALIA. 179

discussions. It commenced on the 11th of September, and ended its
sessions on the 22nd. The subject of our financial arrangements
occupied much time, and several resolutions were adopted. As
Secretary of the Educational Committee, I had to present a full
report of the new legislation which had become law, the number
of schools, and their general conchtiou. The repoi-t was adopted-
On the motion of the Rev. W. L. Binks, we agreed to a scheme of the
division of the district, which had become so unwieldy, and the
interests of the country circuits so many and diversified, that
notliing less than the creation of three districts would meet the
requii-ements of oui- so rapidly extending work.

1863.

The usual ' Watch Night ' and ' Renewal of Covenant ' services
were held in St. Kilda Church, and I think we bad a good beginning
of the year. On New Year's Day, Mr. Smith called and presented
to me an alphabet which he had constructed of the ancient Assyrian
(the Cuneiform), and their equivalents in the Greek, English, etc.
This self-taught man seems a linguistic marvel. If he were in
England instead of Australia, he would have a chance of turning his
talents to good account.

Jan. ^th. — ' I attended a meeting of Superintendents in Melbourne
for the examination of Brother Maityn Dyson, who offei-s for the
missions. We agreed to recommend him to the Conference as a
suitable candidate for our itinerant work.

The Conference of this year was held in Hobart Town, Tasmania.
It began on January 20th and closed on February 2nd ; the Rev.
T. Buddie, President, and the Rev. J. Bickford, Secretary. The
official representatives from Victoria were Messrs. Draper, Butters,
Bickford, and Daniel. In consequence of severe indisposition,
the Rev. Mr. Butters asked for permission to return to England,
which was granted. It marked the high estimation in which this
honoured servant was held by his brethren, that he was cordially
appointed as the Representative of the Australasian Chm-ch in the
British Conference. The * Address ' was prepared by the Rev.
Father Watkin, from which I copy a paragraph of much practical
value : —

' The Class Meeting is one of the greatest helps and incentives to personal
religion. We have scriptural authority for the practice. It is one of the
bulwarks of Methodism. It has been an unspeakable blessing to multitudes.

180 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

All who have reaped benefit there cannot discontinue the practice without
loss . . . You perhaps think it a privilege to be accounted a Wesleyan
Methodist. Bear in mind that none are members with us who do not meet
in Class. It is not likely that so prudential, so salutary, a regulation will ever
be altered.'

During our stay in Hobart Town, Mrs. Bickford and I were the
guests of Mr. and Mrs. Dickenson, at Sandy Point. They weie
to us a generous host and hostess. We arrived again at Mel-
bourne on February QtJi. The Rev. C. Lane, Messrs. Whitney, H.
0. Fraser, T. J. Crouch, J. Oldham, and J. Watson, were at the Whaif
to receive us. In the evening the young men, W. Jennings, R. M.
Hunter, Read, and Thomas, called to welcome us. Mr. President
Buddie came with us to be our guest until he slioidd leave for New
Zealand. On the 12th, Mr. Butters and his family saUedin the ship
Essex for London. All our ministers in and about the city went
down to Sandi'idge Pier to see them off. We had w^orship in the
saloon, and commended our dear friends to the loving care of the
Heavenly Father. It is not likely that we shall see Mr. Butters
again in the work in Victoria : but he has rendered to the Chui-ch
much valuable and effective service in the past. His record and
reward are on all.

The easy transit of Anglo-East Indians to Australia, by means of
the royal mail steamships, for recreation, sightseeing, or improve-
ment of health, is qmte a temptation to many a would-be traveller.
Our missionary brethren in India take advantage of the mail
arrangements, for visiting us even when on their way to England.
One more of these honoured men, the Rev. E. Jenkyns, M.A.,
favoured us in this manner. On the 20th I called upon him at
Windsor, and spent an agreeable hour with him. I was impressed
with his intellectuality and profound acquaintance with the ancient
superstitions of India. The East Indian mission-field is no doubt
a, favourable sphere for men of genius. Mr. Jenkyns, during his
stay with us, may be of great benefit to the ministei's and congrega-
tions as g-wasi-missionary in their training and sympathies.

April 25th. — I travelled in company with five members of pai-
liament to Ballarat. There was discussion, easy chat, and repartee,
beyond the ordinaiy range of railway travellers. My good friend,
Mr. Oddie, was at the station to receive me. Preached at Ballarat
East (Barkly Street) to good congregations. At the public meeting
on Monday we raised £100.

AUSTRALIA. 181

May \%th. — A grand commemoration day on the marriage of the
Prince of Wales with the Princess Alexandra. There were about
a thousand children of St. Kilda assembled at noon to partake of a
sumptuous treat. In the evening we went into Melbourne to see
the illuminations. The whole city was etherealised : gas, candles,
and designs, everywhere to be seen, which must have cost thousands
of pounds. Such a display of enthusiastic loyalty, outside England,
I believe was never befoi^e seen. It is highly creditable to our
democratic community. But, then, we have no political grievances [
How, then, could we be disloyal ?

June 2Zrd. — As I was the secretaiy of the Wesley Grammar
School Committee, I had, with other secretaryships, much clerical
work to do. On the occasion of my going into Melbourne, to
attend an impoi-tant meeting of the committee for the first time, I
heard the Rev. William Taylor, from California, preach in Wesley
Church. I was much interested in the service, and felt a strong
hope that his visit to Australia would be a means of reviving and
extending the kingdom of Christ. His style of preaching, and
methods of working, are in forcef id contrast to our prosaic and quieter
style of working. But there is much attraction in his personality
and singing, and the crowds are bound to hear him. I shall watch
with intense solicitude the effects of the labours of this honoured
evangelist's ministry.

July \Wi. — Mr. Taylor opened fire at St. Kilda. There was
much enthusiasm connected with his mission to our Circuit. On the
Sabbath, and during the week, the congregations were large. There
were several, who for years had been regular hearers, and to all
appearance had got little if any good, who rose, in response to his
appeals, and declared themselves to be on the Lord's side. Many
persons, day after day, called at the parsonage to speak of their
spu-itual troubles. Thei"e was tridy a great awakening amongst the
people.

The time had now come for the colony to lose the invaluable
services of Sir. H. Barkly as our Governor. When laying the
foundation stone of the new church at Emerald Hill, a few weeks
ago, I asked His Excellency if I might have the honour of presenting
to Lady Barkly a Conference picture of ministers belonging to the
Australian Church, which Mrs. Bickf ord had set up in an elegant
leather-work frame. He was pleased to signify that her ladyship

182 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

would much value such a souvenir of our esteem. Accordingly, on
September 9th, I drove up to Toorak, and presented the picture to
Lady Barkly. She received it most courteously, and expressed her
admiration of the handsome frame and its Gothic style of ornament.
The next day, the Rev. D. J. Draper and the city and suburban
ministers waited upon Sir Henry, with an address on the subject of
his departure from the colony. He seemed much to feel the attitude
of esteem and affection which ovir presence and address evinced for
himself and Lady Barkly. He shook hands with us all. He had
been a good Governor for Victoria.

' The King never dies ! ' Sir Charles Darling, formerly Governoi-
in the West Indies, was appointed by the Crown as successor to
Sir Henry Barkly. On September 16th, I went to Melbourne to
attend the levee. There were, it is said, nine hundred gentlemen
present. Such a demonstration of loyalty must have been very
gratif}'ing to the new Governor.

Oct. 2nd. — Attendance at class is the sure unerring test of the
success, or otherwise, of such a series of revival services, especially
such as those of the Rev. William (now Bishop) Taylor at St. Kilda.
At the Quarterly Meeting we found that our membership had
increased to 273, with 112 on trial. The next day, at the ministers'
monthly meeting, it was repoited that in the circuits in which
Mr. Taylor had been preaching there were 797 meeting on trial.
We all felt that the Great Head of the Church had wonderfully
blessed the special services which had been held.

We had not yet come into touch with Gipps Land, an extensive
countiy Ij'ing to the east of the Western Port District, and stretching
far away even to Cape Howe. We had many Methodist famiHes
at Port Albert, Tarraville, Sale, and Stratford, but somehow we had
not gone as yet to look after these ' sheep in the wilderness.' At
length, at Mr. Draper's earnest request, I undertook this mission of
inspection.

Oct. 2lst. — I left Melbourne for Port Albert by the steamer
Keera, and arrived next day at noon ; Messrs. PaiT and Wood were
at the wharf to welcome me. I became the guest of Mrs. Parr, who
showed me much kindness. The next day Mr. Parr drove me to
Tarraville, that I might call upon the people, explain to them the
object of my visit, and inform them of my intention of preaching in
the township on the Sabbath. I began at the first house on the

AUSTRALIA. 183

right of the roadside. A knock at the door soon brought the
mistress to me. Said I : ' I am a Wesleyan minister, just come
from Melbourne to have a look at the people settled here, with
the view of ascertaining if the Methodist Church has anything to do
in the way of providing religious ordinances for the people of this
district.' She was a plain country-woman, brusque and self-
possessed in manner, with a somewhat inviting facial exj)ression.
' Are you really a Methodist preacher 1 ' she enquired. ' Yes,' I
replied, ' there can be no doubt abovit that,' at the same time
I handed to her my card. ' Well, I never,' she ejaculated, ' it was
only this morning that I was saying to my man ' [husband], ' I wish
we had such a parson as Mr. Butters to preach to us here.' ' Why,
said I, ' do you know Mr. Butters ? — he is one of my brother ministers,
and we are very great friends.' ' To be sure I do,' she rejoined ;
* didn't he use to preach to us at Campbell Town, on the other side ?
[Van Diemen's Land.] Bless the dear gentleman, I wish we had
him.' 'Where is your husband? can't you call him? I want to
speak to him also.' Off she went to the vineyard at the back of the
house, and I heard her lustily shouting for her ' man.' We had an
interesting conversation and prayer. ' Will you have a drink of
wine ? ' enquired the gladdened matron. ' No, thank you,' I
replied, ' I never drink wine.' She and her husband looked sur-
pi-ised, but I think that in their heart of hearts they were pleased.

I then called at the next house — the next — and the next, and
so on, until I had seen the whole of the people. I remember the
following names : Mr. and Mrs. Disher, Mr. and Mrs. T. Frost, Mr.
Wood and Mrs. Howden, senior. I found, much to my surprise, at
Tarraville, a small colony of Tasmanians, who had worshipped with
us at Campbell Town and Ross in that colony. On the next day
(Saturday) I called on Mrs. Black and several other families, and
informed them of the arrangements for the Sabbath services. I
accidentally met the Rev. Mr. Stretch (Anglican), who was coldly
polite in his manner and remarks. I could not think he was
pleased at my advent into the district.

As this was purely an official visit, I reported, in substance, to
the Rev. D. J. Draper, after my return to St. Kilda, as follows : —

' On Sabbath, October 25th, I preached at Tarraville, at 11 a.m., in the large
room at the Manse, to a most attentive audience ; in the afternoon I addressed
the Sunday School, and in the evening I preached at Port Albert, in the Presby-
terian Church, to a large congregation.

184 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

' On October 26th, Mr. Hobbs kindly drove me to Tarraville, when Mr. Disher, a
generous Presbj'terian fi-iend, rode with me some distance to see me on my way to
Sale, distant fifty miles from the port. Two j'oung men, bullock drivers, soon over-
took me, and finding that they were on their way home several miles onward,
I got into conversation with them, with a view to their directing me towards
Sale. The road, if such it may be called, was the most lonely, uninteresting,
and wretched I ever saw. I reached Hill-top — a place separated from Sale by
a frightful morass — about 5 p.m. I abandoned all hope of getting to the end
of my journey that evening, and turned aside to a squattage about two miles
distant from Hill-top. I was most warmly received by Mrs. Campbell, and
soon foixnd myself quite at home. Mr. John Campbell soon came and expressed
himself pleased at seeing me. There was a yoimg (Hobart) lady, the governess
of the children, from whom I had learnt that she had been connected with
Melville Street Sunday School, and was still retaining the fear and love of
God. I spent with this hospitable, godly family, a quiet and profitable
evening. Some of the men came in for family worship, when I read one of the
Psalms, gave a short exposition, and oflEered prayer.

' The next morning I left Glencoe Station, when Mr. Campbell kindly piloted
me across the inland sea of water-mud and morass, and never left me until he
saw me safely in Sale. The first gentleman I saw was the Venerable Archdeacon
Stretch, who spoke to me words of kindness and respect. He is a man of a
different spirit from his brother at Port Albert ; so I would judge. I soon found
the house of Mr. and Mrs. Nehemiah Guthridge, from whom I received a truly
Hibernian welcome. In the afternoon Mr. Guthiidge and I called upon a
Mr. George Boss, an Inverness Methodist, and a Mr. Stead, the son of the
Rev. Thomas Stead, then stationed in Liverpool. We visited some other friends
as well. In the evening I preached in the Mechanics' Hall to about one
hundred people. The singing was led by Mr. William Little, who had come in
from Stratford, a distance of twelve miles, to see me and to attend the service.
The Guthridge and Little families weie for many years connected with Wesley
Church, and were amongst our most generous friends and sincere supporters.
After the pviblic service, I desired all who felt an interest in my errand to stay
and hear what I had to say in explanation of it. About thirty stayed, who,
after hearing my statements, expressed an earnest wish to have a Wesleyan
minister forthwith appointed to reside amongst them.

' Having collected all the information I needed relative to the population in
and about Sale, I left on the morning of the 28th, and proceeded on horseback
in company with a young Irishman, of the name of Michael Dillon, and reached
Mr. Parr's in the evening. I had been in the saddle some twelve hours, and was
much fatigued with the journey.

' On the 29th, I rode out to Yarram Yarram, an agricultural district, about
nine miles from Port Albert, and spent several hours in visiting. I called upon
the Devonshires, Mr. and Mrs. Gray, Kendall, Huntingdon, Collis, Fisher,
Carpenter, Barlow, Ostler, and spoke to the children in the day school. Five
of these families were Wesleyans ; the others were Independents or Baptists.
Mrs. Devonshire pressed me to go across the paddocks to see a young married
woman, who the day before had been confined of twins. The hut, in which she
and her husband lived, was perhaps ten feet by six, and was destitute of every
comfort, A portion of the hut was portioned off as her room. I found her

AUSTRALIA. 185

with her infants clinging to her breasts, as if they were sucking her life away to
save their own. The husband was outside trying to split up a tree for sale as
firewood. He had been unfortunate up the couutry, and had taken refuge in
this bit of forest land. His wife had come from a comfortable home ; having
been born on a farm a few miles outside St. Austell, in Cornwall, I prayed
with this poor creature, gave her my card at her request, with the date of my
visit written thereon, and a few shillings to help her in her present distress.
The sorrowfulness of that scene haunted me for many weeks ; nay, for some
months.

' In the evening of this to-be-remembered day I preached in the Presbyterian
Church at Port Albert, to a large and highly respectable congregation. I met
the leading Wesleyan friends after the service : fully explained the object of my
visit, after which they signified with one consent their strong desire for the
ordinances of their own church, and pressed upon me to use every possible
exertion to secure for them and the neighbourhood the services of a Wesleyan
minister. '

After all the fatigue and exposvire ia my journeyings in Gipps
Land, the most trying and dangerous part was the return voyage to
Melbourne. I had written to Mrs. Bickford that I expected to be at
St. Ealda about 4 p.m., on the 31st, in time for the Sabbath services
the next day. I went on board the Keera at 10 p.m., on the 30th, and
we steamed away from Port Albert, with calm weather, and full of
hope for a speedy voyage. But during the night we were met with
a strong head-wind, which soon increased to a gale. To save our
little struggling steamer, ourselves, and a valuable cargo, from de-
struction. Captain Lapthorne put in at Western Port Bay, and took
shelter under the lee of Rabbit Island. We were detained by the
heavy weather in that position until the following Tuesday morning.
During all this time we could have no communication with Melboui-ne,
and the worst fears were felt for our safety. In our humble home
at St. Kilda there were much distress and many tears ; and when at
length I turned up on Tuesday evening, I met Mrs. Bickford so
overcome as to be scarcely able to speak. At last she said, ' I had
given up all hope of ever seeing you again.' I could see at a glance,
by the disturbance of her usual placid countenance, how much agony
of suspense she had suftered.

Nov. lOth. — The District Meeting was commenced to-day: the
Eev. D. J. Draper, Chairman; Ptev. John Harcourt, Secretary. I
reported my visit to Gipps Land, and obtained a grant of .£150 to
assist in estabhshing one minister at Port Albert, and another at
Sale. Mr. Thomas Grove was unanimously recommended by the Dis-
trict Meeting as a candidate for our ministry. Rev. E Jenkins, M.A.^

186 JAMES BICKFOIiD : AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

preached an able sermon in Wesley Church on the words, ' A servant
of God.' The District Meeting accepted a series of resolutions which
I submitted, on the appointment of a Committee of Pi-ivileges and
the establishment of a Theological Institution. My official report
on the day schools Avas well received. On the 17th, the sessions
closed in the usual manner. In the afternoon of the same day, Sir
Charles and Lady Darling opened the Bazaar for the new church at
Prahran. They were both complacent and Kberal. Sia- Charles had
intimately known the Rev. Jonathan Edmondson in Jamaica, and
took much pleasure in speaking of him as ' My friend Edmondson.'
On the 19th, Sir Charles took the chair at Wesley Church, when
Dr. Jenkins gave his noble lecture on India.

Nov. 30th. — Yesterday I preached in Ballarat in aid of our foreign
missions. This evening, in the LycUard Street Church, the Rev. Samuel
Waterhouse gave a most effective speech on Fiji. I never heard a
better address on that interesting mission. The Rev. J. S. Waugh
the Superintendent of the Cii'cuit, called an aggregate meeting of the
local committees and day school teachers, that we might consult
together on the still perplexing subject of Public Education. As the
secretary of the general committee, I had much information to give
the assembled brethren. On the motion of Mr. (now Dr.) Waugh,
I was heartily thanked for my address. In the evening we had a
fine missionary meeting at Barkly street, when Mr. Waterhouse and
I were again the speakers.

Dec. 2ith. — One of the dearest old men I have met with was Mr.
Parr, of South Yarra. He was formerly a leading IMethodist in
Manchester. Mr. Parr was a great help to the Prahran Church, and
he was much loved both by ministers and people. His latest af-
fliction was one of great acuteness. I went this day to administer
the Lord's Supper to my dear friend. He was much blessed in his
soul. He said that he felt the presence of Christ to be with him ;
but that his distressing bodily weakness was as much as he could
bear. He had no fear of death, and was assured that all would be
well. On the 28th, we concluded the St. Kilda Church Anniversary.
The result, in cash and pi'omises, was .£379 Is. 2d.

At the Watch Night Service the Rev. C. Moir, M.A. (Presb}'terian),
gave us a good and faithful exposition of God's Word. I concluded
the service with an address and the accustomed solemnities. It was
a profitable time. Piaised be Gcd for the mercies of another year !

AUSTRALIA. 187

1864.

As a sample of nearly every day's engagements at St. Kilda, I
copy from my Diary for that day, January \st, the exact record : —

' Bead Genesis i. ; 2 Chronicles i. ; and St. Matthew i. Received letters from
Revs. J. B. Waterhonse and J. Watsford, S.A. The latter paid me £7 Ifi.f. for
'• Minutes of Conference." Mr. Matthew Burnett called and conversed with me
for two hours. Wrote upon Joshua xxiv. 15. Two ladies and seven children
called, and threw us into all sorts of confusion before they left. Mr. John
D — ^ from Scarsdale, called and sat more than an hour and a half in my
study. Went to Mr. Burnett's, and baptized his child. Attended the Sunday
School treat at Mount Erica, and distributed the prizes. Came home at
10.30 p.m.'

Where, it may be well asked, is the leisure to be got, in the face
of such ever-recurrent engagements for pulpit preparation, pastoral
visitation, and general reading, as the record of this day presents ?
' Echo answers, Where % ' The Methodist Superintendent, in some
positions, has to swim against wind and tide ! If he happen to be a
prominent public man he is to be pitied.

Jan. \1th. — The Rev. T. Buddie came from Auckland. He is to
be our guest during the holding of the Confei-ence. I Avas occupied
most of the day in preparing the forms for the Stationing Committee.
I held the Quarterly Meeting in the evening. We had £40 in hand
after paying all demands upon the Board. The membership had
increased to 536, with 21 on trial. The Hon. A. Fraser and Mr. T.
Nicol were appointed Circuit Stewards, and Mr. John Whitney as
Secretary to the Quarterly Meeting.

On the 13th, I went to Prahran to hold the local preachers'
meeting. Our young brother, B. M. Hunter, preached on ' Justifi-
cation by Faith ' (Bom. v. 1) much to the satisfaction of the brethren.
The sermon was well thought out, exactly Wesleyan in its theology,
and delivered with sober and convincing effect. The examination at
the close was equally satisfactory, and Mr. Hunter was received by
an unanimous vote as a fvdly accredited local preacher.

Jan. ^Qth. — The Conference commenced to-day ; Bev. J. BuUer,
President, and the Bev. J. S. Waugh, Secretary. An alteration was
made in my appointment, as recommended by the District Meeting
and Stationing Committee, so that instead of going to the Melbourne
First Cii'cuit (Wesley Chm-ch), I was appointed to the Sydney Second
Circuit (Chippendale); and the Bev. J. Egglestone, who was anxious

188 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

to leave the Foreign Missionary Secretaryship, in Sydney, was ap-
pointed in my stead to Wesley Church, the First Melbourne Circuit.
Three important resolutions were passed at thLs Conference relative
to the Jubilee of the Foreign Missionary Society in London. The
first related to the establishment of a Central Theological Institution ;
the second, to the commencement of a mission in New Guinea ; and
the third, for the relief of burdened trusts and for the erection of new
churches. A carefully worded resolution was made of the invalu-
able services rendered to the Methodist Church by the Rev. William
Taylor ; and also of the able services of the Rev. E. E. Jenkins.

In the Conference Address we have a strong recommendation upon
a much neglected duty amongst our congregations : —

' Let Infant Baptism be much more with you than a form or a domestic
festival. Let your efforts and prayers for the early conversion of your children
be unceasing. Let there be a church in every house, and let a priestly sacred-
ness elevate and guide parental relationship.'

Mr. Taylor preached before the Conference on the subject of
' Perfect Love.' The platform was full of senior ministers and
Conference officials, and Wesley Church was crowded. When the

hymn,

' Ye who know your sins forgiven,
And are happy in the Lord,'

was sung, high notes of ' true believers ' rose higher still in pajans of

praise to God.

' On the soul of each believer,
Let the Holy Ghost descend :
He is coming : He is coming !
Glory — glory — to the Lamb !'

was the beautiful climax to this Pentecostal service. On February
A:th this glorious Conference closed.

Feb. Wth. — A day of mournfulness caused by the early death of
Master George Watson, through accident. I buried his dear remains
in the St. Kilda Cemetery. It was a largely attended funeral. In
the evening, I wrote a letter of condolence to my afflicted friend,
Mrs. Watson, to comfort her concerning the loss of her son. This
day I handed to Mr. Draper bank deposit receipts for £624 17s. ^d.
for the new church at Prahran. The Rev. Francis Neale, my col-
leagvie, should have the credit of getting most of this handsome
amount.

AUSTRALIA. 189

March \st. — I went once more to Sandhurst, at the in\'itation of
the Rev. George Daniel. After calling upon several of my foi-mer
friends at California Hill and Eagle Hawk, Mr. Daniel and I went
to the White Hills to attend a meeting for raising funds for building
a new church : £100 and gratuitous labour, with some materials,
were promised. It was a capital meeting, and the friends were glad
to see me again.

The next day Mr. Daniel and I drove out to Myrtle Creek, to see
my brother George and his family. T baptized three of my brother's
children, and spent a comfoitable time with them. We went to
Golden Square in the evening, and spoke at the missionary meeting.
Messi-s. Richards, Allingham, Lyle, and other brethren were glad to
see me again.

April Qfh. — The time had now come for us to say ' good-bye ' to
St. Kilda. This evening the usual valedictory meeting was held ;
and my old and faithful friend, the Hon. A. Fraser, presided. The
speaking was confined to our own Circuit officials, whose words were
kind and generous. My reply was short, but quite enough under
the sorrowings of a ' farewell ' to so affectionate a people. I was
presented with a massive inkstand of silver, and Mrs. Bickford with
an elegant desk. The theological class presented me with a beautiful
address, and a valuable book, with the names of the members
inscribed.

With this meeting was closed my official connection with this
comfortable Circuit, and its many, many dear friends.

New South Wales.

We rose early and got ready for our voyage to Sydney. Arriving
in Melbourne, we found Revs. Draper, Millard, Harcourt, Dare,
Neale, and several other Methodist friends waiting to see us. We
sailed at 1 p.m., in the Cit^/ of Adelaide, in charge of Captain Walker,
an experienced commander in the company's service. We had many
passengers. I had been so many years in Victoria, that it was no
wonder that I felt svTch a sense of oppressive solitude as we steamed
down Hobson's Bay. An itinerant ministry is scriptural ; but the
wrench which it inflicts is hard to bear. It was particularly so in
this case.

We did not reach Sydney till the morning of the 10th, when we
were met at the wharf by Mr. Charles Caldwell, who took us to his

190 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

parents' home in Pitt Street. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell gave us a
genuine Irish welcome, and we had to remain with them until late
in the week, when we took possession of our house in Cleveland
Street. The day after our arrival I got all our luggage from the
steamer, and had it conveyed to oui- new home. I preached my first
sex'mon at Chippendale on the Tuesday evening, and held a leaders'
meeting to nominate officers for the Sunday School Committee. It
was a novel business to me. I found in existence a code of local
rules for managing the schools of the circuit.

The Cii'cuit of which I was now put in charge was small in extent.
It had only five preaching places : — Chippendale, Hay Street,
Bishopsgate Street, Toxteth, and Mt. Lachlan. But the population
was large. Sydney (proper) had 59,719, and the suburbs 40,543.
The births, for the first three months of the year, had been 1,864 ;
and the deaths 681. My colleague, the Rev. Richard Sellors, had
had his training in Richmond College, London, and was a young
man of considerable promise.

Being new to the Colony, I saw tliat my time and services would
not be required for much Connexional work. I theiefore determined
to be diligent in preaching and pastoral work, in helping the Sunday
schools, forming a theological class for young men, and Bible classes
for the elder pupils of day and Sunday schools. Bands of Hope and
other Temperance work. By proceeding upon a given plan, as to
every day's work, I saw that I would be able to resume a class of
studies which for many years had been impossible in my busy
Victorian life. I cast myself upon the Lord for His grace and help
in respect to each and all these several departments of ministerial
duty.

I was comforted in the behef that the day school question would
not be a trouble to me as it had been for many years in Victoria ;
but the Sunday school institution I saw was bound to be, because of
the constitution under which they were worked. The first of a series
of disputes came up on the 15th, being only five days after my arrival
in the Circuit. I had to meet the General Committee for the election
and appointment of the Sunday school officials in the Circuit. It
was a spirited affair. But the trouble specially arose from the fact
that this committee was a ' Court of Appeal ' and a case of long
standing from Bishopsgate Street had to be heard. We sat until
a late hour, when it was agreed that I should hear the parties

AUSTBALIA. 191

implicated at Bishopsgate Street itself on tbe following Monday-
evening. By changing the venue, and limiting the court to the
smallest number, I hoped to curtail any spread of bad feeling
throughovTt the Circuit. This object was happily secured; for
at the adjourned meeting the whole matter was satisfactorily
arranged.

The Aliens, at Toxteth, were very influential in religious circles in
Sydney. The Hon. G. Allen, M.L.C., and Mrs. Allen, were specially
the friends of Wesleyan ministers ; Mrs. Allen was, as a child, a
member of the first Methodist class, formed in 1815, in Sydney.
From that period, during all the intervening years, she had been a
true Methodist and a devout follower of Christ. Mrs. George W.
Allen and Miss Allen were also members. On Saturday evenings
there were select gatherings of clergymen of all denominations, and
godly ladies and gentlemen, who met there for religious intercourse.
I attended one of these ' socials ' on the evening of the 24th, and
spent a few hours very agreeably. The whole Allen family laid
themselves out for promoting the ease, comfort, and profit of the
visitors.

On the 25th, I attended the Financial District Meeting, the Rev.
S. Rabone presiding. On the 26th, I went to the City Cemetery to
see the grave of the missionary Spinney. I knew him as a young
man, resident in the parish of Lodthswell, Devon, before he entered
the ministry. At that time he was a stalwart man capable of much
physical exertion. But he died in Sydney of consumption after all.
His career in Fiji was short, but it was eminently useful. I also
went to Darlinghurst Gaol to have an interview with Frank
Gardiner, the notorious ' bushman ' and highway robber. The
jury had acquitted him of the capital charge. I saw John Vane
privately, and talked and prayed w-ith him. Misguided young man !
His sentence was fifteen years with hard labour. I promised him a
Bible.

May lltli. — -I went over to Toxteth to meet the class. We met
alw^ays in the ' chapel of ease ' the Hon. G. Allen had built, and in
which he officiated on Sunday mornings ; ordained ministers (Wes-
leyan and others) officiated on Sunday evenings. Mrs. Allen took
me to see two afflicted sisters, tenants on the property. I called
afterwards upon Mrs. Boxell and Mrs. Sprod. I gave the lord's
Supper to old Mrs. Gillard. I began the theological class this

192 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

evening : thi'ee came. Mi", and Mrs. Springthorpe, formerly of
St. Kilda, and Mrs. Flashman, formerly of Modbury, Devon, came
and spent a couple of hours with us this evening. We had a
profitable conversation.

June 5th. — We held a Circuit tea meeting to raise money for
putting the parsonage in order, and for furniture: £95 was the
result.

June 10th. — Five came to the theological class this evening. I
expect much pleasure and profit from this weekly exercise. My
papers are based on Richard Watson's ' Institutes,' because there
are none better. I read to-day the Rev. Thomas Smith's Life by
himself. I do not wonder, but am grateful, that the Bishop of
Sydney suppressed this publication. Smith was a ' brand plucked
from the burning.'

June nth. — I met the Bible class for the first time; thirty were
present.

June 25th. — This morning I went to Toxteth (Hon. G. Allen's) to
join several friends in meeting the Rev. William Taylor (alias
' Californian Taylor '), with whom I was greatly pleased. He seems
full of the Spirit of God.

Jutie 28th. — Mr. Taylor came as our guest during the time he will
be working at Chippendale. The leaders met him in my study, for
counsel and prayer relative to the revivalistic services to be held in
our Circuit. Mr. Taylor appeared to great advantage as he unfolded
his plan of working, and sought the co-operation of the brethren. He
speaks as a ' master in Israel ' only could speak on the winning of
souls for Christ.

Jubj ith. — Mr. Taylor preached from the words : ' Do ye now
believe?' The church was crowded, and thirty penitents found peace
with God.

July 5th. — Mr. Taylor preached famously this evening, and the
names of twenty-eight seekers were taken down. Mr. White and
Mr. McCoy, senior, were brought to God at this service.

Jul)/ 1th. — Mr. Taylor gave us a forceful and impressive sermon
on 'Christian Perfection.' We made this evening a collection of
<£18 17s. for the 'Church Extension Society,' whose object is to
spread the blessings of the Gospel throughout the colony.

July 8th. — Mr. Taylor and I went to Darlinghurst Gaol to hear
the trial of Frank Gardiner. The court was crowded in every part.

AUSTRALIA. 193

We were accommodated with chairs by the side of the Chief Justice,
and could watch the proceedings with effect. In addition to the
apparent indifference of the prisoner, there was a levity of manner
in the court, which, if not expressive of actual sympathy with
Gardiner, was highly unbecoming. It looked much like an endorse-
ment of crime. We did not stay to the end of the trial. In the
evening j\Ir. Taylor preached again, and with ' great power.' We
have good reason to believe that, at least, one hundred and eighty
souls have been savingly benefited by Mr. Taylor's labours in this
Circuit.

July \^th. — I held my first Quarterly Meeting. There were
twenty-one brethren present. The finances had greatly sprung.
The meeting, by unanimous votes, fixed the Superintendent's salary
at =£275, and the second minister's at .£160 per annum. All things
considered, these allowances were equal to those paid in Victoria.

July 20th. — I went to the recognition services of the Rev. John
Graham, Pitt Street Congregational Church. There were twenty-
five ministei's present, and a ' full house.' It was a very fine time.

The Rev. Samuel Leigh landed in Sydney on August 10th, 1815.
Hence this is the jubilee year of the mission of our church in
Australia. Mr. Leigh landed from the ship with a heart full of
peace and hope and gratitude. He said, in his first 1 'ter to the
London Committee : — •

' The signal is up for our arrival in sight, and the wind is more favourable for
us. It is 12 o'clock, and we are now in sight of the cove and town. Sydney
has a good appearance from our situation. Its first view exceeds my expectation.
At 3 o'clock I landed at the King's Wharf, from which place I was conducted
to Mr. Bowden's, in good health, and in the enjoyment of peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ. Surely goodness and mercy have followed
me all the voyage, and it is of the Lord that I am brought unto my desired
haven. What shall I render unto Thee, the King of Saints ? May all the days
of my life be devoted to Thee ! '

Such was the spirit of full consecration to God, and dependence
upon the care and love of His providence, in which this pioneer
missionary of the Cross entered upon his great work in thia
Australian continent.

July 2Qth. — My daily routine work is now fully within my grasp.
As a specimen, I give the Diary's record for this day : —

' Did a good Hebrew and Latin exercise. Visited Mrs. Clissold (a confirmed
invalid), Mrs. Wright, Mrs. Gray, Mrs. Hayden, Mrs. Oliver, Mrs. Swinball,

13

194 JAMES BICKFORD : AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

and Mrs. Wearne. Went to Bishopsgate Street and preached ; returning, 1
heard more than half of the Rev. Thomas Smith's lecture on " Ups and Downs."
Mr. Buckland and I sat together, and heard the reverend lecturer with great
pain. It was a performance worthy of an ecclesiastical buffoon rather than of an
Anglican clergyman. Read Stevens's '■ History of Methodism " until 11 o'clock,
I wrote notes of invitation to several persons to become members of the
"Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association " which we had established
at Chippendale.'

The Eev. William Taylor began a series of services at Hyde Pai-k
on the evening of the 28th, for the spiritual benefit of the unsaved
multitudes. We had a platform erected, and gas laid on, and other
conveniences. We adjourned to York Street Church, for gathering
vip the results.

Julij ^\st. — This morning the Eevs. W. Taylor, S. Rabone,
W. Moore, and J. Dunn, who had just come up from Fiji, and
myself, also Messrs. Wearne and Ducker, went to see the Mint.
We saw the whole process of coining from the beginning, and
handled sovereigns then and thei-e minted. I then went to see the
John Wesleu, and was pleased to find the good ship which had done
such valuable service in the South Seas. In the evening I went
with Mr. Taylor to the Hyde Park and York Street sei-vices.

Sept. 5th. — Following up Mr, Taylor's convincing lecture upon
' Total Abstinence ' last week, at St. Bamabas's (Anglican), we
formed at Chippendale this evening a society, when twenty-eight
gave in their names to be members. We appointed Mr. Richard
McCoy secretary, and Mr. Dorsett treasurer.

Sept. 8th. — Mrs. Bickford and I went to Newington College to see
the Rev. Mr. Manton, the Principal. We found him very ill. He
was trusting in the blood of Christ for final salvation. He quoted
with a full confidence the words : ' Yea, though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil : for Thou art with
me ; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.' I prayed with him, and
commended him to the faithful and merciful God. In the evening
I heard young Robert Johnston preach, who did well. This is the
first-fruits of our Theological Class.

Sept, 10th. — We buried the remains of dear Mr. Manton to-day in
the Paramatta Cemetery. His last words were — ' Saved at last ! '
He was the founder of the College, and in his removal we have
suffered a great loss.

Se2}t. \2th. — I wrote this day to the Hon. Dr. Wilson, Com-

AUSTRALIA. 195

missioner of Lands, setting forth the great need there was at
Chippendale of a larger church site for our congregations and
schools , and requesting that the Government would make us the
necessary grant of an unoccupied piece near our property.

Nov. 3rd. — The District Meeting was begun to-day ; the Rev. S.
Eabone, Chairman ; the Rev. C. W. Rigg, Secretary. At this meet-
ing we carefully considered the plan for creating Colonial Annual
Conferences. We also inaugurated the Jubilee movement by a
largely attended breakfast meeting, a love-feast, and a glorious
assemblage in the evening. The Hon. G. Allen, M. L. C, presided.
Most interesting reminiscences of the early ministers and the work
were given by the Rev. Ralph Mansfield, who, himself, was the
fourth Wesleyan minister the British Conference sent to New
South Wales, and arrived in Sydney in 1820. Mr. Robert Iredale
and I were appointed treasvirers, and Mr. C. W. Rigg, secretary.
The giving was most liberal. It was a glorious day for New South
Wales INlethodism.

Dec. lltli. — Our new church at the Glebe was opened for Divine
worship to day. The next day at the tea 500 persons were
present, and at the after meeting the building was crowded. We
i-aised by these services £171 4s. lOfZ. On the 14th I breakfasted
at the Rev. Dr. Steele's. The Revs. J. Graham, Adam Thompson,
and J. Yoller were there also. We agreed upon a plan for united
religious services during the fii-st week in January. On the 17 th I
buried the remains of our late afflicted brother, David Moon, in the
same grave as had been laid those of his good father, Jesse Moon,
some years ago. On my pronouncing the Benediction, an old friendl
of the family, looking into the grave where father and son were now-
sleeping in death, said, audibly, and with much emotion: 'The
prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.' It was a unique
expression, and touched many hearts.

Dec. 29t/i. — ^Mrs. Bickford read the usual Lessons, and SutcHfie's
Commentary, in consequence of my being very poorly. Indeed, I
am quite run down with labours of Circuit and Connexional cares.
My good friend, Dr. O'Reilly, came and prescribed for me.

1865.

New year's Sabbath I preached twice on the subject of 'The
Barren Fig Tree.' I hope it was a good beginning of the year.

196 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

The next day the Young Ladies' Bible Class held a ' Social,' at which
sixty members were present. I was presented with a beautiful
inkstand and address in token of their gratitude.

Jan. \^th. — The Conference was opened to-day; the Rev.
J. S. Waugh, President, and the Rev. H. H. Gaud, Secretary. I
was requested to report the business of the Conference for the Daily
Press. Our old friend, Mr. Binks, was our guest. On the 27th I
went to the Land Office, and saw the word ' Approved ' written on
the margin of the official record of the grant of the new site at
Chippendale. We had now full scope for a complete church
establishment.

The Eev. D. J. Draper obtained from this Conference a year's leave
of absence for visiting England. He had rendered good service to our
Church for more than thirty years in New South Wales, South
Australia, and Victoria, and deserved his holiday. His fine character
and devoted labours well merited the complimentary notice in re-
ference to him. On the 11th Mr. Draper called to bid us good-bye.
My prayer is that he and Mrs. Draper may have a pleasant voyage
to the dear old country, and a safe return, at the time appointed, to
Australia.

There is a way for making up to our invalid members the loss they
suffer from deprivation of the means of grace. I found that on
entering upon the duties of this Circuit, my predecessor, the Rev.
S. Rabone, had paid almost a daily visit to one of God's dearest
children, Mrs. Clissold. This obligation I inherited and fulfilled.
But our sister wanted something more than the simple pastoral visit ;
she wanted the fellowship and worship combined, with the Lord's
Supper also. The first of the kind I arranged for. There was
a gathering of ' elect sisters ' in her room. The service was a
miniature one of those held in the church hard by. At the close,
Mrs. Clissold said 'the service had been precious to her soul.'

March 2nd. — The Crown Surveyor laid out our grant of land at
Chippendale this morning ; so that we are now in legal possession,
and the way is cleared for commencing the erection of our new
church. It is to cost about .£4,500.

March 2>lst. — We held our Quarterly Fast by a prayer meeting
at 7 a.m., and another at noon. The latter was a season of deep
and earnest supplication ; especially for the prosperity of the
Circuit.

AUSTRALIA. 197

April oth. — I examined the Chippendale Day School to-day.
Messrs. Joseph Wearne and T. Reeve were present, members of the
Local Board. There were 145 pupils in the classes. Mr. and Mrs
Burrows are doing well in this school.

On the 8th, I prepared five sheets of catechetical lessons foi- the
public examination at Easter. On the 18th, I attended a vale-
dictory meeting for the Revs. W. Moore, J. E. Moulton, and J.
Rooney. On the 20th the Johti Wesley sailed for the South Seas
with these valued brethren and their wives. There were many
friends to see them off. We wished them ' good-bye ' near the
' Heads.' On the 27th I was present at a committee meeting of
Newington College. There was a large attendance of gentlemen,
and, amongst other important matters of business, it was agreed
that my nephew, Edmund Sorrel Bickford, who was daily expected
from the Westminster Training College, should be employed as Fourth
Master if deemed eligible by Mr. President Fletcher.

I heard this afternoon that the notorious Ben Hall, bui'glar and
murderer, had been killed. ' Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man
shall his blood be shed.'

May Gth. — This is my forty- ninth birthday. The Lord has been
forbearing and gracious during the past year to me.

May 8th. — Being in the city I learnt that the Bora was inside the
' Heads.' I hired a boat, and went down our beautiful harbour to
meet the good ship with my nephew on board. I saw him on the
quarter deck, and instinctively i-ecognised him. ' Surely blood is
thicker than water.' He had grown during the eleven years which
had elapsed since we parted at Kingsbridge in 1854, to be a full
man. We hastened to the parsonage in Cleveland Street, where his
aunt was impatiently awaiting his arrival.

This is my Diary jotting for May 11th : —

' Went to Newingtoa with my nephew, E. S. Bickford, to introduce him to
the Rev. J. H. Fletcher, the President, and Mr. Thomas Johnston, the Head
Master. They conversed with him on various subjects embraced in college
work, and were pleased with him. He is to enter upon his new duties on
May 15th.'

On the 26th I went by steamer to the Hunter River. I left the
wharf at 11 p.m., and reached Newcastle the next morning. I spent
the day ^vith Mrs. Creed, visited several families, and in the evening
spoke at the missionary meeting ; Mr. Daniel, brother of Rev. George

198 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Daniel, presided. On the 27th I went on to Maitland, and was the
guest of Mr. and Mrs. Owen. I found that the visit of the Rev.
WiUiam Taylor had been a great blessing in the town and district.
After preaclung on the Sabbath, and attending three meetings, I
returned to Sydney.

June nth. — Mr. James Hooke, formerly a schoolmate of mine at
Ivybridge, Devon, called to see me. We much loved each other as
youths. How strange that we should meet again after more than
thirty years of non-intercourse or knowledge of each other's whei'e-
abouts ! It is very surprising that we could so easily Ijridge over the
incidents which had filled those thirty years.

June 24:th. — Sad news from America ! President Lincoln has been
assassinated. A great man has fallen, and the whole world mourns
the loss.

On the 29th I pi'epared a statement of the Rev. W. Taylor's Sydney
financial affairs; after which I attended a committee of ministers
and laymen, for considering how we should fittingly recognise the
soul-saving labours which he had rendered to the congregations
and people of Sydney and neighbourhood. We agreed to hold a
public meeting, and present an address and a purse. W^e cannot do
too much for this great and much honoured servant of God.

July 3rd. — My nephew, E. S. B., is beginning to evidence a pre-
ference for preaching to teaching at the College. I therefore
requested him to prepare a manuscript sermon, and read it to me.
The first of the kind he read this evening. It was in the rough, but
I liked both its theology and diction.

On the 4th we held our Quartei'ly Meeting. We had a good
increase of membership, and a balance in hand of £4:2.

July Wth. — The Rev. W. Taylor sailed to-day. He has done a
good work for his Master in New South Wales. May God be with
him !

Sept. IWi. — After many delays and annoyances in arranging for
the erection of our Chippendale Church, the Building Committee this
evening resolved to return to its original intention of spending about
£5,000 for the buUding. To accomplish this object we had to get
an entirely new set of plans and specifications. What a plagiie
architects sometimes are to trustees and committees ! In this
particular case we were much tried. The lowest tender for the
first plans was £6,700, whereas our instructions were for a building

AUSTRALIA. 199

to cost £5,000 at the farthest. At length we accepted a tender at
our own figure, and the work proceeded.

July I8th. — English telegram: 'Old Pam is still in the ascendent.'
In the evening I attended an ' Ordination Service,' when the Rev. J.
S. Austin was solemnly set apart as a missionary to the Navigator
Islands. The veteran Rev. James Calvert gave the charge. It was
a season of blessing.

Oct. 5th. — Held the Quarterly Meeting. The increase of members
was 106, and the credit balance was =£45. Mr. Robert Johnston
was recommended for the Ministry.

Oct. 22nd. — I preached at Wollongong in aid of the ' Church
Sustentation Society.' The next morning the Rev. George Hurst
and I went to the American Creek to inspect the Kerosene Works.
We went into the mine, conducted by Mr. John Graham, one of the
proprietors. It was a wonderful deposit. The works, now in course
of erection, will cost ^2,500. On the 25th Mr. Hurst and I went
up to Mount Keira to see the coalmine. We literally ' went into
the mountain,' guarded from danger by the standing walls of coal
which sustain the superincumbent weight. Layers of purest coal,
six or eight feet in depth, stood across our track, in the front of
which were men with their picks and shovels working at the lowest
part, when all that had been affected by the strokes came tumbling
down. Tramways were laid all along the mine for conveying the
coal to the mouth, where it was shot into a connecting shoot, and
whisked along to the vessel lying more than a mile off at the
Wollongong Wharf. The New South Wales coal-beds are the
marvel of scientific men, and are rather different in their form
from those found m the North of England. I attended meetings at
Wollongong, Bulli, and Mount Keira. On the 26th I left by the
steamer Hunter, and reached Sydney on the evening of the same
day.

N'ov. 1th. — The District Meeting was begun to-day. On the
evening of the 8th I preached the official sermon in York Street
Church. We took the Lord's Supper at the close of the service.
We had an increase of 480 members, with 299 on trial. We had
four candidates, two of whom passed. Messrs. Manning, Sellars,
Wiles, and Gillmore were examined by Mr. Fletcher, and were
ultimately recommended to be taken into full connexion at the
ensuing Conference. The Rev. William Curnow was elected

200 JAMES JilCKFORD: A\ AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Representative. Tha sittings were closed on the 16th. On the
1 8th Mrs. Taylor and her three sons arrived from San Francisco ;
I went to Dr. MofFatt's to see them, and sent a telegram to
Mr. Taylor, then at Willunga, South Australia, to come to Sydney
forthwith.

Dec. 4:th. — Went to Parramatta to attend the Missionary Meeting.
This place is full of old Methodist families. I visited the Oakeses,
Watkinses, Byrneses, Martins, and Bowdens.

Dec. I6th. — English telegram : ' Lord Palmerston is dead.' Irish
hy birth, and English by sympathy, he served his country well, and
upheld the honour of England in every Cabinet and Court in
Europe. Finished another article for the Advocate. Subject,
' Public Morals.'

Dec. 30th. — This year has been one of mercy and blessing.

1866.

Jan. 1st. — We had an auspicious beginning of the new year.
Mrs. George Wigram Allen laid the memorial stone of the new
church at Chippendale. We called it ' Wesley Church,' in honour
of our founder, and to indicate to the public its character and claims.
The ceremony passed off with much eclat. About £370 was then
subscribed for the new building. The next day I called on Sir
John Young, the Governor, and asked him for a subscription for our
new chui-ch. It was amusing to hear him say that it was a principle
with him to give to nothing that was local ; and that, if he were to
give anything to me, he would violate his principle and be besieged
for every enterprise in the city. I could not but contrast Sir John's
conduct, in this case, with that of Sir Henry Barkly in Victoria.
On my way back fi'om the 'domain' I called on Mr. George
Wigram Allen, and told him of my disappointment. He spoke
encouragingly to me to persevere in my efforts, and promised me
£50 as a subscription.

Jan. 1th. — Rev. Jabez Bunting Waterhouse preached an admir-
able sermon at Chippendale. The Covenant Service was especially
good. ' My God, I am thine ! 0 save and and keep me ! '

Jan. 8th. — I attended an executive committee meeting for missions.
Captain Walsh explained to us the circumstances of the wreck of
the John Wesley. He stood by the wheel to the last minute, and

RMV?* bam::i]sx. J', Ijdmafem.,

PRESIDENl' OF THE AUSIRMu^SIAN COHFEREFCE 1859 .

AUSTRALIA. 201

when she began to break up, he sorrowfully exclaimed ' Poor Johnny ! '
We pitied the Captain very much.

Jan. 9th. — I held the Quarterly Meeting, which was well attended.
We had in hand =£56, after paying all demands. The appointments
for the year were : Superintendent, Rev. James Bickford ; second
preacher. Rev. Henry Gaud. This arrangement was to be forwarded
to Conference by Mr. Joseph Wearne, senior Steward.

Ja7i. 28tJt. — I received a letter from the Hon. Alexander
Macarthur, London, promising me =£50 towards Wesley Church,
Chippendale.

Feb. 5th. — The Station Sheet came to hand. We are to go to
Geelong in Victoria. If this be the will of God, then it will be all
well. There is strong feeling in the Circuit about this change.

Feb. 14:th. — I had a long conversation with the Rev. Stephen
Rabone on the subject of my removal from the Circuit. He told
me that Mr. Gaud moved in the Stationing Committee that my
name should stand for the Goulburn Circuit. My appointment to
Geelong was an after consideration, and arose out of the pressure of
Sydney First for Mr. Draper.

Feb. 2'2nd. — To day I received a kind letter from Messrs. James
Wood and T. B. Hunt, Circuit Stewards of the Geelong Circuit, and
enquiring as to the time of our probable arrival.

March 5th. — Sydney is full of the wildest excitement to-day.
Mr, and Mrs. Draper, Dr. Woolley, and between two and three
hundred persons had been drowned in the Bay of Biscay, through
the foundering of the steamship Londo7i, on Friday, January 5th.
W^e were struck dumb at the crushing forcefulness of the blow. All
Sydney clothed itself in mourning.

March 19th. — I attended a meeting of Sydney ministers, to provide
a Superintendent of the York Street Circuit in the place of the
lamented Mr. Draper. We agreed that the Rev. William Kelynack,
the second preacher, should take charge.

March 21st. — I paid Mr. Rabone ,£251 8s. 6cl., being the con-
tributions of the Sydney Second Circuit to the Foreign Missions
for 1865. It was a noble contribution from a generous-hearted
people.

March 24:th. — At the earnest request of Messrs. Rabone and
Chapman, I preached in York Street Church a funeral sermon for the
late Mr. Draper. There was a large and sympathetic congregation.

202 JAMES BICKFOBB: A:S AUTO BIO GBAPIIY.

I took as my text, Acts xx. 24, thinking St. Paul's great
courage as an Apostle of Christ was typical, in many resj^ects, of
Mr. Draper's loving sacrifices and blessed toil for more than thirty
years in Australia. And his conduct at the last momentous hour of
his life, in that ill-fated ship, was worthy of Paul himself in the
presence of his cruel martyrdom. Mr. Draper forgot himself in bis
last efforts to save the souls of his fellow-passengers. So died
Daniel James Draper.

March 26</i. — A valedictory service was held at Chippendale for
Mrs. Bickford and myself, this evening. A dear friend, Mr. Alder-
man Murphy, who was brought in under Mr. Taylor's preaching at
York Street, presided. Mr. Richard McCoy, another dear friend,
presented me with a beautiful timepiece, suitably inscribed, as a
memento of the true esteem and affection of our people. My heart
was indeed sad at parting from my many loving and attached
friends.

March 11th. — 1 held my last Quarterly Meeting. The member-
ship had risen to 428. Balance in hands of stewards £81. A
resolution, in which grateful mention was made of my two years'
labour, and wishing Mrs. Bickford and myself every blessing from
the Heavenly Father in our future Circuits, was unanimously passed,
and duly signed by Joseph Wearne and Thomas P. Pieeve, Circuit
Stewards.

On the 28th we set apart another missionary for the South Seas.
The service was held in York Street Cliui-ch. At the request of the
Chairman of the District, I dehvered the charge, based upon the
words of St. Paul : ' I speak concerning Christ and the Church.'

April '2nd. — I attended the Sunday School Anniversary at the
Glebe. There was a good attendance, and an excellent meeting.
At its close, Mrs. Bickford and I went on to Toxteth Park, and
spent the night in the Christian home of the Hon. G. and Mrs. Allen.
The next morning we called upon Mrs. G. W. Allen, Mrs. McAfee,
Mrs. Lewis Moore, an^ other friends.

The Diary jotting for April ith is as follows ; —

' Left Sydney to-day for Geelong, Victoria. Mr. Murphy most kindly drove
us to the wharf. Many dear friends were there to see its off and to say good-
bye. We passed through the "Heads," and proceeded at a moderate rate
towards Hobson's Bay, Victoria.'

More than twenty-three years have elapsed since the recuiience of

AUSTRALIA. 203

the events just recorded. My forcible removal from Sydney, at the
end of a two years' term of sei-vice, has in it an element of mystery
I have never been able to grasp. It had been our intention, after
spending a few more years in the Ministi-y, quietly to have settled
down in a supernumerary position in one of the city suburbs, and
there have ended our days. But, without our concurrence, or know-
ledge, until the Station Sheet came to hand, we were sent back to
Victoria, there to begin a second term of itinerancy amongst old
and new friends. Did God so appoint ? The experiences of the next
seven years must answer this question !

Arriving at Sandridge Pier, about noon on April 1th, we had the
pleasure of meeting our brother, Mr. Nicholas Moysey Bickford,
James Arscot Bickford, and Annie Bickfoi'd, and Mr. Thomas Wills,
who were there to receive us. We went straight to the Grown
Lands Office, and found my dear aged mother, Mrs. Bickford, and
a group of children, all in good health.'

Geelong.

We spent three days in Melbourne in visiting our former friends.
How we seemed to bridge easily over the chasm of a two years'
absence from them! On the 11th, we started for Geelong, and
arrived in due course at the station. The Rev. J. W. Simpson and
the Cii'cuit officials were awaiting our arrival. We quickly pi'o-
ceeded to the parsonage in Yarra Street, where Mesdames Crombie,
Brown, Hunt, and Messrs. Wood, Hunt, Balding, and Hitchcock
were to present us to our new home. Messrs. Crisp and Simpson
conversed with me on several Circuit matters which required imme-
diate attention. In the evening I preached at Newtown, and had a
nice company to join with me in a quasi-vecognition service.

It is a singular coincidence, that the very Circuit, of which I often
thovight before leaving England as that one I would like some day to
be in charge, was this very Geelong Circuit. I seemed to have been
drawn to it ; and now that I was really there, I i-esolved, by the help
of God, to do my ' level best ' for its prosperity. There were several
families at that time in Geelong for whom I had for long felt
affection and respect, and I was naturally desirous for closer ac-
quaintance with them than was possible during the time I was
itinerating on the Victorian Goldfields. I will name only a few of

204 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGBAPHY.

those whom I found in Geelong, but who have since gone to theii"
rest in heaven ! The Hon. John and Mrs. Lowe, Mr. and Mrs.
Thomas Forster, Mr. and Mrs. Rix, Mr. and Mrs. George Wright,
Mr. W. Thacker, Miss Quinan, Mrs. Sihis Harding, Mrs. Mowbray,
Mr. Burrows, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis, Mr. Gayhird, and Mr. Wyatt,
To be associated with such a company of good and holy men and
women as I found in this Cii-cuit was to me a great privilege.
Indeed, the Geelong Cii'cuit as it was twenty-five years ago was one
of the most coveted prizes in the gift of the Conference any minister
could receive at its hands.

In geographical extent the Geelong Circuit came next to the
Ballarat Circuit. It extended from Murgheboluc to Kensington,
and from the Duck Ponds to Jan Juc. The town of Geelong was
the base of operations for overtaking the work in this large area.
There was a settledness and strength in the Circuit which made me
feel that, if we were not prospA'ous, the fault would certainly be our
own. The routine woi-k woidd not be troublesome if dealt with in
a systematic and vigorous manner. A judicious administration,
with the Divine blessing, would, I felt assured, be crowned with
success.

Ajn'il 15th. — This was my first Sabbath. I preached at Chilwell
and Yarra Street. God gave me this very day the ear and heart of
the people.

On the 23rd it was notified to me, by the Seci-etary of the Board of
Education, that I had been appointed ' Corresponding Secretaiy '
for the Yarra Street and other schools in connection with the Board.
I was called late this evening to see a very old minister, a Mr.
Higgins, at Newtown. He died while I was commending him to
God in prayer. Lectui-es, Bible classes, preaching and pastoral work
occupied the remainder of this month.

May Qth. — This day I am fifty years old. God be praised for all
His mercies to me and mine !

Mai/ IQth. — I accompanied Messrs. James Oddie and Joseph A.
Doane to Melbourne, to interview the Commissionei' of Lands, Mr.
Grant, about the Lydiard Church Reserve in Ballarat. In his
absence we saw Mr. Ligar, the oflicial head of the Department, and
Mr. Brough Smyth, the head of the Mining Department. We laid
the whole matter before these gentlemen, and then went to the Book
Depot in Lonsdale Street, to prepare the required document to be

A USTRALIA. 205

laid before the Government. This being done, we all tliree signed it
on behalf of the trustees and congregation concerned.

Jime 2nd. — I accepted the position of President of the Geelong
Temperance Society, in the hope of acquiring increased influence in
dealing with questions affecting the sobriety of the people. Mr.
Benjamin Short, from Sydney, called on me. He is an intei-esting,
well-informed, and godly man. Matthew Maddern, a young man
who seeks to enter our Ministry, preached a quasi-trial sermon to-
night, and did very well.

June ISth. — I read John Bright 's famous speech on the 'Exten-
sion of the Franchise in England.' I read other great speeches
also. England's future strength, as time must show, lies in that
direction.

June 23i'd. — I went to Ballai-at to the Lydiard Street Church
Anniversary. We had a successful time. In connection with the
Monday evening meeting was inaugurated a fund for the erection of
a new church.

I returned to Geelong on the 26th, and went straightway to the
anniversary at Newtown. The Revs. D. Annear and S. Knight gave
excellent addresses. We raised about X60.

June 28th. — I went to Drysdale, to hold the Quarterly Meeting.
We had a good attendance, and a fine spirit was manifested. I
returned to Geelong in time to hear young Henry Moore preach ;
his text was : ' Beloved, now are we the sons of God.' It was a
creditable effort.

June 2dth. — I examined the Yarra Street Day School, and was
pleased with the result,

Juhj Srd. — The Newtown School 1 examined to-day. In the
evening Mr. Simpson and I went to Chilwell, to the Annual Meeting
of the Yoitng Men's Mutvial Improvement Society. It was a grand
affair and a great success.

July 5th. — I held my first Quarterly Meeting. Messrs. Crisp and
Simpson were present. The brethren Avere in excellent spirits and
the business was soon disposed of. In the evening I preached from
Rom. i, 16, when there was a gracious influence of the Divine Spirit
resting upon the people for their good. The brethi-en from the
country would return to their respective societies all the better for
their duties by this baptism of grace and love.

Jidy dth. — Special services at Yarra Street all this week. I

206 JAMES BICKVOBD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

preached every evening except Satiird.ay, when we had a ' testi-
mony ' meeting. The apparent results were small, but much good
was done in the quickening of the Church, and in enlisting the
sympathies of our people with their ministers in carrying on the
Lord's work.

July 2\st. — I went to Portarlington to open the new Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Widdicombe gave me a hearty Christian welcome
We raised £87 at the services.

July '2ith. — I went to the Hospital to make Brother Scholes's
will, who is dangerously ill. We prayed earnestly to God foi- the
prolongation of his life.

July 11th. — This evening I met in a theological class the young
brethi-en, Moore, Maddern, Legge, and Bonner. Our subject was
the ' Trinity of Persons in One Godhead.'

July 2St/i. — I have been quite poorly to-day from too much
work and worry. Thank God for the success which has attended
the special services at Newtown. Several seekers have found
salvation.

July 30t/t. — I attended a meeting of gentlemen at the Hospital,
to arrange for collecting subscriptions for erecting the new building,
as the accommodation was inadequate for the needs of the district.

July 31st. — I read to-day Disraeli's speech on the new Reform
Bill, England has still her great men : Gladstone, Bright, Deiby
Disraeli, etc. The Constitution is so safe in the hands of such men,
that the electoral franchise may be extended to millions of men
who are at pi-esent disfranchised. And what for ? This is the
question that stares the English nation in the face and demands
a reply.

Aug. 1st. — I went to Kensington and visited ten families.
Preached in the evening to a full congregation as the result of
pastoral attention. Baptized a child and gave the Lord's Supper.

Aug. 2n(l. — Mr. Scholes died to-day. I am sorely afflicted at
this loss. May the Lord comfort the widow and her five orphaned
childi-en.

Aug. Qtli. — Mr. Currie (squatter) and I, to-day, finished our
collecting for the Hospital new building. We got, in small sums,
■£20, chieriy from the mechanic classes. I read Taylor's book, ' How
to be saved,' this evening That is the great problem we are now
trying in connection with our special religious services.

A USTRALIA. 207

Auy. l^th. — We have collected in all £560 towards the Hospital.
We did not meet with one refusal.

Auy. 11th. — This afternoon, at the request of the Rev. J. S.
Wangh, I prepared a document, for the Board of Education, for
the continuance of Mixetl Schools as an essential part of our system
of public education. We seem never to have done with contentions
over our educational policy in Victoria.

Sejit. 20th. — I attended a meeting of ministers at St. George's
Church, to ari'ange for the ' Ragged Schools ' and ' Biblewomen's '
Annual Meeting. These are necessary institutions and a high
charity. We must help those who cannot help themselves. At
our preachers' weekly meeting to-day we agreed to nominate to the
Quarterly Meeting, as candidates for our Ministry, Henry Moore,
Matthew Maddern, and George Minns.

Sept. 25^/^.— Hearing that Thomas Learmouth, Esq., was at the
National Bank as a guest of Mr. R. Gillespie, I called upon him.
After a pretty full conversation upon the most prominent political
topics of the day, I wished him success in his praisewoi'thy efforts to
gain a seat in our Legislative Council. Mr. Learmouth is not only a
pious, but a strong man ; and his presence in the Council would be
a steadying power for good.

Sept. 27th. — I held the Quarterly Meeting to-day. I nominated
Messrs. Moore, Maddern, and Minns as candidates for our Ministry.
They were cordially recommended. Mr. Crisp and I were invited
to remain another year in the Circuit. Mr. Simpson was asked if
he wished a second year's appointment ; if so, the meeting would be
glad to invite him. He, in reply, said that as he was a young
beginner he would prefer a change. Whereupon, Mr. R. M. Hunter
was appointed as third preacher foi' the ensuing year.

Oct. 22nd. — I attended a Conference of Ministers on Public
Education. It was unanimously agreed to recommend to the
Government the retention of Local Committees and Religious
Instruction in all Denominational Schools.

Nov. Qth. — I attended the District Meeting in Ballarat; the
Rev. W. L. Binks, Chairman ; Rev. J. Bickford, Secretary. We had
a good beginning. Mr. Binks affectionately addressed the brethren,
and several prayed. The Sessions closed on the 14th.

Bee. 3rd. — The Rev. S. W. Baker called, and he gave much
information about the mission work in Tonga. He is to preach and

208 JA.l/ES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

speak in the interests of the Tongan Churches. He seems to be full
of the spirit of his work, and much good must result from his visit.

Dec. 5th. — I received a letter from Mr. Butler, inviting me to
Jan Juc for Christmas Day. As this was another opening for
extending the ordinances of the Church, I engaged to go. Only
ten called this forenoon. In the evening I heard the Rev. Oswald
Dykes speak to ' Young Men.' It was in many respects a famous
lecture, but I thought it wanting in outspokenness of belief in the
Divinity of Jesus Christ.

Dec. 17th. — I went to Melbourne to attend the Stationing Com-
mittee. In the evening I wrote to twelve brethren, informing them
of the Circuits for which they were recommended for appointment
by the Conference.

Dec. I8th. — I went to Ballarat, on my way to the Scarsdale Circuit,
to attend missionary services. The Rev. Heniy Baker drove me from
Ballarat to Linton's, where I was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. INlatthews,
who showed me great kindness. Here I met, for the first time, the
published account of the 'Irish State Trials,' with which I was
deeply interested. The mixture of Irish wit and legal lore which
characterised this trial, followed by the acquittal of Daniel O'Connell
and his co-patriots, must render it memorable in .significance in
British jurisprudence for years to come. I returned to Geelong
on the 21st, and in the evening I presided at the Speech Meeting of
the Centi-al School.

Dec. 25th. — At 11 a.m. I preached in Yarra Street Church,
when 150 persons assembled to join with me in commemorating
the ' Incarnation.' At midday Mrs. Bickford returned from Mel-
bourne, bringing my nephew, Edmund Sorrell Bickford, who had
just arrived from Sydney, with her. My nephew had passed the
District Meeting as a candidate for our Ministry, and had conse-
quently resigned his connection with Newington College. He seemed
unweU, but the salubrious air of Geelong, with home comforts,
wdll soon restore him to former strength.

Dec 27th. — I held the Quarterly Meeting. We had .£19 to the
good. Membership had risen to 875, with 33 on trial. The next
day the Rev. J. S. Waugh, President of Wesley College, came to
Geelong to canvass for subscriptions towards Wesley College BuikUng
Fund. As he knew none of the leading friends, I had to accompany
him. We soon got <£25 promised.

A USTRALIA. 209

Dec. Z\st. — Watch Night Ser\dce. Messrs. Hunt, Balding, and
Barker (N.S.W.) assisted in the service. It was a solemn and
heart-searching time. I hope good was done.

1867.

Jan. 8th. — This morning Mr. Hunt and I drove to Barwon Park,
and breakfasted with the hospitable Mr. and Mrs. Austin. We then
went over to the Winchelsea Township to meet the gentlemen of the
Shire Council about our Church Reserve. We agreed to yield sixty-
six feet of the north-west corner, so as to render the approach to the
bridge safe and convenient. The difficulty between the Shire and
the Church is now overcome.

Jan. 15th. — I arrived in Launceston, Tasmania, this night at 11
o'clock, when the Rev. J. Egglestone and I went to Mr. Gleadow's
as guests during the Conference. I was very ill during the voyage
over, with sea-sickness. Indeed, I lost my voice for two or three
hours. The steamer was more Hke a hospital than a pleasant sea-
boat for passengers.

Jan. 16th. — The Conference was opened to-day. The Rev. Henry
Honey Gand was President, and the Rev. Benjamin, Secretary. At
this Conference our four young brethren in Geelong were accepted
as candidates, — viz., Messrs. Brown, Maddern, Minns, and E. S. Bick-
foi"d. Mr. Egglestone asked permission to visit England for one
year. A touching ' In Memoriam ' of the late Daniel James Draper
was inserted in the Minutes, concerning his heroic death. At this
Conference was nominated for the Presidency in 1868.

Feb. 1st. — I reached Geelong at 10.30 p.m. with a heart full of
thankfulness to God for His mercies to me by land and sea. During
my absence at Conference, the Hon. John Lowe, M. L. C, of
Hampstead, died. He was a man who ' feared God above many,'
and he was a true friend to Wesleyan ministers and to INIethodism.
His removal is a great loss to the Circuit. The day after my
arrival home, I rode out to see Mrs. Lowe, now a widow, and her
only daughter at home, Emma Lowe. It was an affecting interview,
and my soul felt something of ' the sorrows of death ' for my bereaved
friends.

Feb. lith. — The Rev. Benjamin Field — a choice man, a Methodist
theologian, and an excellent pieacher, but an invalid — is coming to

14

210 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Geelong to morrow for change of air. I called on my friends,
INIr. and Mrs. Silas Harding, to ask them to entertain him during
his visit. Both seemed glad to have such an opportunity for showing
kindness to so eminent a servant of God.

Feb. 17th. — I attended the Church Anniversary at Great Brighton,
We raised £59 in aid of the Trust.

Feb. 23rd. — I went to St. Albans to select a site for a new church.
Mr. Maley directed me to a most convenient allotment, which Mr.
J. G. Carr, the pi-oprietor, would give to the Conference for such
an object.

Feb. '25th. — Messrs. Balding, Hunt, Moore, and I went to the
Duck Ponds, to a Church Anniversary. We had a fine meeting.
We were in great danger in returning to Geelong, because of the
dense darkness of the night. I reached home at midnight.

March 11th. — Having accepted the invitation of the Trustees to
take part in the opening services of Wesley Church, Sydney, I left
by steamer to-day.

At 11.30 a.m., on the 13th, we made fast to the company's wharf,
and found Messrs. Murphy, McCoy, Curtis, and Loudin, awaiting
my arrival. I went on to the Murphys', and had a warm welcome.
I spent the next three days in visiting old friends. On the evening

of the 16th I was waited on by the Circuit Steward of the Circuit,

who asked me if I had said 'I would not take another Circuit in
New South Wales ? ' To which I replied ' No.' ' Whether I would
accept a Circuit in New South Wales, if I were invited ? ' To this
I gave no pledge.

March 17th. — Wesley Church was opened to-day. I took the
evening services only. There were fine congregations. The tea and
public meeting the next day was a great afiair. We raised <£227.

Before leaving for Melbourne, my successor, the Rev. H. H. Gaud,
called my attention to two or three subscriptions to the new church,
which were marked ' paid,' but which, he said, were not accounted
for ! I quietly asked him if he had enquired at the bank in Parra-
matta Street, if the amount in question were there 1 ' He said, ' No.'
On the way to the steamer I called myself, and found that the exact
amount had been lying there for twelve months to the credit of the
Church. Mr. Murphy promised me to tell the troubled treasurer,
Mr. Gaud, of this ' nest Qgg.^ On board the steamer I had an
interesting conversation with Mr. George Coppin, of theatrical

AUSTRALIA. 211

notoriety. 1 found him to be a man of fluent speech and great
information. His account of social life in San Francisco was very
distressmg. The Rev. W. Taylor's description of the ' gambling
hells ' of that newest of American cities, had not been at all over-
drawn. I reached Geelong on the 22nd, and found all well.

March 26th. — We lost by death a truly ' elect sister,' Mrs. Sar-
geant of Ashby. Her last words were, ' I am going to the land
of the pure and the holy.'

March '28th. — I held the Quarterly Meeting to-day. The income
was £83 above the expenditure. Membership, 792 ; on trial, 62.
The brethren were in fine spirit.

March 31st. — I preached the Church Anuiversaiy Sermons at
8t. Kilda. The next day I dined at Wesley College. Dr. Waugh,
Dr. Corrigan, and I went to Brunswick to see Mr. Overend. Poor
man ! he is suddenly arrested in his career of honour and usefulness.
Afterwards I attended a meeting in St. George's Hall, on behalf of
the ' Early Closing ' movement. It was a grand meeting. On my
way back to Geelong on Ajyril 3rd, I had a long conversation with
my old neighbour, the Rev. John Potter, M.A. (Anglican), of
Ballarat, on social and ecclesiastical questions. I think Mr. Potter
is not so narrow as he was formerly, when we were together in
Lydiard Street.

May 14:th. — J. G. Carr, Esq., presented me with a ' Bill of Sale'
of three allotments of land at St. Albans, as a site for a Wesleyan
Church. Mr. Solicitor Maley had been instructed to prepare the
visual conveyance without any cost to the trustees to be appointed.

Mai/ 19th. — Mr. Thomas Pybus preached the sermons in aid of
the Trust of the Newtown Church. At the public meeting the
next day, he gave us an eloquent sj)eech on the 'Non-failure of
Christianity.' We raised ^6100 7s. 7d. On the 22nd, I wrote a
letter to the Argus, on the ' Public Instruction Bill ' now before the
House of Assembly.

3Iai/ 25th. — We held the Highton Church Anniversary this evening.
There were about 200 persons at the tea and public meeting. We
inaugurated the movement for a new church, and o£102 were-
promised.

June 1st. — At the request of the Rev, A. INIackenzie Eraser, M.A.,
I preached in the High Church (Presbyterian) this afternoon. The
service had reference to the six-monthly celebration of the Lord's

212 JAMES BICKFOBD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Supper, which was to come off the next day. This is what our
Scotch friends call ' fencing the tables ; ' a necessary precaution, no
doubt, for preventing improper persons for coming to the Lord's
Table.

June 1th. — My nephew, the Rev. E. S. Bickford, gave a lecture
this evening to the * Young Men's Literary Society,' Yarra Street,
on ' Egypt in the Time of the Pnaraohs.' It was well received, and
the lecturer was thanked.

June 2ith. — I went to Inverleigh to select a site for a church.
Messrs. Bickham and Due accompanied me from Murgheboluc. We
called upon several families who were formerly in connexion with
us. The next day I wrote Mr. Waugh, to make the usual application
to the Government for a grant of the land.

Ju7ie 27th. — We held the Quarterly Meeting to-day. The Circuit
is still prospering in every respect. In the evening I preached
to a full congregation, and held a building committee and leaders'
meeting. I returned to Yarra Street at 11 p.m. A hard day's
work.

Jul)/ Sth. — I drove Mrs. J. B. Smith, who had been visiting us for
six weeks for the benefit of her health, and my niece, Alice Bickford,
to the station. In the evening, I began reading ' Stanhope's Life of
Pitt,' with the view of understanding the reasons for the jjrovok-
ing continuance of the war with the First Napoleon, after he was
willing to come to terms, and for depriving the Ii-ish nation of
its Parliament.

July 23rd. — I buried the remains of the late Mr. Southey to-day.
I . humbly trust he found mercy from the Lord before he passed
away.

July 29th. — Mr. Hunt and I went this afternoon to Wellington
to select a site for a church. Mr. Hopkins met several of the
resident settlers in the evening, and promised us the land we wanted
if we would erect thereupon a stone or brick building. We accepted
his generous offer. The sum of £40 was immediately subscribed.

Aug. Sth. — Mrs. Daniel died to-day. The last words she said to
me were : * The next time I shall meet you will be in heaven.' This
is another sanctified soul gathered from the Yarra Street Church to
the home of the blessed.

Aug. lith. — Finished reading Pitt's life to-day. The battle of
Austerlitz killed England's great minister.

AUSTRALIA. 213

Aug. Ibth. — I went to Ashby to see Mrs. Dennis, who was ill,
but on finding that she belonged to the Primitive Methodists, I
called on her minister and informed him of the case.

Aug. list. — N. McC was sentenced for forgery to-day to seven

years in Melbourne Gaol. It may be questioned, I venture to think
whether so severe a measure would have been taken against him by
the bank, but for the strong political feeling existing between certain
parties at the time. In the interests of abstract justice I am obliged
to say thus much.

Au^. 21th. — I finished reading the memoir of Archbishop Whately.
I was much interested in the character and work of this logic-headed
ruler of the Irish Church.

Aug. 29th. — I paid my accustomed visit to the Hospital. Mr.
George Brown was with me. Each ward was visited, and all the
suffering patients Avere spoken to. I thus spent profitably a couple
of hours in merciful work.

Sept. 3i'd. — We accepted tenders to-day for erecting a new church
at Highton. On the 9th we began a special effort at Ashby for a
new church, and raised .£100. Messrs. Crisp and Greenwood spoke
well. I paid to the local treasurer of the Bible Society, as our
contribution for Geelong Wesleyans, <£22 13s. On the 10th we
held the Annual Meeting of the ' Biblewomen's Mission.' Six
hundred persons partook of the tea. It was a great success.

Sept. \2th. — I finished reading my 'Dixon's New America' to-day.
It is a marvellous disclosure of the social condition of the people,
and should be creative of great effort by the American Churches to
remedy it.

Oct. Srd. — I held the Quarterly Meeting. There was a lai*g©
attendance of brethren. Members 800 ; on trial 7. We had a credit
balance of £1Q. The invitations for the next year were Revs. J.
Bickford, F. E. Stephenson, and E. S. Bickford. A fourth minister
was asked for the Barwon. Church Extension is to the ' fore ; ' this
is right.

Oct. 7th. — The Bev. W. D. Lalean came to preach at our Chilwell
Church Anniversary, and did us excellent service. We raised £108
towards the extinction of the Trust debt.

Oct. 11th. — I wrote Mr. Matthew Burnett, the Yoi'kshire Evangel-
ist, and pressed him to come to Geelong, and commence his mission
on the 21st November. His reply was, ' Can't come until next year.'

214 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Oct. l^th. — I buried poor Mrs. Wilson. Another holy woman has
■* swept through the gates ' into the presence of her Saviour.

Oct. \%th. — The three-masted schooner, John Wesley, made fast to
the wharf in Corio Bay to-day. We had an enormous gathering of
children to see this beautiful craft. The visit happened to be whilst
the District Meeting was being held, which gave additional interest to
the incident. I took from the missionary-box on board the sum of
.£9, and made advance payments to some of the men.

Oct. 23rd. — Mr. Binks and 1 heard W. H. Fitchett preach this
evening. The sermon was clever — founded on the words of our Lord :
' Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.' Mr.
Fitchett is only in his second year, and promises to be one of oui-
ablest men. The next evening, my nephew, Edmund 8. Bickford
preached at South Geelong. Messrs. Binks, Williams, Daniel, and
Blamires were present. A formidable bar of triers for a young man
in his first year. The sermon was well thought out ; but the voice
was not well managed. A few lessons in eloctition will correct that
defect. On the 31st the Sessions closed.

N'ov. 1st. — Busy with foreign missionary matters. I finished
reading to-day the second volume of Chai-les James Fox's Memorials
and Correspondence. Pitt and Fox ; a strange juxtaposition of men,
providentially raised up to help the nation in her troubles.

JVov. 4ith. — I met the Committee of the Ladies' Benevolent Society,
who guaranteed =£135 worth of goods for the forthcoming bazaar.

A^ov. 11th. — I laid the foundation-stone of the new church at
Highton. Mr. Robert Gillespie ably presided at the public meeting.
We raised £50.

Nov. 13^A.— English telegram : There is imminent danger of con-
flict between Italy and France on the Eomish question. I requested
the Rev. Mr. Waugh to make application to the Government for an
allotment of land at Jan Juc for Wesleyan Church purposes. The
missionary meetings are being got over. The Rev. Henry Green-
wood has rendered us good service.

Nov. 18th. — I went to Stieglitz to attend a missionary meeting.
Messrs. Greenwood, Edwards, and I were the speakers.

JVov. 19th. — Mr. Waugh informed me of the grant of two roods of
land at Moranghurk for our church.

JVov. 20th. — Dr. Jakins, a Wesleyan M.D., from London, called to
consult me about his settlement in this colony. I advised him to try

AUSTRALIA. 215

Ballarat, as presenting hira a wider field and less competition than
Geelong could be. I gave him letters of introduction to Mr. Oddie
<\nd other old friends.

Nov. '2\st. — I presided this evening at the Mechanics' Institute
meeting to receive Mr. M. Burnett. There were from 350 to 400
present. Mr. Burnett spoke. It was an enthusiastic time, and
augurs well for the success of his visit to the Circviit.

Nov. 23?-(Z.— The Duke of Edinburgh is at the ' Heads.' My heart
welcomes the Queen's son to Australian soil. The Galatea is gone up
the Bay.

Nov. 2Q)th. — I went to Melbourne to attend Prince Alfred's levee.
It was largely attended; a gratifying evidence of the genuine loyalty
of the democratic Victorian people to the Queen.

Dec. '2ncl. — The Prince came to Geelong to-day. As a member of
the reception committee, I had to be close to him as he stepped on the
wharf. He was sweetly affable, as a son of Queen Victoria ought to
be. The procession through the town was witnessed by a great
multitude of people, with respectfid. demonstrations of affectionate
loyalty. In the evening, Mrs. Bickford, Miss Amelia Parker (our
West Indian friend) and I went to see the beautiful fij'eworks and the
illuminations. There never had been such a sight, nor such rejoicing,
in Geelong before. Viscount Canterbury, our Governor, accompanied
the Prince.

Dec. Si'd. — English telegram : Italy in a state of insurrection ; the
days of the Pope's temporal power are numbered.

Dec. 1th. — I went to Drysdale, taking Mrs. Bickford with me. The
next day I preached missionary sermons, and on Monday, I spoke at
the Missionary Meeting. In the forenoon, the Rev. T. Kane drove
me to QueenscHffe to make proper arrangements for the new church.
We dined with Mr. and Mrs. Hawse, who were very hospitable to us.

Dec. \i)th. — We went to Port Arlington, and spent the day at Mr.
and Mrs. Widdicombe's. I attended the Missionary Meeting, and
spoke for seventy-five minutes. ' Too long by half : ' but then I was
the only speaker. Hastened back to Geelong on the 11th, to see the
local Commissioner of Lands, Mr. Belcher, about the Queensclifi'e
Church Reserve, which, by some mischance, had been gazetted for
sale. He immediately withdrew it from sale.

Dec. ?>\st. — I attended a meeting at St. George's Church, to arrange
for holding the United Religious Services in the first week in the New

216 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Year. Thus I finished the work of 1867 in the spirit of love and
unity with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ, who is both theirs
and ours.

1868.

Jan. \st. — My Diary jotting is as follows : —

' I have entered upon the new year in Yarra Street Church, It was a solemn
time. I endeavoured to consecrate myself anew to God. I have heavy re-
sponsibilities in prospect of the Presidency, but I will cast myself upon the
wisdom and aid of the Holy Spirit, and I shall be helped.'

In the afternoon Mrs. Bickford and I went to Fyan's Ford, and
spent a nice time with Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt, Returned home at
9.40 p.m.

Jan. '2nd. — We opended tendei-s for the enlargement of Ashby
Church. We conditionally accepted one for <£703. I biu-ied the
di'owned boatman — poor Robinson — to-day. The * Sons of Temper-
ance ' attended to show theii* respect for the deceased. I received a
kind letter from my friend, the Hon. A. Fraser, M.L.C., relating
to our Conference arrangements. I am thankful for his sympathy
and good wishes.

Jan. dth. — We held our Quarterly Meeting to-day. The member-
ship was 873, with 32 on trial. Credit balance, £85. The appoint-
ments, in part, as recommended by the Stationing Committee, were
rejected by the Quarterly Meetings, and the invitations, as agreed
to by the September Meeting, were reaffirmed.

Ja7i. I'Sth. — Yesterday I preached at Clunes and Creswick, and
attended their missionary meetings. On I'eaching Geelong, on
Wednesday, I found letters awaiting attention from the Rev. Dr
Hoole, the Rev. W. Butters, and Rev. J. Eggleston.

Jan. 20th. — I went to Sandridge to receive my niece, Christina
Flora Pascoe, who had come from Kingsbridge, Devon, to hve
with us.

Jan. '22nd. — I went to St. Kilda to be the guest of Mr. and Mrs.
Fraser during the Conference. The Revs. H. H. Gaud, J. S. Waugh,
and W. Hill called in the evening. The next day, in Wesley Church,
Melbourne, the Conference was opened at 10.30 a.m. This was the
largest Australasian Conference that had yet assembled. From 125
to 130 ministers were present. The brethren received me as their

AUSTRALIA. 217

President very kindly, and I was thankful for their sympathy and
good wishes. The usual prayer meeting was a good time, and great
grace rested upon the people. After dinner the business was com-
menced in real earnest; we broke up at 5 p.m. Conference Sabbath,
the 26th, I preached in Wesley Church, the Eev. John Cope, the
Superintendent Minister, read px^ayers. I took as my text the words
of Joshua : '• As for me and my house Ave will serve the Lord.' On
the evening of the 29th I preached the official sermon from the
words : ' These things saith He that hath the seven spirits of
God, and the seven stars; I know thy works' (Rev. iii. 1). It
was followed by the Lord's Su^^per, both ministers and people
communicating.

We had no heroic legislation at this Conference. But we i*eported
progress. An increase of 12,000 members greatly rejoiced our
hearts ; they were ' the seals of our apostleship.' There were fifty
thousand children in our Sunday schools, which the ' Address '
designates ' an imposing fact.' Seventeen probationers were received
into ' full connexion ' with the Conference, and ten were on tiial.

There is a passage in the ' Addi-ess,' on the subject of our Missions
in the South Seas, of much value to us even now : —

' We again solicit from the members of our colonial churches a deeper and
more constant interest in our Polynesian missions. Foreign missions we can
scarcely call them. It is certain that at present they cannot dispense with our
aid. In proportion to their resources they have contributed towards the support
of the work among themselves : and God has raised up amongst them a native
ministry which, for soundness in the faith, for deep devotedness and piety, and
for success in winning souls, will bear favourable comparison with any body of
Christian ministers in the world.'

Feb. 8th. — I returned to Geelong much fatigued in body and mind.
My prayer was : ' May the Lord help me in the discharge of the
high and responsible duties connected with the Presidency of the
Australasian Wesleyan Methodist Connexion this year.'

Feb. 10th. — The Rev. H. P. Bvirgess, from South Australia, came
this morning. My nephew, the Rev. E. S. Bickford, readily drove
him about ' to see whatever could be seen.' We were much pleased
with our guest. Mr. Dennis died to-day. Mrs. Dennis died some
months ago. At my suggestion, Mr. Dennis had appointed Messrs.
r. B. Hunt and N. H. Brown guardians of the now orphaned family^
and executors of the estate.

I[

1>18 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGBAPHY.

March 2nd. — Yesterday I opened the QueensclifFe Church, and to-
day I assisted the local treasurer in making up the balance sheet.
We had a soii'ee, which was a great success. Mr. Hugh Pattison, of
Melboui'ne, generously gave us .£50 towards the undertaking.

March 25th. — David O'Donnell, a young local preacher from
Ballarat, called and presented his credentials. He wishas to ofier
for our ministiy.

March 2()tli. — I held the Quarterly Meeting to-day. Credit
balance over ^100. Members 897, with 24 on trial.

April ord. — I laid the ' Foundation Stone ' of the new church at
Wellington. We had a largely attended tea and public meeting in
the evening. I reached home at 11 p. m., wearied and poorly.

A2)ril 20th. — I preached at Chilwell, and held the leaders' meeting.
As far as we can estimate, 173 persons have joined the classes as the
result of Mr. Burnett's mission.

April 29th. — I went to Highton and preached. At the after
meeting we had twenty penitents ; fifteen of whom found peace.

3faij Ath. — We held the South Geelong Church Anuiversaiy, and
raised .£107.

Mai/ 5th. — I went to Jan Juc and preached to eighty persons.
Twelve gave in their names for membership. I appointed Brother
Bland, Leader ; Brother Musgrove, Society Steward ; and Brother
Gimdry, Poor Steward. This forest church has nou' a complete
organisation.

May Gth. — This day I am fifty-two years of age. In the quietude of
a chamber in Mr. Grundy's house, I once more consecrated my whole
' body, spirit, and sovil to God.' Lord, ' I am Thine,' now more than
ever. I spent most of the day in pastoral visitation, which was a
new, but grateful, experience to those Bush families, and pleased
them veiy much. On my way back, I turned ofi" the direct road to
lecture at Mount Duneed, in behalf of the Sunday School Library.
Dr. Heath took the chair. We raised .£5 15*. Qd.

May 18th. — A great work is being done at Ceres. Mr. Bm-nett,
assisted by my nephew, E. S. Bickford, is carrying on special services
there. It is reported that 135 persons have received spiritual good.

May 25th. — I went to Melbourne to attend the levee in honour
of our good Queen. Afterwards I called at the Crown Lands Office,
to see about church sites.

May 21th. — I went to Chilwell to hear David O'Donnell preach.

AUSTRALIA. 219

I Avas favourably impiessed, and shall probably recommend him to the
next Quarterly Meeting as a candidate for the itinerant work.

June 1st. — Mr. Burnett and I drove to Murgheboluc. We had a
glorious time. There were several penitents seeking salvation. We
came home at 11,30 p.m. News arrived by telegram that Gladstone
had defeated Disraeli on the Irish Church question by sixty votes.
There is now some hope that the anomaly of a State Church Esta-
blishment, kept at the national expense for a minority of the people,
will be removed. This should be one more step towards welding
the several races on Irish soil into one strong nationality.

Jicne 4:th. — I went to Melbourne to see the Commissioner of Lands
about the affiliated college land, being a part of the section set apart
by the Government as a University Reserve.

June 8th. — English telegram : Glorious Budget as a whole : 'The
right man in the right place ' once more. This is England's will.

June 11th. — I went to Ceres, preached and held a leaders'
meeting. I appointed additional leaders, and the stewards were
re-elected. The precious souls gathered in by Mr. Burnett's labours
must be shepherded in classes, or they will fall back again into the
world.

June 25th. — I went to Melbourne to meet the committee on the
< ' Old Preacher's Fund ' business. We had several suggestions
before us, claiming our closest thought. We sat all day.

June 27th. — I finished reading Taylor's ' South Africa.' What a
wonderful work of God was wrought in that country through the
laboiu's of this modern Apostle to the Gentiles !

July 1st. — I went to Jan Juc, and preached to a ' full house.' I
met the new converts, when twenty more joined the classes. Reached
home at 11.40 p.m. A more lonely sixteen miles' journey at night
than this I do not know.

July 7th. — This evening Messrs. M. Burnett, E. S. Bickford,
. S. Ham, and I were received as honorary members of the ' Sons of
ij Temperance.' I hope this step will be a means of additional useful-
ness to each of us.

July 8th. — I went to Melbourne to preside at the Loan Fund
Committee. It took us all the day to get through the business.
In the evening, I went up to the House of Assembly, and found the
MacCullock party refusing supplies. So that the dead-lock is not
over yet.

220 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

July dth. — I held the Quarterly Meeting. Cash in hands of
steward, .£98. In the evening young Macmichae preached. He
did very well. He shapes for the Ministry as well as most, and
deserves a trial.

Juli/ llt?i. — A new Ministry is formed. The 'Macs' are tri-
umphant once more. The ' dead-lock ' is over for the present. In
the evening we held a society tea-meeting at Chilwell, when we
inaugiu-ated a movement for the enlargement of the church. The
friends promised XI 12.

Jtdi/ lith. — I wi'ote a long and pressing letter to the Missionary
Committee in London, on the claims of Queensland for monetary and
ministerial help.

Juli/ 15tk. — I was after church sites to-day : one in the Warrnam-
bool Circuit, and one at the Leigh Road Station.

July 17th. — I left by the midday train for Ballai-at, and preached
in Lydiard Street to a lai-ge congregation. We held a prayer
meeting, which continued up to ten o'clock. I sat up until nearly
twelve o'clock conversing -with Mr. Oddie and the Rev. George
Daniel, upon chiu^ch and political questions. I left early on the
18th for Pleasant Creek. The morning was cold, and the journey
was wearying. The Rev. John and Mrs. Catterall received me most
kindly. I talked with Mr. Catterall for a couple of hours, and
retired at 11 p.m. I preached three times on the 20th. We had
a large gathering the next evening, when we raised =£130 towards
the new parsonage. I retxu"ned to Ballarat on the 22nd. My good
friend, Mr. Oddie, was at the coach office to receive me.

July 24:th. — The Rev. John Watsford lectured at Chilwell this
evening. It was an admirable lecture, and was most useful in its
aims.

July 27th. — A deputation of gentlemen and day school teachers,
with the local committees, came for considtation about the new
rules of the Central Board of Education. We sat until 11 p.m.

August 1st. — I accompanied this morning a deputation of Wesleyan
day school teachers to Melbourne, to interview Dr. Corrigan, om*
representative at the Board, on the new rules of the ' Common
Schools.' He was most complaisant, and promised to do all he could
for insuring justice to the teachers. I then went to the Cremorne
Private Lunatic Asylum, when the obliging proprietor, James T.
Harcourt, Esq., M.P., showed me over the buildings and grounds.

AUSTRALIA. 221

I returned to Geelong in time to attend a special meeting at Ashby
for raising money for building a transept to the Church and for
other improvements. We raised <£200.

On the 24th I went again to Melbourne to preside at a meeting of
the Educational Committee. There was great diversity of opinions.
We passed four resolutions ; but I was not satisfied with the result.
We afterwards held a meeting of the Book Committee. We
agreed to purchase the first issue of the Kev. Benjamin Field's
* Handbook of Christian Theology.' This very able com2)endium
of our standard doctrines will be of great use to the local preachers,
Sunday school teachers, and candidates for our Ministry. It ought
to have a large circulation in these Colonies, for it is the best thing
of the kind we have yet had.

August 25th. — I went to the Barwon Heads, and preached in
Mr. Johnston's farmyard. It was the first religious service ever held
there, and it was unique and romantic. I stood in a waggon as my
platform, and the people, composed of several denominations, utilizing
the dinner-hour for the purpose, gathered around it. We had hearty
singing, and every appearance of a sincere desire on the part of the
audience ' to worship God in spirit and in truth.' The farmyard
that day was ' holy ground.'

August 30th. — I preached in Forest Street Church, Sandhurst.
After the public service, nearly to a full congregation, I gave an
account of the glorious work of God in the Geelong Circuit, mainly
through the labours of Mr. Burnett. I encouraged the people to
expect similar blessings during the Mission he was about to conduct
in the Bendigo District. At the public meeting held the next
evening we raised ,£102. On this occasion I visited my former
friends at Long Gully, California Hill, Eagle Hawk, Golden Square,
and in Sandhurst itself.

Sept. 1st. — Returned to Geelong, and in the evening I went out to
G-erman Town to a special meeting in aid of a new church. We
raised £104.

tSept. 12th. — I went to Melbourne to consult Messrs. Egglestone
and Waugh on the Bright Church Property case. We agreed to a
course of action, which I consented to carry out. I ran out to
Malvern to see Mesdames Boss and Cameron. Mrs. Ross and her
fatherless childi'en have come from Demerara to settle in Victoria.
These dear ladies were special friends of Mrs. Bickford's when I was

222 JA MES BICKFOBD : AX A UTOBIO GRA PHY.

labouring in British Guiana. Messrs. Ross and Cameron were
amongst my most true and generous acquaintances in that magni-
ficent colony. They were also regular communicants at Trinity
Church, and supporters of the Wesleyan Mission.

SejJt. Ibth. — I went to Wabdallah, and appointed a building com-
mittee to raise money for erecting a church. I was much pleased
with the spirit of these Christian gentlemen.

Sept. IQth. — I baptized Mrs. Ash tuith water, i.e. by affusion after
the New Testament precedents. I believed in her sincerity, and thus
admitted her into the ' body ' of Christ's Church.

Sept. 17th. — A yoving man, Benjamin Gilbart Edwards, from
Stieglitz, preached in Yarra Street Chui-ch this evening. He gave
promise, I thought, of usefulness. I conversed with him at large
the next day, and encouraged him to persevere in his studies with
the view of his coming into our Ministry.

Sept. 2lst. — I went up to Stieglitz and held the Quarterly Meeting.
B. G. Edwards was nominated as candidate, and was recommended
for the Ministry. During my stay I was the welcome guest of Mr.
and Mrs. Osborn at Emily Park.

Sept. 237'd. — I buried the remains of Mrs. Auld in the West
Cemetery. Another redeemed spirit gone to the Golden City — ' from
sufferings and from woes released.' The Revs. Shirley W. Baker
and E. J. Watkin were our missionary deputation this year ; both
able speakers on the glorious theme.

Sept. 29th. — I prepared the examination papers for the fourth-
year men to be taken into full connexion at the ensuing Conference.
I went to the church opening service at Wellington. We raised
.£80.

Sejyt. SOth. — I went to Cowie's Creek, held a service, and baptized
eleven children and one woman. To-day I received a letter from
Mr. Bee, senior Steward of Wesley Church Circuit, asking me if I
were prepared to accept an invitation to the Superintendency for
next year. Should I be so appointed by the Conference, it will be
the most responsible position I have yet had as a Circuit minister.

Oct. 1st. — I went to see poor Moore, who has been shot in the
back of his head. Unfortunate man ! May God have mercy upon
his soul ! I buried to-day the remains of the late Mr. Bowman —
a man of little faith ; still he died safely trusting in Christ. By
the English mail to-day I received from the Rev. Dr. Jobson, a copy

AUSTRALIA. 22S

of his beautiful memoii- of the late Dr. itannah, Theological Tutor
at Didsbury College. It is a well merited testimony to the ability^
learning, and apostolic character of this great Methodist preacher.

Oct. 2nd. — The Rev. S. W. Baker was present at our ministers'
weekly meeting. We were much delighted with his manly bearing,
his shrewdness, and his zeal for the Tongan Mission. He is a very
fine man, and an able preacher in English as well as in Tonguese. If
superior qualifications and great success in the work go for anything,
then, beyond all doubt, we have in Mr. Baker a true successor of
8t. Paul.

Oct. 5th — The Rev. John Watsford preached yesterday in behalf
of the Yarra Street Trust. We raised .£137 14s. Mr. Watsford's
sermons and speech at the public meeting were much appreciated.

Oct. Sth. — I held the Quarterly Meeting. Every interest in the
Circuit is healthy and prosperous. I nominated David O'Donnell
for our Ministry, which was sustained by the vote of the meeting.
We held a great meeting in honour of Mr. Burnett in the evening.
Thank God for the blessings of this day.

Oct. 12th. — The Rev. Joseph Dare gave us a lecture on 'True
Manhood,' which was fruitful in pecuniary results.

Oct. IQth. — This evening I lectured at Newtown on 'The Bible:
a Revelation from God.' We had a good and sympathetic audience.
Retired to Yarra Street, and commenced reading Liddon's Bampton
Lectures. It is a mighty work, and ought to be studied by all
ministers of religion.

Oct. 21st. — I went to Ballarat to preside at the District Meeting.
The Rev. G. Daniel was elected secretary. At this meeting Messrs.
Edwards and O'Donnell, after the usual examinations, were re-
commended to the Conference as suitable candidates for our work.
Ptobert Walter Campbell and Abel Marsland were also received for
theological training at Wesley College. It was, from beginning ta
end, an excellent meeting. On arriving at home on the 30th, I
found two copies of the English Minutes awaiting me. I read with
pleasui'e that my old West India friend and fellow-worker, the
Rev. W. L. Binks was appointed President of our Conference for
1869. In the evening the Rev. T. F. Bird lectured on ' Mahomet.'
It was an able deliverance in every respect.

N'ov. 13th. — I received a letter from the private secretary to the
Governor, in answer to my appeal in behalf of the unfortunate

224 JAMES BICKFOBD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

W. N. McC. The case is referred to the Minister of Justice for
reconsideration. I now have some hope.

Nov. \^th. — I wrote to Mr. Burnett to see if he can give a
fortnight's services to Yarra Sti'eet when he has finished at Sand-
hurst. His reply, received next day, was in the negative. He
wants rest, and will not disappoint the Superintendents of the Western
Circuits.

Nov. 20tk. — I left for the presidential annual tour to the Western
District, which occupied me until December 5th. I pi*eached and
spoke in aid of the Foreign Missions in each Circuit in the District
The utmost kindness was shown me by friends and ministers all
along the line. I much enjoyed the trip, and having completed my
visitation, returned home at the appointed time, none the worse for
the fatigue I had undergone.

Dec. 8th. — I went to Melbourne to attend the meeting of the
Stationing Committee. We sat two days, and closed the business.

Dec. lOth. — Busy all day pi-eparing the accounts of the Children
and Education Funds. The next day I closed up the accoiuits of
the Church Building aud Loan Fund, and the Jubilee Fund. I sent
cheques for balances to the respective treasurers, so as to have the
funds off my mind. In the evening I wrote to Mr. Commissioner
Grant about the threatened sale of our Church Reserve at East
Melbourne. I was much tried with the mental toil of the day, and
at midnight I retired to rest.

Dec. 12th. — I left for Sebastopol, and was received by Mr. and
Mrs. Robinson with much Christian urbanity. I preached in aid of
the Trust at 1 1 and 6.30, and the Rev. R. M. Hunter at 3. The next
day the public meetings were held, and the attendance was good.

Dec. 15th. — I read Baxter's 'Reformed Pastor,' and began writing the
* Ordination Charge ' for the Conference in Sydney. There are several
probationers to be received into full connexion, and, as ex-President,
the preparation and the delivery of the Charge falls upon me. I
wrote the Government about our Church Reserve at Newton Hill.
The Hon. C. J. J. had been moving the Commissioners to sell it, on
the ground that we had made no use of it. I asked Mr. J. G. Carr
and Mr. Quinan to help me in resisting this robbery of ' God's acre.'

Dec. 19th. — I completed the Annual Statement of the 'Old
Preachers' Fund ' for the treasurers, and sent a cheque to Rev. J. S.
Waugh for £361 12s.

AUSTRALIA. 225

Dec. ^\st. — I held the Watch Night Service at YaiTa Street, and
thus closed the busiest and most responsible year of my Australian

Ministry.

1869.

Jan. \st. — I entered upon this year in the Yarra Street Church.
It was solemn : a time of self-examination, confession, prayer, and
consecration. Surely our vows will be noted in the ' Book of His
remembrance.' By the first train I hastened to Melboux'ne to attend
the funeral of the late Mrs. Hill, for many years the devoted com-
panion and fellow-helper of her husband, the Rev. William Hill. It
is a terrible blow to him, and an irreparable loss for the now mother-
less children. The whole ministerial circle is deeply touched with the
suddenness and sadness of this bereavement.

Jan. 1th. — I held the Quarterly Meeting to-day. We still report
numerical and financial progress. The membership has risen to 1,477,
and the stewards have a credit balance of over £200. In the evening
the Union Prayer Meeting was held. The Rev. G. Goodman ( AngHcan)
gave the address. The church was full, but the singing was very
poor.

Jan. I'Mh. — I left for the Conference to be held in Sydney, which
was opened on the 21st: the Rev. W. L. Binks, President; and the
Rev. B. Chapman, Secretary. Messrs. R. M. Hunter and C. T.
Newman were received into ' full connexion,' and Messrs. B. G.
Edwards, James Read, D. O'Donnell, and P. C. Thomas were re-
ceived as ' preachers on ti'ial.' We had to mournfully record the
martyred death of the Rev. Thomas Baker, in Fiji, on July 21st, 1868,
by the cannibal heathen. He was a holy man, and zealous in his
Master's work. His companions, native Christians, fell also under
the clubs of the savages. The net increase of membership for the
year was 1,517, with 8,953 on trial.

The Ordination Service was held in Wesley Church, Chi]:)pendale,
when the charge, founded on 1 Cor. ix. 27, was given by me as ex-
President. It was a time of acute distress to me, for I feared it had
fallen much below what was expected. After the service, however,
the Rev. Father Watkin spoke words of comfort, and thanked me for
the discourse. No ex-President ever received greater relief than that
which came to me the next day, when the Secretary, Mr. Chapman,
moved : ' That the thanks of the Confei-ence be presented to the

15

226 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

ex-President for the very valuable charge addressed by him to the
newly-ordained ministers, and that he be earnestly requested to
furnish it for publication.'

On February 5th the Sessions closed, much to the relief of us all,
for the heat had been very tiying, even to the strongest man amongst
us. By this Conference, I was appointed to the Superintendency of
the Weslfey Church Cii-cuit, Melbourne, having as my colleagues the
Revs. W. D. Lalean, Martin Dyson, and E. J. Watkin. On the 8th,
I was once more at home in Geelong and found all well. Our passage
from Sydney to Sandridge Pier was made in fifty hours, and was
quite a pleasure trip all through.

March 2nd. — I left by first train for Newlyn, vid Ballarat, to lay
the ' foundation-stone ' of our new church. The building committee
presented me with a handsome silver trowel, commemorative of the
event. The E-ev. Edward B. Burns, Mrs. Burns, and Mrs. Sadgrove
accompanied me from Creswick to Newlyn. We had a large attend-
ance at the tea and public meeting, and a generous response in aid
of the building. We got back to Creswick at midnight.

March 25th. — We laid the ' foundation stone ' of a new church at
German Town. The usual after meetings were held.

March 27th. — I left for the Mortlake Circuit, and reached Pyneyup
in the evening. Mrs. and the Misses Shaw, whom I had known in
Geelong, received me most heartily. I preached twice the next day,
in aid of the Circuit funds.

On the 29th the E,ev. T. F. Bird, the Shaws, and I went to the
stone-laying ceremony of the new Mechanics' Institute. In the
evening we held a meeting in oiu- church, when we raised =£25 for
the Circuit. On the 31st, Mr. Thomas Shaw drove me to Camper-
down, where we joined the coach and reached Geelong in the evening.
The Shaws showed me great kindness.

A2)ril 1st. — I held the Quarterly Meeting. We were from 11 a.m.
to 6.30 p.m. It was a capital meeting. Members 1,489 ; and on trial
30 ; removals 47. We have still a large credit balance to the good
of the Cii-cuit. The next day I went to Ballarat to an ' Ordination
Service.' Messrs. T. F. Bird, B. M. Hunter, Edward A. Davies, and
James J. Watsford were to be ordained to the full Ministry by the
* laying on of the hands of the Presbytery ' as in apostolic times.
The Rev. George Daniel gave an excellent charge.

April Qth. — A valedictory meeting was held this evening in Yarra

AUSTRALIA. 227

Street for myself and nephew, the Eev. E. S. Bickforcl, whose
terms of ser\ace had expired. Substantial tokens of love and esteem
were made to both of us. Thus closed my official relation to this
lo\'ing people, and to their extensive and prosperous Circuit.

April 8th. — We left at 1 p.m., by train for Melbourne. The
Hunts, Browns, Hitchcocks, Lowes, and some other friends saw us
off. Mr. Edward Whitehead, Circuit Steward, and brother of my
former fellow-worker in the West Indies, the Rev, Francis White-
head, was at the Spencer Street Station to receive us. At Wesley
Church Parsonage, Mesdames Whitehead and Burrows were awaiting
our arrival. I met the Minister's Class in the evening, and presided
at a meeting of the Sunday School Committee. We retired to rest
at 11 p.m.

April Wi. [Diary Jotting] — ' We are all very much tired. Oh, this itinerancy !
The longer I live the more I object to it. Our removals are oftentimes not only
very expensive, but inconvenient and unfortunate. I hope the principle will
yet be considerably modified.'

April V2th. — I preached at Wesley Church in aid of the Sunday
School, and next day I presided at the public meeting.

April IZth. — I attended the Church Anniversary at Sandridge and
presided at the evening meeting. I find that Mr. and Mrs. Roalman
have much helped our Chui'ch in this seaport.

Ajyril \%th. — I entered upon my beloved pastoral work end visited
twelve families.

April 19^/i. — The Rev. John Egglestone, having resigned the
position of ' Acting Clerical Treasurer ' of the ' Old Preachers' Fund,'
and I, having been requested by the other treasurers to assume that
position, and accepted it, to-day the large ' iron safe ' with all books
and papers were handed over to me. This will be an additional
responsibility ; but with the available counsel of my co-acting treasurer
the Hon. A. Eraser, M.L.C., in all matters of loans, and the assistance
of Mr. Hewitt as accountant, occasionally, as his services may be
required, I hope to be able to do the work.

April 2WI.—M.V. E. Taylor and I went to the Education Office, to
secure a day school connected with our church at Carlton, as well
as to speak to Mr. Kane, the secretary, about the Central School
in Geelong.

May ^rd. — I received a letter from the Rev. B. Chapman,

228 JAMES BICKFORB: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Secretary of the Conference, covering resolutions of Conference,
anent the relation of two of our brethren, members of the Irish
Annuitant Society, and of one brother n South Australia, who had
joined oui- Ministry at the age of forty years aboiit, as to terms upon
which they may be received as members of our Annuitant Society.
The resolutions embody a principle which shall apply to these and
to similar cases as they may hereafter occur.

May 6tJi. [Diary Jotting] — ' My birthday to-day. I am now fifty-three years
<)f age. My heart is the Lord's, and so is my life His. May the coming year he
one of much happiness I

Maij ISth. — The Eev. J. S, Waugh called to tell me of the
dreadful murder of our dear brother minister, the Rev. W. Hill,
at Pentridge Stockade, by a life-long prisoner, Ritson, when Mr.
Hill was in his cell praying for him. We then went to Victoria
Parade to break the sad news to Mrs. Holmes, the mother-in-law of
Mr. Hill. We called also on Mrs. Gallagher, a good, kind sister in
Christ, who had seen much trouble, to go at once to the house
of mourning, and comfort and help the distressed family. Messrs.
Egglestone, Dare and others called at the house in the evening. We
are all overwhelmed at the terrible calamity which has come upon us :
' We are troubled " deeply," but not in despair.'

May 15th. — The mortal remains of our late Brother Hill were
to-day interred in the Melbourne Cemetery : ' Devout men carried
him to his burial and made great lamentation over him.' Mr.
Waugh, at Brunswick Street Church, preached a solemn and instruc-
tive discourse on the death of Mr. Hill. The church was densely
packed.

We met the Circuit officials after the service, to make arrangements
for carrying on the work of the Circuit until the next Confei-ence.
The Rev. Mr. Waugh engaged to do his best, and other ministers
proffered help. The next day I Avas asked by the Book Committee
to take Mr. Hill's place as Book Steward, and the Rev. George Daniel
to act as co-editor with the Rev. B. Field of the Wesleyan Chro-
nicle. I moved that a memorial volume of sermons, as preached by
Mr. Hill, be published, which was agreed to. At the instigation
of the Premier, Sir James MacCulloch, a handsome provision for the
education and support of the Hill orphans was made, and to con-
tinue until the youngest of them reached the age of twenty-one.

AUSTRALIA. 229

The Christian people showed their sympathy in a very substantial
manner. All was clone that could under such circumstances be
desired.

May 24:th. — I attended the levee in honour of our beloved Queen.
In the evening I read with intense interest in the London Watchman
a report on the ' Irish Church ' question, which had come off in
the House of Commons. The result upon my own mind is that
Mr. Gladstone is undoubtedly an ' elect servant ' of God for working
out great social, political, and ecclesiastical reforms in Great Britain.
June 1th. — We accepted a tender for the erection of a new church
at Carlton, and the next day we accepted a tender for erecting a
new parsonage at Sandridge. We can't stand still, even if we were
to try. Besides which, not to advance in Church Work is to recede ;
and that we must not do.

June 21st. — Mr. Lalean and I went to Sunbury to visit the
Government Industrial School. Altogether it is an enormous
establishment, and appears to be well conducted. We held a religiou.s
service. In the evening a tea and public meeting were held in
the interests of the new church. The debt on the buUding will be
only £17.

June 23rfZ. — This forenoon I entered upon a new sphere of duty.
It was at the Melbourne Gaol, where I first preached to about two
hundred male prisoners. I saw in the audience a convicted CathoHc
Priest, an ex-Baptist Minister, a son of a Wesleyan Minister, an
ex-editor of a newspaper, and I hardly know whom besides. An
intelligent, fine young man, but one of the unfortunates, presided at
the harmonium, and joined in singing right heartily. It was a
sad spectacle. After this service, in another part of the gaol, I met
some eighty to a hundred women, who were in durance vile for bad
conduct of many kinds. I waited in one of the cells, set apart for
the purpose, to converse with any of these women who might choose
to do so. Several came, and I gave the pledge to three of them.
The effect of the services upon me I cannot describe. I was distressed
and prostrate in body and soul.

Jwie 2&th. [Diary Jotting] — ' This has been one of the most trying weeks I
have ever experienced. "When my heart is overwhelmed within me ; lead me
to the Rock that is higher than I." '

Jitne ZOth. — I held my fii-st Quarterly Meeting in this Circmt —

230 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

income £439 19s. 4c?., being a small increase upon the previous
quarter. But we have a big debt caused by refurnishing parsonages.
The brethren were full of hopefulness.

July 3rd. — Is it possible to have ' too many irons in the fire ? '
Well, it has to be done sometimes. To-day I had to conduct the
second ' Female Prayer Meeting ' in Wesley Church, when 250
ladies were present. I gave the address, on ' Woman's Work in
the Church.' It was well i-eceived. In the evening I went to
Sandridge to raise funds for the new parsonage. We got over
<£1('0. Mr. and Mrs. Poolman are a great help to us here.

July 12th. — Mr. Burnett called. I was really glad to see him, and
took him to see Mrs. Holmes, the foster-mother of the orphaned
Hills. The conversation was highly spiritual, and we had a sweet
time in prayer. I preached in the evening at Noi-th Melbourne.
The after meeting was full of Divine power.

Jidy 20th.— 1 lectured this evening in the Temperance Hall,
Russell Street, on ' Total Abstinence.' The place was full of people.
July 21st. — I went to Maidstone and Albion. I preached in the
evening at Albion to thirty -eight persons, and baptized two infants.
Previous to the service I called upon many famihes and invited
them to chvirch.

July 24:th. — I wrote Revs. Dare, Egglestone, Catterall, King,
Cope, Bird, Daniel, and Neale requesting their kind supei-vision of
' Industiial School ' children located in their respective districts.
Mr. Duncan, the head of the Department, and I are acting together
in the children's welfare.

July 28th. — This day I made up the subscription list for the Hill
orphans. Mr. and Mrs. William Hoi'der kindly contributed <£50
towards this fund.

July 29th. — Mr. S. G. King, J. P., laid the foundation-stone of the
new church at Carlton. The meeting at 7 p.m. was lai-gely attended,
and the response was most generous. For safe custody, I sent to
day to Mr. Waugh, our custodian of Church Deeds, all documents,
papers, and letters, which had come to me from the Crown Lands
Office during my Presidential year.

Aug. 2nd. — I prepared and sent to supernumerary ministers'
widows and ministers' widows their quarterly annuities direct.
There were 150 present at the prayer meeting this afternoon.
In the evening the Rev. Dr. Tucker (Anglican) gave us in Wesley

AUSTRALIA. 231

Chiirch a learned lecture on the Abyssinian captives. Dr. Corrigan
presided with suavity and ability.

Aug. Zrd. — Ritson, the murderer of the late Rev. W. Hill, will be
executed this time. From the hour of his conviction he has been
attended to by the Revs. W. D. Lalean, Watkin, and Neale ; may
we hope with good effect ? So Mr. Lalean believes.

Aug. 8th. — ' Honour thy father and thy mother.' My father died
some years ago in South Australia, but my mother is still living and
in her eighty-seventh year. This morning Mrs. Bickford, my niece
Christina Pascoe, and I went to Whittlesea, to see her. She was as
well as could be expected at her great age. In the afternoon Mr.
Wyett drove us to see the Yan Yean, which is an immense reservoir,
from which is drawn the water that supplies the city of Melbourne
and suburbs. It was a grand sight, and a wise provision for the
health and comforts of the ' city-fuL'

Aug. 19th. — Mr. Taylor and I went to Footscray and Stony Creek
to visit among the people. We were kindly received, and we promised
them that on the next Sabbath afternoon a reKgious service should
be held.

Aiog. 2Qth. — At our Preachers' Weekly Meeting to-day, James Ah
Ling, the Chinese catechist, was present. Mr. S. G. King finds his
salary, and I supervise his work. May we not believe that amongst
these so-called Heathen Chinee, our Divine Lord shall ' see of the
travail of His soul ' 1

SeiJt. 1st. — Our dear brother, the Rev. B. Field, departed this life
in peace and hope to-day at 10.45 p.m. He had been writing for
the Wesleyan Chronicle, of which he was senior editor, up to 9.30,
when he laid aside his pen, and went to his bed and died. How
sudden, ' yet how safe.' On the 4th, we interred the remains of our
dear brother, B. Field, ' in sure and certain hope.'

Sept. 8th. — In the afternoon I attended the funeral of the late
Hon. John Fawkner, M.L.C. the founder, it is claimed, of the city
of Melbourne. He was an eccentric, adventurous man, and an ardent
Colonial and politician. He was much venerated as 'Johnny Fawkner,'
and he went down to his grave full of honours and blessings.

Se]}t. 17th. — We held a meeting of Wesley Church Trustees to
consider the financial condition of the Trust. We raised £120
towards the £500 required.

Sept. 18th. — Young Thomas Adamson preached this evening, with

232 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

a view to his nomination for the Ministry. It was a creditable
discourse.

Sept. \Wi. — The Kev. William Taylor preached in Wesley Church
to a densely crowded congregation. The next day (Monday) a tea
and public meeting were held. We raised £353 12s. lOcZ. Mr. Taylor
greatly helped us.

Sept. '25t?i. — I heard David S. Lindsay preach an acceptable
discourse. He will be a candidate for the Ministry. We met the
new converts after the service, and put them in classes for fellowship
and counsel.

Sept. 27th. — I went at 5 p.m. to see Mr. Glass, and remained with
him until he died. This is a sad bereavement for our sister, Mrs.
Glass, and her sisters.

Se2}t. 29th. — I held the Quarterly Meeting this evening. Income
c£470 16s. Sd. being <£42 3s. 7d. over expenditure. This reduces the
debt to about ,£100. The invitations for next year were myself as
Superintendent, M. Dyson, E, J. Watkin, and R. C. Flockart.

Oct. 1st. — I copied from the Argus this statement : —

' Messrs. McCulloch and Sellers have in stations 375, 540 acres, for which
they pay £1,300 per annum, seven-eighths of a penny per acre. Besides which,
they have a reservation of 9,000 acres.'

Here would be something for Mr. George, of ' Land Nationalization '
notoriety, to do. This is only one among many cases of a similar
kind.

Oct. 21s^.— I went to the House of Assembly, and heard an acri-
monious debate led on by Mr. George Higinbotham. I greatly
admired the bearing of the Chief Secretary, Mr. John Macpherson,
who is very able in reply and courteous in speech. I wish in this
respect there were more like him in the House.

Oct. 28th. — I attended a meeting of clergymen of different denomi-
nations, called by Bishop Perry, for forming a ' Society for the Promo-
tion of Morality.' Such a society should be a factor for good.

J)fov. Srd. — The District Meeting was begun to-day ; the Rev.
J. S. Waugh, Chairman, and the Eev. George Daniel, Secretary.
The Rev. William Taylor preached in the evening in Wesley Church
to a full congregation. My nephew, the Rev. E. S. Bickford, came
to-day, and we sat up until 12 o'clock, conversing mainly on the
spiritual condition of the Circuits, and the prospects of the Methodist

A USTRALIA. 233

Church in these Colonies. I am delighted that he is taking such an
interest in the general affairs of our great Connexion. On the 6th,
the three young men from the Wesley Ohui-ch Cii'cuit, Messrs. Adam-
son, Brown, and Lindsay, were passed as suitable candidates for our
work. On the 10th, the regular order of business of the meeting
was suspended at 12 o'clock, when we had a gracious sacramental
ordinance. In the evening, the brethren from the country gave an
accovint of the work of God in their several Circviits. It was a fine
meeting and full of blessed influence.

Nov. Wth. — The sessions of the District Meeting were closed to-
day, when we went to Cremorne at the invitation of James Harcourt,
Esq. M.P., and Mrs. Harcourt, to spend the afternoon. We were
treated with mtich genuine hospitality. Rev. T. F. Bird lectured on
' Past and Present,' in Wesley Church in the evening. It was a
noble and grand effort, and took the people by surprise. He is a
brilliant fellow.

Nov. \2th. — I had to break a lance with the Bev. J. W. Inglis
(Presbyterian), who had stated in the Assembly that the Wesleyans
were deco}T.ng Presbyterian parents and their children from their
own Church, by means of ovir Sunday Schools, and I took my letter
to the Argus for publication. On the 13th, there appeared a reply
from the pen of the Rev. George Mackie, explanatory of the accusa-
tions of Mr. Inglis. I accepted the rejoinder, and so ended the
matter.

Nov. 16i;/i.— The Rev. W. H. Fitchett and I travelled to Geelong
together, and we had much profitable conversation. He will be
some day one of our ablest men. Mrs. Hitchcock received me with
much Christian cordiality. In the afternoon I went to pay my
respects to my kind friends, Mr. and Mrs. Silas Harding. In the
evening, I accompanied Mrs. Harding and Miss McLellan, to the
special religious ser\T[ce at Chilwell. I commenced the meeting with
prayer and reading the Scriptm-es, and the Rev. W". Taylor preached
with wonderful power. I remained in Geelong until the 20th,
visiting old friends, and helping Brother Taylor in his great work.
I returned to Melbourne by steamer, and was all the better in health
for my Geelong visit.

Dec. \2)th. — ^I went to the Land Office to see about the Footscray
Chiu-ch site, and the Carlton Parsonage site. I also attended the
Bazaar in the interests of the Benevolent Asylum, when I handed

234 JAMES BICKFORD : AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

to the Treasurer a cheque foi- ^129 odd, as our contribution to the
Fund. The Treasurer was not a httle surprised. The next day I
attended a meeting of the Stationing Committee.

Dec. 16^/t. — I went to Footscray with Mr. Harding from the Land
Office, and Mr. A damson the architect, to mark out the Church
Reserve, and to take the levels of the ground. I also attended the
Wesley College Speech Day, and was much pleased with the per-
formances and artistic works of the young gentlemen.

Dec. 1\st. — We laid the foundation-stone of the new church at
Footscray. Mr. Gresham, the Mayor, did us the kindness of laying
the stone. We had a tea and public meeting in the evening, when
good financial help was promised.

Dec. 2bth. — I preached at 7 a.m., and the Rev. Dr. Tucker at
11 a.m. His text was taken from Isaiah ix. 6, 7. The sermon
was a very able exposition of the great Gospel text, and was
listened to by a large audience with deep and delighted intei-est. I
need not add, that to me, who have no chance of often hearing
brother ministers, it was ' a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on
the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well
refined.'

Dec. Iltli. — I went to Gardiner's Creek, and pieached a funeral
sermon for my late friend and county man, James Woodmason. He
was the embodiment of an honest Devonshire yeoman, and a generous
supporter of the Church.

Bee. 2Wi. — We held the Quarterly Meeting, and found ourselves
in debt to the tune of X220, occasioned mostly by an additional out-
lay on the Sandridge Parsonage. We shall clear this debt ' also
before my term of service closes, if the recvirrence of such extras can
only be prevented.

Dec. 31si. — We held the Watch Night Service in Wesley Church.
I was assisted by Messrs. Wilton and Hodgson, two of oiu* excellent
local preachers. It was a profitable service.

1870.

Jati. 1st. [Diary Jotting] — ' I commenced this year in Wesley Church. The
concluding part of the Watch Night Service was very solemn. May the Divine
Spirit confirm the resolutions into which I, with the congregation, entered.
Many letters and papers this morning, an earnest of what I may expect this
year. But I look to Heaven for help, and shall not be disappointed.'

The case of T. W. D. has caused me an agony of distress all this

A USTRALIA. 235

day. He is in gaol, awaiting his trial for embezzlement of moneys
at the Bank. I saw him in the gaol yesterday, pitied liim, and
prayed with him.

Jan. 3rd. — We held the Union Prayer Meeting in Wesley Church
this evening. The venerable Dean Macartney gave the address.
It was full of wise counsels, such as might be expected from a man
of his spirituality, deep experience, and ability. The Spirit of God
seemed to rest upon the other ministers who led in prayer. It was
a good time to us all.

Jan. 5th. — We were plagued with beggars all the forenoon. We
need one domestic to answer to the door. Such a thing as ministerial
privacy cannot be had in this house.

Jan. 1th. — To-day Ebenezer Taylor was examined in Committee
by the Chairman, the Rev. J, S. Waugh, who was well satisfied.
Mr. Taylor was unanimously recommended to be taken into the
itinerant work.

Jan. 8th. — I buried the remains of dear Mrs. Stanford this after-
noon. It was a melancholy scene ! Poor Stanford is heart-broken.
Short wedded life of only eight months. How mysterious are thy
ways, 0 God !

Jan. 11th. — Busy indeed, and plagued with persons calling to
stay, when one has no time to attend to them.

As showing the strength of the Connexional principle in the
Wesley Church Circuit, I may here give the gross totals, for 1869,
of the several funds, as follow : Church Building Fund, £47 16s. 9cl. ;
Education Fund, £37 13s. id. ; Church Extension Fund, £74 4s. Id. ;
Foreign Missions, £281 15s. 2d.; Chinese Mission (fifteen months),
£187 10s. Od ; City Mission and Bible Woman Agency, £18 Qs. M. ;
total, £647 6s. M.

Jan. 12th. — I left per steamer for the Adelaide Conference.
Judging by the number of ministers on board, we appeared to be
taking the Conference to the sister colony to sit. I was the guest
of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Kaines, at Halton Brook, dvu-ing my stay.
Mrs. Kaines is the daughter of the Rev. T. W. Smith, a Wesleyan
Minister in England, who, when travelling in the Kingsbridge
Circuit, Devon, conducted my theological studies, and recommended
mie to the Conference for the foreign work. No wonder that I was
much at home with my Halton Brook friends ! The Conference was
opened in Pirie Street Church, January 20th; the Rev. George

236 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Hurst, President, and the Rev. B. Chapman, Secretary. The Rev.
W. H. Fitchett, of Victoria, and the Rev. J. T. Simpson, of
South Australia, vnth. fifteen other probationers, who had honourably
completed their four years' ministry, were received into full con-
nexion. Sixteen young men were accepted as candidates for the
mirdstry. The net increase of members for the year was 3,384,
with 10,091 on trial.

Feb. \st. [Diary Jotting] — ' Closed the Conference this evening at 9.45.
Upon the whole it has been a happy Conference, although we had some
difficult work. The President, the Rev. George Hurst, did well, and the
Secretary, the Rev. B. Chapman, was ready with the minutes as soon as
required.'

Feb. '2nd. — I left Halton Brook for Adelaide this morning to see
my kinsfolk, the Bickfords, and some other friends. Mr. Kaines,
my geneious host, with his daughters, Bessy and Laura Kaines, saw
me into the train at the North Terrace for Port Adelaide, where om-
steamer lay. The Kaines' were most kind to me, and I parted from
them with much gratefulness of feeling.

Feb. 4:th. — I arrived at home after a somewhat rough passage.
Indeed, I was ill from sea-sickness all the way over. The Rev. B.
Chapman came with me to be our guest en route foi Sydney. The
Chairmen of the New South Wales Districts settled with me their
accounts for the Old Preachers' Fund before saiUng on the 9th. On
the evening of this day our dear Father Watkin preached in Wesley
Church. It was quite a treat to hear so original, quaint, and telling
a sermon from the dear old man.

Feb. 18th. — Mr. and Mrs. Kaines came from Adelaide to be our
guests for a while.

March 3rd. — I spent an agreeable time with Dr. Pinnell, the
American Consul, and Mrs. Pinnell, taking tea with them. They
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Chiu-ch in the United
States, and Mr. Pinnell is a lay preacher ; I am sorry that they
cannot ' fall in love ' with the colony to which they have come in a
representative capacity.

April 1st. — The ' children of Shem ' are coming to Christ. The
first-fruits we had in Wesley Church to-night, when I baptized two
converted Chinamen in the name of the Holy Trinity. James Ah
Ling, our catechist, translated their own accounts of their respective
experiences, when, after answering certain questions put to them

A USTRALIA. 237

through James, we received them into the Christian Church. There
was deep feeling in the congregation. I gave each a copy of the
New Testament in Chinese, with a little charge as to their future
conduct.

April Zrd. — I preached at Ashby, and examined the Sunday
School in the afternoon. On the Monday I visited my old friends,
and in the evening I spoke at the public meeting. I returned to
Melbourne by the last train, and reached home at 11.30 p.m.

Ajjril Qth. — We held the Quarterly Meeting to-day. We had a
fine attendance. The finances were well up, so that we reduced the
Oircuit debt to <£153 15s.

April 7th. — We have been in this Cii'cuit twelve months to-day.
It has been a year of incessant engagements of a Circuit, Connexional,
and public kind ; but my health, through God's great mercy, has been
good and pretty well equal to the strain. But it is a painful draw-
back to the pleasure one might otherwise have felt on reviewing the
year, that the Superintendent of this Circuit cannot command the
time necessary for making such preparations for the pulpit as the
intelligence of a city congregation demands. This remark does not
apply to the Superintendent's colleagues, whose principal time should
be occupied in pastoral visitation and in pulpit preparation.

Aj)rit 11th. — Our first anniversary for the new ecclesiastical year
was held at Wesley Church. The services on the Sabbath were well
attended, and on the Monday evening we had quite a demonstration
in favour of Sunday Schools. Our friend, Dr. Cutts, presided with
much ability, and the Revs. Flockart, Symons, Watkins, and Hay-
ward spoke with fine efiect. It was a good beginning.

Ajji'il 15th. — For some years I have availed myself of the aid of
the Presbyterian Clergy for my Christmas and Good Friday services.
In this way I have had the opportunity twice a year, at least, to
hear doctrinally stated their views of the Incarnation and Atonement
of Christ. From the time of his arrival in Melbourne, Dr. Adam
Cairns had always shown the most friendly feeling towards the
Wesleyan ministers, and I accordingly invited him to take the
pulpit at Wesley Church on this day. The Doctor took as his text :
' It is Christ that died.' About three hundred were present. We had
an able exposition of the death of Christ for ' the sins of the whole
world.' It was the ' strong meat ' by which mature Christians are
fed, and do gi'ow.

238 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

May 5th. — It is a soui'ce of much comfort to me that my Society
class keeps up so well. There were twenty-eight present this evening.
The quickening grace received under the Rev. William Taylor's
special services has continued with these precious souls. It is a
great honour to be the means of leading men into the Church ; but
it is the greatest of all good work afterwards to keep them within
the Church's fold.

I am reading with keenest interest the Memoir of Madame Guyon.
' She was,' says Wesley, ' undoubtedly a woman of a very uncommon
understanding, and of excellent piety. Nor was she more a lunatic
than she was an hei-etic' With such a recommendation, it is no
wonder that I read the book with much attention. I was much
struck -with the controversy between Bossieu and Fenelon. My
sympathies aie with the latter, who, no doubt, was a truly good and
great man. The former was able, but he was a despot ; he seems to
have been anjiihing but what a bishop should be. My mind was
greatly excited over this controversy.

3I(Uj i^tli. [Diary Jotting] — ' I was unwell, and could not therefore rise at my
usual hour. I am this day fifty-four years of age. This morning, in my
chamber. I solemnly gave myself, just as I am, to my God in Christ for service
— for life, for death. Oh, that the Holy Spirit may perfect what is lacking in
me, so that I may "stand perfect and completeiin all the will of God" !'

In the evening I presided, as usual, at the Young Men's Association
Meeting, when Mr. R. Hodgson, the vice-president, gave a clever
essay upon ' Death : Before and After the Fall.' My friend is fond
of the abstiuse and the difficult, but it is his way. The after discus-
sion was spirited and able.

May dth. — I went to Albion, and lectured at a Temperance
Meeting : forty took the pledge.

3fay Idth. — The social condition of Melbourne was one of the
subjects for the consideration of the ' Society for the Promotion of
MoraHty,' of which Bishop Perry is president. This morning I was
one of a deputation who went to the Chief Secretary about the
deplorable state of the city. He received us courteously, and
promised his help.

May 2ith. — Attended, as I was in duty bound, the Governor's
levee in honour of Her Most Gracious Majesty. I think it is most
important in this democratic country that all respectable English

A USTRALIA. 239

people should pay this mark of respect to the representative of our
good Queen.

June lOth. — In our Young Men's Meeting this evening the subject
of discussion was : ' Are Forms of Worship desirable in Public
Worship 1 ' We had a stirring time of it. The negative was carried
by sixteen to eight. This is quite in sympathy with the feeling in
great pai*t of the Wesley Church congregation, where Mr. Wesley's
Abridgment is used. It will have to be discontinued, I expect ;
but not during my superintendency.

June IWi.—l attended the Church Anniversary Meeting at North
Melbourne. We raised ,£343 odd. It was a noble contribution to
the Ti-ust.

June 16i/i. — On a Thursday afternoon, when I could afford the
time, I used to run up to the Parliament House to hear the debates.
To-day four of the ablest men in the House spoke : Messrs. Fellows,
Francis, Langton, and MacCuUoch. It was time well spent. The
Rev. W. Taylor returned from Adelaide this evening, looking well
after his campaign in soul-saving in South Australia.

June 17th. — The Rev. Joseph Dare lectured at Carlton on 'Wesley.
The Hon. J. A. MacPherson, M.P., in the chair. It was an eloquent
dissertation on the character of the great and good man. About
three hundred were present.

June 22nd. — Preached again at the gaol, and spent two hours and
a quarter among the prisoners. This is a terrible ordeal for me.
I felt nerveless and ill when I returned to the Parsonage.

June 21th. — I went to the Land Office to see about Keilor and
Essenden Church Reserves.

June 30i/i. — I wi"ote again to the Land Office for a grant of land
at Northcote as a Parsonage Reserve.

Jidij \st. — We had a fine discussion at the Young Men's Meeting
this evening on the question, ' Should the Parliament pass a Per-
missive Bill ? ' I examined to-day ' Replies to Essays and Reviews/
They are keen, and much to the point. I hope the poison in the
' Essays ' will be neutralised by these ' Replies.'

July Qth. — We held the Quarterly Meeting to-day. Income
£483 5s. Ud. Debt remaining, £142 lis. 5d. Members 1,011 ; on
trial, 45. The next evening the Rev. W. R. Fletcher gave a lectiu-e
to the Young Men's Association. About two hundi'ed persons were
present. The lecture was much appreciated.

240 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Jvly \^iih. — I was engaged all the forenoon in preparing a set of
resolutions for the Consultative Committee, upon the new state of
things sprung upon us by a new measure, entitled, ' Repeal of State
Aid to Religion Bdl,' now before the Parliament. My proix)sition
of vesting a portion of our Grant was rejected, and Mr. Daniel's, for
spending all during the next five years, was accepted.*

Afterwards the Rev. John Cope and I conversed at large on the
' Old Preachers' Fund ' business, and, at his request, I engaged to
prepare certain data to aid him in his calculations.

July 15i/i. — The Rev. William Taylor returned from Beech worth,
and lectured in the evening to eight hundred and fifty persons. The
next day, the Rev. Father Watkin, his son, E. J. Watkin, Mrs.
Watkin, and a dozen at least besides, called to see Mr. Taylor. He
is much and deservedly beloved.

July \%th. — I received a letter from Lady MacCulloch, acknow-
ledging, for Sir James, the Rev. W. Taylor's present of his book on
South Africa. It is a beautifully written and well-expressed note.

Jidy V)th. — I went with Mr. Egglestone to see Mr. and Mrs.
James Harcourt, who have just heard of the death of their son Charles,
in Fiji. It was a mournful scene. The Rev. J. S. Waugh joined us
in condoling with our friends and praying with them. In the
evening I worked upon the statistics of Methodist itinerant Kfe

* The Cessation of ' State Aid,' under the McCulloch Government, imposed a
heavy responsibility upon the Wesleyan Connexion, to raise by collections and
subscriptions such a sum as would carry on the work which had come into
existence by the aid of Government grants. The amount of £50,000 was pro-
vided under the 5.3rd clause of the Constitution Act, and was to be distributed
under certain conditions. (1) That in supplementing stipends, it had to be
shown by the applicant that the amount he claimed had been duplicated by his
congregation. (2) That the amount claimed for churches and parsonages had
been duplicated in the same manner. But a large proportion of really ' godly '
persons objected to its continuance : 1, Because truth and error were equally
subsidised ; 2, That in the appropriation, great injustice was done to the
Presbyterians and Wesleyans, whose Census ' Returns ' were bond fid i\ whereas
one of the denominations could not so aver ; 3, Then there were the Congrega-
tional, Baptist, and Minor Methodist bodies, who, from conscientious motives,
would not take any money from the public exchequer. As might be expected,
the continuance or the non-continuance of the ' Grant in Aid' became a
burning question. The contention was brought to an end by the Government,
subject to a diminishing scale spreading over five years, when it ceased
altogether. Since that notable period, ' a fair field and no favour ' has been
the unchallenged right of every religious denomination in the colony.

AUSTRALIA. 241

for Mr. Cope's guidance, in his attempt to fix the principles of our
Annuitant Society upon sound and safe principles. It is a great and
difficult work he has undertaken.

July 30th. — To-day James Ah Ling and Leong on Tong called
about a matrimonial errand to China. I gave Leong on Tong a
letter to the Rev. George Piercy, our missionary at Canton, in-
cluding three bills for £20, £10, =£10, to be used in the interests
of James Ah Ling, in the event of Leong succeeding in his mission
for him.

Atcg. 9th. — I went to hear Dr. Bromby (Anglican) lecture on ' Pre-
historic Man.' Of course, it was clever in its way, but unsound in
its theology ; and, in a metaphysical aspect, most erroneous. I
returned home distressed in mind for the sad eftects such statements
are sure to bring about amongst a certain increment of our city
population. As an example, two mechanics, who were working in
Russell Street, on the next morning were heard thus to converse :
' I say. Jack, did you hear what Dr. Bromby said last night in his
lecture ? ' ' No,' said Tom, ' what was it ■? ' ' Why, man,' rejoined
the other, ' that if we die without being converted there will be
an end of us. So we have nothing to fear.' And much more
was said on the same line. The learned and eccentric doctor cannot
ever know in this world how much mischief his lectures have
done.

I went to Brighton, and baptized three children of the Rev. J, B.
and Mrs. Smith. The parents are attached and true friends. But my
pleasiu'e was rudely disturbed, later on in the day, by the sad intelli-
gence of the svidden death in Melbourne of Mr. James Webb, who
for many years had been a strong supporter of our Church in Tas-
mania and Victoria. Worry was the cause of his death. I am
sorry — deeply soriy. What will the family do ? May the Heavenly
Father undertake for them.

Aug. IQth. — I was engaged with Wesley Church business all the
morning, when I prepared a plan for the cUstribution of the £513 lis.
received fi^om the estate of N. & R. Guthridge & Co., and enclosed
it to the Treasurers of the Trust. This is the last payment, I suppose,
from the Old Collins Street property.

Aug. 24:th. — I took my letter on Dr. Bromby's mischievous
lecture to the Argus for publication. I had waited to see if
Bishop Perry, or Dr. Cairns, or the Rev. J, S. Waugh, would call

16

•242 JAMES BICKPOED: AN AVTOBIOGBAPIIY.

the doctor to account, and finding that they had not done so, I
was constrained to do my little best. With what effect, I cannot
<1ivine.

Axuj. Ibth. — I again attended the sick at the Hospital, and after-
Avards visited Mr. Miscamble. Pooi- man ! He is much afflicted, but
he is very happy. I saw the venerable Dean Macartney, at the
^ Promotion of Morality ' meeting, who thanked me for my letter on
Dr Bromby's lecture. ' How is it,' said I, ' that you have no
dogmas in the Thirty-nine Articles upon " Future Punishment" ?' He
replied, ' If there is nothing in the Articles, there is in tlie prayers.'
' Yes,' I rejoined, ' we do pray in the Litany to be saved from that
*' wrath and everlasting damnation." But there should have some-
thing in the Articles themselves, as expressive of the Church's belief.'
I think he ully acquiesced in my remark.

I began reading again Hamilton's ' Rewards and Punishments,'
Avith the view of obtaining more information on this awful doctrine
of the Scriptures. I do not think anything better can be had at the
present time.

Aug. 27th. — In the Argus of to-day Dr. Bromby's answer to my
letter appeared ; if it can be called an answer, which is doubtful.
However, I now di'op the matter, and leave the controversy to those
of ' The Brethren,' who have more time and more polemic ability
than I have for further discussion. This has been an anxious and
oppressive week, and I am feeling quite ill. Mrs. Bickford and I,
therefore, are going out to St. Kilda to see what its salubrious air
and quiet will do for me.

Aug. 29th. — Telegram from England — 'War has broken out
between France and Prussia.' As far as I can judge the Emperor
is entirely wi-ong ; and if he be he should suffer severely.

Aug. 30th. — This evening I presided at a meeting for forming a
Temperance Society in connection with Wesley Church. Messrs.
Callaghan, Hodgson, Marshall, and Piatt spoke effectively. Between
twenty and thirty signed.

Sept. 15th. — To-day I finished my lecture on ' Wilberforce,' which
will be given, in the first instance, to the Wesley Church 'Young
Men's Society.' I consider my subject under three aspects: (1) As
a Christian ; (2) as a Statesman ; (3) as a Philanthropist. I hope it
will do some good. I have now in course of reading ' Power on
TJniversalism,' as I find I must get the grip of this question in all

A USTRALIA. 243

its varying aspects. Melbourne, at the present time, is aftiicted
■with a polemic spirit.

Sept. \^th. — We held the opening services of the North Sandridge
€hurch. We raised ^50 10^.

Sept. 20th. — I went to Geelong to attend the ' Sons of Temperance '
Meeting. I travelled with Messrs. Longmore, Burtt, and Cope, M.P.'s,
and Mr. D. Matthews from Echnca, the friend of the Aborgines,
together with Mr. Poole, ex-editor of the Herald. We had a
lively time of it all the way. In the afternoon I visited several of
my old friends, and took tea with Dr. and Mrs. Machin, and had a
baptismal ceremony. I afterwards spoke at the Mechanics' Institute
Meeting, where we had a large audience. From thence I went to
the Advertiser office to know of the latest telegrams, when I learnt
that so far the Prussians had completely beaten the French. I
returned to Melbourne on the evening of the 21st in time to hold
the Local Preachers' Meeting. James Ah Ling and Mr. Restorck
were i-eceived as full local preachers.

Sept. 24^A.— I received a letter from Mr. George Smith, Circuit
Steward, Ballarat, and one from Mr. James Oddie, my old and true
friend, asking me if I will accept an invitation to that Circuit as
Supei-intendent for the coming year ? I replied by telegram, ' I am
not expecting to leave this Circuit ; but if I were I would accept
with pleasure.' Startling news to-day. The Napoleonic dynasty is
At an end.

The Rev. T. McKensie Fraser, M.A., from Geelong, lectured this
evening in Wesley Church on Dr. Bromby's ' Theory of Annihilation '
to some four hundred persons. It was a very able lecture, in which
the author, as I think, refuted point by point the doctor's unscrip-
tural and unphilosophical theories. Mr. Fraser was listened to
throughout with closest attention.

Sept. 30^7i. — I gave ' Wilberforce ' this evening to the ' Young
Men's Association,' and was well received.

Oct. ^rd. — -A kind of red-letter day. I started in the morning foi-
Sunbury by an early train, and officially visited the Government ' In-
dustrial School and Reformatory.' I was miich pleased with Mr. Scott,
the superintendent. I conducted a pretty full religious service, and
then returned to Mr. Smith's at Sunbury. In tlie evening I preached
to a nice week-night congregation, and returned to Melbourne,
reaching home at 11.30 p.m. A hard and happy day's work.

244 JA.VES BICKFOBD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Oct. 5th. — We held the Quarterly Meeting. The motion for a
division of the Circuit was negatived by forty-four against forty
votes. The four ministei-s were re-invited with a young preacher
for Carlton.

Oct. l'2th. — I attended the Loan Fund Committee, Avhen .£150 was
voted to the Carlton Church. In the evening we met again for
forming a Sustentation Society. We sat until 10 p.m. I was very
cold, and wearied with the labours of the day.

Oct. 13th. — I prepared a fair copy of the ' Rules and Regulations '
for a * Home Mission and Contingent Fund Society,' for submission
to the District Meeting and Conference. I attended in the evening
a Temperance Meeting at Coburg, and spoke for half an hour.
There are now forty-five adult members.

Oct. lith. — The proposed 'Rules and Regulations' for Sunday
Schools were agreed to by a Committee this evening. I read Lothair
until 12 o'clock, and again on the 15th, when I finished it. It is a
surprising book. The characters are well drawn, and the Satanic
depth of Jesuitism is scathingly exposed. Disraeli is a bold man to
publish svich a book at such a political crisis as is this. But good
and not evil the book must do, especially in Great Britain and
Ireland.

Oct. 18th. — I read a second time the Rev, J. C. Symon's tractate
on Christian Baptism. It is well reasoned, and there is no waste of
words. It seems to me to be most conclusive on the side of the
pedo-baptist usage.

Aiog. 22nd. — I wrote Mr. Duncan, the head of the Industrial
Schools, informing him that we had arranged for holding religious
services at the Prince's Bridge establishment. This means more
work, but it must be done. It is the only chance these unfortunate
' waifs ' and ' strays ' have.

In the afternoon I went to Cremorne private Lunatic Asylum ;
particularly to see Mr. E. and J. T. Poor wrecks ! My soul was
sore for them. What is diabolical possession ? Mr. Harcourt told
me of a young lady in England, and of another at Cremorne, born in
godly homes, and reared in association with religious culture of
a somewhat high order, who, when the fits of madness came upon
them, would give utterance to such profane and obscene language
as would make even wicked men to blush. How is this to be
accounted for ? Bi;t in this way most likely ; — with reason dethroned.

A U8TRALTA. 245

the ' evil one ' enters and takes possession ; and hence the insanity
and blasphemous outcome we have noticed. Does this theory throw
any light upon demoniacal possessions we read of in the Gospels ?

Aug. 25th. — Under the auspices of the ' Society for the Promo-
tion of Moi-ality ' a congress was held to-day ; Bishop Perry presided,
and excellent papers were read and impromptu speeches were given.
It was a grand day for sobriety and righteousness.

JVov. 2nd. — The District Meeting was begun to-day. We continued
in session until the 10th. It is a great comfort to me to see how
smoothly we get through the business of this large district.

jVov. 15th. — I heard Dr. Bromby lecture this evening in answer to
his critics. Probably 2,500 persons were present. As a reply to
his critics it was unsatisfactory and weak. It is hard to say what
he really believes.

^ov. 24:th. — I went in the afternoon to the Land Office to see
about a church site at Lauriston. I also spoke to the Hon. J. A.
MacPherson about the three-cornered allotment at Emerald Hill.
He told me that we could pr-oceed with the buildings if we liked at
once, for the site would be gazetted as a Wesleyan Church Reserve
in two or three weeks. This evening I had twenty-nine members
present at my class. It is quite a task to meet them as one would
like.

JVov. 28th. — I baptized, in Wesley Church, two Chinese converts,
Thomas Ah Foo and Simon Tuck Sat. There was a large attendance
of sympathizers with this Christian mission.

Dec. 2nd. — I spent the whole of this evening in seeing some of the
members of Wesley Church Choir, who are grievously offended at an
article which appeared in our Chronicle last week. The occasional
admission of irritating articles into our official organ is a great
mistake and otfence. At all events, I cannot aiford to spend my
time in attempts to smooth away vexatious feelings, as in this
instance ; and I hope I may not have to do it again. John
Colton, Esq., M.P., from Adelaide, called and spent half-an-hour
with us. I know more of South Australian Methodism now than I
did before he called.

Dec. 8th. — Mr Taylor and I weut to Maidstone to inspect the
' Meat Preserving Company's Works.' We were politely shown
over the whole establishment. Strong, fat cattle would, in the
morning, be driven into the slaughter-house, and in the evening of

246 JAMES BICKFORD : AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

the same day the meat is tinned and packed ready for shipment to
China, India, England, anywhere. This should be a renumerative
industry. We visited several families, and had a pieaching service
at night. The next day I lectured on ' Wilberforce ' at Footscray
in behalf of the new church. My zealous colleague, the Rev. R.
C. riockart, has charge of the finances of this undertaking, and is
succeeding admirably.

Dec. \^th. — I went to the Legislative Council to see the Hon. T.
T. A. Beckett, about the ' Wines, Beer, Spirits, Statute Amendment
Bill.' I saw also the Hon. John O'Shanassy about the same thing.
We are anxious for the passing of this Bill. There is a provision in
it in favour of ' Local Option,' for preventing the multiplication of
hotels and public-houses where not necessary.

Dec. V^st. — The Bill for the Payment of Members was passed
after a pretty stiff debate. The ' Rupert ' of the Chamber was
IVIr. O'Shanassy. His best speeches reminded me much of those of
Sir Robert Peel in their nice and comprehensive arrangement of
facts, which he marshals with an easy fluency and persuasiveness of
appeal. Sometimes, however, he can storm, and then his opponents
have to look out. I have seen him rise in the Assembly, when he
was our Premier, at the end of a debate, which may have lasted for
hours, and reply, without a single note taken down, to each opponent
in turn, and make a clean sweep of the whole lot. Aboiit this
payment of members policy, I may say, that when it was first
mooted I was greatly opjjosed to it. But thf lore I weighed the
arguments, pro e con, the more was I convu_^ed that, in a new
country like Victoria, it was desirable. It is an experiment truly ;
but the principal being right, we can have nothing to fear.

Dec. 31s^. — I spent most of this day in pastoral visitation — Mrs.
Pascoe, Mrs. Russell, the Misses Palmer, Mr. Fenton, and Mr.
Hackett. Mrs. Hackett, after much sviffering, which she bore with
ti'ue Christian resignation, escaped to her heavenly rest. This closed
my pastoral work for the year.

A Battle of Giants.

1871.

The years 1869 and 1870 will be remembered as those in which

a battle was fought in IMelbourne between certain metaphysicians,

theologians, and scientists. It was under the auspices of the ' Early

AUSTRALIA. 247

Closing Association ' that this contest began, and by whose patronage
it was continued. The Rev. J. E. Bromby, D.D., Principal of the
' Church of England Grammar School,' gave three lectures, entitled :
' Creation versus Development,' ' Pre-historic Man,' and ' Beyond the
Grave.' Of these lectui-es every minister of Christ had reason to
complain. It was not an unfriendly, but a brotherly hand which
■wTote of the doctor and his lecture as follows : —

' He has launched a theory which carries the gravest moral consequences vnth
too evident haste ; he has put to sea without carefully examining into the sea-
worthiness of his vessel, without any definite idea of the course ; and I fear
that he, and those who have embarked with him, will make shipwreck of their
faith.'

The Bishop of Melbourne (Dr. Perry) came ovit with a very able
lecture, entitled, ' Science and the Bible,' in which, ' by a few
gentlemanly, polished sentences, he swept each hypothesis out of
scientific existence, and courteously consigned it to the limbo of all
error.'

Much service was done on the same side by the Editor of The
Wesley an Chronicle (Rev. John Christian Symons), who, in a series
of articles, by closest reasoning and clear statement, showed the un-
soundness and danger of Dr. Bromby's theories. Three anonymous
publications also issued from the press, entitled, ' No Annihilation ;
or, Scriptiu'e Evidence of Eternal Punishment ; ' ' The Theory of
Annihilation,' and ' A Modern Moloch ; or the Painless Non-existence
of Materialists,' which did good service on the Scripture side of the
controversy. But the conflict was not confined to Melboiu-ne. The
Rev. James Nish, D.D., Sandhurst, gave three interesting lectiu-es
on ' Universalism, Examined and Refuted ; ' and the Rev. T.
McKenzie Eraser, M.A., in Geelong, also gave a lecture on * Dr.
Bromby's Theory of Annihilation,' which he afterwards delivered in
Wesley Church, Melbourne. Every city pulpit, for months together,
became a vehicle for dogmatic pronouncement on the questions which
Dr. Bromby had so thoughtlessly made an arena of strife. Possibly
we should never have known what an amount of learned, critical
ability lay hidden in the cultured minds of our more prominent
ministers, and educated laymen, but for this battle for the truth.

Jan. \st. — I began my ministry by preaching at North Melboui'ne
and Wesley Church. In the afternoon we had the ' Renewal of

248 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOORAPHY.

Covenant Service ' and the Lord's Supper. It was a blessed time :
* My God I am Thine.'

Jan. IncL — I sent the quarterly annuities to all the claimants
on the ' Old Preachers' Fund ' outside the colony. Sending these
allowances early in the quarter is like giving : ' he gives twice who
gives quickly.' In the afternoon I buried the remains of oui' dear
Sister Hackett : ' happy soul thy days are ended,'

Jan. 7th. — Mr. Courtney, from the College, came at 8 a.m. to tell
me of the death of our dear Dr. Corrigan, An able and useful man is
gone from us in the midst of his days. Our loss is very great. On
the 9th we bui'ied the mortal remains of the late Dr. Corrigan in
the Melbourne Cemetery. The Rev. Joseph Dare was the officiating
minister, assisted by Messrs. Waugh, Mackey, and myself. It was
a largely attended funeral, and every countenance we saw in
travelUng from St. Kilda to the city cemetery appeared stricken
with sorrow.

Jan. llth. — We held a meeting of the Treasurers of the 'Old
Preachers' Fund,' when I submitted the balance sheet for the year,
which was at once passed. It was an agreeable and satisfactory
meeting. The next day I left for Launceston to attend the
Conference. We were fourteen ministers in all. Arriving on the
13th, I was glad to find that during my stay I was to be the guest
of the Rev. John and Mi-s. Harcourt. The next day I visited the
Gleadows, Harts, Norwoods, and Grubbs. We made a small party
in the afternoon for some outing. Mr. Robe drove Mrs. Robe,
Messrs. Williams, Harcourt, Cope, and me, to the Cora Linn Water
Falls, which were fine and imposing. We took tea at Mrs. Robe's,
and spent the evening with Mr. and Mrs. Grubb. It was a most
enjoyable time.

Jan. I9th. — The Conference was opened in Hobart Town to-day,
under the presidency of the Rev. John Watsford. At this Con-
ference my nephew, the Rev. E. S. Bickford, with fifteen others,
was received into full connexion, and twenty-one were received on
trial. We continued in session until the 31st, when the Joui-nal
was read and signed. It was a successful Conference, and the
hospitaHty of the friends was beyond all praise. During the Con-
ference I visited Bushey Park, vid New Norfolk, and preached on
the Sabbath. Mr. and Mrs. Shoobridge showed true Kentish hos-
pitality. What a lovely spot it is ! A perfect hive of industry, and

AUSTRALIA. 249

a home of the highest type of family godliness. Mr. Shoobridge, on
our way back, took me to see the ' Salmon Fish Ponds.' Who will
not hope that this Govermental enterprise may be a success, and
that some day the cool and picturesque rivers of fair Tasmania
may be as much alive with this ' king of fishes ' as are the romantic
rivers of gi'and old Scotland 1

Feb. \st. — This morning I left Hobart Town, in a hired steamer,
with 320 friends for New Norfolk for a day's recreation and
enjoyment. Miss Smith and I went to Valley Field to see Mi',
and Mrs. William Shoobridge. We went all through the beautiful
gardens, and admired the cultivation, I saw many other things
calculated to please the eye and to excite gratitude in our hearts.
I I'eached Hobart Town in the evening, and spent a profitable
time with my kind host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs. James Smith.
Miss Smith took me to Kangaroo Point to see the Browns, who
are particular friends of the Frasers of St. Kilda. Mrs. Brown was
feeble, but was in a happy state of mind.

I settled up afi'airs with the Commercial Bank, and took a draft
for <£1,304 4s. 5fZ., to be paid to the credit of the Old Pi-eachers' Fund
in Melbourne. After visiting Mr. and Mrs. Vanstone, Mr. and
Mrs. Heyward, Mrs. Crouch and Miss Crouch, I left by a night
journey for Launceston, and arrived at 8.30 the next morning. At
10.30 a.m. the Conference party went on board the Derivent, when
I at once turned in so as to avoid sea-sickness. We had a pleasant
trip down the river, and fine weather out at sea. The next day I
reached Melbourne, and found all well at home.

Feb. 1th. — I made large deposits to the credit of the Old Preachers'
Fund ; the next day I met the treasurers, and reported the state of
afi'airs. In the evening the Rev. George AVoolnough, M.A., preached
in Wesley Church on ' Jacob's Vision.' It was a clearly conceived
and well-delivered sermon.

Feb. \^th. — After preaching at North Melbourne, I gave the
congregation a short address on the business of the late Conference.
I think to do this is good policy as a ministerial duty.

The ex-American Consul, Dr. Pinnell, and Mrs. Pinnell left by
the steamship Macedon to-day. I do not think they felt much at
home in Melbourne, and that they will be glad to get back to
America. I parted from them with regret.

March 2nd. — I left for Marathon Station, Sutherland's Creek, to

250 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

see Mrs. Dow, who is very ill. In the evening Mr. Dow and I went
to the Anakies, to hear the Rev. Henry E. Merriman lecture on
' Representative Women.' It was a thoughtful and instructive
lecture, and was well received. Poor Mrs. Dow was about able to
recognise me, and that was all. We knelt by her bed and commended
her to God in prayer and faith.

March 5th. — I preached at Yarra Street, Geelong, in aid of the
Sunday School. At the public meeting I spoke on (1) Public
Education, (2) Publicans' Bill, (3) The Permissive Bill. I think I
had a pretty good grip, and succeeded in interesting the audience,
which was large. My object was, in most part, to influence public
opinion in the expectation of a general election.

March 8th. — The Loan Fund Committee met. We voted to
churches and parsonages over £3,000. This amount was fairly
distributed as between ' Town and Country.'

March lith. — The news of 'peace' between Prussia and France
reached us this morning ; but dearly bought on both sides. I began
reading Tyerman's ' Life of Wesley ' to-day. It would be curious to
know how many biographies of this great man have been written.
1 understand that Tyerman's is the best amongst the whole lot ; but
of this I shall be able to judge after pex*usal. One thing is certain,
that the reverend author makes his subject a little more human
than do some of the writers ; which, I think, is wise, and a strong
recommendation of the work.

Feb. 20th. — Messrs. Ebenezer Taylor and Henry Moore were
ordained to the full work of the Ministry in Wesley Church this
evening. It was a good service, and the Great Head of the Church
sanctioned the ceremony with His own blessed Presence.

Feb. 2lst. — We held the Church Anniversary Meeting this
evening at Emerald Hill, when Mr. Thomas Pybus gave us his great
speech on ' Is Christianity a Failure ? ' Here is a case of a man, of
singular endowments, missing his way into the highest service of the
Chiirch, through the pernicious influence of ministerial agitators
some years ago in the North of England. Methodism, in the past, has
had her troubles, but they always begun amongst a few able but
unreasonable men amongst the ministers themselves. This ought
not to be. We raised at this Anniversary =£150 for the Trust.

Feb. 24:th. — I was again in Geelong to attend an Ordination Service,
when my nephew, the Revs. E. S. Bickford, H. Catford, T. E. Ick,

AUSTRALIA. 251

M.A., and W. Weston, were thus set apart for the Ministry. The
Church was well filled, and it was a very fine service.

Feb. 26</i. — I preached twice at St. Alban's Chu rch to-day. On
Monday I was at Mi'. Lowe's, enjoying a quiet day and rest.

March 2%th. [Diary Jotting] — " This morning I went to St. Alban's Church,
and, assisted by the Rev. F. E. Stephenson, I married my nephew, Edmund
SoiTell Bickford, to Emma Lowe. The church was full of friends. The Rev.
John Cope, on behalf of the Sunday School, presented to the bride an address
and an elegantly bound Bible and Hymn Book. We spent a pleasant afternoon,
and I, with my niece, Christina Pascoe, returned to Melbourne by the evening
train."

The Eev. D. Annear called. He feels deeply and justly his non-
appointment to a Circuit this year;

March Zlst. — I held the Local Preachers' Meeting; Messrs. Willis,
T. Leslie, Ku-k, Johnstone, and Cowperthwaite were examined, and
received as full local preachers.

A2)ril 5i/«.— We held the Quarterly Meeting to-day. The income was
i:47l 13^. 6fZ. Debt reduced to £37 Is. %d. We had an encouraging
and happy meeting.

AjJril 7th (Good Friday). — I heard the Eev. Mr. Edwards
preach to a very good congregation. Mrs. Bickford and I went
out to Heidelberg and spent a quiet evening. I was unwell from hai'd
work and worry, and needed rest and change.

April 10th (Easter Monday). — A deHghtfully quiet day. Mel-
bourne is ' out of town.' I wrote two articles for the Recorder, and
in the evening I read Tyerman's ' Life of Wesley.'

April 16th. — The Rev. J. F. Horsley preached a good sermon in
Wesley Church, which I much enjoyed. It was a famous specimen
of the logical style which well becomes our principal pulpits.

April 2\st. — A busy day. I wrote five letters to England, and
attended the Female Refuge, Protestant Orphan Asylum, Wesley
Church Sunday School, and Sunday School Union Committees.

April 2ith. — Through the Christian genei'osity of Mr. S. E.
King, the Rev. D. Annear, who was left without a Circuit at the
last Conference, has come to Wesley Church as a Home Missionaiy
for one year. 1 went with him, therefore, in search of a house in
which he should begin his work.

Map 9fh. — The Chinese Mission is prospering. This evening in
Wesley Church I baptized three converts from the teachings of

252 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUT0BI06BAPIIY.

Confucius to the faith of Chi-ist. There was a fine congregation.
We had all the Chinese members on the platform, when, led by
James Ah Ling, they sang ' Rock of Ages ' in their own tongue.
There was deep feeling. We collected c£6 8s. Grf for the Mission.

May \2th. — I went into Collins Street on Old Preachers' Fund
business. I tried to arrange for a loan of <£5,000 on a first mortgage,
but did not succeed. I also attended a great meeting in the Town
Hall in aid of the Saturday Half Holiday Movement, when I con-
versed with Sir James MacCulloch and the Mayor on the fearful
prevalence of the larrikin element in the City. They entered very
fully into my views, and were willing to co-operate in any well-
directed efibrts for removing this social plague from our midst.

May IQth. — I went up to the House of Assembly to hear the
Treasurer, Mr. Francis, give his Budget speech. He spoke for two
hours and twenty minutes with much clearness and grasp of his
subject. There was a good deal of pleasurable excitement in the
House. Are politics an easy game to play ] If not, on what
principle can we explain how it is that a gentleman, who has spent
his whole life in commercial transactions, can stand up with so much
self-possessedness before his compeers, and deliver himself as Mr-.
Francis did to-day ? I suppose this is the solution : the Treasurer
knew beforehand what he had to talk about, and he stood up and
said it.

On the 17th the Rev. Mr. Beecher (AngHcan) and I tramped
the streets of Melbourne, soliciting subscriptions for furnishing a
temporary home for fallen women. We met with some success, and
the Heavenly Father will reward those who so generously helped
our object.

May 22nd. — I was busy to-day in pastoi'al visitation, which was
very pleasant to me. In the evening I attended a great meeting
for forming a ' Young Men's Chi'istian Association.' The speaking
was very fine.

May 2itk. — I went as usual to the Governor's levee in honour of
the birthday of our dear Queen. May God bless her !

June Srd. — I left by train for Scarsdale, vid Ballarat, to help at
several religious services. The next day (the Sabbath) I preached at
Linton's, and was the guest of my kind friends, Mr. and Mrs.
Matthews. We held the tea and public meeting the next evening,
and raised <£35. Here I met Avith the published account of the

AUSTRALIA. 253

* Irish State Trials.' Daniel O'Connell and his patriotic friends
were acquitted. How much better foi- the English Government to
have listened to the complaints of the Irish nation, and devised
i-emedies for their removal, than to have run the risk of a ' State
Trial ' of the men who were seeking to save the nation !

June 6th. — ^My nephew, the Rev. E, S. Bickford, and I went to
Rokewood, and found Mr. and Mrs. (Ashby) Hill and Mr. and Mrs
Musgrove all well. The Revs. I. Steele and Iddeson assisted at
our pubhc meeting. On our way back to Scarsdale, we passed the
solitary place where Burke killed an unfortunate wayfarer for his
money. I shuddered as I passed the blood-stained spot. I returned
to Melbourne on the 8th, arriving at home at 11.30 p.m.

June '2ith. — I left at 1 p.m. for Keysborovigh, and arrived at
4.50 p.m. Mr. and Mrs Keys, Senr., received me as usual with
full-hearted Irish hospitality. I spent a pleasant evening with Mr.
and Thomas Keys and other membei-s of this family. The next day
I preached at Keysborough, Dandenong, and Berwick. During this
visit I attended ' Church Extension Meetings ' at Mornington, Clyde,
and Keysborough. I had the pleasvire to once more visit my friends,
Mr. and Mrs. Sykes, Mr. and Mrs. Patterson, Mr. and Mrs. North,
and Rev. Thomas and Mrs. Kane. I returned to Melbourne on the.
30th, and found a heap of important business letters awaiting
attention. The business that has to be attended to by the Wesley
C'hurch minister baffles all description.

Jidy Sth. — The Weekly Times came out to-day with my portrait,
and a sketch of my personalty and style of preaching. This is the
penalty I am paying in being mixed up in the wretched controversy
with Di\ Bromby. The ' sketcher ' points out many defects in my
discourses, but he gives me great credit for my pastoral habits, and
attention to the sick, the poor, and the aged. Well, this is
something to the good. If I am not too old to change in the style
or substance of my pulpit performances I would try to improve. We
shall see.

July 1 1th. — I renewed my conversation with James Mathieson on
the subject of his going into our mission work. I think, physically,
he would do well for the Tropics ; and I have also a strong belief in
his natural ability and piety.

July IWi.—l began reading Dr. Pusey's lectiu-es on ' Daniel the
Prophet.' From what I can see it is a learned and able work. In

254 JAMES BICKFOBB: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

the evening I read in Wesley Church Bishop Simpson's great
sermon on Isaiah xlii. 4. Mr. Duncan and I had to-day an
interesting conversation on gaol discipline, including regulai-
religious services for the spiritual benefit of the prisoners. It is
quite comforting to find an ' Inspector of Gaols,' as is Mr. Duncan,
enthusiastically holding to the belief that Her Majesty's ' imprisoned '
.subjects ai'e capable of I'eformation, yea, even of salvation.

July 21s<. — I read in the London Watchman the account of the
Exeter Hall Meeting. It was a great refreshing of soul to me. I
wonder if I shall ever have the privilege of attending one such
meeting ' before I go hence.'

July llnd. — I began again reading Bishop Butler's ' Analogy of
Religion,' feeling that it is of much importance that I should keep in
touch mth this masterly exjjosition of the credo he has accepted, and
was bound to defend.

July 2^th. — I attended a meeting of Christian gentlemen for
selling good literature throughout the Colony. Surely, next to
pulpit and Sunday School woi-k, this comes of great importance.
We shall prevent the reading of bad books by settlers, miners, and
others, by supplying to them, at reasonable prices, readable, pure
literature.

Aug. lith. — I read the London Quarterly for two or three hours.
I like our periodical better than I do any of the others that come to
us from London. But I am much grieved that so few of our leading
men, and ministers even, ever see it. It must be a great loss to
them.

Aug. \d>th. — At our Preachers' Weekly Meeting to-day we had two
Chinese catechists present. Their report of their work was encourag-
ing, and there appears to be a wide field before them in these
Colonies. It was good to have these men with us.

Aug. ?i\st. — Messrs. James and Garrett, M.P.'s, called about our
petition to Parliament on the ' Prohibition ' question. In the after-
noon Mr. President Watsford and I went up to the House, and
handed our petition to Mr. James for presentation in favour of the
Bill. In the evening I presided at the ' Daughters of Temperance '
Meeting. About iovoc hundred were present on the joyous occasion.
Upon the whole it was a gratifying success.

Sept. 5th. — There is no end of trouble over our Day School matters.
To-day I had to go up to the Board of Education to see the Secretary

A USTRALIA. 255

(Mr. B. F. Kane) about the Carlton, Coghill's Creek, and Wesley
Church Schools. The next day I finished my second copy of the
' Wilberfoi-ce Lecture.' It has been quite a means of instruction and
good to me to prepare this lecture. May the Lord bless it to others !
(D. J.)

Sept. Wth. — I accompanied a deputation to the Chief Secretary
about closing the ship Cerberus to the public on the Lord's day. The
right is on our side, but the might (the ' world-power ') is against us.
But we shall see.

Sept. I^rd. — I left for Sebastopol, and arrived in the evening. I
was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Kobinson, who made me most welcome.
The next day I preached at 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. to good congre-
gations. The usual public meetings came off the next evening. I
spoke for three-quarters of an hour on the proper work of the
Chvirch in two branches, viz., the preaching of the Gospel, and the
religious training of the young. The brethren were more than kind
in their references to my former labours in the Ballarat District. On
Tuesday evening I lectured for an hour and a half on ' Wilberforce '
with much freedom. Not only from natural instinct, but also from
a long residence in the West Indies, I seem always to feel an unex-
plainable sympathy with the humane efforts for the African race
which this great Christian philanthropist put forth. I went into
Ballarat, and slept at Mr. Oddie's, so that I might be ready to leave
for Melbourne by the first train next day.

Sejit. 27th. — This evening Orlando Knee and James Matthieson
preached in Wesley Church with a view to their nomination at the
ensuing Quarterly Meeting for the work of the Ministiy. They did
very well.

Se2)t. 3Qth. — This afteinoon the foundation-stone of the new
Temperance Hall was laid by his worship the Mayor in Russell
Street. At the evening, meeting, the Revs. Dare, Mackie, and I,
with Messrs. Munro, Callaghan, and Beauchamp spoke. It was a
very good meeting, and augurs success.

Oct. 37-d. — A notable day in the interests of the Christian Sabbath.
A great meeting was held at St. Enoch's of a stormy kind. But that
was to be expected. We carried the whole of our resolutions, and
appointed a Sabbath Defence Association.

Oct. 4:th. — We held our Quarterly Meeting. There were sixty-five
brethren present. I nominated Brothers Knee and Matthieson.

"^

256 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

They were passed with the condition of both having a year's training
at Wesley College. We concluded our meeting after midnight.

Oct. Gth. — I left for Echuca by the 11.40 train, and arrived in the
evening. I spent an agreeable hour with the Rev. J. F. and Mrs.
Horsley, and I slept at Mr. Brown's. The next day I visited Mr.
and Mrs. Heyward, Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson, Mr, Payne, Mr.
Forbes, Mr. and Mrs. Redman, and Mr. Matthews. At 3 p.m. I
left for Deniliquin, and reached this ' City of the Plains ' at 9 p.m.
Mr. Hunter, formerly of St. Kilda, was there to receive me. I was
to be the guest of Dr. Jones, who, with Miss Jones, gave me a
gracious welcome. I was much tired ; the bush road was simply
execrable. 1 opened the new Church the next day. I saw in the
congregations several of my former friends in other Circuits. The
usual meetings were held on the Monday, when the Mayor, Mr.
Robertson, occupied the chair. We raised about £4:0. On the 10th
I rode with the Rev. Charles Jones to Landall's Station to see the
sheep-shearers. There were eighty men at work. It was to me a
novel and exciting sight. I was told that some of the men will shear
as many as a hundred sheep /)er diem ; but such shearing I never
saw before. It seemed to me to be wasteful and cruel. In the
evening I gave ' Wilberforce ' at Deniliquin; Mr. Gordon, the police
magistrate, in the chair.

It is not often that a minister in the full work of a Circuit can
have such a treat as I had in a quiet two hours' talk with my generous
host — Dr. Jones. Here in this out-of-the-way place I found one of
the best read, the best informed, of men, on all matters affecting
the future of the Australian Colonies, and the trend of social and
political thought in Europe, it had ever been my privilege to fall in
with. Besides which he was a Christian gentleman, and Editor of
the Pastoral Times. No wonder, therefore, that although I had had
a day which sorely taxed my physical and mental strength, I sat up
with him until midnight before I could retire to rest. On the 11th
Mr. Horsley and I left in a buggy for Echuca, and reached his home
at 4.30 p.m. I called on Dr. and Mrs. Allen, who are Church
members. Dr. Allen is the son of the Rev. John Allen, a minister
of the English Conference. In the evening I lectured to a fair
audience, but I was too much tired to do justice to my theme. On
the 12th I left for Melbourne. At Sandhurst the Rev. W. P.
Wells, an old and dear friend, met me at the station, and di'ove me

AUSTRALIA. 257

to the parsonage for lunch. I spent a nice time with him, I left by
train in the afternoon for Melbourne, and reached Wesley Church all
well. I found waiting my arrival Mr. S. G. King and the Rev.
Josiah and Mrs. Cox, from China. Mr. Cox will be in the Colony for
some time, looking into our Chinese work, meeting the catechists and
the converts in Christian fellowship, and holding services in the City
and in those parts of the country where the Chinese are located.

Oct. nth. — I went to the Assembly, and heard Messrs. Duffy,
Langton, McGi-egor, Vale, and O'Grady speak. There was much
feelinsr in the House. But the Government in the end beat their
opponents by two votes to one. After this ti-ial of strength, perhaps
the Government of the country may be carried on without further
obstruction.

Oct. 23?yZ.— The Rev. E. Taylor and I left for Sunbury. At
Flemington we conversed with Mr. James Robertson about the
land he has for sale adjoining our Church site. At Bullar we called
on Mr. and Mrs. Saunders, who were kind to both * man and beast.'
We reached Sunbury at 6 p.m., and went at once to the Public
Meeting, which was well attended. We returned to Melbourne vid
Keilor. In the evening I went to Footscray, to the new church
tea and public meeting. I returned at 11.30.

Oct. 25th. — I met the Flemington Trustees, who agreed to purchase
fifty feet to jNIount Alexander Road at £ 1 per foot and one hundred
feet at the back for 10^. per foot. This will give us an excellent
church and school site.

iVow. 1st. — -The Annual District Meeting was commenced to-day;
the Rev. John Watsford in the chau\ Duiing the sessions we
held a special public tea and public meeting in the interests of the
Chinese Missioa. The object was to raise funds for purchasing a
site, and for erecting a mission church, in Little Bourke Street. Mr.
Cox was the principal speaker, and the response to his appeal was
immediate and generous. We raised =£266. The Financial Meeting
was held the next day, when the Circuit Stewards came prepared
with a number of resolutions affecting the finances of the Connexion.
It was quite a field day. The fi-eest scope was allowed in the discus-
sions, and eventuated in the withdrawal of the resolutions in fjloho.
We sat until 10 p.m., when we parted on good terms with each
other. We spent a whole day in considerations, recommendations
to Conference, and in examining Messrs. Nicholson, Robin, B.A,,

17

258 JAMES lilCKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

and Schofield for full connexion. On the evening of the 6th the
Rev. J. C. Symons preached the annual sermon to the young. It
was a highly practical sermon, and was well received.

At the District Meeting much pi'omineuce was given to the claims
of the ' Home Mission and Sustentation Society.' The public meeting
was held at Brunswick Street, and the young brethren did capital
service. We closed our sittings on the 8th. Under the guidance of
Mr. Watsford we had a successful and profitalile District Meeting.

Nov. 29t/i. — Still involved in the Church Sites question. We have
formed a new trust for Sandridge property, and now the trouble is
about the Crown Grant. I went again to-day to the Crown Sohcitor's
office about it. The ' red tape ' observed in Government offices is a
terrible trial to men of practical minds. I wanted to get Mr. Suther-
land to insert in the ' Certificate of Title ' two or thi'ee lines for
recognising the principle of trusteeship in the Title, so as to do away
with the necessity of a supplementary document of ' Declaration of
Trust.' I did not get this concession, but Mr. Sutherland promised
me the usual Title this week. At the same time I called upon the
Treasurer, Mr. Graham Berry, to express my sympathy with him in
the death of his daughter. I had a nice interview with him. I also
attended a meeting of friends, called by the Rev. Adam Cairns, D.D.,
to consider the question of starting a religious newspaper as an organ
of the Evangelical Churches, of which there is great need.

Dec. 12th. — We met to-day to make the Conference Plan. This is
a difficult business, because of the uncertainty of brethren being with
us fi'om the distant colonies. This may be remedied some day, it
may be hoped. I heard this morning of the death of the Rev. George
Mackie, of South Yarra. It is a great loss to us. Mr. Mackie was
a good minister of Jesus Christ, an ardent worker in the Temperance
cause, and a genuine philanthropist. He and I had been close friends
since our first acquaintance in Ballarat some years ago, and we had
often stood side by side in defending religion and sobriety.

Dec. lith. — I went to the funeral of the late George Mackie. It
was largely attended ; a public testimony to the moral worth and
great usefulness of our departed friend. The Rev. Alexander
Cameron's address was full of deep Christian feeling, and touched
many hearts.

Dec. 25th. — By invitation, the Rev. D. Nimmo preached this
morning in Wesley Church, and gave us a sermon full of rich

AUSTRALIA. 259

thought, and delivered with calmness and judgment. I mucli en-
joyed it. For a Christmas Day the congregation was very good.

On the 2Gth I went to Carlton to see John King, the explorer.
Poor, dear fellow, he is done for this world. He is going to heaven.
Since his return from Cooper's Creek and settlement in St. Kilda
I have had much opportunity of knowing him. A man of stricter
probity, I believe, never lived.

Dec. ^\st. — I closed the hard work of this year by holding the
usual Watchnight service in Wesley Church.

1872.

Jan. \st. — Through God's mercy I have entered upon another
year. I look to heaven for assistance and grace. May our way be
directed from on high !

Jan. 2nd. — Held the Quarterly Meeting. We had a breezy time,
but no bad blood.

Jan. ^th. — I looked through Dr. Gregory's ' Life of the late
Walter Powell,' and found it to be a highly suggestive work. It
should be read by all young merchants who wish to succeed in life.

Jan. lO^/t. — I went again to the United Mid-day Prayer Meeting.
Bishop Perry presided, and gave an excellent adcU-ess. The prayers
were hearty, and the feeling was very good. I also, at the request of
the Bishop, addressed a few words of counsel and encouragement to
the congregation.

Jan. 15f/i. — We heard to-day of the dangerous illness of the Prince
of Wales. We are waiting with trembling anxiety for the incoming
Suez mail. I wrote to-day to the Hon. Graham Berry, informing
him of John King's death ; pointing out that the Government should
undertake the entire expense of the funeral, and send one or more
of the oificials to follow the corpse to the place of interment. Mr.
Beriy's reply was to the eftect that the Government would allow the
sum of <£40, and leave the entire matter in my hands. We buried
the mortal remains of this intrepid man in the Melbourne Cemetery,
when many fi-iends gathered around his grave and wept over his
death. The Government all along has shown the utmost generosity
to this only survivor of the vmfortunate Burke and Wills exploring
party, the leaders of which perished at Cooper's Creek in 1861.

The Conference of this year was an important one, as marking a
new era of ecclesiastical development. It was opened at 10 a.m.

260 J A MES BICKFOB D : AJ^ A UTOBIO GBAPHY.

on Januai-v 18th by the retiring President, the Rev. John Watsford.
After his address, the Pv,ev. Benjamin Chapman took the chair, and
the Rev. John Cope was chosen as Secretary. The Conference Sunday
was a high day for Wesley Church. The President, according to
custom, occupied the pulpit in the morning, and gave us a richly
evangelical and earnest discourse. The Rev. James Buller, from
New Zealand, preached a good sermon in the evening. It was
stately and scholai-ly, as are all his public utterances. On the 22nd
the Annual INlissionary Meeting was held. The brethren spoke with
much power and beautiful eloquence. The collection amounted to
<£31 8s. 3fZ. On the 24th we had a great breakfast meeting in the
interests of the Chinese Mission, and raised =£355. In the afternoon
the Rev. Josiah Cox addi^essed the Conference in an admirable
speech, on the duty of the Australasian Methodists assisting the
British Ch\irches in their efforts to evangelise China. The Ordination
Service was held in the evening, when Messrs. Pitcher, Jones, Robin,
Schofield and Nicholson were fully ' set apart ' to the work of the
Ministry. Mr. ex- President Watsford gave the ' Charge,' which
was excellent and impressive. On the 29th the first Methodist
Confei'ence Temperance Demonstration came oif in the Town Hall.
It was a great affair. Much good must result to all Australia from
this committal of the Conference to the Temperance cause. On the
31st the Rev. William Kelynack lectured in Wesley Church, Sir
James MacCulloch, M.P., in the chair. The Cathedral Church of
Australian Methodism looked well with its crowded audience. The
collection was ,£50.

The plan for holding, in 1873, instead of one Australasian Con-
ference as at present for the whole Connexion, fovir Colonial Annual
Conferences was earnestly debated, and ultimately passed. This
plan provided also for the holding of a Triennial General Conference,
as the Supreme Court of Legislation of the Australasian Wesleyan
Methodist Church. Although good reasons were shown why this
change in our form of government and administration should be
made, yet there was a powerful minority, not in numbers certainly,
but in ability beyond all doubt. The names of the chssentients are
as follow : Messrs. Gaud, Hurst, Quick, J. G. Turner, Piddington,
N. Bennett, Ironside, S. Williams, J. B. Waterhouse, Sellors,
Nolan, Wilson, P. E. Stephenson, J. B. Stephenson, and Woolnough.
Seventy-four voted for the Plan, and so it was cari-ied.

AUSTRALIA. 261

We had a great discussion on the case of the Rev. Thomas Guard,
then a missionary in South Africa. His name had been brought
before us by the Rev. William Taylor, who had seen him in that
country, and knew his worth. The Conference finally adopted a
resolution, which I give verbatim, that the Methodist people may
know the terms on which similar cases may be dealt with : —

" Resolved : — That the Chairman of the Melbourne District be permitted to
negotiate with the Rev. Thomas Guard, in reference to his joining the
Australasian Conference on the following conditions, which the depressed state
of the Connexional funds, and the finding of stations for married ministers,
render necessary, viz : — (1) That such financial arrangements be made by Mr.
Guard's friends in Victoria without prejudice to those funds ; (2) That the
Circuit seeking Mr. Guard's services shall take him as an additional married
minister, without having the previous four years' service of single men, in
addition to defraying the expense that may be incurred in bringing Mr. Guard
and his family to Melbourne."

These terms were accepted, and £500 were raised to secure Mr.
Guard's advent amongst us.

The news of the murder of Bishop Patteson and the Rev. J. B.
Atkin, in Polynesia, called forth the deep sympathy of the Confer-
ence, and a resolution of condolence with the Chui'ch Missionary
Society Avas passed relating thereto. It was as follows : —

" Resolved : — That this Conference record its deepest sympathy with the
Directors of the Melanesian Mission in the great loss they have sustained by the
deaths of Bishop Patteson and his fellow-labourer, the Rev. J. B. Atkin, who fell
by the hand of violence while prosecuting their self-denying labours among the
islands of the South Pacific ; and also expresses its strongest condemnation of
the traffic in human beings which is now being carried on among the islands,
and which there is reason to believe has been the main cause of the murder
of these devoted missionaries, is likely to lead to many similar acts of violence,
and to interfere most prejudicially with missionary labour."

It is not to be wondered at that such an expression of sympathy
came welling up from many a soul, as this painful disaster was
under consideration, when we call to mind that in the Conference
there were so many veterans who themselves had often been ' in
perils among the heathen.' For, if it be true, as was remarked by
the lamented Dean Stanley, that ' the vast literature of the nine-
teenth century had become the real bond and school of the nation,
beyond the power of educational and ecclesiastical agitation to
exclude or prevent ; ' then how much more true has the association

262 JAMES BICKFOBD: AK AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

of God-Lonoured men of different Churches, in the outlying portions
of the world, tended to cement them as ' one ' in Christ's love and
pity for the lost. I am sure that if Bishop Patteson and Mr. Atkin
had been our own missionaries, the great sorrow which moved the
Conference could not have been stronger or more sincere.

Feb. 7th. — The Conference broke up, and the next day I accom-
panied the Rev. Stephen Eabone, the General Secretary of oui-
Mission, and Mr. President Chapman, to the steamer, in which they
soon left for Sydney.

March 4:th. — I went to Hotham Hill to select a site for church,
and school purposes. The population is rapidly gathering here, and
no time must be lost in choosing a God's Acre for the people's l:)enefit.
On the 7th we accepted for the new church in Little Bourke Street,
for the Chinese immigrants. We shall build forthwith. Financial
success is secured. In the afternoon I visited eight families, which
was a real pleasure to me.

March IQth. — The news of the death of the Venerable Dr. Dixon
reached us. I went at once to condole with Mr, James Dixon and
Mrs. Dixon. A great preacher, 'old and full of days,' has gone
from us.

March 19th. — I held an important meeting at Carlton. We had
associated with the ' Five ' trustees, gazetted by the Government,
several influential seat-holders as a Building Committee. I conceived
that their duties were fulfilled in the completion of the church. I
called this committee together to hear the balance sheet, which was
accepted and signed, when I informed them that the affairs of the
church would have to be managed in future by the legal trustees.
On the 25th I met the trvxstees of the Footscray Church, and pre-
sented the account for the erection of the building. We had spent
£686 3s. The Eev. Pt. C. Flockart, my excellent colleague, had
raised, by a series of lectures, .£55 of this amount.

March 29<A (Good Friday). — The Kev. Andrew Robertson preached
in Wesley Chiu"ch this morning, taking as his text the words,
" And now, 0 Father, glorify Thou me with Thine own self with the
glory which I had with Thee before the woild was.' He was grand
in dwelling upon the glory of the eternal Divinity surrounding and
penetrating the humanity of Christ. In the evening I went to St.
Francis' Cathedral, and heard the Rev. MacGullicardy pronounce an
oration on the sufferings of Christ. His text was, ' Is it nothing

A USTRALIA. 2G3

to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow
like unto My sorrow, which is done unto Me 1 ' In the recess behind
the dais there was suspended from the wall a large and beautiful
painting of ' Christ Crucified,' and, as he proceeded in developing his
great theme, he would frequently turn round and point to the crown
of thorns, the pierced ' hands and feet,' and the streaming ' blood.'
It was, but not in an otiensive sense, powerfully histrionic; and the
feeling throughout that vast assemblage reminded me of a West
Indian sea, heaving and swelling preliminai'ily to an earthquake or
a hurricane breaking forth. We had a full hour's impassioned,
emotional declamation, and I was held as under a spell. The choii-,
I understood, was composed of ' professionals,' and its rendering of the
pieces was wonderful. To my heart, yea, to my very soul, it was in
pathos, in depth, in fulness, in harmony, and majestic volume, incon-
ceivably superior to anything of the kind I had ever heard in churches
or cathecbals in the old country. I would like to have seen Mr.
MacGullicardy at the close to have thanked him for his great
service.

A2}ril 13th. — Another of itinerary farewells I have just passed
through. The last Conference appointed me to the Ballarat East
Circuit, and to the Chaii'manship of the Geelong and Ballarat Dis-
trict ; but the closing of various accounts of which I had held the
treasurership, and the resigning of positions in the philanthi-opic,
Temperance, Young Men's Societies, and Connexional offices, seemed
to me to be a work for days instead of hours. The Valedictory
Meeting at Wesley Church was very gratifying. The Venerable
Dean Macartney, the Rev. J. S. Waugh, Dr. Cutts, Mr. Callaghan,
and Mr. Hodgson, and some others, spoke with much affection of my
labours in the City. The Circuit was, in due course, handed over
to the Rev. W. A. Quick, my successor, and the Acting Clerical
Treasurership of the ' Old Preachers ' Fund ' I placed in the hands of
my co-treasurers, when the Rev. J. C. Symons was chosen in my
stead. I was now free from further responsibilities, and I hastened
to the hospitable home of the Harcourts at Cremorne for a few days'
rest and recreation. Mrs. Bickford went to Carlton on a visit to
Mrs. Pascoe, who had been for years a great sufferer from chronic
rheumatism. I got to Ballarat in time for the religious services
of April 14th, when I entered upon my new sphere of labours.

264 JAMES BICKFORB: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Ballarat East.

I commenced my laboiu's iu this Circuit by preaching at Brown
Hill and Niel Street, when I found my old friends glad once more
to sit under my ministry. I do pray the Heavenly Father to bless
me and my young colleague, the Rev. David Perry, in our ministra-
tions to this people. The next day I arranged my study, and made
everything straight. I paid in advance my subscription to the
' Reading-room,' and spent the afternoon in pastoral visitation. On
the 18th Mr. Walsh, formerly of Barbadoes, W. I., died. He was
present at my marriage in James Street Church, Bridgetown, on
May 6th, 1841, and now, after all these years, we meet in Ballarat,
and I attend him in his dying hour. The next day died INIr. Bennett,
one of our good Cornishmen. Two good members in our first week
are taken home.

Jp?-i? 2ibth. — The Venerable Dr. Lang was ^asiting Ballarat, and
Mr. Oddie kindly asked me to meet him at tea, which I did. I
anticipated much pleasure from this liistoric man ; but I was dis-
appointed. He would not talk; so, after tea, I left him to his
thoughts.

May \st. — I preached at Little Bendigo to forty persons. I had
a wet, dark ride back after service. To-day I wrote a long letter to
the Star on Public Education. The diift of it was to prevent, if
possible, any further meddling with the present Act.

May 8th. — I went to Melbourne, to the business of the Loan Fund
and Sustentation Society. We sat for ten hours, and finished our work.

May 11 th. — I prepared the statement of the Home Mission and
Contingent Fund Society for the Annual Report.

May 1.5th. — I went to Bungaree for the first time, and preached
to thirty-eight persons. I visited several families before the service.
The road was awful. I came home at 11 p.m. cold and wet.

June 1th. — I have often felt that the magistracy of the Colony
had not in its ranks as many intelligent, godly men as it ought. I,
therefore, -rn-ote the Premier, asking that, when any new ap-
pointments were being made, my friends, F. Poolman, Esq., Sandridge,
and S. G. King, Esq., of North Melbourne, might be included.
To-day I received a letter from the Hon. Howard Spensley, Solicitor
General, informing me that my request had been granted.

June litJi. — I commenced reading the ' Life of Lord Brougham,'

AUSTRALIA. 265

because I find political biography extremely instructive. I should
think that the noble lord was too erratic and impulsive to ' woi-k in
a team/ and too communicative to be associated in Cabinet.

July 5th. — I rode out to Mount Egerton to attend the Quarterly
Meeting. It was poorly attended, and every interest seemed much
depressed. In the evening I preached to an attentive congregation,
and made an effort of finance for the Circuit. The Rev. W. M.
Bennett is our minister in charge.

Juli/ 18th. — His worsliip, the Mayor of Geelong, wrote me that the
gentleman I had recommended as superintendent of their Botanical
Gardens had been appointed. I am happy that I was able, with
some others, to do a good tvu-n for my friend, Mr. John Raddenburg.

Aug. 2nd. — I had an interesting interview with Dr. Jakins,
originally from London, who acted upon my advice given him in
Geelong to seek a practice in Ballarat. He is succeeding well, and
is much respected. In the evening I read a report, published in
pamphlet form, of a famous discussion : ' Was St. Peter ever at
Rome ? ' The combatants were a converted Italian priest, who had
become a Wesleyan clergyman, and of an Ecclesiastic from the
Vatican. The Methodist, I think, had the best of the ai'gument.
But such a discussion in Rome, under the very eyes of the Pope, is
one of the wonders of this wonderful century.

Aug. 12th. — I wrote the Hon. A. Fraser, the Commissioner of
Works, a long and as pungent a letter as I could write upon the
subject of the Government undertaking forthwith a series of public
works, so as to give employment to the wox-king-classes who had
nothing to do. In this matter I was only following the example of
Wilberforce, who wrote jNIr. Pitt to do the same thing for the starving
poor in London.

Aug. 22nd. — I again visited Mr. Woolcock at Mount Pleasant.
As he is not long for this world, I made his will. Referring to the
state of his soul, he said, ' Religion is a glorious fact. It is solid
rock. I am safe. With great humility, but with confidence, I can
say,—

' " 0 Love, thou bottomless abyss,

My sins are swallowed up in thee !
Covered is my unrighteousness,

Nor spot of guilt remains on me,
WTiile Jesu's blood, through earth and skies,
Mercy, free boundless mercy, cries."

266 JAMES BICE FORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

' Covered : yes — covered ! I do not see the full glory yet light
through, but I shall ! Yes ; I shall ! Hallelujah ! Abundant
entrance into the everlasting Kingdom.' It was a glorious testimony ;
I never heard a cleaier oi- more tiiumphant confession of ' victory
through the blood of the Lamb.' Old Samuel Wesley, Rector of
Epworth, as he lay upon the bed of death, addressing his poet son
Charles, said, ' Ee steady. The Christian faith will sm-ely revive in
this kingdom. You shall see it, though I shall not.' And what
the grand old Rector meant by the ' Christian faith ' is explained in
the few words he had strength enough to speak to his son John
Wesley, ' The inward witness, son, the inward witness, that is the
proof, the strongest proof of Christianity.' This same lesson of
' steadiness ' I again learnt from the lips of Brother Woolcock on
the subject of my pastoral ministry ; whilst the cogent demonstration
of its living power over the acutest sufi'erings — the very ' swellings
of Jordan,' — and of his consciousness of peace and safety in Christ,
was simply glorious. That is the ' Faith ' to be revived in all
Australasia.

On the 24th I went out to dunes in the interests of the Home
Missions. I preached on the Sabbath, visited old friends, and took
tea at my nephew's, James Bickford Boon's; after tea I baptized
seven childien. I spoke in the evening for nearly an hour. We
raised <£18 5s.

Sejit. \2th. — I read an article in Harper^ s Magazine entitled,
' Republicanism in Europe ! ' This is a stirring discovery. ' It is a
dream,' say some ; others, ' It will surely come ' ! But God reigns.

Sept. 29^/t, — I went again to Stieglitz for the Sabbath, and to hold
the Quarterly Meeting next day. I gave a lecture in the evening,
Mr. John Osborne in the chair. We raised <£15.

Oct. 4:th. — The Barkly Street Chuich sustained a great loss to-day
in the sudden death of our senior leader, our dear brother, Peter
Johns. He was going his rounds with vegetables, and when near
the hospital he was seen to fall forward, and died immediately. I
went straight to Mrs. Johns to condole with her in her sorrowful
bereavement.

Oct. 5th. — I held the Quarterly Meeting, which occupied all the
day. In the evening we held a fine Meeting in aid of the new
school-rooms; at night I was much tired with the worry of the
day.

AUSTRALIA. 267

Oct. dth. — How rapidly the months tiy ! Here I am again in
Melbourne attending the Connexional Committees. After which I
went to the House of Assembly, and heard part of tlie debate on
' Public Education.' What an interminable question this is ; but it
should be settled this time. The Bill now under discussion contem-
plated a system of 'National Education,' on the basis of a free,
compulsory, and secular foundation. The father of the Bill was
the Hon, Wilberforce Stephen, Attorney General of the MacCulloch
Government. It ignored Bible or Religious Instruction in all State-
paid schools, and thus removed the ' religious difficulty ' to the direction
and care of Christian Churches, and to the action of parents as the
natural guardians of the chikh-en. This accomplished by direct
legislation, the way was cleared for an effective administration of the
Act. It was a great charge the Parliament assumed, for there were
of children, at that time, 281, 87G of school age, and 205,502 were in
attendance at public schools. About 10,000 had night schools
estabhshed for their special benefit. Two objects by this Act were
sought to be secured. (1) To place compulsorily within the reach of
every boy and girl in Victoria, free of expense to parents and
guardians, instruction in the elements of a good English education ;
and (2) to bring about, as soon as practicable, the abolition of
every vestige of the ' Denominational System,' by establishing a
complete network of efficient Secular Schools under the supervision
of a Minister of Education solely responsible to Parliament.*

Oct. Ifjth — To-day I buried the mortal remains of the dear good
man. Brother Woolcock. His end was simply blessed.

The next day I visited the Chinese Camp at Golden Point. I saw
in one of the rooms the fan-tan game of chance in full swdng. These
rooms are visited for gambling purposes by young white men, who

* Mr. Attorney General Stephen took great satisfaction from the passing of this
Act. He was a staunch Episcopalian ; still, his belief was that such a measure
was absolutely necessary for securing to the rising generation of Victoria a good
elementary training at the national expense. It must have been to him a sore
remembrance of the conflicts he had passed thi'ough that led him on February
24:th, 187i, thus to refer to the part he had taken in the preparation of this
measure : — ' Sectarianism would never again, he believed, endanger the success
of the System, for the antidote for the poison had been found in the principle of
free education. Without the strong motive power of free education, he did not
think that the hydra-headed monster of denominationalism could have been got
rid of.' — S2)eech at Maryboroitgh, Victoria.

268 JAMES BICKFOllD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

are being ruined by, and are enchanted \vith, this vice. They are
very dens for debauchery, cheating, and every other abomination.
A plague-spot in the midst of our Colonial life, which should be
mercilessly swept away.

Oct. \Wi. — English news. We are mulcted in .£3,100,000 damages
for the Alabama's exploits in cruelly robbing and destroying
American merchant vessels. But, if Lord Russell had prevented the
escape of this pirate ship from Liverpool, which he might have done,
we should have been saved from much trouble, indelible disgrace,
and this enormous fine.

Oct. 30th. — We began the Annual District Meeting, and all the
l)rethx'en were present. We reached the sixteenth question before
we adjourned. In the evening I preached the official sermon, after
which we partook of the Lord's Supper together.

Ifov. 5th. — We had a stiff discussion over the protest of the Neil
Street Trustees, against the occupancy by the Lydiard Street Quarterly
Meeting of the ' Free Methodist Church,' Macarthur Street, for
religious worship, seeing that it was only three hundred to four
hundred yards from the Neil Street establishment. Mr. J. T. Phillips,
Circuit Steward, Barkly Street, spoke in favour of the protest, and
Mr. Hem-y Bell, M.P., against it. Both speeches were able, and were
well received. It was finally decided, on the motion of the Rev. E.
J. Watkin, ' that as there had been no violation of boundaries this
meeting cannot interfere.' An impotent conclusion, and very risky
as to consequences.

In connection with the reacUng of the ' Liverpool jNIinutes,' a
spirited conversation ensued on the subject of an endowment of
power, as a specific condition to success in the Ministry. Our reverend
brother, Mr. Ussher, struck out some original thoughts on the subject.
Referring to the passage, Acts i. 8, he maintained that the last great
promise of the ascending Lord assured that essential gift to ns as
God's servants. That ' gift ' was not the ordinary grace of the Holy
Ghost which all penitent believers receive in their adoption and
sanctification ; bnt, over and beyond that grace, it was a special
endowment for persuading men to consent to be saved. He thought
the grace of holiness Avas the only basis upon which the gift of power
could rest. The Rev. Joseph Dare contributed wise and fervent
counsels in the discussion, and insisted upon the possibility of every
one of us receiving this blessed * Baptism of power ' then and there.

THE FEDERAL COFFEE PALACE, CuLLI>'6 .■>H;ELT WE>T, MELBOURNE.

AUSTRALIA. 269

I think that every brother present was impressed with the season-
ableness and importance of this ' conversation,' and was encouraged
to expect greater things than those previously received from the
risen Saviour. Taken altogether, I think it was the best conclusion
to that particular pax"t of our sessional business I ever attended.

Dec. \2th. — I went to Melbourne to attend the Stationing Com-
mittee. We worked all day, and finished our duty.

Dec. 27th. — The new Education Act having come into force, and
finding that there was much diversity of opinion abroad as to some
of its provisions, I thought it advisable for me to prepare a syllabus
of the Act, and publish it for general information. This I did, and
published the document in the Star and Courier, Ballarat papers,
and thereby secured a very general circulation. I think the syllabus
was copied into the columns of the Age also.

The Watch Night Service was duly held, the local preachers taking
part with me.

1873.

Jan. 2nd. — We held the Quarterly Meeting. Income ^148 3s, 3d.
Expenditiu'e .£195 3s. 5d. Total Circuit debt, including previous
deficiencies, <£79 7s. The Barkly Street Society did well ; stQl, it
was impossible to meet our expenses. The Cu-cuit was due for a
second married minister at the ensuing Conference, but the brethren,
by a unanimous vote, declined to take up the obhgation. I could
not blame them. On the 16th I was in Sydney attencUng the
Conference; the Eev. Thomas Williams, President, and Rev. John
Cope, Secretary. Important action afiecting some ministers took
place at this Conference. The Rev. Joseph Nettleton, who, having
been in Fiji for nearly thii'teen years, had permission to return to
England, and the Rev. J. Hutcheon, M.A., a minister of the British
Conference, would reside in Melboui-ne. We had great difficulty
with some of the Stations, and it was hard work to get the great
wheel of our Itinerancy to revolve at all. The Rev. Thomas James
was appointed to Port Adelaide, which created great dissatisfaction
among his friends in Adelaide and Ballarat, and I was removed
from Ballarat East to Pirie Street, Adelaide. But these are only
a sample of the changes which had to be made. One would almost
suppose that Bishop Short had wi-itten with the Methodist Con-
ference in view as an extenuation of the supposed hardships of the

270 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AVTOBIOGBAPIIY.

Itinerancy, as follows, * Much good incidently arises from such
changes, which tend to modify the torpor sometimes resulting from
a lengthened incumbency, or other grounds of discontent.' The
itinerant principle, in its operation, is sometimes exceedingly incon-
venient for ministers and ministers' families, disappointing and trying
to Circuits; nevertheless, it was one of Wesley's wise arrangements
for perpetuating Methodism ' so long as the sun and moon endure.'

This was the last of the Australasian Conferences to be held.
The new plan for holding Colonial Annual Conferences would come
into operation in January, 1874, as agreed to by the British Con-
ference. On February 3rd the sessions closed, and all were glad
when our President pronounced the Benediction. We left per
steamer for Melbourne the next day, leaving our Sydney friends
with much regret. We had two excellent services on board. The
Rev. K. Johnstone, Sailors' Chaplain at Sandridge, preached once
on ' The Banner of Truth,' and the Bev. J. C. Symons also once on
' Heaven.' We reached Sandridge on the morning of the 7th, and
after breakfasting with the Poolmans I left for Ballarat, and
reached home at 4.30 p.m. Mrs. Bickford had remained behind in
Sydney for a few weeks with our dear Christ}', previous to our
removal to South Australia.

March l^th. — The Board of Education informed me, through Mr.
Venables, ' that the Local Committees of Non- Vested Schools, carried
on under Clause 10 of the new Act, are still recognised as Committees
of Management ; but Trustees of School Projierties can supersede
them, if so disposed, as they have the control of the buildings.'
Exactly so, Mr. Venables ; but the suggested supersession is more
easily made than done !

March 11th. — I went to Creswick, and lectured on ' Wilberforce.'
We had a good attendance. Afterwards I had an interesting con-
versation mth INIessrs. Coojier and Gardner on public questions of
a national and an ecclesiastical kind. It is not often that one can
meet with gentlemen in a country township possessed of so much
general knowledge.

March 2bth. — I packed my books in jBve large cases. Alas ! too
many by one-third for our wandering life.

Ajjril 1th. — I sent off my luggage, and settled up all accounts. I
left by the evening train for Melbourne, and spent the night in the
hospitable home of my friends, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Osborne.

A USTRALIA. 271

The following Comparative Statistics have been courteously pro-
cured for me by the Hon. J. L. Dow, M.P., Commissioner of Lands,
from the Government Statist, W. H. Hayter, Esq., showing the
progress of the Colony ecclesiastically and materially for the period
named : —

1. Population (mean) 1854—267, 371 ; 187.3—765, 511. Increase, 498, 140.

2. Churches 1854—187 ; 1873—2,284. Increase. 2,097.

3. Kegistered Clergy 1854 (no return) ; 1874—654.

4. Day Schools 1854—391 ; 1873—1,731. Increase, 1,340.

5. Day Scholars 1872—160, 743 ; 1873—226, 255 ; 1874—238, 592. Increase
in attendance, through abolishing school fees, first year, 65,512 ; second year,
77,849.

6. Sabbath Schools 1854 (no returns) ; 1873—111,973 children.

7. Crown Lands sold, or selected, to end of, 1854 — 1,369,382 acres ; 1873 —
13,263,600 acres.

8. Acres under Cultivation 1854—54,905 ; 1873—964, 996.

9. Squatting Runs 1854 (no returns) ; 1873—894 runs = 25,830,641 acres.

10. Imports 1854— £17,059,051 ; 1873— £16,533,856. (Imports reduced under
a Protective Policy.)

11. Exports, 1854— £11,775,204; 1873— £15,302,454. (Exports increased
under a Protective Policy.)

12. Gold produced 1854 -2,392,065 oz., vahie £9,568,260 ; 1873—1,241,205 oz.,
value £4,964,820.

13. Churches 1887—4,223. Schools, 2,660. Scholars, 268,705.

14. Population 1887, males. 550,044 ; females, 486,075 = 1,036,119.

15. Primary Education 1888. Schools, 2,077. Scholars, 197,115. Cost,
£641,993. Per child, £4 Qs. &\d ; including buildings, rent, scholarships, etc.
Total is £787,860.

The Gold has done it all. This gift of Providence has attracted
population, and set in motion such vital forces as have created the
richest gem in the British Crown. And ' Victoria ' is only on the
fringe of her destined greatness. ' Hail Victoria ! ' the golden land ;
the happy home of free, self-sustaining churches : of free education ;
and of ' Home Eule,' as the conceded boon of England's ' Reformed '
Parliament to a loyal, contented, and grateful people.

God Save the Queen.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

ADELAIDE.

April Stk. — At 1 p.m. Mrs. Bickford and I went on board the
steamer Aldlnga at the Queen's Wharf, and soon started for
Adelaide. The Revs. J. Watsford, J. C. Symons, J. Harcourt, and
a few other friends were there to say ' Good-bye.' We got through
the ' Heads ' before dark ; and being now once more on the high
seas I contentedly 'turned in.' The next day the weather was
charming, the wind fresh and fan*, and the passengers agreeable.
What more could be desired ? Well, nothing except that, — although
I had been an ' itinerant preacher ' for about thirty-five years, yet,
I cou^ld not get so used to it as to like it. It was to me, with my
friendly instincts so strongly embedded in my very being, a crucible
not always in its operation of a very satisfactory kind. The question
put by the President of the Conference at oiu" ' Ordination,' ' Will
you reverently obey your chief ministers, unto whom is committed
the charge and government over you ? ' oftentimes becomes difficult,
if not galling, as a fii*st duty to Conference authority. StUl, obedience
is an essential part of our compact ; therefore, in now journeying to
a neighbouring Colony in the exercise of my ministry, I was ful-
filling it. Duty was mine ; consequences belonged to the Conference
and to God.

We reached Port Adelaide on Thursday the 10th, when we were
greeted by the Rev. W. L. Binks, James Scott, Esq., and Mr. Martin,
Circuit Steward. These ministerial changes are designedly made at
fixed times, so that the out-going minister, having vacated the
parsonage premises, the in-coming one may on arrival enter without
delay his new habitation. But not so in o\ir case. We went, there-
fore, to the hospitable home of Mr. and Mrs. James Scott, to await
the departure of my predecessor, the Rev. Thomas James, and the
preparing the house itself for our reception.

SOUTH AUSTBALTA. 273

April Wth. (Good Friday) — I greatly prize a religious service in
commemoration of our Lord's Crucifixion, and not being quite in
charge of my new Circuit, I asked Mr. Scott to take me to hear Dean
Russell at St. Paul's. I liked the discourse, and I was glad to have
had the opportunity of once more worshipping in an Anglican Church
— the Church of my ancestors in the old country. In the evening I
went by invitation to Norwood, and gave a short address at the
Sunday School Anniversary. The Circuit ministers and the friends
gave me a hearty reception.

April IZth. (Easter Sunday) — There is a great deal of agreeable
curiosity arising out of the first appearance of a new minister in his
Circuit. Possibly this feeling is mutual ; as I think it ought to be.
I certainly was anxious to see what the congregations at ' Draper
Memorial ' and Pirie Street were like, and I was not disappointed .
There was a ' savour' of Christian ' goodness ' in the people percep-
tible to me, of a most encouraging kind. I felt I had come amongst
a people who would ' receive mth meekness the engrafted word.' I
essayed to begin my work as I knew I could continue it. I was
fortunate in my co-pastor, the Rev. G. W. Patchell, M.A., who would
share with me the obligation of ministering the word of life to the
congregations, and in the Rev. W. P. Wells, the President of Prince
Alfred College, whose Sabbath services were to be given exclusively
to the Pu-ie Street Circuit. And I had a very fine stafi" of local
preachers as helpers in the work. But, the Cii'cuit being large, it
would require a nice adjustment of appliances and of ' times ' to over-
take all its requii'ements. The pastoral work, I saw, woidd need to be
systematically done, and Mr. Patchell and I were resolved upon
doing it.

I cannot account for the circumstance ; biit it, nevertheless, was
true, that I felt more oj^pressed with my new environments than I
had ever been previously in taking charge of my circuits. The Pirie
Street congregation was large, and had had some of oiu' ablest men
as Superintendents. But I resolved to assume this ' burden of the
Lord,' and do my very best for preserving oiu- hold upon so large a
constituency, and to maintain the reputation my predecessors had
won among their clerical compeers in the city. I had no new
character in which to appear ; I could not be in the pulpit either a
philosopher, scientist, politician, or Biblical critic, so much as to be
a ' Methodist Preacher ' of an earlier date and style — plain, expository,

18

274 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

evaugelical, earnest, and soul-saving. This was my ideal of what
Christ expected me to be ; besides which, it was what I believed
would accord with the aspirations of my congregations, and the
genius of South Australian Methodism. In these respects I have not
miscalculated ' the fitness of things.'

The first attempt I made at preaching was in 1834, at East
Allington, near Kingsbridge, Devon, from the words, * And that He
died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto
themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again.'
The ' Fall,' the ' Atonement,' the ' Resurrection,' and the ' New
Life,' were the main points of my juvenile speech on that occasion.
I have tried their strength many times since ; and to use Bishop
William Taylor's apt simile, I may say, ' I know how far they will
cany.' I began in that very manner at the ' Draper Memorial
Church,' on April 13th, 1873, but taking as my text, ' And I, if I be
lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.' In the
evening of the same day, at Pirie Street. I took the words, ' Have ye
received the Holy Ghost since ye believed ? ' My subjects, and the
manner of their treatment, gave our city congregations a pretty good
idea of the ' manner of speech ' they would be likely to hear from me
dui'ing the period of my incumbency.

Within the first fortnight I attended several Anniversaries, and
thus had an early introduction to the greater part of the leading
workers of our City and Suburban Circuits. The balance sheets of
the Trusts and Sunday Schools gave me a good idea of our financial
position, and of the monetary ability of our numerous adherents to
sustain the work.

On the 26th — that is, sixteen days after our arrival — we took
possession of our new home in Pirie Street. The Scotts had shown
us much kindness during the time the Parsonage was being cleansed
and i-enovated. I much enjoyed the society of this nice, genteel.
Christian family.

For the fii'st time in my long career, I had the full gratification
of labouring where perfect ' reUgious equality ' obtained. It was
provided in the accepted Constitution of the Colony: (1) 'That it
was never to be a charge to the Mother Country;' (2) 'That there
was never to l)e a State Church recognised ; ' and (3) ' That the
transported prisoners from Great Britain were never to be admitted
to its shores.' So that, in the absence of a Presbyterian or AngUcan

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 275

* State Church,' the various sections of the one South Australian
Church have equal rights, privileges, and powers. ' A fair field,'
therefore, ' and no favour,' is the legal, national, and ecclesiastical
birthright of all rehgionists throughout the length and breadth of
the land. And there is a true unity amongst all these religionists ;
but it is the unity of the beautiful rainbow, whose distinctions of
colour so sweetly blend as to make a perfect whole. Our unity is
real because it is spiritual ; ' One is our Master, even Christ, and
all we are brethren.'

It will be known to the careful readers of early Methodistic history
that Mr. Wesley had always before him the purpose of supplying to
the families of his Societies a high class of education. This praise-
worthy object of our founder has never been lost sight of in England
(since his death in 1791), or in America, or Australasia. In South
Australia, as early as 1854, at the Adelaide Annual District Meeting,
presided over by the lamented Rev. Daniel James Draper, it was
resolved that efforts should be made to establish such an institution
as Prince Alfred College now is. But it was not till 1865 that
really definite steps were taken, by the purchase of a block of land
of fifteen acres, which was then being offered for sale at Kent Town
for £2,750. His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh laid the
foundation stone of the new College on November 7th, 1867, in
the presence of a large assemblage of the elite of the Colony, The
main building was occupied for educational work a few months later,
when an Inaugural Meeting was held in connection therewith, under
the auspices of Sir James Fergusson, then Governor of the Colony.

When I arrived in Adelaide, in 1873, I found that Prince Alfred
College had gained a firm footing as one of the higher class of educa-
tional institutions. The South Australians had given to it their
confidence, and the genei'al public its warm support. The first Head
Master was Samuel Fiddian, Esq., B.A., who, having honourably
fulfilled his engagement with the Committee, was succeeded by J. A.
Hartley, Esq., B.A., B.Sc. Mr. Hartley served two terms, greatly
to the advantage of the College, when he accepted from the Govern-
ment the position of Inspector General of the State Schools. This
College met a great want, and has secured the good opinion and
generous support of all classes of the community. The subsequent
additions to the main building of the ' Waterhouse ' and ' Coltcn '
wings, for providing larger accommodation for boarders and day,

276 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGUAPHY.

pupils, is proof of the high estimation in which the College is held.
The present master is Frederick Chappel, Esq., B.A., B.Sc, whose
conduct of the institution has been one of unbroken success.

May. — One month in Adelaide has shown me, that in oiir Austra-
lian cities it is simply impossible for ministers in prominent positions
to settle down, as they can in English and Scotch large towns, to the
ordinary routine work of a Circaiit. In a new country, as is South
Australia, this is very much the case. The Chairman of the district,
the Rev. W. L. Binks, was in receipt of letters from the Northern
Areas, in which was pointed out the difficulty of obtaining sites for
church and school purposes. At Mr. Binks's request, the Rev. W. P.
Wells, Mr. Colton and I accompanied him to the Chief Secretary,
Sir Henry Ayres, to lay their case before him. Sir Henry, who is
the politest and most liberal Premier I know, received us with
courteous consideration, and listened to the statements of Messrs.
Binks and Colton. When I thought that we were not making
much progress with our case, I presumed to lay before Sir Henry
the modus by which similar difficulties were got over on the Victorian
Goldfields, by our ' squatting ' on suitable sites, erecting our buikhngs,
and then applying to the Hon. Commissioner of Lands to offer such
sites at public auction, w4th full valuation for the improvements.
This form of settlement, I contended, was gradual, easy, inexpensive,
sufficient, and inflicted no loss on the Government or local com-
munities. To my svirprise, Sii' Henry asked whether such a course of
action would not be interpreted as ' State Aid.' ' And you know,' he
said, 'that we are prohibited from doing that in any form whatsoever.'
The utmost that could be done, he thought, would be for the ministers
and their friends to make selections in the meantime of svich sites as
were suitable for their objects, and the Government would not allow
of any interference with their action. We gained all we wanted, and
thanked the Chief Seci'etary for his readiness to help us.

In the evening I preached in Pirie Street Church to 100 persons,
which was a large attendance for an ordinary week-night congregation.

May 9th. — My first patient was a Mr. Morecombe in Waymouth
Street ; I attended him all through his illness. He ' received the
Spirit of Adoption,' and was made happy. The last words he spake
were, ' Glory be to God.'

May 26th. — The Queen's levee was held to-day. I attended -svith
Mr. Binks, and thus showed my loyalty to the best of Sovereigns.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 211

June 9th. — Our new Governoi-, Sii- Anthony Mnsgrave, was
sworn in to-day in the Town Hall. I went of course to witness the
ceremony, which was imposing. He is a fine, benevolent-looking
man, and made a good impression upon the large audience which
had assembled to welcome him. On the 25th I held the Quarterly
Meeting. There was a large attendance of brethren. We reported
a decrease of membership ; but the income met all expenses of an
ordinary kind.

Jul// 3rd. — We held a meeting for establishing a mission in the
Northern Territory. We raised .£88. Mr. James Scott and I were
appointed Secretaries to this Mission.

Jtdi/ Sth. — Mr. Colton and I went to Glenelg to seek for a
convenient Church site. We pitched upon a central spot, and
Mr. Colton agreed to make enquiries about the price.

Jidy 10th.~Mi\ Angas, senior, sent us a cheque for £50 in aid
of our Northern Territory Mission. I prepared the circulars, and
sent thirty-seven to New South Wales and Victoria inviting aid. Mr.
Scott and I prepared a memorial to the Rev. W. B. Boyce, Mission
House, London, asking for a grant of £300 towards this Mission. As
the expense of establishing this Mission would be considerable, and too
much for South Australia to bear alone, we were obliged to look
where we could for help.

Jtcly. 23ixl. — This afternoon we held a private Ordination Service
in Pirie Street Church, and ' set apart ' for this important Mission
the Rev. R. T. Boyle, in whose piety, prudence, and ability we had
the utmost confidence. In the evening, at a public meeting, we com-
mended Mr. and Mrs. Boyle to ' the grace of God.' On the 26th they
sailed in the steamer Tararua for Palmerston, Port Darwin. May
God preserve and bless them !

July 24:th. — The circular is bearing fruit. James Campbell, of
Ballarat, sent £5 5s., S. G. King, at Melbourne, £2 2s., James Robin
£5 5s., J. H. Angas £10 10s., Thomas Moyses £1 Is., Hon. G.
Bagot £5 5s. Money came in from many quarters, and we felt
justified in incurring such expense as was necessary for efficiently
working this distant mission.

Oct. Qth. — We held the Pirie Street Church Anniversary, and
raised £250.

Oct. 16th. — Some official men are too broad, and others are too
narrow. Of the latter class is Mr. B. To-day he came to me, and

278 JAMES BICKFORD : AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

said that he had been nursing his grievance for some days. That
grievance was that at our Young Men's Society's entertainment,
'Dickens,' as an author, had been praised. He had read the report
of the Meeting in the paper, and he objected to the name of ' Dickens '
being mentioned in such a connection. T talked wdth him at large,
but it Avas of no use. I expect he will resign his connection with our
Church. The next day he sent me his letter of resignation. I hope, on
reflection, he will regret the hasty step he has taken. Unfortunate
Superintendents! They have to do with all 'sorts and sizes' of
God's creatures, and are expected to preserve their equanimity, preach
like apostles, and suffer as martyrs. But are they not 'flesh and
blood ' like other men ? Have they no feelings to be considered ?
Eh?

Oct. 2\st. — The Annual District Meeting was begun to-day. The
Rev. W. L. Binks presided. We went rapidly through the ordinary
business, and concluded on the 24th. It was a happy and successful
meeting.

Nov. 14i;/i.— Mr. G. W. Cotton called to tell me that Mr. Colton,
Mr. J. D. Hill, and himself had purchased a new site at Glenelg for
£320. ' It is well.'

Nov. \%th. — Finished my review of Thomas Cooper's Bridge of
Nineteen Arches ; ' being an ' Historical Argument ' in defence of the
Christian religion. It has run out to fifty pages ; too long by half.
I was taken with terrible vertigo just as I finished this heavy work.
I rallied svifliciently to give the paper in the evening to the ' Young
Men's Society ; ' it was a great effort. At the close I was nervously
prostrate. Too much pressure on.

Dec. 9th. — This is the ninth day of hot winds. We are simply
enduring life. In the evening we had a thunder-storm and heavy
rain. The change generally comes when our feeling is that we are
near the last gasp.

Bee. 10th. — I went again to Her Majesty's gaol to see Mrs. W., who
is under sentence of death for the alleged crime of having poisoned
her husband. She had been earnestly seeking, she said, the Divine
mercy in Christ, and that her prayers had been answered. I
examined hei' closely, and felt greatly relieved by her statements.

Dec. 12th. — I received a letter from the Governor of the gaol,
requesting me to see the young man R., who Avas yesterday sentenced
to death for the murder of his mate B.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 279

Dec. \lth. — Mrs. W. handed to me to-day a sealed letter to be
opened after her death. Poor unfortunate woman ! She seems to
contemplate her sad end with a calm fortitude. Her trust is in
God.

Dec. 29i/i. — Again at the goal to give the Holy Sacrament to the
penitent Mrs. W. ' If good works,' she said, ' were necessary, my
soul would be lost.' What a mercy for her that she learnt the plan
of salvation in the Sunday School, and that now, in the time of her
great need, she has embraced it. E,. was in tears, reading the Bible.
He confessed his crime to me this very morning, and there was now
hope for him. We both eainestly wrestled with God in prayer
for his salvation.

' JDec. 30</i, [Diary Jotting] — I went with Mrs. W. to the scaffold, and saw
her executed. It was a sad, sad scene. In the afternoon I buried her mortal
remains within the precincts of the gaol ground. The law is satisfied ! What
more ? . . . The next day 1 handed to the Editor of the Register the letter
which had been confided to me. It was a sorrowful tale ; and thus was ended
the romantic story of Mrs. W.'s short life.'

1874.

' Jan. 1st. [Diary Jotting] — I attended the execution of poor R. He told me
that he had made his peace with God. I went with him to the scaffold, and
prayed with him and for him there. He affectionately kissed me after prayer ;
the bolt was drawn, and he died immediately. I buried the corpse close to
that buried a few days ago : and, on returning to Pirie Street, I wrote the
Chief Secretary, Hon. Arthur Blyth, M.P., a full statement of the facts of the
case. The close of the year and the beginning of the next one were mournful,
and intensely painful to me.

The next day, the 2nd, I received an official letter from the Chief
Secretary, thanking me for my assiduous attention to W. and E,.,
and expressive of the sympathy of the Government in the anxious
solicitudes through which I had passed.

On January 20th, at 10 a.m., the first South Australian Conference
was begun ; the Rev. W, L. Binks in the chair, and the Rev. W. P.
Wells, Secretary. We started with 39 ministers, 285 local preachers,
370 leaders, 1,843 Sunday School teachers, and 4,865 Church members.
We had 170 churches, 168 Sunday schools, 12,381 Sabbath scholars,
and 33,626 attendants on public -worship. The educative effect of
our attending the Australasian Conferences, for about twenty years,
was seen in the ready and effective manner in which the business

280 JA.UES BlCKFOIil): AX AUTOBIOGBAPnY.

of tliis, our first Colonial Conference, was taken np and carried
through.

We were comparatively small, bvit we were not faint-hearted. Our
trust was in the * God of our Fathers,' and in His Name Ave ' set up
our banners.' In our ' Annual Address' we say : —

' The recent legislation of onr Church has placed us in new and endearing
relations to you . . . We have committed to us unitedly the administration oE
our ecclesiastical polity in this laud ; and our review of the past gives encourage-
ment and hope of prosperity in the future.'

In this, our first Conference, a difficulty arose in the interchange
of ministers ; but it was finally arranged that the Rev. Thomas
James, of South Australia, should be transferred to Victoria, and
that the Eev. R. W. Campljell should come from Victoria to us.

On February 4th a public ' Ordination ' Service was held, when
Brothers William Henry Rofe and John Hosking Trevorveen were
fully set apart to the ministry. The giving of the ' Charge ' de-
volved upon me, as an ex-President of the Australasian Conference,
after which the ministers and membei's partook of the Lord's
Supper. A good and wise discussion ensued upon the subject of
* Lay Representation ' to Conference, and it resolved : —

' That we, as a Conference, agree to deal with the recommendations of the
Melbourne Committee on the subject in our sessions of next year, in order that
our views may be laid before the General Conference in May 1875.'

The conversation upon the work of God was searching and
salutary. We say, ' It is a source of deep regret to us to learn that
many of those whose names are on the class-books so frequently
absent themselves from that mode of Christian fellowship which,
under God, has been one of the principal means of the spiritual life
and power of the Methodist Church from the commencement ; ' and
the leaders were urged ' to visit absentees,' and seek ' to restore such
as have backslidden from God.' The dangers of the times respecting
spiritual beliefs, and the necessity of fidelity in our profession, as
Christians, are well set forth in the following words, ' We feel
compelled to guard you against the unsettling theories which go
under the name of " Modern Thought " — theoi-ies which are sub-
versive of the authority of Scripture, and derogatory to the God
of Revelation.' Followed to their legitimate conclusions, they all
terminate in a common darkness and uncertainty, while the Gospel
system raises up in eveiy believing heart an assurance indisputable

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 281

as the testimony of God on wliicli it is based, ' He that believeth on
the Son hath the witness in himself.' The name of the Rev. A. J.
Boyle appears on the jNIinutes as our minister and representative in
the Noi-thern Territory.

Fifteen years have elapsed since the holding of this Conference.
It was the ' beginning of our sti'ength ' as an independent Colonial
Conference ; althougli, of course, affiliated to the General Conference,
and dependent upon it for legislative action. Our faith in the
loyalty of our leading officials was sti^ong, and not misplaced, as
events have fully shown. The Conference was closed on February
11th. On the 15th I was at Goolwa, preaching Church Anniversary
sermons. The next day Captain Johnson and I went over to Port
Elliott. I was surprised to find it so boisterous and exposed. As a
watering-place for invalids, and for families during the summer heat,
the want of a land-locked harbovir is a serious drawback. In the
evening I gave my lecture on ' Wilberforce,' and we raised =£25 for the
Trust. I much enjoyed this ^dsit ; and much of that pleasure arose
from the gi-eat kindness of the Rev. James and Mrs. Allen, with
whom I was a guest.

March 2nd. — I was under the disagreeable necessity of writing an
article in our Magazine — of which I was the senior Editor — on the
Rev. Silas Mead's attack on Mr. President Binks, for some remarks
in his recent address to the Conference, on the subject of the relation
of the children we baptize to our Church. He also attacked me for
what I said in my ' Charge,' on the custom of ' child-communion ' in
the early Church. Mr. Mead poses as the apostle of immersion, as
the only form in which that sacrament is to be administei^ed, and, of
course, only to such as personally profess faith in Christ. I 'rebuked
him sharply,' because he was to be blamed for his unprovoked
interference with us. It is difficult to live in peace with some sections
of the Church, even in this land of religious freedom and of equal
denominational rights.

On the 12th I went out to Mitcham to select a church site.
Messrs. Viney and Mouldon assisted me. I visited Mrs. Barron and
some other families.

March 13th. — Several lay and ministerial brethren met to consider
the advisability of our starting a weekly religious paper, in the
interests of morality and general church work. We agreed as to
the advisability, and adjoiu-ned the meeting for a few weeks.

282 JAMES BICKFOBD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

March l^th. [Diary Jotting] — • This is mother's birthday. She is ninety-
three years old to-day. May the good Lord be gracious unto her during her
remaining days, and prepare her for all His will ! '

March \^th. — A busy day. I examined Mr. George Crase's
journal of City Mission woik, and conversed \vith liim for an hour on
several phases of his honoured calling. I received Mr. Boyle's journal
of liis work in the Xorthern Territory, and revised it for the press.
Mr. Nicholson's sermon on ' Joining the Church ' I examined with a
view to its publication, believing that it would be useful to our young
people. The next day I wrote a review of the Rev. W. A. Quick's
sermon entitled, ' Baptism Viewed in its Relation to Infants,' and
sent it on for the Magazine. At the Local Preachers' Meeting this
evening I examined Walter H. Hanton and George Crase, both of
whom were received as full local pieachers.

March 25th. — I held the Quarterly Meeting, and thirty brethren
were present. The income was ,£287 6s. lid., and expenditure
^241 8s. M.

March '26th. — I received to-day from ,£8, ' conscience money,'

to be paid to , which will be done.

March 27th. — I wrote to-day my friends, Messrs. John Colton and
James Scott, who are in England. I feel it to be my duty, arising
out of my ministerial relation, to keep in touch with these honoured
brethren by means of an occasional letter to them. I commenced
reading to-day ' Personal Life of George Grote.' It is a fine book,
and full of deepest interest to politico-historic readers. The lamented
Charles Sumner, one of America's best statesmen, on the receipt of
the news of Mr. Grote's death, telegraphed to Mrs. Grote, as follows?
' When the electric cable flashed across the Atlantic the news of
this gieat loss, the Avhole of this vast continent vibrated with sympathy
for you.'

March 29th. — I preached the Church Anniversary Sermons at
Gawler. The next day the Rev. R. S. Casely took me to see several
of our friends. At the pubKc meeting we raised, with the Sunday
Collections, £140. I was the guest during this visit of Mr. and Mrs.
Wincey, whose cliildren mvich pleased me.

April 1st. — We accepted Mr. Carey's proposals for the publishing
of The Methodist Journal. In the evening I attended the * Draper
Memorial Church Anniversary,' and spoke for half an hour. We
raised ^80. I srot the ' Deed of Declaration of Trust ' for the

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 283

Glenelg Parsonage site signed to-day, and handed it to Mr. Opie for
registration.

April 2nd (Good Friday). — I preached at 7 a.m. in Pirie Street
Church fi-om the words, ' Who is he that condemneth 1 It is Christ
that died.' At 1 1 a.m. I went to St. Paul's to hear Dean Russell
on ' The Lamb of God.' The sermon was atrociously read. The
Avant of naturalness, distinctiveness, and the ' eye ' always on the
manuscript, spoilt it all. And yet the ' enthusiastic ' Dean is a man
of great ability, and could wield much power if he would only leave
his manuscript in his study.

April 15th. — Mr. Patchell and I were appointed ' Editorial
Coimcil ' of the new paper to-day. How to squeeze out sufficient
time for doing this additional work as it ought to be done it is
impossible to divine.

April 16th. — I wrote an inaugural address for the new ' Sunday
School Union ; ' subject, ' The Sunday School and its True Work.'

April 2dth. — Mrs. Bickford and I went to Clarendon for a few
days.

In the evening I began again to read Daniel Isaac on ' Infant
Baptism.' This is a fine old woik, and is thoroughly exhaustive in its
treatment of its subject. I have heard an account of the cause of
this sledge-hammer publication, as follows : ' When, many years ago,
the Rev. Daniel Isaac was stationed in Bristol, a Baptist minister, of
a disputative turn of mind, happened to be stationed there also. This
man, unfortunately for himself, commenced an onslaught on the
' Pedo-Baptist ' ministers, in which he ridiculed the usages of their
Churches in relation to infants and very young chilcb-en, and pre-
dicted, as the consequence of his greater knowledge and influence,
their speedy overthrow. Mr. Isaac, believing that much could be
said, and conclusively said too, on the other side, set himself to this
task. The work was published in due course, and fell like a thunder-
bolt upon his Baptist assailant ; who, in his alarm, called together a
number of his ministerial brethren for counsel and defence. Of this
number was the celebrated Eobei't Hall, of Leicester. The frighted
men, in order, gave their views, which were of course strongly con-
demnatory of Mr. Isaac's book ; but the great preacher maintained
an ominous silence. He was challenged for his opinion, and, it is
said, that he rose to his feet, and looking round, eyeing particularly
the head-centre of the conclave, he gravely said, ' Brethren, if you

284 JAMES BICKFORD : AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

value having souud skins, T advise you to leave Mr. Isaac alone, for
if he take any of you in hand he will flay you alive.' It was enough ;
from henceforth the stalwai't polemic went on his way in peace,
whilst the disturber of the concord, which had previously prevailed
in Bristol, had ' to hide his diminished head.'

Maji Gth. [Diary Jotting] — ' This has been my fifty-eighth birthday. The
last one was one of comfort to me in my ministry. 'My health has stood it
pretty well. May the merciful God be with me during the ensuing year.'

2Ia>/ 12t/t. — Mr. Patchell and I re-examined my manuscript
sermon entitled, ' The Double Baptism,' and passed it on to the
printers. This is tlie last blow I administered to my neighbour and
brother minister, Silas Mead, who "vvill, I think, in the future, leave
his Wesleyan brethren alone.

May 27 th. — The Methodist Joui-nalis now fait accom2)li. To-day I
wrote the first re\iew for its columns, on Mr. Tapling's new work on
the Narringeri tribe of Australian blades. It is an interesting book,
and could only have been written by a man who was in strong
sympathy with these original owners of this island continent. We
have taken their country from them, and it is a small matter to give
in exchange a few blankets, rations, protection, education, and
religion.

June 1st. — The Bev. Thomas White Smith, my ecclesiastical father,
and dearest ministerial friend in England, does not forget us. To-day
I received from him a long and beautiful letter, and full of afilectionate
kindness.

June 15th. — Yesterday I preached at Coromandel "Valley at 1 1 a.m.,
and at 3 and 6.30 p.m. at Upper Sturt. To-day the ' fovindation-
stone ' was laid by the Hon. John Carr, M.P. ; the Bevs. Joseph
Nicholson, Mr. President Binks, and I took part in the proceedings.
We raised £39.

June nth. — A great blow has fallen upon the Rev. Silas Mead
in the death of Mrs. Mead. Mr. Binks and I attended the funeral.
I never saw more feeling than on this occasion. Mr. Mead was
prostrate, and every one sincerely pitied him. The dear man, the
next day, sent us a letter expressive of his sense of our sympathy
and brotherly love in being present on so mournful an occasion.

June 1 9th. — I am confined to the house through a ^dolent attack
of lumbago. I sent for Dr. Whittle to see if he could give me

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 285

anything to help me for the Sabbath duties. Instead of helping me
in that direction he ordered me not to leave my room.

June 23?yZ.— Being still confined in the house, I held the Local
Preachers' Meeting in our dining-room. There was a good attend-
ance. I retired at 11 o'clock, but not to sleep through sheer excite-
ment and prostration.

Jime 2ith. — After a week of sickness T am again in my study. In
the afternoon I held the Quarterly Meeting. Income ,£272 Os. 4fZ. ;
expenditiu-e ,£251. We rapidly did the business, and closed at 5 p.m.

July 3rd. — Mr. T. S. Carey issued the first number of The
Methodist Joihrnal to-day. It is indeed a venture, but with our large
constituency it ought not to be a failure. May God bless its
circulation throughout these Colonies !

Jrdy 6th. — No increase of work coidd lead me to neglect the visita-
tion of my people. The Pastor's office comes first with me. My
Diary for this day says : —

' Busy all the forenoon. Went in the afternoon to see Miss Lawrence, Mrs.
Marshall, Mr. Good, Miss Marsh, Miss Franklin, Misses Ingram, etc. I attended
the Building (Connexional) Committee at 4 p.m., the Unley Trustee Meeting at
5.30 p.m., the Pirie Street Trustee Meeting at 6.30 p.m., the Leaders' Meeting
at 8.30 p.m., and the Good Templars' Demonstration at 9.30 p.m. Tired at
last 1 '

July 25th. — I wrote a review of a lecture on ' Secularism and
Atheism ' for our Journal. This follows two papers on ' Public
Education ' and ' Our Day School Teachers.' If we do not succeed
with our paper it will not be because we have not tried for it.

Aug. ^th. — This evening I went to the ' Come and Welcome ' Good
Templars' Lodge, and was installed as * Worthy Chaplain.' I must
endeavour to do some good here.

Aug. lOfA. — Mr. John Kounsevell called for me to go to Glenelg
to see his sick father. I spent more than an hour with him in
conversation and prayer.

Aug. 17th. — I wrote an article for the Journal on Gritton's
' Christianity is not the Invention of Impostors or Credulous En-
thusiasts.' Many of our constituents maybe will read a short
article on a tough subject, when perhaps the book itself would be
thrown aside as cumbersome and ' dry.'

Sept. 2nd. — I received to-day from Rev. S. Knight a cheque for
.£200, being a donation from that good man, Mr. T. G. Waterhouse,

286 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

now in England, for the ' Strangei's' Friend Society.' The ' blessing
of those who are ready to perish ' will come upon this benevolent
remembrancer of our poor.

Sept. 22nd. — I attended the funeral of the late Mr. Theophilus
Robin, and offered prayer at the grave. It was a mournful sight.
The next day I held the Quarterly Meeting. We have now a
credit balance of about ^90. Thank God for freedom from Cu-cuit
debt.

Oct. 1th. — I attended the funeral of the late Mr. Rounsevell. I
read and pi-ayed in the house, and the Rev. C. Manthrope officiated
at the grave. It was a solemn and somewhat imposing funeral. I
returned to Pu'ie Street, s^tfering from a severe attack of lumbago.
We resolved to-day to proceed forthwith with the erection of a
parsonage at Glenelg.

Oct. lOth. — I was at Moonta, at the Rev. R. S. Casely's. In the
evening he conducted me to Captain Hancock's, where I enjoyed
the evening very much. I preached the next day at the Mines, and
addi-essed the Sunday School in the afternoon.

Oct. 12th. — Captain Hancock took me to see the works, which are
elaborate and expensive. The Public Meeting came ofi' in the
evening. We raised £85.

Oct. Ibth. — I went to the House of Assembly to hear the discussion
on the ' River Murray Railway Bill.' During the discussion, the
Chief Secretary, the Hon. A. Blyth, came to me in the Speaker's
Gallery, and told me that the Fiji Islands were ceded to the British
Crown. This news set me a-thinking pretty much in this strain :
Is it true, I asked, that Christian influences were brought to bear
for the first time on Cannibal Fiji not quite forty years ago ? Is it
reaUy true that the Revs. Cross and Cargill, M.A., landed in
Lakembor so late as October 12th, 1835, and that a sapping of the
basis of the cruellest forms of Heathenism the world has ever seen
was successfully prosecuted by these intrepid men ? Is it true that
in one short year Mr. Cargill could write the London Committee as
follows : —

' Preachius is established in many places, and classes are formed of persons
who are enquiring "what they must do to be saved." Day and Sunday Schools
were mstituted, and the sacred rites of marriage were being observed ? '

' Sappers and Miners,' in an Apostolic sense ! No marvel, therefore, that
in so short a period as forty years the whole system of Cannibalism

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 287

was destroyed, and the Christian religion, as formulated by the
Wesleys, became the accepted belief and practice of the whole
Archipelago .... And who prepared these outlying portions of the
world to become integral parts of the great British Empire, but these
very Wesleyan Missionaries and their noble successors in the Christ-
like enterprise ? ' ' Foundei-s of Empires ' and ' Ambassadors of God '
at one and the same time. In Africa, India, New Zealand, and Fiji,
they have hoisted the grand old flag of England, and Aboriginal
races have learnt to ' fear God and to honour the Queen.'

Oct. nth. — I read one hundred and fifty pages of the ' Life of the
Rev. James Dixon, D.D.' How ' great this man was in his day and
generation,' none can tell but those who have sat under his wonderful
ministry, and drank in a knowledge of ' the deep things of God,'
as they listened to the ' wisdom ' with which he clothed his mighty
thoughts.

Oct. Idtk. — The Annual District Meeting was begun to-day; Mr.
President Binks, Chairman, the Rev. H. T. Burgess, Secretary. All
the ordinary questions were disposed of on the first day. At this
Meeting Mr. Binks applied to become a Supernumerary at the
Conference of 1875. Seven years of active work in South Australia
had told upon his health, and he needed a spell of rest. The
Methodist Church, under his direction, had taken possession of the
Northern Areas, and had extended her ordinances even to the
western portion of the Northern Territory. He had proved himself
to be a worthy successor of Daniel James Draper, William Butters,
and John Watsford. A veritable Episkopos, whose burden was that
' which came upon him daily — the care of all the churches.' I moved
two resolutions, which, being accepted by the Meeting, our recommen-
dation was duly recorded for presentation to the Conference.

Mr. William Rhodes and I were the Conference Treasurers for the
' Old Preachers' Fund.' Oiu' Church Loan Fund had already a capital
of £780 7s. 2cZ., and the Church Extension and Home Mission Fund
of £334 is. \ld. This was the 'day of small things;' but, as our
people had accepted these as essential parts of our Connexional
Finance, we could have no doubt as to their growth and permanence.
On the 23i'd our sessions closed.

We went on ' the even tenor of our way ' until November 3rd,
when all Adelaide was astir through the arrival overland of the
Forrest Exploring Party from Western Australia. I went to the

•288 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Town Hall balcony with a number of other gentlemen to be close to
the elder Forrest, and to liear his address. The party in their
terrible journey had suffered nearly 'the loss of all things;' but,
under Divine Providence, sustained by the love of life, and the force
of the heroic sentiment ^^'ithin them, these intrepid men ' fought
their way through,' and were rewarded in Adelaide ' with an
abundant entrance,' and acclamations of welcome. The Brothers
Forrest had done a splendid service for Western and Southern
Australia, and should be handsomely paid.

Dean Russell and I were great friends. This was evidenced in
liis readiness to write articles on social and ecclesiastical subjects for
The 2Iethodist Journal, but also in active co-operation 'in good
works.' We mutually watched the arrival from England of ship-
ments of female immigrants; and on the 6th we met at the Servants'
Home in Adelaide, and held a rehgious service for theii' benefit. I
thought the good Dean shone more as a Christian teacher in his
familiar remarks to these anxious ' strangers,' than he did in his
scholarly, laboured expositions in St. Paul's pulpit. Speaking of
valuable help we had in preparing the weekly matter for the Journal,
not only the Dean, but other ministerial friends contributed also.
The Revs. A. Eigg, S. T. Wittrington, H. Mack, H. T. Burgess,
L. B. Stephenson, and Joseph Nicholson wrote articles for us. My
co-editor, the Eev. G. W. Patchell, M.A., and I both felt that the
literary value of our Journal was much increased thereby.

A striking episode occurred at this time. I received two letters
from England, anent two young men who were coming to the Colony
without their fathers' consent. When, on the 17th, the young man,
L., called, I handed to him his father's affecting letter to read. It
was a touclung appeal to his son, and made him weep. C. also
ca»me a day or two after with his friend L. I conversed -sA-ith them
at length, and offered to be at theii- service should they require my
assistance. Mrs. Bickford and I, finding that they knew neither
where to go nor what to do, invited them to our house. We con-
ceived a great affection for these fine, adventurous young men ; and
we deeply sympathised with their parents, who had suffered much
on their account. L.'s father had entrusted to me a bill for £40,
for sending his son to a coffee plantation in Ceylon, which I
accordingly did. C. had no such luck ; but, through the kind
assistance of the Hon. G. W. Cotton, Land Agent, etc., C, got

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 289

employment on a squatting station in the Port Lincoln District. It
was a strange freak of the young men, and they paid dearly for
their violation of the Fifth Commandment.

The claims of the Pirie Street Trust now pressed heavily upon us,
and the trustees resolved upon a great effort. I called upon the
Hon. John Colton, M.P., to head the subscription list. Sitting
opposite to each other at his office table, he encpiired of me what I
thought would be a proper amount for him to give. I replied that
so uniform and generous had been his contributions to the Trust that
I coud not presume to make even a suggestion. 'Well, then,' said
he, 'I will give you .£125 for myself, £25 for the firm, and .£25 for
my partner, Mr. Longbottom.' £175 in all. This was a noble
helping. We went together on a begging excursion among the
Pirie Street pew-holders and other friends. We finished up with
a grand Anniversaiy Meeting, and we had the pleasure to report the
raising of £480.

Dec. 21sf. — The Quarterly Meeting was held to-day. Income
£269 5s. 3cZ. ; expenditure £253 145. Qd.; entire credit balance
£109 Is. Id. Mr. James S. Green went out of office as Steward
after two years' term of generous service. The Stewards for the
ensuing year were Mr. Henry Codd and Mr. A. A. Scott ; two
worthy men who had the confidence of the Circuit.

As we were now rapidly nearing the end of the year, I wrote an
article entitled, ' The Retrospect,' and a second on the Chief Secretary's
speech at Gumm.eracha, for the Journal. The next day, the 23rd, I
visited fourteen families at TJnley, and prayed in each house. At
6.30 I met the Bible Instruction Class, and at 7.30 I preached on
Isaiah xl. 11, to a fair congregation. The determination I came to,
when I accepted the position as responsible Editor of the Journal,
that its claims should never interfere with my Circuit relations, I
religiously cai'ried out.

Dec. I^th (Christmas Day). — A happy day. At 7. a.m we had
a good service in Pirie Street. At 9.30 I attended the gi'eat
gathering of the Sunday School children at the Town Hall ; and at
111 heard Dean Russell on the words, ' When the fulness of the
time was come, God sent forth His Son.' I spent the afternoon and
evening in reading and quiet thought.

Dec. '2Qth. — I wrote a review of ' Orthodox London,' which occupied
me until 4 p.m. I was much wearied and beaten with the heat.

19

290 JAMES BICKFORD. AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

The next day, in the hope of having a good paper foi' the first issue in
the New Year, I ^\-l■ote two articles, entitled, 'The Prospect, 1875,'
and ' On Identity.' My last engagement for the year was the Watch
Night Service, Pirie Street Church. I preached as usual, and Messrs.
Burton and Berry offered prayer. Thus was closed one of my
busiest years.

1875.

Jan. \st. — The New Year was ushered in under the auspices
of great Sol's fiercest rays. At the observatory, on the 5th, the
thermometer stood at 156° in the sun and at 115° in the shade.
A trying time for the strongest, but much more so for the ailing and
the ill. I was called to see Mrs. G. W. Coombs, who was dying, and
at a quarter to 10 a.m. she passed away. On the next day we
buried her mortal remains, and on om- retvirn to Mr. Coomb's house 1
baptized the now motherless babe by the name of George Uriah. It
was a moui'nful ordeal, and deep was the sympathy felt for the
bereaved father and his family.

The news of the effect produced in England by Mr. Gladstone's
pamphlet on the impossibility of English Catholics, under the new
dogma of the ' Infallibility of the Pope,' being loyal to the Crown,
as it was their duty to be in every part of the Empire, reached us on
the 9th. All honour to this great Christian statesman for this
thunderbolt cast into the Yatican. After this daring feat, it may be
hoped that his political opponents will be slow to renew their vile
insinuation that ' W. E. G.' is a ' Jesuit in disguise.' But politics
in Great Britain are a Ipng and cruel game, and the marvel is that
men of high and generous feelings consent to be mixed up with
them.

Jan. 14ith. — I wrote for the Journal an article entitled, ' Mr.
Gladstone's Expostulation.' My object was to justify his interfer-
ence, and to uphold the grounds he had taken. Besides which, I
wanted South Australian readers to understand something of the
fierce ecclesiastical conflicts in which British statesmen and the
leaders of religious thought are occasionally involved. As eccle-
siastics we do not seek quarrels ; but when assailed we have only
one course to follow.

Jan. 26^/i. — The South Australian Conference was opened to-day
I was chosen as President, and the Rev. S. Knight as Secretary.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 291

The chief difficulty we had to contend with was the stationing of
the ministers. But it is no wonder, because we have no fixed
principle on which to proceed. The Circuits in Australia have the
same right of inviting ministers as in England ; but our number is
so small that we cannot dispose of our staff upon the invitation
system. In some cases the preferences of our Quarterly Meetings
were suitable enough, and the Conference would save itself much
harassment by adhering to them. But then election of some
carries with it as its counterpart reprobation, as Calvin would say,
of the other. It was not until the fourth day of the Sessions that
we could get a second reading, and not even tben without a great
deal of cross-firing and unpleasantness.

Feb. 1st. — I returned from Gawler this morning, and presided
over the Conference. One item of business was at least satisfactory.
By a unanimous vote Messrs. Patchell and I were thanked for the
manner in which we had conducted the Journal. This was our only
pay, but it was enough. On the 8th we read the stations for the
thu'd time, and the next day the Minutes were signed.

At this Conference we sanctioned the formation of a Home
Mission and Conthigent Fund Society ; we also adopted a set of re-
vised rules for the Church Loan Fund. The Connexional Com-
mittee submitted a plan for ' Lay Representation to Conference,'
which was accepted by our Conference, and ordered to be sent on to
the General Conference. The Kev. W. L. Binks was made Super-
numerary, and a suitable record of his high character and woik
was entered upon the Minutes.

Feb. Ibth. — I paid an official visit to the Gunneracha Circuit to
arrange the terms upon which the services of the Rev. Matthew
Wilson, a venerable Supernumerary minister, might be secured for
one year. After considerable discussion it was agreed that the
Circuit should pay Mr. Wilson £150 per annum, to include salary,
rent, and house expense.^. The Connexional claims were to be met
and the travelling expenses of the local preachers paid by the Circuit.

Feb. 2nd. — I came to the conclusion that in South Australia we
ought to have an Act passed for the payment of Members in Par-
liment as in Victoria. The experiment has been a success ' over the
Border,' and I therefore strove to get our Legislature to follow in
the same steps. Hence, an ai'ticle in the Journal, which I had care-
fully prepared, entitled, ' Payment of Members of Parliament,' was

292 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

inserted. I can claim, I think, the credit of being the first public
advocate of that just and righteous principle in this Colony.

Feb. 2ith. — ' The New House of Assembly ' was my next leader for
the Journal. Mrs. Bickford and I went in the afternoon to Glenelg
to call upon Miss Poolman, from Sandridge, after which we drove
round to Dunrobin to take tea with our kind friends, Mr. and
Mrs. Keyner.

March Zrd. — Great excitement in the city at the news of the
loss of the steamer Gothenhurgh on the Barrier Beef off Queensland.
Much valuable life is doubtless lost.

March \Oth. — I attended a meeting in the Town Hall in aid of
the families deprived of their husbands and fathers by the loss of the
Gothenhurgh. I gave two guineas ; but I would that I could have
given twenty.

March 22?ic?. — I attended a meeting of ministers, when we agreed
to invite Moody and Sankey to come to South Axistralia. In the
afternoon I went to the ' Stone-laying ' ceremony of the new church
at Brompton.

March 2Ath. — I held the Quarterly Meeting. Income £287 8s. 7d. ;
expenditure £239 16s. Id. Credit Balance in all £155 15s. Sd.
We agreed to expend this accumulated balance in furnishing the new
parsonage at Glenelg. We certainly had a fine meeting. With such
a condition of finance every official brother was pleased, and not a
word of grumbling was heard.

March 26th (Good Friday). — I heard the Kev. Mr. Symes preach a
beautiful sermon in Stow Chiu'ch, when I hastened off to hear
Bishop Short in St. Paul's. A sermon in the old orthodox style —
' good roast beef and plum pudding ' at one and the same time. In
the afternoon I went to Sir John Morphett's grounds to join in
the picnic of the Pirie Street Sunday School. About five hundred
children and young people were present, and a large number of
teachers and friends besides. I came home desperately tired, and
lay down in my study, sleeping right away for two whole hours.
Sleep is my remedy for excessive fatigue and nervous prostration.
It never fails me.

March 31st. — I drove Mrs. Bickford to Port Adelaide to embark
for Melbourne. The heat of Adelaide had for some time been most
oppressive, and she needed change of air and scene.

April 21st. — We have been in the itinerant ' swim.' The Rev. G,

SOUTH AV STB ALIA. 293

W. Patchell is gone to the Burra, and the Rev. W. P. Wells to Kent
Town, Mr. Burgess and Mr. Nicholson have come to the Pirie
Street Circuit, and this evening we had the usual welcome meeting ;
Mr. James Greer, the senior Steward, presided. There were, at least,
two hundred persons present. A hearty reception was accorded to
the * new ' men. Under the inspiration of this joyous meeting I
wrote an article for the Journal entitled, ' The Wesleyan Itinerancy.'
The principle of the Itinerancy may be thus stated : ' When He
ascended up on high He received gifts for men.' One of the most
precious of these ' gifts ' is that of ' pastors and teachers ; ' and the
aim of the Itinerancy is to distribute this agency over our whole
Connexion, as occasion may require. The well-balanced mind of
Wesley caught hold of this idea, and he ordained its observation by
the Conferences he created. We, of the Australasian Church, have
taken no such power from the original ' Poll Deed,' as would permit
of such changes as would * do away with the Iterancy of ovu*
ministry.'

May \2th. — I am once more in Melbourne; this time to attend
the Fu'st General Conference, held under our amended constitution.
My co-representatives are the Revs. S. Knight, W. P. Wells, W. L.
Binks, T. Lloyd, J. B. Stephenson, and R. S. Casely. The pro-
ceedings were opened by the Rev. S. Wilkinson, the President of the
New South Wales Conference. In the ' Address ' to the British
Conference, we say : —

' By an interesting coincidence, the Senior President of the Conference, whose
duty it vras to open the first session, was able to tell us that though not the
first Wesleyan minister who preached in Victoria, yet he was one of the first,
having been appointed as a Wesleyan Missionary here thirty-five years ago.
Thus, within the few years of one ministerial history, are gathered the plant-
ing, the robust outgrowth, and the almost completed self-regulation, of the
Methodism which assembles now at its first legislative Conference in this city ;
itself the product of social forces, acting with great energy, and within a very
brief period.'

The Presidents of the Colonial Annual Conferences presided in
rotation, and conducted the routine business from day to day.
Several important principles inherent in our ecclesiastical poKty
were re-affii'med, or formulated for the first time, as follows : —

1. For guarding the pastoral office from invasion or injury by the proposed
introduction of laj-men into our Colonial Annual Conferences. The Eev. James
Swanton Waugh (now Doctor Waugh) prepared the following declaration :—

294 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

' That this Coufeioiice distinctly asserts its maiutonauce of the New Testament
doctrine, that the ministry derives its existence from Christ, and that upon
Christian ministers, to whom is entrusted the duty of taking " heed to all
the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made them overseers, to feed the
Church of God,"' devolves the solemn responsibility of enforcing godly discipline,
and administering the pastoral government of the Church.' . . . 'Tliat in the
admission of laymen as members of the Conferences, this principle must be
held to be sacred and inviolable.'

2. For insisting upon the maintenance of the historic condition of member?,
as set forth in the ' General Rules of the Society.' There are three distinct
provisions : —

(1) We take no power to ' revoke ' {i.e., to recall ; to repeal ; to reverse) the
' General Rules of our Societies.'

(2) We agree in the conviction, that no mode of faciliating and promoting
fellowship among Christians approaches so nearly to the requirements of the
New Testament as the Class Meeting, which, under God, has so greatly con-
tributed to our spiritual vitality and success ; and we resolve to adhere to it as
a test of membership in our Church.

(3) To secure correct returns of the number of members in the several
Circuits, it was agreed to call the attention of Superintendents to the law of
1837, as follows : ' The Superintendents are directed to return, in their
Quarterly Schedule, the precise number, without any abridgment or deduction,
of those to whom, after due and sufHcient probation, they or their colleagues
have actually given tickets in their respective Circuits.'

3. On Direct Representation to Conference, it enacted that ' the Quarterly
Meeting of each Circuit shall be entitled to elect one lay representative, who
shall be elected by ballot at the Quarterly Meeting nest preceding the session
of the Conference to which such Circuit pertains.'

4. The condition of * baptized children ' is thus stated : • By baptism you
place your children within the pale of the visible Church, and give them a
right to all its privileges, the pastoral care of its ministers, and, as far as their
age and capacity will allow, the enjoyment of its ordinances and means of
grace.'

5. The Inter-Colonial changes of ministers was provided for, by empowering
the General Conference ' to make, or direct the Annual Conference to make,
all necessary changes and interchanges of ministers between the several Annual
Conferences.'

6. The pastoral authority of each Annual Conference was recognised in the
direction given to them to issue a ' Pastoral Address' to the Societies under
their care.

The Minutes of the First General Conference, as published under
the able guidance of the Rev. J. B. Waterhouse, its Secretary, do not
show that much work of a legislative kind was done. Still, being
ah initio, I think we did enough. The plan for popularising our
highest Church courts, by the introduction thereto of representative
laymen, under safe and wise conditions, was no ordinary task. That

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 295

the British Confei'ence accepted our plan without amendment, and,
in Colonial Office phrase, left it to its operation, is surely evidence
of the carefulness with which it had been prepared. It is now the
recognised Magna Charta of the Australasian Wesleyan Methofhst
Church, securing alike to ministei's and laymen New Testament
rights, and free action in the prosecution throughout the Southern
Woi-ld of a peaceful and soul-saving mission.
The Minutes were signed as under : —

Samuel Wilkinson,

Presl(le)it of New South Wah'-'i and Queensland Conference.

James Buller,

President of Neie Zealand Conference.

James Bickford,

President of South Australia Conference.

John Harcouet,

President of Victoria and Tasmania Conference.

Jabez B. Waterhouse,

Secretary of General Conference.

June 1st. — I went on board the steamer Aldinga at the Queen's
Wharf at 1 p.m., and sailed for Port Adelaide. After a delightful
run of forty-eight hoiu'S I landed, and at once hasted to Pirie Street,
and found all well.

I held the Quarterly Meeting on the 23rd, when for the first time
this year we were in the midst of some ' troubled waters.' And
wherefore ? Alas for the ' Plan ' ! AVas it an uprising of old con-
servative ideas against the action of the General Conference? Or
what ? Well, let the truth come out — we had not gone far enough.
Resolutions were passed condemnatory of om* action, and some hard
things were said. But it is not at all unlikely that three-fourths of
the meeting had not even read the ' Plan,' or knew anything about it.

JihTie 2Zrd. — I wrote a strong article on the Northern Territory,
in Avhich I insisted, among other matters deserving the immediate
attention of the Government, that it should be constituted an
electoral district, and have the constitutional right to send one
or more representatives to both chambers of the Legislature in
Adelaide.

July 6th. — To reform the Church, even in the direction of liberalism

296 J'i ^lES BICKFORD : A .V A UTOBIO GRA PUT.

seems to be more difficult than to reform a Parliament. Our recent
proposed legislation is still ' a bone of contention ' in some quarters.
I therefore \vi-ote a long article for the Journal on ' Wesleyan Polity,'
and justified the action of the General Conference. On the 12th I
wrote a second article, and still more strongly defended my brethren.
And there the matter must rest.

July \^th. — The Education question is again to the front. I gave,
therefore, much of my time to its consideration. This afternoon I
went to the House of Assembly to hear the debate. Mr. Rowland
Rees spoke with great abiUty. I prepai-ed besides an article on the
subject for the Journal. In the evening I went to Edwardstown,
and met as usual the Bible Class at 6.30, preached at 7.30, and then
met the Church Committee.

July \^tli. — The three students came fi'om Prince Alfred College
for their weekly lecture. At 8 p.m. I presided at the Young Men's
Literary Society. Busy day — all the day — until 11.30 p.m.

July 19f/t. — I attended the funeral of the late Mrs. Ingram,
relict of the Rev. W. Ingram. Another holy woman, and one much
tried, has gone to God.

July 22nd. — We held a meeting of the Education Committee, to
consider the Bill now before the Parliament. We passed three
resolutions generally approving of the Bill.

July 2Qth. — At the Draper Memorial Chm'ch Anniversary this
evening we raised ,£175 lis.

July 31 St. — All soiiis of letters come to me. A troubled husband
has just sent me an anonymous letter, in which he complains of his
wife's neglect of reading the Bible, and requests me to preach a
sermon for her admonition. Poor man !

Aug. Sr'd — I Avent to the House to hear the Treasurer's Budget
Speech, and the next day I spent thi-ee whole hours in wi"iting an
article upon it. The difficidty was mostly in 'trotting ' out the figures,
calculations, etc., and making them agree with each other.

Aug. dth. — I went to the Servants' Home to see the new im-
migrants. I found amongst them a Mary Michelmore from Totness.
I took her case in hand, and got her into a good home. I wrote to
the Chief Secretary about the male immigrants having nowhere
to go on their arrival in the Colony. He politely replied, and asked
me to see the Premier, Mr. Boucaut, and lay the case before him.

Se2)t. 13th.— The 'Singing Pilgrim' (Mr. Philip Phillips) sang in

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 297

Pirie Street Church this evening. About eight hundred present.
On the 14th he sang in the Town Hall. The audience was grand^
and the ' Pilgrim ' acquitted himself in style.

Sept. \%th. — Mr. T. S. Carey and I went to the Church Opening
Services at Clarendon. We raised £100 10s. I supped and slept at
Mr. Fox's, who ' is worthy.'

Se2)t. nth. — Mr. A. A. Scott called with Messrs. S. F. Prior and
H. H. Teague, who have just arrived from England to join our
ministry in South Australia. On the 20th I got them enrolled as
ministers authorized to celebrate marriage in this Colony.

Se2}t. 21st. — I went to the Church Anniversary at the Wallaroo-
Mines, Kadina. The Rev, A. Rigg met me at the coach-office, and I
spent a delightful evening with him and Mrs. Rigg at the Parsonage.
I preached the next day at the Mines' Church to two large congre-
gations. On the Monday morning Captain Anthony drove Mr. Rigg
and me to the smelting works at Wallaroo. They are extensive, and
give employment probably to two hundred men. We had a succes-
fuUy conducted Anniversary, and raised £85.

Sept. 23rd. — The Quarterly Meeting was held to-day. Income
£333 75. Qd. ; expenditure £280 Os. 5d. We returned 550 mem-
bers, with 71 on trial.

Oct. 11th. — Angaston Church Anniversary to-day. I preached
twice to interesting, but not large congregations. The next day
I called upon Mr. and Mrs. Pepperell, who are distantly related
to ovir family. I visited the Keyne and the Angas families. The
Angases (father and son) sent unsolicited two five-guinea cheques for
our evening meeting. jNIr. Keally took me to the old cemetery to
see my dear father's grave. It was on September 28th, 1851, at the
age of seventy-five, that my father died. On returning next day to
Adelaide, I ordered from Mr. Thomas Martin a small marble head-
stone to mark the spot where my venerable and kind father sleeps
in peace. Mr. Prior, who was with us, whilst I was away at
Glenelg in the evening, heard from Mrs. Bickf ord several particulars
of my father's life and character, and penned the following epitaph
for the stone : —

' An honest and brave old English yeoman,

Ready of hand, and true of heart and kind,

Mild and afEectionate, belov'd by all,

Lieth below. The day of life is o 'er,

And God hath given to His beloved sleep.'

298 JAMES BICKFOliD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

The Denomination System of Education, established in 1852,
thoroughly collapsed in 1875. It broke under the pressure of its
own weight. Not a tear, of which I ever heard, was shed over the
demise of this expensive, irritating, and effete system. On October
15th, this very year, ' An Act to Amend the Law relating to Public
Education' was assented to by ' A. ]Mu.sgrove, Governor.' There are
only twenty -five clauses, so that much of detail would have to be
dealt with by ' Regulations.' Three of the clauses of the Act merit
special notice : —

' 8. A public school may be established in any locality where the Council
shall be satisfied that there are at least twenty children who will attend such
school.'

' 9. In every public school, four and a half hours at least shall be set apart
during each school-day for secular instruction only ; and such schools may
open in the morning a quarter of an hour at least before the time fixed for
such secular instruction to commence, for the purpose of reading portions of
the Holy Scriptures in the Authorised or Douay Version. The attendance of
children at such reading shall not be compulsory, and no.sectarian or denomin-
ational religious teaching shall be allowed in any school.'

' 14. Notwithstanding any regulation for the payment of school fees, any
child whose parent shall be unable to pay such fees shall not on that account
be refused admission into a public school, but shall, on the inability being
shown in the prescril)ed manner, be received and instiiicted in the same manner
as the other pupils attending such schools.'

The Government was fortunate in secm-ing the efficient services of
the Head Master of Prince Alfred College, for piloting through the
'■ sea of difficulty ' which awaited the introduction of the New Act.
But the feat has been accomplished ; and to-day there is not in all
Australia a better system of Public Education than that in this
Colony.

Nov. l^th. — The Rev. Samuel Antcliffe, D.D., a Primitive
Methodist Minister from England, called. We were quite a clerical
party for the occasion. The Rev. J. Goodwin, P.M., introduced the
Doctor, and Rev. Messrs. Stephenson and Nicholson were also
present. We were much pleased with our titled visitor from the
dear old land. The next day I prepared the address of welcome
we had agreed, as a body of ministers, to present to the reverend
Doctor.

Dec. \st. — I wrote an article for the Journal, subject : ' The
Parliamentary Collapse.' To say the least, the Ministry had
deserved a better fate.

so UTH A USTB ALIA. 299

The Rev. Heiuy Greenwood, formerly one of our missionaries in
the Friendly Islands, did us good service in deputation work this
year. His sermons were finely evangelical, his speeches were racy
and full of anecdote, and his intercourse with our friends was modest
and spii'itual.

Dec. 5th. — The expenses of o\xr late General Conference amounted
to £523 10s. lid. We thought to have saved expense in working
the ' Connexion ' on the new plan ; but we shall find, I fear, as we
go on, that we have greatly increased it. But ' the cUe is cast.'

Dec. 24:th. — The Quarterly Meeting was held to-day. The income
was .£355, and the expenditure £301 lis. lid. As my three years'
incumbency would terminate at the next Confei-ence, the Rev. S.
Knight was invited to succeed me in the superintendency of the
Cii'cuit.

Dec. '25th. — The Rev. James Lyall (Presbyterian) preached an
admirable Christmas sermon at seven o'clock this moi-ning.

Dec. 27th. — I went to the ' Servants' Home,' and held a reHgious
service with the female immigrants. Poor creatures ! I wonder
what will become of them?

Dec. 29th. — I wrote for the Joicrnal the last leader for this year.
Subject, ' 1875,'

1876.
Jem. 2nd. — I copy from my Diary : —

' This is the first of another year. Twenty-two years ago Mrs. Bickford and
I spent the corresponding Sabbath in London, awaiting the sailing of the
Avierican Lass, for Port Jackson, New South Wales. We landed in Sydney
on the following May 24th, During all the years I have been in Australia my
health has been equal to the strain of the work. But I have now reached a
point in my itinerant life which compels an examination of the situation, so
that I may provide against a " break-down " in my work. To rest for a year or
two seems the dictate of common sense, of religion, and of Connexional relations.
But whether that course be practicable remains to be seen. I love my work as
much as ever ; although the Itinerancy has become inksome and trying to me.
To-day I have done my work much as usual. The •• Renewal of Covenant "
Service and the Lord's Supper were specially helpful, and I hope much good will
follow from these godly exercises.'

Jan. 25th. — The Conference was opened to-day ; the Rev. N. P.
Wells, President, and Rev. C. H. Goldsmith, Secretary. In the
afternoon a strong discussion ensued upon the standing of two of the
ministers who had been transferred to the Victorian Conference. At

300 JAMES BICKFORD : AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

length the President ruled that the brethren, in question, were
members of the South Australian Conference until the time came
for their removal as fixed by the General Conference. On the same
day I formally applied to be made a Supernumerary minister, that
I might visit England this year. The next day my request was
granted, and the following record was ordered to be inserted in the
Minutes : —

'REV. J. BICKFORD.

' The Conference takes the occasion of the Rev. J. BickforcVs visit to Europe,
to express to him the most sincere sentiments of Christian esteem and confidence.
In view of thirty-eight years of faithful labour in the Christian Ministry, and
twenty-two j'ears of devoted work tox God in Australia, this Conference rejoices
that Mr. Bickford has sought needed rest and recreation while in the possession
of sufficient health and energy to bear the fatigues of foreign travel. Mr.
Bickford has earned his merited relief by a singularly laborious life. His three
years of labour in this Colony have been successful in the highest degree. At
Pirie Street there has been the feature of increased congregations, uninterrupted
peace, and financial prosperity, resulting in large reduction of the long-standing
debt on that property. The denominational organ has found in his indefatig-
able editorship the largest contributor. Mr. Bickford's occupancy of the
Presidential chair, for the second time, has justified the trust of the Conference
in his administrative abilities. We hope that Mr. ex- President will be able to
render us invaluable aid during his visit to England. We wish Mr, and Mrs.
Bickford a pleasant voyage, and a speedy return to this land.'

The heat at this Conference was intolerably oppressive, and to it
the Rev. Matthew Wilson, on the 29th, succumbed. He ched alone,
in his son's house, at East Adelaide. But to him ' sudden death was
sudden glory.'

Feb. 4:th. — The Sessions of the Conference closed to-day. I was
completely wearied out with the heat and the excitement occasioned
by matters of difficulty the Conference had had to deal with. Mr.
Wells made an admirable President ; he ruled justly, without fear or
favour.

Feb. 9th. — I was busy all the day in making inquii'ies for a ship
for England. I finally engaged the cabin, No. 13, in the Ladi/
Joceli/71, bound for London.

Feb. lith. — To-day I settled all Connexional and District business
with Mr. President Wells, and gave him a cheque for all balances
then in my hands. I am therefore loosing my hold upon South
Australian Methodism ! Be it so ; if it must be so.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 301

Feb. l^th. — My dear niece, Mrs. J. G. Pascoe, child and servant,
left us to-day for Sydney. I felt more than sad at parting with her.

Feb. \Qth. — I joined the Bible Christian Conference in their official
service. The Rev. James Way, a venerable and faithful minister,
preached an excellent sermon on the ' Atonement.' I joined with the
brethren at the close in partaking of the Lord's Supper.

A valedictory tea and public meeting were held this week, at which
an address was presented to me, and a purse containing eighty-five
sovereigns, — an expression of sympathy, confidence, and generous
recognition of service, very gratifying to my feelings.

March 8th. — Our last day in Adelaide. At 1.30 p.m., I handed
the key of the parsonage to the senior Circuit Steward, Mr. A. A.
Scott, and we then proceeded to the North Terrace Station. I have
found this departure from Adelaide a cruel ordeal. It has almost
broken my heart. About two hundred persons accomj)anied us and the
other passengers to the ship lying ofi' the Semaphore. The parting
scene was more than we could bear. The affectionate kindness of
the South Australian friends to me and Mrs. Bickford can never be
forgotten by us.

As I did not consent, although requested by the General Conference,
to be associated with the Rev. J. Buller, as a joint representative to
the British Conference, I had to obtain from the President and
Secretary of my own Conference a ' letter of commendation ' to the
English Conference. The following is a copy of the document given
me by these honoured brethren : —

'Adelaibe, Fehrnary OtJi, 1870.

'To THE Reverend Geevase Smith, M.A.,
" President of the British Conference.

' Reverend and dear Sir, —

'"We have great pleasure in commending to you the Rev. J. Bickford
ex-President of om- Conference, who is about visiting England. Mr. Bickford was
President of the Australian Conference in 1868 ; of the South Australian Con-
ference in 1875 ; and one of the Presidents of the First General Conference held
in May last. He has for upwards of twenty years occupied our foremost
positions, and is one of the representative men of Australian Methodism. "We
have reason to believe that, had it been known that Mr. Bickford would have
been visiting England, he would have been associated with the Rev. J. Buller
as a representative from the General Conference to the English Conference. Mr.
Bickford will be able to furnish, if desired, reliable information to the Committee
on Australian affairs, in regard to the constitution of our Church. "Whatever

302 JAMES niCKFOED : AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

attention you may be able to show Mr. BickforJ, and whatever position you
may be able to accord him in j'our Conference, or elsewhere, will be a grati-
fication to the ministers and chui'ches in these Colonies.
' We are, reverend and dear Sir,
' Your obedient servants,

' William P. Wells, President,

' Charles H. Goldsmith, Secretary.'

As I had been in correspondence with the Premier, the Hon. J. P.
Boucant, M.P., on the subject of my giving a series of lectures,
during my intended visit to England, on South Australia as a
promising field for British emigraiits, I received from the Treasurer,
the Hon. J. Colton, M.P., an official document on the subject, to be
presented by me to Mr. Dutton, the Agent General, resident in
London. It was as follows : —

' The Tkeasuet, Adelaide, South Austualia,
'March \>t, 1870.

' SlE,—

' This will serve to introduce to you the Rev. James Bickford, who is a
much respected minister of the Wesleyau Church, and a personal friend. My
princi]ial object in asking your kind offices is that he takes great interest in
public affairs in general, and our Colony in particular. During his temporary
stay in the old country, he will use his best endeavours, in various ways, to
make the Colony known as much as possible, with a view to getting suitable
persons to emigrate : and, especially so, in his native county, Devonshire. Any-
thing you can do to facilitate his movements, I shall regard as a personal favour.
I may add, that this Government have given him every information which will
be of value in his contemplated project.

' I am. Sir,

' Your obedient servant,

' JoHX Coltox, Treasurer.'

March \Oth. — I was on deck at 2.30 a.m. to see the Lady Jocelyn
make a start. Of course, the songs and trampling of the men
prevented sleep.

On the 13th we lost sight of Cape Borda, and entered the
Australian Bight. I had been asked by the captain, Mr. George
Jenkins, to act as semi-chaplain during the voyage, consequently I
preached on the first Sabbath, and instituted morning family worship.
To the latter, as a daily religious observance, the gentlemen passengers,
Messrs. Gurner and Gall, for themselves and their families, promised
their attendance. We ran rapidly through the ' Bight ' (the
Australian ' Bay of Biscay'). On the morning of the 16th, whilst
at breakfast, the conversation turned upon the extraordinary fact

THE VOYAGE HOME. 303

that as yet no lighthouse had been erected at Cape Leeuwin. Whose
fault can it be ? All the shipping coming down the Indian Ocean
for the eastern colonies pass here, and yet there is no lighthouse.
Snrely the Lords of the Admiralty should see to this.

March Z\st. — We weighed anchor three weeks ago to-day, since
when we have come 3,080 miles. Sometimes it has been very hot,
and our strength has been unequal to the fierceness of the climatic
ordeal.

Ajyril 6th. — The weather is now beautifully fine, and we are
running at ten and half knots, mthout almost any perceptible
motion of the ship. The second-class female passengers are still
dissatisfied with their food. What a pity it is that there should be
on board the same ship, on a long voyage, two, or more, grades of
passengers !

April 9th. — I took the cool air on the deck before breakfast for an
hour and a half, and I find this habit beneficial every way to my
health. We have now come 4,634 miles.

Ajyril 12th. — I had an interesting conversation with Captain
Jenkins on the atmospheric distui-bances, occasioned by the conjunc-
tion of the moon and the planets. To-day there is such a conjunction
with the planet Jupiter. A great deal might be learnt from such
an intelligent man as Captain Jenkins on the beautiful science of
navigation, and cognate subjects.

April 19^7i (latitude 32° 57', longitude 31° 6').— This evening, at
seven o'clock, in the south-east, an appalling electric cloud was
visible from the ship's deck. The base lay along the horizon about
a third of the quarter circle, and reached more than halfway up to
the sky's meridian. So near was it that it did not interfere with
our six-knot breeze. With eveiy new flash the dense cloud was
revealed, and showed out in mountains piled upon mountains, from
the base to the toj)most line. Layers of clouds, resembling primeval
forests, were occasionally seen ; and, whilst the eye admiringly rested
upon the new phases of phenomena, the fiery fluid issued forth in all
kinds of forms — curved, serpentine, forked, and straight, some of the
lines dipping into the sea. Our gallant ship, all the time, majestically
sailed along, apparently on the outer fringe of the terrible cloud.
Every countenance, together with masts, sails, and rigging, were lit
up Avith a blaze of light. The passengers and crew ranged along on
the port side, the subjects of wonder, admnation, and awe. As the

304 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

phenomenon passed away, the religious service, as appointed, was held
in the second cabin, when we sang, with becoming solemnity, Paul
Oerhardt's hymn : —

' Give to the winds thy fears,
Hope, and be undismayed ;
God hears thy sighs, and counts thy tears ;
He shall lift up thy head.

Through waves, and clouds, and storms,
He gently clears thy way ;
Wait thou His time — thy darkest night
Shall end in joyous day.'

Such a phenomenon, for grandeur, sublimity, and wonderfulness,
I cannot expect again to see. It was, indeed, an a%vful display of
the power of creation's God. But, whether upon the sea or the
land, —

' This awful God is oixrs ;
Our Father and our love.'

On April 25 fh we saw ' Table Mountain ' rising in majestic
height from behind Cape Town. We soon rounded the * Cape of
Storms,' and with a fair wind headed up for the South Atlantic
Ocean. ' Captain,' said I, ' what about running into Cape Town
harbour for a change ? ' ' Well,' good-naturedly replied the captain,
' if I had any business there I would do so ; but as I have none, I
am not going in. Besides, if I were to do that, " Jack " would want
to go on shore too ; and who can tell what trouble I might have
again to get him on board. But I will stand in a bit, and you can
use your " glasses," and see all that is worth seeing.' There was no
use in arguing with Captain Geoi'ge Jenkins in such a case ; so we
were content to strain our eyes for a while, and then, as if by general
consent, we stood away for St. Helena.

May Sth. — We saw this historic island. From the Cape our
voyage had been most trying, from prevailing calms, light winds,
and heavy seas which came rolling up from the Southern Ocean. I
now copy from my Diary : —

' Sighted St. Helena at 0 a.m. So called Ijy the famous navigator, Ivao da
Nova, Galego, who discovered it on August 15th, 1502, being the anniversary
festival of St. Helena. It has been uninterruptedly in the hands of the English
since 1674. It is about nine miles in width, and twenty-seven in circumference ;
and it is situate about 1,200 miles west of Bcnguela in South Africa : and 1,800
miles east of Brazil, in South America.

THE VOYAGE HOME. 305

' The passengers were soon oa deck, and a grand object presented itself to our
wondering gaze. Our gallant ship in fine trim and sail came boldly up to the
east side, making Saddle Point. We " hauled to," and rounded Barn and Sugar
Loaf Points, when Jamestown with its batteries, signal station, its road of
steps, and spiral church, came in view. There were lying close in shore, under
the protection of precipitous cliflEs, a " man-o'-war," several foreign barques, and
a few smaller craft. The captain sent up the British ensign, followed by a set
of flags, giving our name, number of days from Port Adelaide (fifty-seven),
where bound, with the assuring words, " All well." Our communication was
promptly recognised from Flagstaff Hill, and a promise to report us in London
was given. We then bore away on a north-north-west course, with a fine breeze,
and full of hope for the rest of the voyage.

' It is impossible for a reflective Englishman thus suddenly for the first time
to drop upon this singularly formed island in mid-Atlantic, without deep
emotion. It is to my mind another remarkable proof of the mercifulness of
the great Creator, for His sea-going creatures, that this island should be placed
exactly in the highway of the ocean for ships in their homeward route from
India, China, Australia, and South Africa. For repairs to ships, for obtaining
water and provisions, and for postal and telegraphic purposes, it is the most
convenient provision the great Father could have made. But with the historic
association, as the island-prison of the First Napoleon, it must ever hold a place
in the grateful memories of the brave-hearted British people in all parts of the
world.'

May \lth. — Our captain is a great favourite. He embodies in his
own personality the manners of a gentleman, the grace of a Christian,
the intelligence of a traveller, and the skill and courage of the
English sailor. We could not therefore allow this day to pass
without some expression of our respect. It was in fact his fifty-first
birthday, and he was still strong and hale. I presented to him early
in the morning an excellent work entitled ' God's Word Written,'
as a memento of my affectionate esteem. Mrs. Jenkins invited the
ladies to tea in the ' stern-villa,' and Messrs. Gurner and Gall invited
Captain and Mrs. Jenkins, and the lady and gentlemen passengers,
to an evening banquet. Such amenities on ship-board have the
effect of softening asperities of feeling, and of bridging over the
inevitable estrangements common to a long sea-voyage.

May 12th. — To-day, for a couple of hours, I read the ' New
Zealand Handbook.' The writer evidently has a bitter animus
against all missionaries, forgetting that he and other British im-
migrants are mainly indebted to this class of pioneer workers, who
made New Zealand a desirable and prosperous field for the settlement
of white people. Samuel Marsden, Samuel Leigh, Archdeacon
Williams, Nathaniel Turner, John Hobbs, Bishop Selwyn, James

20

306 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Biiller, Thomas Buddie, may be taken as representatives of the army
of early missionaries who subdued New Zealand, and prepared the
way for its becoming the fairest gem of Enghmd's ci-own, and the
chosen home of over half a million of British people. The man, there-
fore, who can ignore such facts, is entitled to no hearing, or credence,
as a chronicler of the progress of this ' Southern Britain.'

The Great Bear rose high to-night. Venus, too, was gloriously
bi-ight — a little moon in fact; Jupiter came out in majestic splendour;
Avhilst Sirius seemed to look down upon us with a kindly recognition
as we wander over this trackless ocean.

After enduring much inconvenience for several days from heavy
rains, and the necessary closing of the portholes making our fine
saloon an enormous vapour bath, on the 21st, in latitude 6° 59' N.,
and longitude 20° 18' W., we caught the north-east trade winds, and
were able to steer a north-west course. On the 22nd I saw for the
fii'st time this voyage the North Star. It is now about twenty-three
years since I last saw this useful constellation. The Great Bear
revolves around this powerful polar centre.

May 2ith. — Queen's birthday. Although we were so far both from
England and Australia, our loyalty sprang to the surface and
received appropriate recognition. At the family altar we devoutly
prayed for her gracious Majesty. The captain invited the saloon
passengers to a supper-entertainment in honour of the day. Long
life and happiness were lovingly desired for the Queen, and grace
and goodness for the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Royal
Family. We toasted the owners of the LadT/ Joceli/n, also, to which
our worthy captain replied. From principle, I drank water, and
not wine ; stOl my goodwill was the same.

I examined to-day an invaluable work, entitled ' The Stars : how
to know them, and how to use them.' It was kindly lent to me by
the captain, and I much valued his courtesy. On the 26th our good
friend, Mr. Gurner, gave us ' An Hour with Neptune : ' a piece
written by himself for our amusement. It was cleverly done, and
evidenced considerable ability.*

* The following characteristic notice Mr. Gurner prepared for circulation
among the passengers: —

'Lady Joceltn Saloon.

'On Thursday evening, May 18th, at 8 o'clock, will be produced for the first

THE VOYAGE HOME. 307

May '2'dth. — We have now run, I find, since we left the Semaphore
on March 10th last, 11,903 nautical mUes.

The 30th May has a special notice in my Diary : —

' Rose at 4 a.m., and went on deck to see the " Great Bear " ( Ursa major'). It
had well-nigh completed its circle around the Polar, or North Star. It consists
of seven stars, two of which are called " Pointers," which always point the
voyager where to find the Pole Star. The " Southern Cross" (Cru-r) was not to
be seen. It had "'dipped" some nights before below the horizon. Thus are we
reminded of our advance northwards to the higher latitudes, and of our complete
severance from the sunny lands of the southern hemisphere. I could not but
remark on noticing these transitions above us, What a wonderful economy is
this which these starry heavens exhibit ! T am filled with admiration and
praise ! " He made the stars also." '

June Srd. — Rose at 5 a.m., and went on deck. The air was
healthfiil and bracing. Read and wrote a couple of hours before
breakfast. We are now a little over 1,200 miles from Flores, and
2,148 from the Lizard.

Jicne 6th. — Much signalling and speaking to other ships to-day.
This is a pleasant break of the monotony of our sea life. At 8 p.m.
the surroundings of the moon were unspeakably gorgeous. The
setting of the sun and the rising of the moon were truly wonderful.
The clouds were ' full of glory.'

Ju7ie 1th. — At 8 p.m. I gave my new lecture on ' South Australia,
in relation to Emigration from the Mother Country.'

Jime \2th. — There are two sea routes for sailing ships from
Australia to England. One is by the ' Horn,' the other by the

time, and written expressly for the occasion, a nautico-musical extravaganza,
entitled :

' " An Hour with Neptune."
' Neptune, god of the sea, but a somewhat amphibious monarch, to whom a
certain latitude must be allowed ; who from longitude has taken his degree, and
is second to none in his attachment to the briny.

"■Lady Jocdijn. registered AAl at Lloyd's, a fast sailing clipper, with a
grievance, and determined to ventilate it. Zephyrus. the west wind, sometimes
called, the " Gentle Zephyr " — an airy nothing, and never about when it is
wanted.

' Scene — " On the Bottom op the Sea." '

It need hardly be added that the evening was enjoyably spent. Indeed, all
seemed to value the efforts made for contributing to the pleasure of the whole
company. This was the order of things : Literary and Scientific Subjects, Mr.
Robert Gurner ; Singing and Music, Miss Clara Brown ; Lectures, Preaching
and Worship, Rev. J. Bickford.

308 JAMES niCKFORD : AN AUfOBIOGEAPHY.

' Hope.' Anchored in the river at Port Adelaide was the iron ship,
Old Kensington, which was to leave for London about a week after
us. On the morning of the 12th of June this vessel was near us on
our lee. We were pleased to see that our Port neighboui-, who had
come by a contrary route from us, was as far on the voyage as
ourselves. But now the light winds and calms prevented progress ;
indeed, for eight days we had only made eighty miles. But a change
took place on the 14th, when, with a strong, fair wind, we bounded
through the ' Roaring Foi'ties ' at ten knots. And yesterday we were
in company with twenty-four ships, but to-day only one of them is
visible.

The 21st of June will always be a * red-letter day.' We had come
14,766 miles, and were now in the ' chops of the Channel.' At 4 p.m.
we saw the Start, then Berry Head, and a long line of hazy English
coast. We had a fau' wind up Channel, and at 10 p.m. we saw the
Portland lights. A small cutter came alongside, and the master
with the help of a rope, climbed on board. He handed to the
captain a late newspaper, which we were all glad to see. Oh,
how friendly our visitor was ! ' Will you take our letters and post
them for us ? ' we inquii-ed. ' Most gladly, gentlemen, I will oblige
you.' ' What will you charge ? ' ' Well, ten shillings a letter.'
' Come now,' said I, ' that's too much ; we won't give you that
price.' He finally agreed for two shillings a letter. As soon as he
got his budget, he got over the ship's side, and we saw him no
more.

On the 22nd, at 2 p.m., when off the Isle of Wight, our captain
reported the arrival of the Lady Jocelyn, one hundi-ed days out, to the
signal master, so that in the papers of to-morrow morning the news
will be telegraphed all over the kingdom.

June 22>rd. — We came to anchor off the Margate Sands at 1.30 a.m.,
which was a great relief to vis. I turned in and slept until 7 a.m.

June 2^th. — We got ' under weigh ' at 8 a.m. We were being
towed by a struggling little steamer, when our un-' giving ' steel
hawser tore away her gear. We then gave a hempen hawser, in
place of the other, and everything went on well. We reached the
London Dock in due course, and at 8.30 p.m., Mrs. Bickford and
I were with our friends, the Rev. William Butters and Miss Butters,
at Brixton Hill. Consummatuvi est.

I should here remark that, strange as it may appear, I was not

THE VOYAGE HOME. 309

the subject of the strong emotional feeling I expected should God
permit me again to see Old England. But I had been too long away :
indeed, it may be said, my heart was still in Australia ; and I had
more friends, and even more kindi'ed there, than I now had in my
native country. Still I was deeply grateful that our long voyage
had ended so propitiously, and that my earliest AustraHan ministerial
friend was still alive and well. On that evening, as we gathered
around the family altar at Upper Tulse Hill, I praised my Heavenly
Father, that I and my dear companion, in many lands and for many
years, were again at Home.

ENGLAND.

LONDON, 1876.

June 25th. — A ' day of days ' this has been to me. Surely some-
tliing of the inspiration of David, the King of Israel, possessed my
soul this morning as we wended our way from Upper Tulse Hill to
the Brixton Hill Church. The Rev. William Gibson, M.A., was
the preacher. The attractiveness of Christ was the theme. There
was a fine congregation to hear a very beautiful sermon. In the
evening, Mr. Butters and I went to ' ISTewington Butts ' to hear
England's Spm-geon, and we were not disappointed. There were
6,000 people to begin with ; congregational singing and great
devoutness ; and an able sermon founded upon the words : ' And he
appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the
Lord, and to record and to thank and praise the Lord God of Israel.'
The gist of the discourse was on the subject of defective memories in
relation to matters of religion, and the cure of that mental disability.
I confess I never heard so much hard hitting and so much shrewd
common sense squeezed into one sermon before. At the close, Mr.
Butters inquired, ' Do you wonder now that Mr. Spurgeon is so
great a power in England 1 ' ' No,' I replied ; ' the greatest wonder
in my judgment would be if that were not so.' It was a most
profitable Sabbath.

The Centenary Hall and Mission House was my first place of call
on Monday morning. Mr. Butters chaperoned me to the old loved
spot. I saw the senior Secretary, the Bev. W. B. Boyce, and
entered into conversation with him. Acting as Deputy Treasurer,
he was very busy ; which, at first sight, he did not fail to inform
me. Then he proceeded to a little good-natured banter, quite d, la
Australian. ' Well,' said he, ' you are a great fool to come home,
Brother Bickford ! ' ' How so,' I inquired, ' when I am only follow-
ing your example ! ' ' Exactly, but then I am going back again in

EXGLAXD. 311

September.' ' I intend also to go back, but not so soon as that.
So that we are in the same boat so far.' ' Can I do anything for
you?' he good-naturedly inquired. ' Not to-day, thank you,' I repHed.
Mr. Butters and I then ascended the great staircase to see for the
Rev. G. T. Perks, M.A., who was at his desk apparently in deep
study over something. How nice he was in his inquiries for Mrs.
Bickford and myself, after our long voyage ! The interview was
short, but I think I succeeded in securing Mr. Perks as our friend
in dealing with our Australian affairs. After we left, I said to Mr.
Butters, ' I shall stick to Mr. Perks as long as I am in England.
He has, I am sure, the grip of our difficulties, and will help vis in
their settlement.' ' You can't do better,' said my sage friend.

Jime 28th. — Mr. Butters accompanied me to Westminster, to see
the South Australian Agent General (Mr. Dutton), and present to
him the official letter I received from our Government. Also I left
with him a copy of my proposed Emigration lecture. About ten
days afterwards, Mr. Dutton returned me the manuscript of my
lectui'e, enclosing a cheque for its publication and postage, with an
offer of the most obliging kind to help me in any practicable way
in my ' praiseworthy ' efforts to send suitable emigrants to South
Austraha. From that time, to the day of his lamented death, only
a few months afterwards, Mr. Dutton was to me a sincere and
generous friend.

This was a busy day. Mr. Butters and I called upon Dean
Stanley, at the Abbey, to whom Dean Russell, of Adelaide, had
given me a letter of introduction. Dean Stanley was still mourning
over his loss of the beautiful Lady Stanley. He appeared to be in
feeble health, and was much ' cast down ' in soul ; but, said he, in
the language of Charles Wesley's grandest hymn, ' I see the morning
breaks.' He added, ' If I am spared for a little longer, I intend to
say something more than I was able when the ceremony of unveiling
the statue of the " Brothers Wesley " took place in the Abbey.' It
was a precious interview from beginning to end. We called in at
the three Courts of Justice, and saw no less than seven venerable
and learned men meting out jvistice to foolish litigants, who cannot
agree among themselves to settle their own misunderstandings, with-
out recourse to expensive courts of law. We also went to the
House of Commons, and heard a debate on the ' Entail of Property '
in England. Much was said on the importance of upholding the

312 JAMES BICKFORD; AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

ancient families and their great estates from spoliation by a division
of them amongst the junior members of families. It was the ' grip
of the dead hand ' which the Liberals assailed, but which the Toi'ies
upheld. The latter, being on the right of the Speaker, had the vote.
Mr. Disraeli, Mr. Gladstone, Sir Staflford Northcote, and John
Bright cUd not speak.

July 2nd. — I preached at Thurlow Park and Penge. At the
Park, I was brought into contact with a custom unknown to us in
Australia. In the vestry, after the service, said the Church Steward,
' Will you take a glass of wine, sir ? ' ' Excuse me,' I said, ' but I
never take wme, nor anything that is intoxicating. But, on such
a hot day as this, if you have any cold water near, I shall be glad of
a drink.' I drank, and was refreshed. After the service at Penge,
in the evening, we made oui- way to Upper Tulse Hill. Alas for me !
I had walked six miles, was dripping with perspiration, and was
completely ' run down.'

In the afternoon, as Mr. Butters and I were walking up the hill
near the Crystal Palace, we saw about a dozen youths out on a
Sabbath spree. ' We must speak to these youths,' I said. ' Yes,'
said my friend ; ' round them up, and I will tell them a story.' They
were caught with the idea, and gathered around the fine old man.
* About forty years ago,' said he, ' I was stationed at Hobart Town,
Van Diemen's Land, when a dreadful incident occurred to a youth
about the age of one of yourselves. He had been a good Sunday
School scholar, and promised to be a fine and useful man. But a
band of bvu-glai-s persuaded him to join them, under a promise of
secrecy and a share in the spoil. He was to be used as a spy to find
out when families were absent from their homes, and then, when the
way was clear, to be hoisted to the Avindows so as to open the doors
from the inside to the robbers. But, after a while, the boy was
caught in the very act ; was tried, convicted, and sentenced to be
hung. He would not disclose the names of the vile band ; no matter
what persuasives were used. I visited him several times in the
felon's cell, and deeply did I pity him. He confessed to me that the
fii'st step to his ruin was when he forsook the Sunday School, and,
with other boys, went bii'd-nesting and stealing fruit from the
people's gardens, ' Ah, my lads,' said Mr. Butters, ' beware of first
beginnings of evil. Keep the Lord's Day, attend the Sunday
School, and revere and love your parents.' Several of the youths

EX6LAXD. 313

were much aflected, and promised to attend the school the very next
Lord's Day.

July 4:th. — ' Westward Ho ! ' A friendly cab-owner lived near. I
therefore engaged him to take us for an early train at the Waterloo
Station. I cannot describe the variety of landscape we saw, as we
rushed along through the mtervening counties until we reached the
grand old cathedral city of Exeter. ' Living-green,' hill and dale,
■^^dth pretty peeps at the blue waters of the Channel, as we threaded
our way through Devonshire, met my delighted gaze, and filled my
grateful heart. This is England at its very best, I thought ; it was,
indeed, a beautifid best for my Australian eyes.

' Kingsbridge Road Station ! ' shouted the guard, and the train
pulled up. Yes ; so it was ; for there in the crowd stood my eldest
brother, John Bickford, whom I had not seen for nearly twenty-
three years. In a trice Mrs. Bickford was in the coach, and my
brother and I were in a gig, starting for ' Kingsbridge town.' We
talked so much by the way that we reached Coombe Royal and
capped Knowle much before I had expected. At 6.30 p.m. we
reached my brother's house, and now I felt that I was indeed at
home. At 9 p.m. my brother, Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis, and I surrounded
the family altar, where we united in thanking God for the Fatherly
care He had shown to us. But one was not ; my sister-in-law, Mrs.
John Bickford, died in 1864, and entei-ed into rest. She was a woman
' who feared God above many.'

July 6th. — I had a pleasant run, with Mr. W. Quarm, down the
Kingsbridge River to Salcombe. What a sweet, pretty place this has
become ! All the old scenery, reaching from Halwood Point right
away to the Bolt Head, retained its former charms and interest, and
I was much delighted. I visited a few of the Methodist members I
left hex'e in 1838, and was greatly disappointed in not seeing Mr. and
Mrs. James Vivian, who had ' joined the great majority.' My nephew
and niece, Mr. and Mrs. Baker, at Snape's Farm, wei'e very glad
to see me again. I retm-ned by the little steamer Reindeer in the
evening to Kingsbridge. On the 8th, I visited the new cemetery at
Highhouse Point. This very eligible freehold had been purchased by
the inhabitants of Kingsbridge and Dodbrook, so I understood, as a
general burial-ground for their dead. Mr. Quarm, who accompanied
me, and I made straight for the ' mortuary chapel,' where the first
oddity that challenged notice was a partition wall erected right across

314 JA.VES BICKFORB: AS AUTOBIOGRAPnY.

inside the building. ' Halloa,' exclaimed I, * what's that for? This
looks like " a middle-wall of partition." I suppose there is some
reason for its erection : pray, what is it ? ' ' Y"es, of course there is,'
he replied ; ' it was put up at the bidding of the Bishop of Exeter, to
shut off the Dissenters from Churchpeople ; and he Avould not conse-
crate the ground until it was done, as you see it.' ' What,' said I,
' you people bought and paid for the land, and submitted afterwards
to this bigoted and cruel prejudice ! You must be idiots.'

On the 9th I delivered my lecture in the Town Hall ; Mr. Solicitor
Hurrell, senior, in the chair. At its close, I was subjected to a
number of questions relating to the summer heat of South Australia,
and the want of rain at certain seasons of the year. One of the
inquirers actually asked, with all seriousness, if we had any water in
Adelaide ? Another, What could an emigrant do for his family when
he arrived at Port Adelaide 1 My answer was, * Let him leave his
family on board, and go on shore, and seek for work and a couple
of rooms as a temporary home, and then take them on shore.' I
think my answers, and they were many, satisfied the audience. The
next day, Mr. C. Tope, my nephew, displayed some hundi-ed splendidly
executed photographs of South Australia on the walls of the building,
for illustrating the condition, resources, and progress of the Colony.
These works of a beautiful art were kindly sent to me from Adelaide,
by Su' Henry Ayres, Chief Secretary, to aid me in my lecturing tours
up and down the country. My lecture brought forth good results.

On the 15th I went over to Modbury (my native parish), and saw
the Flashmans, the Gills, the Luscombes, the Matthews, the Leth-
bridges, and my kindred. I preached the next day three times, and
on Monday evening I again lectured on South Australia ; Mr.
Stidstone of Kingston, a gentleman farmer and a staunch Wesleyan,
took the chau\ By public resolution, I was thanked for my lecture.
On the 18th my brother, Edmund Whiteway Bickford, and I
went to Plymouth, when I made arrangements with Mr. John Smith,
Old Town Street, to print a thousand copies of my lecture for free
distribution in England and elsewhere.

July 2\st. — Mrs. Bickford and I left for Ilminster, on a visit to
the venerable and Reverend Thomas White Smith, my ministerial
father and friend. It was thirty-eight years since I saw him before,
when he was in the zenith of his power. Now I found him feeble,
and very aged in appearance. Oh ! it was good to see him again.

ENGLAND. 315

Mrs. Smith had died some years before this visit, and the dear old
man had only an unmarried daughter, Miss Smith, and the faithful
Lizzy for companions.

On the 24th I left for the Conference at Nottingham. I was to
be guest of Mr. and Mrs. Curtiss, a choice family ^dth whom I was
much at home. The next day I attended the Connexional Committees
of Review ; the Rev. Gervase Smith, M. A., in the chair. The place
was crowded, and there appeared to be no ventilation, so that I was
much inconvenienced. Mr. Curtiss and I soon left, and in the
evening we went to hear the Rev. Doctor Williams' Fernley lecture
on the Priesthood of Christ. It was able, and well read. In the
pew before me was seated my old West India colleague, the Rev.
David Barley, and by his side sat his son, the Rev. A. L. Barley.
Mr. Barley and I had not seen each other since we parted in
Demerara twenty-five years ago.

On the 26th the Conference was opened, and the Rev. Alexander
McAulay was elected President, and Dr. Williams, Secretary. The
building was so crowded that I hied my way to the gallery, and took
a seat where I could be seen right in front to the platform. The
Rev. ex-President Perks, M.A., saw me, and sent one of the Brothers
Hartley to request me to take a seat on the platform. This honour
I accepted, and was only too thankful to Mr. Perks for his kind
consideration. This was just before the election of the President ;
and, being a member of the Conference, I exercised my right to
vote.

Jtdy 29<A. — This Avas a day of fat things for me. I had the great
privilege of hearing the Rev. Benjamin Gregory, M.A., and the
Rev. Dr. Punshon preach. It was no small treat.

Aug. ^th. — The great debate on Lay Representation began to-day.
As I intended going to the West in the morning, I asked the
President's permission to say a few words. I had an influenza cold
upon me, so that I could scarcely speak to be heard ten yards from
the platform. But as the official reporter was sitting below, I
persevered in the hope that what I said would appear in the
Watchman. Of course I spoke on the question then before the chair,
informing the Conference that we in Australia had, after about three
years of eai"nest and prayerful thought, adopted the principle then
under discussion. I stated that the presence of the lay brethren in
our Conference would steady our action and give weight to our

316 JAMES BICKFORI) : AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

decisions. I expressed the hope that the English brethren would
speedily find theii' way to the same desirable issue ; which, in Australia,
I felt sure, would give us both consolidation and enlargement as the
years rolled by. As I retired to my seat at the rear of the platform,
one of the Irish representatives said in an undertone to me, ' Some
will not be obliged to you for your speech.' * I cannot help that,' I
meekly replied ; ' it is the simple truth.'

The Ordination of forty young men to the full work of the
Christian Ministry, according to the usages of our Church, was an
imposing ceremonial. Of course, there were many of the ' fathers '
of the Connexion present, whose earnest countenances indicated how
much they valued this service as the perfecting circumstance of the
young men's probationary course. The Rev. Gervase Smith, M.A.,
as ex- President, gave the ' charge,' which was on ' Preaching,' i.e.
' Who should preach ? ' ' What to preach 1 ' and ' The end of
preaching.' In his great discourse, Mr. Smith evidenced a thorough
acquaintance with the Roman and Anglican theories of ' Apostolical
Succession ; ' he unsparingly exposed the gaps and breaks of the
lineal chain, together with the corrupt character of many of the so-
called Successors of the Apostles. He brought out the true character
of the ' eldershij) ' as recognised in the New Testament ; Mr. Wesley's
right to transmit to his ' assistants ' the power of Ordination in his
Societies, and the unbroken line of ministerial ' orders,' generally,
through the ' laying on of hands,' from the death of Wesley to that
very year. The ' charge,' clothed in ' words of fire,' went home to
the young ministers' hearts, and produced, it may be believed, in
them a fuller consecration to their holy work. The ' charge,' in fact,
may be characterised as a defiant and trenchant setting forth of the
basal principles of the historic English Reformation, and of the great
Evangelical Revival of the eighteenth centm-y, in the face of the
nation and of the world. It was, in short, the outcome of a sanctified
heroism in the interests of truth and righteousness ; the old Spartan
spirit baptized and softened by the love of Jesus Christ. But the
subject and its environments both created and called it forth.

Aug. 5th. — I soon tired of Nottingham, through being unable to
bear the fatigue of sitting in the Conference from day to day. A
few men did all the speaking, which made the business very
monotonous and tedious. It seemed to me that far more of detail
should be done in the District Committees, and that the main

ENGLAND. 317

attention of Conference might be given to what is purely legislative
business. ' Great bodies move slowly,' and here was proof of the
truth of the maxim. I left early in the morning for Ilminster, and
was twelve hours on the journey. The next day (Sunday) I heard
the venerable T. W. Smith preach from the words : ' I have no
greater joy than to hear that my chikh-en Avalk in truth.' It was a
sweet and beautiful discoui'se. I preached in the evening, from the
' choice of Moses,' to a good congregation. It was by previous
arrangement, and at my dear old friend's request, that we thus
took the services.

Aug. 8th. — Mr. Smith, Miss Smith, Mrs. Bickford, and I went
over to South Petherton to see Mrs. Smith's grave. It was a mournful
visit for us. We took tea at Mr. Benjamin Hebditch's, a nephew
of Mr. Smith's ; after which we returned to Ilminster.

On the 9th we left for Plymouth, and domiciled at my nephew's,
Mr. Joseph Grainger, Exeter Street. The next day my nieces, Mrs.
Evans, Miss Bickford, and Mrs. Grainger, accompanied me in a trip
around the Eddystone. I was struck with the appearance of the
lighthouse, its scientific character and stupendous strength. But
the heat was great, and I felt unequal to stand against its exhaustive
pressm^e. ' How is it,' I asked myself, ' that I, who have " pulled
through " so many Australian summers, am so " run down " here ? '
And I concluded that it was not intensity, but humidity, of the
atmosphere that i-obbed me so easily of my usual strength.

On the 11th, after calling upon the Revs. Messrs. Jones and
Jenkins, and my cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Moysey, we left by
the steamer, and reached Kingsbridge at 10 p.m. The ' Bolt Head'
and ' Tail ' came out in fine view as our little craft rounded the
grand promontory, preparatory to oui* entering Salcombe harbour.
I much enjoyed the trip across, as the air was cool and refreshing.

Aug. 19th. — I went by appointment to Stonehouse, and was the
guest of Mr. and Mrs. Luxor at Emma Place. The Rev. Mr.
Twells came over to see me. I preached at Stonehouse the next day.
After the evening service, as there appeared to be a gracious feeling
in the congregation, I called for a Prayer Meeting, and about three
hundred persons remained.

On the 21st I called on Mr. Weeks at the Emigration Office, and
left with him one hundred copies of my lecture on South Australia
for free distribution. I was much disappointed in not meeting at

318 JAMES BICKFORD : AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

the oflBice the Rev. John Thorne, who had been appointed by the
South Australian Government as emigration agent in England. I
returned to Stonehouse, and prepared for the meeting in St. George's
Hall, at which I had been announced to lectvu-e on Australasian
Methodism. I spoke for an hour and a half with much freedom,
and I hope I interested the large audience who had come to hear
what I had to say.

The next day I returned to Mr. Grainger's much exhausted, and I
had to sleep for several hours before I could do anything at all.
My brother-in-law, Mr. William Tapp, was very iU, but so happy
that his desii'e was to be with Christ.

The 23rd was an interesting day. I dined at Mr. Barker's, who
heard me preach at Ugborough in 1838, just as I was leaving for the
West Indies. The Rev. Hvigh Jones, the Chairman of the District,
and Mrs. Bickford were there also. In the afternoon we drove to
the Hoe to see the swimming matches. There were at least four
thousand people present, and in the steamers, which were constantly
flitting to and fro, there was quite ' a cloud of witnesses.' In the
evening Miss Barker and I attended the episcopal service at St.
Andrew's, and heard the Rev. Mr. Guinness preach an evangelical
sermon.

Aug. '21th.— 1 preached again at Salcombe, and the next evening
(Monday) I spoke at a Bible Society's Meeting, at which the Rev.
Mr. Fieldwick attended. as a deputation. Mr. Benjamin Balkwill, of
Kingsbridge, took the chair. In my short speech I justified the
claims of the Bible Society for support from the Christian public,
because of its practical sympathy with our missions in the West
Indies, Africa, India, and Australasia. It was a very good meeting.
I took a terrible cold in returning to my niece's (Mrs. Baker's), at
Snape's, from the rain which had been falling all the evening.

Sept. '2nd. — I was again at Modbury. In the afternoon I visited
the churchyard to see the graves of some of my kindred. The
epitaphs, in several instances, were quaint and touching. I climbed
the ancient ladder up into the belfry, that I might see Mr. Joseph
Flashman wind up the gi-eat clock. I spent some time in the
church, where my parents and nine of us, brothers and sisters, used
to worship 'the God of our fathers.' A funeral occurx*ed during
my visit, and I joined in the procession and solemnities at the grave.
As I had been desirous of obtaining a certificate of my baptism, I

ENGLAXD. 319

thought this would be a good time for getting it. So I followed the
Vicar into the vestry, presented my card, and asked him to furnish
me, from the register, with a copy of my baptism. He courteously
inquired for the year and month, which I gave him. He opened his
eyes when I told him ' 1816,' and that very likely the month of May
would give it. It was immediately found, and a form was duly
filled in. ' What is the charge, Mr. Green 1 ' said I. His answer
surprised and pleased me. ' You are a minister, are you not ? ' he
inquired. I said, ' Yes.' ' Well, then,' he rejoined, ' I make no
charge. But the certificate requires a penny stamp,' said he. I
confess that I was a little nonplussed, not having to pay for stamps
in such matters in Australia ; and never cari-ying anything less than
a threepenny silver-piece in my purse, I, of course, was unprepared
to pay. ' But I have no penny,' said I ; ' what's to be done ? '
' Oh,' said he, ' I have a stamp here,' which he at once fixed on the
document. I thanked him for his kindness, and as I walked over
the flags, which my boyish feet once trod Avhen attending Mr.
Wreford's school, I could not think but that in the Modbury Vicar
thei'e was a beautiful blandness, notwithstanding his High Churchism
and ritualistic antics.

/Sept. 3rd. — I preached at Kingston, and was the guest of Mr.
Stidston, a gentleman farmer, and a good Wesleyan. Mr. Stidston
was converted under the preaching of the Kev. P. C. Turner many
years ago, during his visit to this iTiral locality for a church
anniversary. My brother, Edmund Whiteway Bickford, and my
nephew, James Bickford (his son), were -with, me all the day.

Sept. 5th. — I filled up a second batch of applications for free
passages to South Australia. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Shepheard had
already gone, and now I was making applications for eleven more.

Sept. 9 th. — I left for Ivy bridge this morning, where I am to
preach on Sunday. As we drove through Edmeston Farm, where I
was born and lived until I was fourteen years old, I thought much
of my dear parents and kindred. We have been scattered the ' wide
world o'er.' I was the guest of Mrs. Badham, at the parsonage, who
treated me with much Christian hospitality. I called on a few
early friends, whom I knew in my schooldays. I preached the next
day in the beautifid church built at Mr. Allen's expense, and given
by him to the Connexion. I dined at Mr. Allen's, and met Mrs.
Dingley there. It was a pleasant and profitable Sabbath.

320 JAMES BICKFOBD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

After spending all the time we could spare at present in Devon-
shire, and wishing to be near the Agent General for South Australia,
we went up to London on the 15th, and took furnished lodgings
at 36, Maitland Park, Haverstock Hill, occupied by Mrs. Sillifant,
whom I had formerly known in the West Indies. It proved, in every
respect, an economical and a comfortable arrangement for us.

Sept. \&th. — The CooUe Mission m Demerara was still dear to me.
So that on learning that the Rev. H. V. P. Bi'onckhurst and Mrs.
Bx'onckhurst were at Dalston ' on account of health,' I went this
evening, piloted by Mrs. Hurd, to see them, and to inquire about
the progress of the Mission. I was much pleased \vith the informa-
tion I received from Mr. Bronckhiu-st, who had been employed in
the Mission since 1865. It was interesting to me to leai-n that Mrs.
Bronckhurst was a Miss Patterson, formerly connected with Trinity
Church, and who was appointed to take charge of Mrs. Bickford's
class when we left Demerara, for England, twenty-three years ago.
She had been a worthy helpmeet to her husband in the Coolie
work.

Sept. 19</i. — I attended the Financial District Meeting, Dr.
Osborne in the chair. I thus had an early opportunity of becoming
acquainted with the London Ministers. I could not but observe
that the subject of lay-representation to Conference was the hete
noire of the meeting. Mr. President McAulay presented me, on the
second day, with a beautiful copy of our recently issued Hymn Book.
It bore the following inscription : —

' Presented to the Rev. James Bickford, President of the South Australian
Conference. 1875, from the British Conference assembled in Nottingham, in
1876. — A. McAuLAY, President.'

Sept. 24:fh. — I preached at Toddington in aid of the church funds.
On Monday evening I lectured on Australia to a good audience.
The Rev. John Rodwell was the Circuit Superintendent ; his wife,
' Fanny Bickford Hurd,' was baptized by me in St. Vincent's, and
was my god-daughter. I baptized their infant child, and thus
identified myself still further with this delightful family by giving
him my name as godson to me. We visited about, took tea at Mr.
Gadston's, and drove through the grounds at Woburn Abbey.

Sept. 27th. — I went over to the Westminster Training College, and
was courteously received by Dr. James H. Rigg. He took me over
the extensive and well-arranged buildings, and showed me the College

ENGLAND. 321

Church also. The apparent haughtiness of the Doctor to strangers
entii'ely disappears in close contact with him. To me, he became so
bland and so interesting, that I would have liked half-a-day with him
instead of a couple of hours.

Sept. 29^A. — Mrs. Bickford, Mrs. Sillifant, and I went to see the
Prince of Wales' jewels at the Kensington Museum. It was a great
display of the finest art and of untold wealth.

Oct. \st. — I preached missionary sermons to-day at Colchester, and
addressed the Sunday School in the afternoon. The public meeting
came off in the evening of the next day. Mr. Coleman from Chelmsford
presided with effect. The Revs. G. Terry, B.A., T. Thompson, T.
Llewellyn, and I were the speakers, — too many by two for a good
meeting. Of course I visited the ruins of the old historic castle. I
was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Sargisson, who showed me much kind
attention.

Oct. ^th. — I ran down to Plymouth to say ' good-bye ' to my kins-
folk, Mr. and Mrs. John Jarvis and family, who were about to sail
in the Robert Lees for Port Adelaide, South AustraKa. I also
attended the funeral of my brother-in-law, Mr. William Tapp, who
had, after much suffering, died, even as he had lived for more than
forty years, ' in the full assurance of faith.' The next evening I
went to the depot, and held a semi- religious service for the South
Australian emigrants. There were about three hundred present, to
whom I spoke on the conduct proper to ship life, and on their duties
when they landed in Adelaide. They appeared very grateful for the
counsels I gave them, as well as for the ' notes of introduction ' to be
used by them in the colony. On the 6th, Mr. Smith, the despatching
agent from the London office, and I went through the ship, and saw
the arrangments for the emigrants. In the evening, my brother, E.
W. Bickford, from Modbury, and I went to St. Andrew's, to hear
Bishop Perry, formerly of Melbourne, preach. His text was 1 Cor.
X. 1-5. The venerable man struck hard at the theory of * Baptismal
Regeneration,' drawing his arguments from the sad case of the
ancient Israelites as mentioned in the text, and earnestly exhorted
his congi^egation to trust alone for conversion to the baptism of the
Holy Ghost. It was a telling and seasonable discourse ; being
delivered during the holding of the Anglican Congress, there were
several of the ministers and representatives of that Church present
in the town.

21

322 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOF.IOGBAPHY.

Oct. Sth. — I preached at ' Ebenezer ' this evening, at the earnest
request of the Rev. Hugh Jones, the Supeiintendent ; and the next
evening I spoke at the Missionary Meeting, held at Wesley. On the
10th, I returned to London, none the worse for my journeyings and
labours in the west.

Oct. lUh.—'My next visit to Baddow Park, near Chelmsford, for
services on the Sabbath. Mr. Coleman met me at the station, and
drove me to the Joneses, whose guest I was to be. Tlie old Mr. and
Mrs. Bradshaw, formerly of Geelong and Ballarat, Avere stajdng with
their son-in-law, Mr. Jones, and Mrs. Jones, their daughter. On
Monday morning, Mr. Jones kindly drove me some twenty miles, to
see the surrounding country, which was very fine. In the afternoon
we walked to Great Mascal Farm, to see Mr. James Duffield, brothei-
to the Hon. T. Duffield, near Gawler. We had a most agreeable
interview with this gentleman farmer and his family. The next day,
Mr. Jones and I went to Chelmsford, it being market day. I was
introduced by my friend to Mr. Solicitor Duffield, whom I found as
well versed in Australian affairs as if he had been a resident. ' Then
you have no State Church,' said he, ' in South Australia ? ' ' No,' I
replied, ' and the right thing too in a new country. We are doing
very well without.' ' Well ; yes,' he rejoined, ' in a new country
certainly. And it will be the same thing in this country too Avhen
you have a majority in the Hovise of Commons.' He was not at all
afraid of the voluntary principle in religion ; they were now acting
vipon it in the parish church : the public collections were most gene-
rous, and they had plenty of money for all their claims. They had
no Church rates, and were better without them.' Mr. Duffield was
certainly the most liberal Churchman I had met with in England ;
but it was no wonder, for his intelligence seemed to be the measure
of his good-sensed broad-heartedness.

It was a treat to meet with such a man. We dined at Mr. Cole-
man's ; the Bev. John Jones (D) and Mrs. Jones joined us. I found
Mrs. Coleman a very choice Christian lady. We went through the
works, which were very extensive.

Oct. ISth. — I dined by invitation at the Rev. Bichard Boberts's,
and met Dr. Egerton Byerson from Canada there. In the evening
we went to Harrow-on-the-Hill to hold a Missionary Meeting;
General Crawford in the chair. The Bev. H. G. Hellier, Dr.
Ryerson, and I did the speaking. Messrs. B. Boberts and Ishmael

ENGLAND. 323

Jones were also present. I suppose it was a pretty good
meeting.

Oct. 20^/i. — I attended a School Board Committee Meeting at
Regent's Park, to select candidates for the ensuing election. We
agreed to nominate the Hon. Lyulph Stanley, Dr. Angus, and Mr.
Watson, a former member of the Board. It was believed that the
election would cost at least .£600, and liberal offers of contributions
were made. We held an after-meeting of the ' Preparation Class '
in the vestry of Dr. Angus's chm-ch; Colonel Griffin presided. I
spoke for twenty minutes on the compulsory, free, and unsectarian
nature of public education in Victoria. The meeting Avas evidently
taken by surprise at the account I gave. It seemed ' to be too good
to be true,' even in an Australian Colony.

Oct. 21si. — I Avi'ote an indignant letter to the London Eclio on
Churchyard grievances, as detailed from time to time in the
daily press. I could not believe that the exclusive claims some of
the incumbents set up, in regard to these ancient national cemeteries,
could be sustained in law. If so, the question arises, Would there not
be more honour in breaking it than in obeying it ? In Avistralia it
would be swept out of existence in twenty-four hours.

It is our happiness in Australia not to be weighted with a State
Church ; there is, therefore, a complete freedom from all those petty
annoyances and cruel disabilities experienced even in English-
speaking countries where State Churches are known. The absence
in Australia of all Parliamentary recognition of ecclesiastical es-
tablishments, has been creative of a very full sympathy of the
various religious bodies towards each other. The Episcopal clergy,
Avith a few unimjjortant exceptions, are included in this remark.
And I do not believe that there is any serious desire on the part of
the dignitaries of that body ever again to have recourse to State aid
for upholding and extending the Episcopal form of worship in any
part of Australasia. All the religious denominations have accepted
the principle of voluntary support as right ; whilst the principle of
a complete religious equality has been so fii-mly established, that
the general public would never tolerate the slightest practicable
departure from it.

Oct. 22ncl. — Great Queen Street Church anniversary. I heard the
Bev. Theophilus Woolmer preach the morning sermon, which was
one of great excellence. Its pure diction, earnest thought, and

324 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOORAPHY.

dignified utterance, suited me exactl3^ In the evening I preached
at King's Cross ; Mr. Gall, a young gentleman of colour from
Barbadoes, -walked with me, for I cannot travel by rail, or tram, on
the Lord's Day.

Oct. 23rd. — At the Exeter Hall Juvenile Missionary Meeting to-
day, Mr. H. H. Fowler, the Revs. Dr. Punshon, G. T. Perks, and
W. 0. Simpson were the speakers. Exeter Hall looked well, and
the meeting was a grand success.

Oct. 24:th. — I went to Westminster to see Mr. Dutton, the Agent
General, on several South Australian matters. He was very
accessible, and presented me with a cheque to recoup me for my
expenses in the service of the Colony. I could not take a shilling as
' emigration agent ' for South Australia ; but I did expect to be
indemnified for personal expenses in travelling, lecturing, and seeing
the ships off at Plymouth.

Oct. 29 th. — I went to Key worth near Derby, to preach annivei'sary
sermons. INIr. T. E. Cawdell and I went to the parish church in
the morning. The service was simple and evangelical, as became an
establishment connected with the Protestant Reformed Church of
England. My services were in the afternoon and evening. Here I
met with a respectable but very poor widow and her daughter, who
had not tasted a bit of animal food but once or twice for two years.
But they were ' content,' although so poor. They were of that
class of Christians of whom St. Paul speaks, as 'having nothing,
and yet possessing all things.'

On my return to London, I found an affectionate and beautiful
letter from the venerable minister, the Rev. John Corlett, who
succeeded me in Demerara. Mr. Corlett was a native of the Isle of
Man, and entered our Ministry m 1824. Somehow he was not
known in our Connexion as his abilities deserved ', but he was,
nevertheless, a great Methodist preacher, a famous theologian,
powerful in prayer, an earnest missionary, and a genuine philan-
thropist. We have but few such men as was Mr. Corlett in our
West India Missions.

Oct. SOth. — I went this evening to Hampstead Church anniversary ;
the Rev. John McKenny in the chair. My reference in my speech
to the Total Abstinence question, pleased the congregation very much.
I was glad to tell them that the young ministers in the Australian
Conference were, for the most part, total abstainers and anti-smokers.

ENGLAND. 325

They were careful to contract no bad habits, and they generally gave
promise of gi-eat usefulness. It was a great comfort to me, as a
somewhat old minister, to bear tliis testimony.

Nov. \st. — I took tea at Mr. A. Kussel Johnstone's, 101, Long
Acre, and from thence went to the Missionary Meeting at Great
Queen Street. The Revs. M. C. Osborn, G. Adcock, and I, were
the speakers. I got on but poorly somehow ; the fact was, that the
two preceding speakers occupied all the time before I had my chance
to speak on our Polynesian Missions. I was much dissatisfied, and
annoyed with myseK for having attempted to speak at all.

A ministerial convention at Jewin Street was a hallowed season.
Dr. Osborn presided with much tenderness and ability. The subjects
were ' Ministerial Privileges,' by Rev. Samuel Walker ; ' Ministerial
Dangers,' by Dr. Osborn; 'Ministerial Difficulties,' by Rev. E. E.
Jenkins, M.A. ; ' Ministerial Duties,' by Rev. F. W. Macdonald ;
and ' Ministerial Responsibilities,' by Rev. M. 0. Osborn. Each
paper was followed by judicious remarks from the brethren. We
concluded by taking the Lord's Supper, at which I and Rev. James
BuUer assisted.

Nov. SreZ. — Captain Bagot, of North Adelaide, gave me a letter of
introduction to his son, Mr. Solicitor Bagot, 40, Chancery Lane, and
I went with him this evening to his beautiful home at Mortlake
to dine and spend the night. Mr. and Mrs. Maturin and Miss
Maturin were there to meet me. We were a nice little party of
South Australians. I spent a delightful evening with this select
and genteel company.

Nov. 4:th. — Mrs. Bickford and I left for the Rev. W. G. Pascoe's,
Belvidere Road, Liverpool. The next day I preached at St. John's
and Garstang ; and I attended Missionary Meetings at both places.
Of course we visited Prince's and Sefton Parks, the miles of docks,
the forest of shipping, the landing jetty opposite Bu'kenhead, and
scores of other places and objects of great interest. On the 8th we
took tea, with a large party of friends, at Mr. and Mrs. Johnstone's,
true friends of om* Missions. At the meeting, in the evening, Mr.
Samuel R. Healey presided. Mr. Healey was a strong Conservative,
and I am afraid that some of my statements, political and ecclesiastical,
were not welcome to him. I spoke an hour, after which I went with
Mr. McQuie to his country house, and spent two lively hours with
Mrs. McQme, Mrs. Malcolm, Mr. McQuie, and family. The next

326 JAMES BTCKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

morning I saw the dear old Mrs. Posnett and her widowed daughter,
and had a nice season of prayer with them.

Nov. \2lh. — I was at Horsham on Mission business. At the
public meeting the Rev. Mr. HugUl presided. As I was the only
speaker, I had to make two speeches. On my way back to the
parsonage I was accosted by a Mr. Sergeant Witham, who inquired
if I knew his brother-in-law, Mr. Baseby, at North Adelaide. We
had a long chat about his friends in South Australia.

Nov. lUh.—l left for the Isle of Wight. The Rev. William
Moister met me at Cowes, and I accompanied him to Newport. It
was thirty years ago since we last met. As we looked upon each
other, we were much excited, and the feeling in both was gratitude
to God. Reaching Mr. Moister's sweet little cottage, Mrs. Moister
repeated the kindness of thirty-eight years ago, in Port of Spain,
Trinidad, by giving me a hearty. Christian welcome. Wo spent a
delightful evening in conversing upon a multitude of topics of a
personal, ecclesiastical, and national character. On the 19th I
preached twice at Newport to capital congregations. My old and
first Superintendent, Mr. Moister, was one of my heai'ers in the
evening. The next morning I went to Shide Mill to see my niece,
Mrs. Alice Treby. We took tea at Mrs. Dore's, the Methodist
home for ministers and Wesleyan visitors from time to time. In
the evening I gave a lecture on ' Total Abstinence, the only Cure for
Intemperance,' when my venerable friend, Mr. Moister, presided,
and made touching references to our former association in the
mission-field. The Rev. Mr. Connor, Vicar of Newport, and one of
the Queen's teetotal chaplains, made a good speech. When replying
to the vote of thanks, I took occasion to refer to South Australia as
an encom-aging field for English emigrants.

After our return to Mr. Moister's, the subject again came up. I
was strongly advised, by my generous host, to employ any leisure
time I might have, whilst in England, in extending, in the form of
a portable volume, the substance of my lecture at the Institute. He
thought, he said, it would serve the object I had in view, in the
matter of inducing a stream of eligible persons in Great Britain to
seek their fortunes in the Southern World. It would, he also observed,
be a permanent memento of my visit, which my many friends in
England and elsewhere would much value. I promised to think
about it on my return to London.

ENGLAND. 327

Nov. 22nd. — The liev. James Gillman, a venerable Iinsh super-
numerary minister, called. I had often heard of his eloquent
discourses and great ability, and it was a great treat to me to listen
to the conversation between my friend and him. The next day
Mr. Moister accompanied me to Woolston, vid Southampton, that we
might together see our West India friends, the Rev. George Ranyell
and his estimable Avife. We had a very profitable interview. In
the afternoon Mr. Moister returned to Newport, and I went up by
train to London.

Nov. 25th. — I left for Ilminster to do deputatios work, and reached
the Rev. T. W. Smith's in the afternoon. The next day I preached
twice, and specially addressed the ' Society ' and young people at
the close of the evening service.

On Monday, Mr. Smith and I went to Dillington Farm to spend a
little time with Mr. Obed Hosegood and his estimable family. In
the evening we held the first of the series of Missionary Meetings ;
Mr. Smith presiding. The next day we went to Martock, when a
choice party met us at Mr. Bradford's to tea. We had a fine
meeting in the evening. Our next meeting was at South Petherton,
Mr. S. Hebditch in the chair. In my speech I referred to the
Swantons, Bakers, and Gifl;brds, who were formerly resident in the
neighbourhood, as friends of mine in Victoria. Such allusions are
pleasing to our people in England. An interesting incident was
named to me here. It seems that it was a little more than one hun-
dred years ago that the Rev. Dr. Thomas Coke, then curate of South
Petherton, rode over to Kingston to see Mr. Wesley. He, in a few
weeks, cast in his lot with the great evangelist, and placed his
fortune and his life at the disposal of Christ. Eternity alone will
show the results of that interview upon the best interests of the
Church and the world. The next meeting was held at Crewkerne.
I spoke on the Australian and Polynesian Missions ; giving, at the
same time, some valuable information iipon the advantages of
emigration of certain classes of the people to South Australia.
I was asked by a gentleman in the audience if I were 'a paid
agent of the Government.' My prompt reply of ' No ' satisfied my
interlocutor.

Dec. 1st. — I went to Milbourne Port to see old Mrs. Coombs,
mother of Mr. W. G. Coombs, of Bundle Street, Adelaide. I saw
also Mrs. Fudge, Miss Fudge, Mr. E. Coombs, Mr. Enson (known to

328 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

me in Melbourne), and the Rev. Mr. Holland. In the afternoon I
left for Plymouth to fulfil engagements at Stonehouse on the 3rd.
I preached twice to capital congregations, among whom were a
good sprinkling of the miUtary profession. On the occasion of
this visit, I spoke at Missionary Meetings in Stonehouse and
Morrice Town, Devonport.

Dec. Qtk. — I went to the Emigration Depot, and spoke to about
three hundi'ed people. The Rev. John Thorne, from South Australia ;
Colonel Hickman, from Kentucky ; Dr. Sherfy, from New York ;
and the Rev. W. Holderness (Anglican) took part in the service.
In the evening my nephew, Mr. Grainger, and I went out
to Stonehouse to a Good Templars' meeting. The question of
Coloured People's Lodges in America was agitating Good Templarism
throughout Great Britain and the United States, and strong, angry
feeling was shown. I must say that I thought the Colonel's
vindication of the side his party had taken was complete. I need
not say that, from the associations of my West Indian life, my
sympathies were with those whose complexions are regarded as a
social disability.

On the 7th I travelled in company with Colonel Hickman and
Dr. Sherfy to London. We had exciting and beneficial conversa-
tions all the way up. It was not often that I had in my journeys
such companions as they were on this occasion.

Dec. 8th. — A day of considerable excitement in London. The
great meeting in St. James' Hall on the Eastern Question came off.
Of course I went, and for six hours I listened to some of the ablest
leaders of socio-political thought in Great Biitain. There was an
amazing earnestness displayed throughout the day. Mr. Gladstone
spoke in the evening, and it was a grand sjiectacle from the gallery
to look down upon some five thousand intelligent people as they
hung upon the lips of this great English statesman. When he rose
to speak, the audience became the subject of a hurricane of excite-
ment. The whole multitude rose en masse to testify its faith in him,
as the trusted exponent of the feeling of England towards the
oppressed nationalities of South-eastern Europe. He contended
that England should not spend one shilling, nor sacrifice one life, for
upholding the territorial integrity of the Porte ; further, that Turkey
should never again have the power to oppress, rob, or murder the
Christian populations of European Turkey. ' I am far,' said Mr.

EXGLAND. 329

Gladstone, * fiom saying that we have taken out a commission of
universal " knight-errantry ; " but this is not a case where we act on
the principle of benevolence. This is a case in which we have given
a conditional support to the Turkish power, in which the conditions
have been forgotten and betrayed. It is a case, therefore, of positive
obligation ; and when, under the stringent pressure of that obligation,
the long-suffering and long-oppressed humanity in those provinces
has at length lifted itself from the grovmd, and is beginning again to
contemplate the heavens, it is our business to assist in the work ; it
is our business to acknowledge our obligations, to take our part in
the burden ; it is our business to claim for our country a shai-e in
the honour and in the fame. The acknowledgment of duty, this
attempt to realise honour, is at least what we are attempting to
obtain from our Government. And with nothing less than this,
I believe, we, who are here assembled, will not under any circum-
stances be persuaded to be content.' It was some considerable time
before the rustling flood-tide of excitement subsided.

Dec. 10th. — This Sabbath moi-ning Mrs. Bickford and I went
to Prince of Wales Road Church to hear the Rev. R. Roberts,
Superintendent Minister, preach. Text : ' Praise is comely for the
upright.'

In the evening of the same day I went to Dr. Landels' Church,
Regent's Park, in the hope that I might hear him. In this I was
disappointed, but I heard instead an extraordinary sermon from the
Rev. Frederick Tucker, of Camden Town. There was, I thought, a
singularity abovit him, which rather chscouraged in me the expectation
of anything superior to the general run of the London ministers.
But I was mistaken, for here was a man of no ordinary talent : a
great pi-eacher was indeed in the pulpit.

Dec. 18th. — I heard the Rev. Doctor Donald Fraser, of London,
lecture on * John Knox and his Times," which was full of interest —
historical and ecclesiastical.

Dec. 24:th. — I again heard the Rev. Richard Roberts. Text :
Isaiah xliv. 22. Thus within one week I was privileged to hear two
sermons from this eloquent preacher. But I confess that his week-
night discourses, which had no aroma of midnight oil about them,
were much fresher, pointed, and feeding to one's soul than were
his Sabbath discourses, which were oftentimes very long, and un-
necessarily discursive. I often told my friend that in preaching so

330 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

long he talked away his great power, and to that extent defeated his
otherwise very able ministry.

We spent the Christmas Day of this year with the Butterses at
Upper Tiilse Hill, Brixton Rise. Our Methodist ' Gains ' (the Rev.
Mr. Butters) had invited also the Rev. J., and Mrs. and Miss Buller
to be there also. So that with the family we made rather a large
party. We had a most agreeable time. On the 29th we were
invited to dine and spend the evening at the Rev. Dr. Jobson's,
Highbury Park. The Revs. J. A. Armstrong, T. Allen, their wives,
and a Mr. and Mrs. Parry, from Cornwall, were there also. The
good Doctor presided with all the urbanity and heartiness of an old
English rector or country squire ; whilst Mrs. Jobson did her part
with a pleasant affability. It was a very choice gathering of really
godly, intelligent persons. It seemed to me that the Rev. W. Butters
and Dr. Jobson were the generous hosts of official ministers, and
Sir W. McArthur, M.P., of influential gentlemen, visiting London
from the outskirts of the empire. No doubt they had their reward.

I finished up the year by preaching at Prince of Wales Road
Church at 6.30 p.m., and we did our Watching at Maitland Park,
by prayer and reading of the Scriptures at the midnight hour.
Thus ended this year of 1876.

The correspondence since our arrival in England on the emigration
business, the monthly letter to The Methodist Journal, Adelaide, and
the travelling up and down the country in the service of Methodism
and of South Australia, had been one unbroken burden of work.
But, God be praised, it seemed to be helpful to my health, and gave
me an elasticity of spirits, which, had I remained in London most of
the time, I could not have had. The only drawback was that Mrs.
Bickford could not travel very much with me, through the lack of
physical enduring power ; but she never once complained, feeling that
I was doing my duty to my Church, the Foreign Missions, and to
the colonies of Australasia.

1877.

Jan. \st. — At 1 a.m., on my knees, and with all my heart, I gave
myself again to my Lord and Master for active service oi' for
suffering, for 'honoui- or dishonour, for England or for Australia.
This year will probably be more eventful to me than 1876 has been.
But ' my times are in Thy hands.'

ENGLAND. 331

Jan. 2nd. — The stupid Turks have rejected the proposals of the
Combined Powers. What next ? The ' sword ' in deadly duel between
Turks and Russians. May the God of justice defend the right !

Jan. 4:th. — I heard the Rev. Joseph Parker, D.D., preach at his
midday service to a large congregation. His text was Gen. xx. 9.
His first sentence, ' This is the second lie Abraham told Abime-
lech,' put me against him, and I heard the sermon in a spirit
of antagonism. It was clever, of course ; but its ethics, I venture
to think, were somewhat dangerous. It seemed to me that the
discourse was a kind of apology for the laches of good men.
There were of course some very fine passages in it. The Rev.
Edward White, in an after meeting, read an able paper ' On the loss
the Church has sustained through the absence of a continuous
exposition of the Scriptures in the pialpit.' The essay I thought
looked rather in the direction of an abrogation of all theological
standards and creeds. Its refrain was, 'More sea-room, if you
please ! '

Jan. 1th. — I preached at Great Queen Sti'eet on 2 Kings v. 25,
which I thought suitable for the first Sabbath morning of the New
Year. I was at the Covenant Service at King's Cross in the after-
noon ; and in the evening I heard the Rev. Charles Kelly preach an
excellent sermon. It was to me a thoroughly good day.

Jan. \Oth. — I could not complain of being overlooked — 'left out
in the cold ' — by the London ofiicial ministers when any matter of
public interest was on the tapis. Hence, in the forenoon of this day,
I went by invitation to the Centenary Hall, to attend the monthly
meetmg of the Executive Committee of our Foreign Missions. On
my way to the Chalk Farm Station, I fell in with my old friend,
Mr. James Bonwick, from Melbourne. I was both surprised and
pleased. The Rev. G. T. Perks, M.A., the senior Secretary, con-
ducted the business with much suavity and prudence. The Rev.
President McAulay presided, and the room was well filled. There
was an air of earnestness pervading this influential Committee which
impressed and deKghted me. When gentlemen meet to transact the
important business of our Foi-eign Missions, I like to be able to re-
cognise grip, seriousness, and generousness in their spirit and action.
I attended a second meeting in the afternoon, which had been called
by the President to consider the question of raising funds for esta-
blishing and strengthening Methodism in the smaller towns and

332 JAMES BICKFOBD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

villages in the kingdom. Sir William Mc Arthur, M.P., generously
gave £2,000 ; and the sum of ,£37,500 in all was promised. The lay-
gentlemen gave like princes, which they are in our Methodist Israel.
I preached at Prince of Wales Road in the evening, and continued
the service until 9.30. Thank God, in the inquiry room, we had
four penitents seeking the forgiveness of their sins.

Jan. Will. — I found the Eev. William E. Williams, D.D., a
gentlemanly and affectionate brother. As Secretary of the English
Conference I had often seen him, and I always found him so kind
and so considerate of my wishes. I was not therefore surprised this
morning to receive through the post a copy of his critical and com-
prehensive Fernley Lecture on the Priesthood of Christ. In the
evening I heard the Rev. John Bond preach an earnest sermon at
Prince of Wales Road in connection with the special services. We
had a fine prayer meeting at the close. Good is doubtless being
done.

Jan. I^th. — At the earnest request of Dr. Jobson, who was ill,
I consented to go to Louth for the Sabbath services. Mr. Bennett,
of the Cedars, was waiting for me at the station, and I accompanied
him to his beautiful home. Besides the Bennett family, there were,
Mrs. Sharpley, and Mr. Sharpley, her son, and the Rev. B. B. Waddy,
the Circuit Superintendent. We spent together a delightful evening.
The next day I preached twice to excellent congregations. In the
vestry, previous to the service, one of the Church Stewards said to
me : ' We don't like long services here ; our time for closing in the
morrdng is 12 o'clock.' ' Agreed,' said I, ' you shall be out at that
time.' As I was ascending to the pulpit, I looked roimd the capa-
cious building to see how my presence was relished, seeing that, at
that time, Dr. Jobson was the most popular minister in that county,
when I thought I saw expressions of disappointment traced on the
countenances of the people ; so before I gave out the first hymn I
said : ' I wish to tell the congregation why I am here in the place
of your friend, Dr. Jobson. I am sorry to say that the Doctor is so
ill as to be unable to leave his bed, and so, to prevent collapse, I
have come in his stead. Now I have hope that we shall have a
good time together.' I felt instanter that the congregation was
within my hold, and I proceeded with the service. At about seven
minutes to twelve, I suddenly stopped and remarked that I had
been informed that the congregation did not like long services, and.

ENGLAND. 333

that I would, with much regret, 'break off' at once ; but that as I
hoped to preach again in the evening, we would have more time,
and we could remain as long as we liked. In the vestry I was
asked, in a rather abrupt manner, why I had concluded so soon ? I
then stretched out my hand to the brother who had spoken to me
before the service, and referred to him for the reason. I simply added
that 'when I am from home, I always make it a point to obey
orders.' In the evening we had a fine congregation, and at the
close I invited the people to remain to hear a short address on
Australia. I should think that eight hundred at least remained
behind. The collections for the day amounted to £20 for the
Circuit Funds.

The next morning, the Rev. Thomas Champness breakfasted with
us. He spoke to me about casting in his lot with us in Australia.
I gave him no encouragement, as far as the South Australian
Conference was concerned, because of the great difficulty we had
in providing for married ministers, but that New South Wales
Conference laboured under no such difficulty. I remember one
expression of his which amused me very much. Speaking of
preaching under powerful impulse, lie said, ' that he never saw the
land again after he had once started, until he had got to the end.'
As a desciiption of the abandon, the rush, and tear, of his sermonic
performances, I suppose the figure was most appropriate. He ap-
peared to be a racy, good-natured, well-informed, and zealous man.

Jan. IWi. — I preached at Stow-on-the-\Vold yesterday, in aid of
the Church Trust ; and this evening I lectured on South Australia.
The friendly Rector, Rev. Mr. Hodgers, presided. The Rev. Joseph
Payne, our minister, took me to see the Rev. Henry Badger, a
former West Africa Missionary, who is very ill. He made * a good
confession,' and his hope was sure and steadfast. He inquired most
affectionately for the Revs. B. Chapman, T. Roston, W. A. Quick,
and R. Hart, his former colleagues, or fellow-workers ' in the Dark
Continent.' The gi*ace of an enduring friendship is largely bestowed
on missionaries ; it generally ends only with life.

Feb. 6th. — I attended the Mixed Committee on Lay Representa-
tion to Conference. It was a large gathering of the best men in
English Methodism. The Rev. James Buller and I were permitted
to be present by an unanimous vote of the Committee. I cannot
speak too much in praise of the thorough impartiality of

334 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

INIr. President McAulay, and of the adi'oit manner in which he put
the main points of numerous amendments, and disposed of them by
<a ' yea ' or ' nay ' vote. There was the finest spirit throughout, and it
was specially gratifying to see how resolved the Committee were to
do the very best thing that could be done to popularise the entire
movement, and thereby secure the warm and sincere suffrages of the
entire Connexion.

It is impossible to over-estimate the historic value of this great
<liscussion. The crucial points were : — (1) The provision for securing
a continuity of the lay element in the Conference, answering to the
Legal Hundred, as provided in the Deed Poll. The Rev. W. B. Pope
spoke on this point in a clear and impressive manner. The provision
was accordingly made, on the motion of Dr. Punshon, ' That one-
eighth of the lay representatives shall from time to time be elected
by the Conference, when composed of ministers and laymen.' (2) The
Quarterly Meetings remained untouched, although Dr. Rigg and
Mr. H. H. Fowler spoke at great length for a representative to the
District Meetings, in adchtion to the two Circuit Stewards. (3) A
long debate ensued upon the point whether membership in one
district, and trusteeship in another, would qualify for a seat in
Conference, provided the District Meeting, composed of ministers
and laymen, elected such to the Conference. This was carried by
a large majority. (4) It was provided that the business to be
transacted by the Conference, when consisting of ministers only,
shall be completed before that which is to be transacted by the
ministers and laymen be entered upon. Mr. Buller and I much
enjoyed these discussions.

It was pretty well at the close of the business that the Rev. John
Rattenbury came to where Mr. Buller and I were sitting, behind the
Pi'esident's chair, and accosted us as follows : ' Why can't you men
out there ' (Australia) ' leave well alone ? We are indebted to you
for all this trouble about lay representation ! ' I suppose there must
be something in my Devonian blood that is easily roused, for I
answered him too sharply, I fear : ' We have studied this vei-y thing
for three full years, and have got to the end without any serious
friction, and for the best, as succeeding years Avill show, I have no
doubt.' This was enough for our friend. Good and earnest man,
and a great preacher, too, when he was in his prime ; still, somehow
I could not take to him as I could have wished.

ENGLAND. 335

In the evening Mr. Buller and I went to the Memorial Hall,
Farringdon Street, to hear the Rev. J. Guinness Rogers lecture on
' The Rev. A. Tooth and the Church.' The hall was packed Avith
men who were intensely interested in the proceedings. There were
certainly many clerical representatives present of the two great parties
now disturbing and divithng the Anglican Church. The behaviour
of the respective parties, under Mr. Guinness's heavy fire, showed on
which side they ranged. The lecture was worth travelling a thousand
miles to hear.

Feb. Sth. — Mr. Hays, senior clerk at the Mission House, sent
me a memorandum to-day, showing the entire cost of establishing
and working the Australian and Polynesian Missions, from 1815 to
1875 inclusive, as £720,281 12s. Id.; less, by local contributions,
£269,365 13s. 4c'Z., leaving as the cost to British Methodism
£450,915 16s. lOd. A noble contribution surely to the Southern
World !

On the 10th Mrs. Bickford and I visited Westminster Abbey. As
we stepped inside the wicket-door, Mrs. Bickford seemed overcome
with the gorgeousness of everything she saw. ' What a wonderful
place is this ! ' she exclaimed. ' Yes,' I replied, ' you will indeed say
so when we have seen all that is to be seen.' We were taken by a
guide through the private chapels, and for a full hour we were on
our feet following in the track of our loquacious guide. What a
marvellous monument is the Abbey to the memories of the mighty
dead ! Also to the genius and mechanical skill of the great intellects
of the past and present centuries. Of course there is but one
Westminster Abbey in the world, — even as there is but one London.
The most affecting of the sights, however, was the chaste enclosure
in which are those touching memorials of the death of the Dean's late
wife. Lady Stanley. We saw the beautiful statue, erected by the
Dean's kind permission, -within the precincts of the Abbey, for John
and Charles Wesley. It gratified us very much to see this imperish-
able memento of two of England's greatest sons in this grand old
Abbey.

I only attended one high ritualistic service whilst I was in
England. This was on the evening of the 11th, at St. Mary the
Virgin's, Primrose Hill. There were eight candles burning upon
the altar-table, a crucifix in the centre, and other insignia of the
most expressed forms of Roman worship. The parade of incensing

336 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

the Rev. Newton Smith, the curate, was curious, and even disgusting.
The vessel was held up to his nose, to his ears, waved across his
forehead, and around his head, until he was scented all over. His
calm dignity as he sat in his chair, and his gesticulations as
sacrificing priest, were amusing. The sermon lasted for fifteen
minutes, but it was long enough. It consisted of a rehash of
elemental science as affecting certain material changes in the
natural world; and closed up by exhortations to the people to
prepare by penitence and prayer to meet death. The name of
Christ Avas not once mentioned, from the beginning to the end of
this miserably weak discourse. I must pass over a number of small
ceremonials, and only add that the sisterhood were apparently more
devout than were the brotherhood. Both gazed at a large crucifix
suspended in a conspicuous place, and, in the processions up and
down the church, the priests and others always nodded as they
passed a little image of Christ suspended from a wall. To me,
who in my youth was accustomed to worship with my parents
in the parish churcli in INIodbury, and who, even now, can well
remember the dignity and beauty of the services as conducted by
the Rev. Mr. Stackhouse, the saintly vicar, the performance at
St. Mary the Virgin's pained me greatly, and will remain with
me to the end of my life as an awful travesty of what should be
the most scriptural and effective of all the forms of public worship
known and celebrated in any part of the civilised world.

Feh. VI til. — I read this morning the report of the great debate last
evening in the House of Commons. The Rupert of the discussion
was Mr. Gladstone, whose reply to Mr. Chaplin was not more crush-
ing and complete than he deserved. Party buffers have some use, I
suppose, even in the House of Commons, and sooner or later, they
will be rewarded with office, if possible. In the afternoon Mrs.
Bickford and I went to the British Museum, and were well repaid
for our trouble. A palace of wonders is the Museum. The exhuma-
tions of the ancient world are God's own revelation cut in stone, and
shaped in statuary. What did Chaldsea think of God ? The winged-
headed ' Bull ' is the reply ! Intelligence, strength, and ubiquity here
embodied exhibit the old nation's idea.

The Ministers' Monthly Meeting in London is among the greatest
treats an Australasian can desire. About eighty to a hundred are
generally present, with the President, or an ex-President, in the chair.

ENGLAND. 337

The conversations on the condition of the Circuits are free and out-
spoken. At the last of these meetings I attended there were collateral
subjects, which engaged much of the time of the brethren. (1) The
forthcoming City B-oad Church Anniversary, when an effort was to
be made to pay off ^2,000 of debt. What an ever-absorbing subject
of interest and affection is this ' mother church ' of Methodism to all
Wesley's true sons in the Gospel ! (2) The Rev. J. Smith Spencer's
Circular, re the forming of a ' Young Men's Improvement Associa-
tion,' of an aggregate character for the whole of Methodist London.
It was a noble idea, and received much sympathy. (3) On the
practical ditficulties of class-meeting membership. The question
was delicately touched, but the meeting itself was very fine ; and
I could not but think how great were the privileges and ad-
vantages of the younger ministers, thus to be associated with the
Methodist fathers in these monthly gatherings for conference and
prayer.

Feb. 2Qtli. — I received a polite note from Mr. J. R. Langley, of the
Westminster Training College, inviting me that evening to a meeting
of the Royal Geographical Society to be holden in the London
University. Mr. Langley was on the look-out for the Rev. James
Buller and myself. He got for us seats directly in front of the
dais.

Sir Rutherford Alcock presided. The first paper was by B. D.
Young, Esq., R.N,, on the Lake Nyassa, which he found to be an
inland sea four hundred miles long, and having close in shore, on the
eastern side, a depth of water beyond soundings. The details were
of the most exciting character. The second paper was by the Rev.
Mr. Price, of the London Missionary Society, who had traced a new
route from the coast right across two hundred miles to Ujiji, on a
high plateau, fi-ee from all malaria. Sir Bartle Frere, Dr. Cotterill,
Bishop of Edinbui'gh, Sir Samuel Baker, and other distinguished
men, took part in the discussion. And the venerable Dr. Moffat
was there also; whose tall, fine form, long, flowing white hair, and
striking features, were a beautiful picture. The evening was well
spent.

As I was now faMy launched in an attempt to prepare an account
of ' Christian Work in Axistralia,' I wrote a short note to the Right
Reverend Charles Perry, D.D., late Bishop of Melbourne, soUciting
the favour of any information he had relating to the rise and present

22

338 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGBAPHY.

condition of the Anglican Church in Victoria . I transcribe his
reply :—

' 38, AvENCE Road, Regent's Pabk, N.W.,
' February 28tk, 1S77.

' My deae Me. Bickfoed, —

' I am just now so much engaged, that I have not time to put on paper
the particulars you ask for, and I fear that I shall find it difficult to search
them all out ; but I will, please God, endeavour to do so in a few days.
' If you should be coming this way, I should be most glad to see you.

' Your brother in Christ,

' Charles Peeey, Bishop.
' The Rev. James Bickford,
' Haverstock Hill, N.W.'

In about a week after the receipt of this courteous and dignified
note, I called upon the venerable Bishop, who, with Mrs. Perry,
did their utmost to supply me with the information I was
wanting.

March 18t7i. — For the first time since my arrival in England, I
mustered sufficient courage to read the Liturgy used in our beautiful
church at Highbury. I got thi'ough without chfficulty ; prayed ex-
tempore, and preached with much liberty. Speaking of the liturgy,
as used in many of our London churches, reminds me of an amusing
colloquy which took place about twenty years ago at City Road,
during an ordinary morning service. A Mr. and Mrs. W. and
family, from the Brighton Circuit, Victoria, were visiting England;
and, as in duty bound, they made their first appearance in Methodism's
mother church. Sitting close to the ^ide of the matronly mother was
her firstborn son, J., who soon became much disconcerted by the kind
of service which was going on. The fact is, that a lay functionary
was ' reading prayers,' and J. could not understand how that was.
Said he, in a quiet undertone, ' Mother, is this church or chapel ? '
' Hush, my boy, be quiet ; we shall have chapel presently, I suppose.'
J. submitted, but not with a good grace. Appealing to his mother a
second time, he blubbered out, ' Mother, it is neither church nor
chapel ; let us go.' Poor disconcerted youth, he had never before had
his prayers done for him, and he would not have it then ! But, it may
be believed, that huncbeds of good people from our churches in
Australia, since then, have had similar experiences through the com-
pulsory endurance of a long, th-eary, liturgical seivice in our London

ENGLAND. 339

chiu'ches. Australian Methodists like short, sharp, decisive services •
and ' do prayers ' for themselves.

I took advantage of a leisure evening to attend the Rev. Edward
White's service at Kentish Town. The Rev. F. W. Cox, of
Adelaide, Mr. White's brother-in-law, had given me a letter of
introduction to him. The service was to me one of great* interest.
Notwithstanding its length and mental stiain, Mr. White himself
sang most heartily. ' Let us sing,' said he, ' as if we meant
it. Don't let us be sleeping over it.' And they did sing. The
congregation was large, and attended earnestly to the preacher's
argumentative and telling sermon. I do not suppose there was
present one of the so-called ' upper ten thousand ' in the congrega-
tion ; but there was something better in the marked facial form,
the intellectual expression, and the subdued earnestness of the people.
They were, I understood, mostly Scotch mechanics, which accounted
for the intellectuality and judicial pose of the audience. To keep such
a cause together requires an able minister ; and, in my judgment,
Mr. White is the very man.

March 2\st. — I left London this morning, en route for deputation
work in Cornwall. The next day I went to see the Airlie, an
emigrant ship, lying inside the Breakwater, Plymouth. I was
pleased to be associated with Mr. S. Deering, the acting Agent
General since the lamented death of Mr. Dutton, in examining the
arrangements for the comfort of the emigrants. I cannot speak too
much in praise of Mr. Deering's carefulness in regard to this
matter. He assui-ed me that the ship should not go to sea until he
was satisfied that everything possible was done for the safety and
well-being of the 463 souls on board. I held two rehgious services,
of a somewhat informal kind, because of the confusion arising from
getting the ship ready for sea.

I tarried by the way for services at Aveton-Gifford and Modbury.
It greatly gratified me to be holding services in both places, among
my own kin and the few sui'viving friends of my young manhood.
On the 30th I reached St. Ives, and preached the next day (Good
Friday) to a true Cornish congregation. My co-delegates were the
Rev. WilHam Hirst, London, and the Rev. James Hartwell, formerly
a West Indian Missionary. We took the usual round of Circuits,
viz., St. Ives, Marazion, Penzance, St. Just, Camborne, St. Keverne,
Helstone, Hayle, and Recbuth. At each place we were received

340 JAMES BICEFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

with genuine hospitality, had large sympathetic congi-egations, and
princely contributions. The spirit of Wesley still lives in Cornwall.*

April 25th. — I was in the cathedral city of Exeter preachmg
Missionary sermons. The Rev. James H. Cummings was my colleague
in the North Devon campaign. We held meetings, in succession, at
Torquayl Exeter, Bridport, Taunton, Bridgewater, Barnstaple, and
Bideford.

At Torquay a pleasant surprise came upon the meeting in a
spontaneous gift of £25 from a gentleman who was present. Mr.
Cummings and I had spoken, when, on resuming my seat, an open
letter was handed to me.

' ToBQUAT, Aiyril I6(h, 1877.
' SlE,—

' The enclosed five £5 notes (£25) are intended for the benefit of the
Wesleyan Missionary Society. To ensure their coming safe to hand, will you
kindly acknowledge the receipt of them at the meeting to-night.

' Yours, etc.,

' Anonymous.
' To the Chairman of the Meeting.'

No one knew, as far as I could learn, who this generous donor
was.

We were received everywhere with much affection. I got back to
London on the 26th of the month, ha^'ing been absent thii-ty-six
days. I was much fatigued, and wanted rest.

Ap7'il 28th. — Mrs. Bickford, Messrs. Butters and Buller, and I,
went to the Missionary Breakfast Meeting. Good speaking enough,
but utterly void of such Missionary facts as an English Wesleyan
audience desires to hear. And it seemed to me a strange oversight

* The thrift and love of the Cornish Methodists for the Mission cause were
shown at one of the meetings by the following list of contributions, which was
read out by the local secretary: 'Butter box, £1 10s. 9d.; sale of flowers,
£1 .'55. ; a happy working man, £1 5s. lid. ; a young man who believes in
Providence, £1 10s. ; the Master's money, £1 ; for prosperity in business,
£1 OS. ; two tiresome boys, £1 Is. ; three old-fashioned Methodists, £4 10s. ;
smoke money, £2 17s. ; lady's dress-ring, £1 5s. ; fruits of temperance, £1 10s. 6r7. ;
a clergyman of the Church of England, £5 ; the gleaners, £3 10s. ; conscience
money, £2 8s. 9d. ; in memory of our precious boys, George and Freddy in
Heaven, £1 Is. ; the ofEering of an artizan, £1 ; lambs' wool, £3 lis. ; pig, bee-
hive, and chickens, £2 ; fragments, £2 l.y. Id. ; hair-cutting, £1 12s. 6d. ; produce
of peach-tree, £1.' Now these are examples which might be imitated with
advantage by those friends whose pecuniary means are somewhat limited.

ENGLAND. 341

that Mr. Bailer, who had spent forty years in the Maori and English
work in New Zealand, was not included in the hst of speakers. He
coidd have told that audience, as I am sure no other man in England
could, of the subjugation and uplifting of the Maori race, through
the preaching of the Gospel by the Wesleyan Missionaries, into the
light and peace of Jesus Christ. But the opportunity was un-
fortunately missed ; and, in that respect, the meeting was a decided
failure.

Tarrying in Plymouth a few days, I had the rare pleasure of
hearing the renowned Peter McKenzie in King Street Church. It
was in the afternoon, and the sermon was based upon Isaiah's ' feast
of fat things.' I must say that in my judgment he did singular,
characteristic, and ample justice to his subject. In the evening, in
the same place, he lectured on ' Queen Esther,' and the lessons her
history teaches. No one who has seen the Rev. Peter on the platform
■will ever forget either his physique or his antics ; but, as to his
mental portrait, who can successfully sketch it ? Well, he is a
natural mimic, full of enthusiasm, impulsive, eloquent. He wants
the culture a great platform speaker should possess ; still he has his
forte, overflowing with pointed wit and sarcasm, with unmatched
originality and dash. In bearing and style, he is, I suppose, one of
the most popular lecturers in England. There is not his like in the
English Conference; perhaps, one only of his kind is enough.
Shaking hands with me in the vestry, he exclaimed, * I consider
this the greatest honour. I now see a real live ex-President of the
Australasian Conference.' In making his salaam, he bowed nearly to
the floor, and then he stood erect and spake like a man. ' Could I
get to Austraha for a hundi'ed pounds ? ' he inquired. ' Yes,' I replied*
' and for less than that. We could frank you through from colony to
colony, and put you in the way to get all that it would cost you for
the whole round. The AustraHan Methochst people would like to see
you, Mr. McKenzie, out there.' ' Oh, would they ? then we will see ! '
Mr. McKenzie is one of the Lord's ' chosen vessels to bear His Name
before the people,' and one of nature's noblest sons.

A2iril 2Sth. — This is emphatically the Missionary season. The
Ptev. William Butters and I were on the 29 th at Barnet preaching
on behalf of our Foreign Missions. We were the guests of Mr. and
Mi"s. T. G. Water house. What a beautiful place this good man has
secured, to say nothing of his great wealth, as the result of his

342 JAMES BICKFOBD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

commercial industry in the city of Adelaide ! Nothing like the
Colonies for honest and persevering men ' climbing up the hill.'

AjJril SOi/i. — The dream of my life — the INIay Missionary Meeting.
Mrs. Bickford, Mrs. Sillifant, and I went. S. D. Waddy, Q.C.,
presided with ability. It was a grand meeting, and was not over
until 4 p.m. Income .£146,231 2s. Id. A princely contribution for
the conversion of the heathen !

May 1st. — Mrs. Bickford and I went this morning to pay our
respects to the Hon. A. Blyth, the newly appointed Agent General
for South Australia. He was very polite, and promised to help me
in my eftbrts to send out suitable emigrants to the Colony.

May 5th. — Once more on the wing. This time Portsmouth for
Sabbath services, and an address on Australian Methodism. My
kind friends, Mr. and Mrs. Watkins, took me on Monday morning
to see the dockyard. The Minotaur and the Inflexible are marvels
of mechanical skill and strength. The war-spirit seemed to dominate
this gi'eat establishment. The town itself was full of rollicking
sailors and soldiers. I would be very sorry to be compelled to reside
at Portsmouth.

'■May Qfh. [Diary Jotting] — Tliis day I am sixty-one years of age. What a
wonderful year this has been to me and my wife ! Here we are in England
once more. This morning (at Portsmouth), I re-consecrated myself — ' body,
soul, and spirit ' — to the service of my God and Saviour. May the Lord help
me to be diligent and useful to my country -people this year ! '

May dth. — Emigration business this morning. In the afternoon,
I went to the London University, and saw the most knightly man in
England, Lord Gran\dlle, hand the prizes to the successful graduates.
;' Robert Lowe,' and Mr. Childers, were also present. It was a
beautiful sight.

May 11th. — I went to Slough, and was met at the station by my
old West India friend, the Rev. William Limmex, after a separation
of some twenty-five years. We soon felt as if we had not been away
from each other at all. How wonderful is this bridging over great
distances, by the two-fold action of the mind — obliviovisness of long
absences, and a consciousness of renewed unity ! Who can fathom
the depth of this mental philosophic action ! In the evening we
took a walk to Turner's gardens, where I saw some of the finest
groupings of floral beauty my eyes had ever beheld.

May 12th. — Mr. Limmex and I went to see Windsor Castle. Thfr

ENGLAND. 343

gratification I felt no tongue can tell. From the ' Round Tower '
we saw the Queen, the Marchioness of Lome, and Princess Beatrice.
At the station, in the evening, we saw the Duchess of Edinburgh —
a very fine woman. I returned to London, and found a cheque
awaiting me, 'as a gratuity for services rendered in lecturing,
distributing " Forms of Application," travelling to and fi"om Ply-
mouth, etc.,' which I was well entitled to, as the slenderest
acknowledgment for services I had rendered to South Australia
since my arrival in England.

May 15^/i. — I went to the ' Second London District Meeting,' and
remained all day with Messrs. Butters and Buller. In the Financial
District Meeting, the question of lay representation was again
discussed. Dr. Bigg presided, as if ' to the manner born.' On the
22nd, at the request of the Rev. John Kilner, I went into Yorkshire
in the interests of the Foreign Missions. The Rev. R. N. Young
was my colleague in this work ; we visited in turn Driffield,
Bridlington, Howden, and Hornsea. At the Hull Meeting we had
eleven ministers on the platform, and as many laymen. On the 29th,
the Rev. David Barley accompanied me to the Pier Head, when I
took the steamer for crossing the H umber. I went by train to
Great Coates, and proceeded from thence to Mr. Sowerby's, where I
was kindly received. I preached in the afternoon, and addressed an
enthusiastic meeting in the evening. We raised o£30 by the sei^vices.
At Grimsby, I learnt of the lamented death of the Rev. G. T.
Perks, M.A., which took place at Rotherham very unexpectedly.
My soul is sore distressed for the loss of my true friend.

June 3rd. — I preached at Bromley and Widmore. I was the
guest of Mr. Radman, whose intelligent intercourse I much enjoyed.
At Widmore, inside and above the front door upon the wall, are
printed in red letters, the words : ' Onward ' — ' Upward ' — ' Heaven-
ward ' — ' Homeward.' Yes, quite true — ' The holy to the holiest
leads.' What a curious pedigree this little sanctuary has ! It was
erected in 1776, in a garden abutting on a narrow private lane,
and here Mr. Wesley often preached. When ' Adam Clarke ' was
stationed in the City Road Circuit, in 1813, he used to walk from
thence to Widmore, a distance of twelve miles, to his appointments
oa week evenings. His afternoons he spent among the Methodist
families, would preach to his rustic congregation in the evening,
refresh himself at a friend's house with a cup of milk, and then,

344 JAMES BICRFOBB: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

staff in hand, trudge back to London. Thus this learned itinerant
did his country woik ; and by such men, and by such means, was
village Methodism established throughout England.

The ' Order of St. Michael and St. George.' Under date, May
31st, 1877, Her Majesty was pleased to honour Avith distinguished
notice several of her faithful servants ' at home and abroad ; ' and
among the number was included the Hon. Arthur Blyth. The list
appeared in a ' Supplement to the Loiulon Gazette,^ and reached me
in due course. Alas, for my inconsiderateness ! I had occasion to
write our worthy Agent General about a Mrs. Scotcher, a kind.
Christian woman, of South Australia, for her to have a confidential
position in the next emigrant sliip for Adelaide, when I omitted to
recognise the new address of my friend. This * fault ' brought me,
by next post, the following letter : —

' 8, ViCTOKiA Chambees, Westminstbb,
•London, S.W., June 5th, 1877.

' Reverend and Deae Sie, —

' I have handed a copy of Mr. Harcus' book for transmission to you, and
have scolded the clerk for not replying to your letter, which came when 1 was
down at Plymouth. I am sure you will not think that I am unduly " puffed
up " when I say that you appear not to have noticed the compliment paid to
the colony in my person, as the Queen has made me a K.C.M.G. Hoping soou
to see you,

' I am, yours very truly,

' Arthur Bltth.

' P.S. — Mrs. Scotcher goes as matron of the Fo7-farshire.'

I liked this note. I was justly blamable on the oversight pointed
out by Sir Arthur. I apologised; and there, of course, the matter
ended.

One source of pleasure I had, whilst in, London, was to see Mis-
sionary brethren from the West Indies. Amongst this number was
the Rev. John A. Campbell, from Demerara, the son of a Mr. and
Mrs. John Campbell, respected Creoles, who formerly were the
head master and mistress of our day school in St. George's, Grenada.
When I had charge of the Grenada Mission in 1846-7-8, young
Campbell was one of his father's pupils ; but, on receiving the ' grace
of conversion ' during his early manhood, he gave himself to self-
culture, and ultimately entered our Ministry. Being a native of the
West Indies, he naturally wished to see the Mother Country, and to
become acquainted with the General Secretaries in London and

ENGLAND. 345

with EngKsh Methodism. He came frequently to Maitland Park
to see us. At the Bristol Conference, at the request of the Rev.
John Kilner, he attended the ' Recognition of Missionaries' Meeting '
at Bath, and spoke with effect. On the 11th I went to the ' Wick-
liffe Commemoration ' Meeting at Exeter Hall ; the Bishop of Meath
presiding. The three principal speakers were Canon Farrar, Joseph
Angus, D.D., and Mr. Mursell, from Birmingham. It was a very-
fine meeting.

June l^th. — Good news this morning. In the House of Lords
last night, the Earl of Hai-rowby's amendment, — re ' The Burials
Bill ' — giving the right to Nonconformists to bury their dead in the
parish cemeteries, was carried by a majority of sixteen. One more
of the laws of barbarous exclusiveness enacted by Tory Churchmen
is swept by that vote from our Statute Book ; and there are more to
follow.

One of the most pleasant visits of this month was to Shooter's
Hill, Kent, for a Sabbath's services. I was the guest of the
Whelmptons. Here I met Miss Corduroy and sisters, whose parents
I well knew at Wilhamstown, Victoria, many years ago. At Plumstead
Common, I met with Sergeant Hurforth and his wife, whom I had
known in Melbourne, There were some others who used to worship
with us in Wesley Church in that city. I went with Mrs. Whelmpton
to her class, and met it for her. Master George Whelmpton, now
the Rev. George Whelmpton, M.A., our minister-in-charge at Havre,
France, took me round to see Mrs. G. P. Harris, relict of Mr. Harris,
an Adelaide merchant, and member of our Kent Town Church. The
interview was very pleasant.

June 21si. — Mrs. Bickford and I went by invitation to the Haver-
stock' HiU Orphan Institute. Samuel Morley, M. P., presided. There
were 400 fine, healthy boys in the gallery. The drill and bathing
were splendidly done. The anniversary was a success.

July nth. — The Rev. H. H. Teague called with a certificate from
his doctor, to the effect that he was fit to return to his Circuit work
in South Australia. The same day, I received a letter from John
Watts, of . Outwell, near Manchester, expressive of his readiness to
go to South Australia. I had not seen this young man, but as his
testimonials were satisfactory, I requested him to be ready by the
28th current.

July 2ith. — I left London for the Bristol Conference. Mr, G. B.

346 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Dare, formerly of Kingsbridge, was at the station to receive me as
Ms guest.

In the evening we went to hear the Fernley Lectiu'e on ' Atheism :
its Pi'omises and Prospects,' by the Rev. E. E. Jenkins, M.A., Avhich
he handled -svith great skill. As I listened to his glowing words, I
felt more than thankful that we had in our ranks a man who could
deal with the materialistic philosophy of the age in so acute,
masterly, and comprehensive a manner as he did. Of course, his
experience gained in Incha, where we have the oldest recorded
thought in the world, outside the Scriptures, was a great help to him
in the preparation of his great essay. The next day, the 25th, Mr.
Buller and I, as Australian ex-Presidents, took oiu- seats on the
platform. The Rev. William Burt Pope, D.D., was elected President,
and the Rev. Dr, Williams, Secretary. After some preliminaries, the
business was entered on with much spirit and dispatch.

This Conference was remarkable for its having to deal A\dth some
new-fangled notions which had got into the heads of certain young
brethren. Strange to say, these notions struck at, (1) The Divine
Inspiration of the Scriptures ; (2) The Atonement of Christ in the
sense of satisfaction to Divine justice ; and (3) Torture and Eternal
Punishment. Dr. Osborn, as might be expected, came out in his
strength. He spoke twice, pretty much as follows : holding up
in his right hand a copy of our new Hymn Book, he maintained that
the man who could not, ex animo, say

' I must be born again,
Or die to all eternity,'

could not occupy a Methodist pulpit. The time had come for the
Conference to put down its foot, and be as iirm as eternal rock to
the truths of which they had been the inheritors.' The great Doctor
is the veriest champion of orthodoxy. He spoke with wonderful
force and solemnity. ' I shall not be much longer among you,' he
impassionably exclaimed, ' but my protest shall be among you ; we
must have no " open " questions as touching the testimony we have
received.' The President (Dr. Pope) followed. The brethren, by
scores, rose to their feet and bent forward, so as not to lose a word.
He maintained * that, upon the disputed points, the Methodist
theology was in agreement with the Word of God. He asserted
his belief that when the nebulous clouds, which had gathered around

ENGLAND. 347

the faith of some divines of other denominations, had cleared away,
the full orb of truth would be seen shining out with peculiar clearness
and beauty more than ever.' Dr. Punshon said, ' that they wanted
a good book upon the subject,' strangely foi'getting that the Rev.
Marshall Randels had prepared such a work, entitled, ' For Ever.'
Dr. Osborn then recommended to the young ministers a work by
the Rev. Matthew Horbery, B.D., written and pubKshed in 1744, in
which, said he, ' the whole question was dealt with.' Two ministers
were lost in this theological fog, and thus the Methodist Brothei"hood
was, to that extent, pvxi-ged.

The open Conference was largely attended. The Rev. William
Tobias spoke for Ireland ; the Rev. William Cornforth for France ;
Dr. Lowry for America ; and the Rev. William Kelynack for
Australia. Racy, sedate, earnest, and beautiful were the speeches.
The Ordination Service was conducted by Dr. Pope with matchless
dignity; the ex-President's (Rev. A. McAulay) charge was ex-
temjjoraneous, and full of earnest evangelism. The number of
probationers who were ordained was seventy-one. Dr. Jobson
offered the concluding prayer. It was fervent, pleading, and com-
prehensive, and the whole congregation seemed bowed down by the
power of God. If the young men did not get a baptism of the Holy
Ghost to qualify and commission them for their work of saving souls,
then it would be difficult to say how it was to be obtained.

Aug. \Oth. — The Conference closed to-day; and I had to leave my
kind friends, Mr, and Mrs. Dare, for Malvern, where I was ta
preach on the Sabbath. Mrs. J. B. Goulding, a former Ballarat
friend, was to be my hostess. What a romantic spot is this !

I have fallen in with an eccentric epitaph, first written in Tobago,
in 1820, by the missionary Smedley, on the death of his wife : —

' Where all I ouoe lov'd, or dreamed of worth,
Now charmless lies, a mould'ring heap of earth.'

Does relentless death do all that to those we have loved as our own
soul ? Echo asks, Is it so ?

Aug. IStk. — At last I am able to fvdfil my promise to Mr.
Alderman Rees, J.P., of Dover, to spend a Sabbath with him. The
Alderman met me at the station, and conducted me to his home.
Mrs. Rees had died a feAv months before in the true faith of Christ.
We spent an interesting evening together.

348 JAMES BICKFORB: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

On the Sunday I preached twice, and was pleased with the congre-
gations. On the Monday we visited the Pier Head and about the
town. I wrote Mr. Rowland Eees, M.P., and Chief Justice Way,
from this charming home.

Sept. Sth. — Important routine work has employed the whole of my
time for the last thi'ee weeks. But at this date I went a second time
to Newport (I.W.), to preach Sunday School sermons. I was the
welcome guest of Mr. and Mrs. Dore, whose establishment is regu-
lated by high Christian principle. The assistants, male and female,
are treated as if belonging to the family.

Sept. 15th. — I was at Redhill, and was the guest of Mr. Ives,
senior, and Miss Ives, one of my most respected friends in St. Kilda
and Geelong, some years ago. I preached twice on the Sabbath, and,
at the earnest request of Mr. James Duncan, addressed the Sunday
School in the afternoon.

On my return to London on the 17th, I attended a meeting of
ex-Presidents on Australian affairs.

Sept. ISth. — I attended the Financial District Meeting; Dr. Rigg
in the chair. The whole of the business was done in four and a half
hours.

Sept. 19th. — I ran out to Eedhill, to lecture in aid of the Poor
Coals Club ; Mr. Hadley in the chair. We had a sympathising audi-
ence, and raised £4: 15s.

Sept. 22nd. — I left for Cross Hills, near Leeds, to help the Rev.
J. S. Fordham in his Foreign Missionary Meetings. I Avas the
guest of Mr. George Parkinson, Rycroft House, who, with Miss Par-
kinson, showed me no little kindness. We held meetings at Cross
Hills, Silsden, Icomschock, and Conalty. I went into Bradford
with Mr. Parkinson, to see the Misses Pickles and To^vnend, kind
friends with whom I stayed at the Conference of 1853. I called on
the Rev. John and Mrs. Hartley, whose acquaintance I had made
at the Nottingham Conference the previous year. Mr. Hartley
after we had dined, took me to see the town. The improvement in
the last twenty-two years was truly surprising. I called also upon
Mrs. (widow) Marsden and Miss Marsden, known to me through
the Rev. John and Mrs. Wood, formerly in the West Indies. I had
a great treat also in going over a large manufactory, accompanied by
my friend, Mr. Fordham. The whole process of wool-combing,
spinning, and weaving was explained to us. Several bales of wool

ENGLAND. 349

were labelled ' Botany Bay.' I asked an explanation, when I was
informed that the label simply meant Australian wool. I protested
against the false custom, and informed my guide that Botany Bay
was simply an inlet of the sea on the east of Australia, into which
Captain Cook ran, and anchored his fleet, in 1770; but that the
whole district was so barren that it would hardly feed rabbits, much
less flocks of sheep. I asked that the misleading label should be
discontinued.

Oct. 2nd. — I make grateful mention of Lord Carnarvon, whose
ready kindness was extended to me in the matter of my having free
access at Downing Street to oflQ.cial documents, for obtaining in-
formation anent Australasian afiairs. I was ushered into a big room,
in which were piles of ' blue-books ' and ' despatches ' of various kinds.
A gentleman was in attendance to help me in secui-ing the informa-
tion I required. This is the courtesy that Austral-Englislimen like
when visiting great London officials. And it pays ! I called also
on Sir Arthur Blyth, on emigration business. The open-minded
Agent General and I soon got into an earnest conversation, re the
ecclesiasticism and religious opinions so rife in certain quarters, and
which had occasioned much anxious thought to even Lord Penzance,
in the Court of Arches. Arthur Tooth's eccentric tactics were
then to the front. To me his whole behaviour, as a minister of
the Protestant Reformed Chui'ch of England, was so recreant to the
principles upon which the Reformation was based, as to merit the
highest censure and condemnation. He posed as a martyr ; but
the ' stufi" ' of which martyrs were made w^as not in the Eev. Arthur
Tooth. Besides, his prison door had its bolt on the inside.

Oct. lith. — I preached at Romford twice, and addressed the
Sunday School. My good host and hostess were Mr. and Mrs.
Davey, Market Square. I hastened to London on the Monday
morning, that I might be present at the Ministers' INIonthly Meeting.
Dr. Jobson presided. After the meeting Mr. Butters spent three
hours with me in examining my account of Victoria and South
Australia. His suggestions were invaluable to me.

Oct. 2lst. — I preached at Chelmsford in aid of our Foreign
Missions, and attended meetings at Chelmsford, Braintree, and
Maldon. My associates were the Revs, Thomas Chope, R. Winterly
Crouch, and -John Jones (D). I much enjoyed the visit.

On the 31st I was at Alton for the Foreigrn Missions. We held

350 JAMES BICKFORD : AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

the public meeting in the Town Hall. The Rev. H. H. Teague
spoke admirably, and the Rev. Joseph Payne also addressed the
friends. I supped and slept at Mr. Dyte's. At supper there were
from fifteen to twenty young persons, who were assistants in the
establishment. We all united in prayer at the family altar. I saw
ou the wall a picture which attracted my attention. It had six
portraits of eminent men : Mr. Gladstone, Lord Granville, Mai'quis
of Hartington, Robert Lowe, Mr. Forster, and John Bright. Said
I, to my generous host, ' May I be pardoned if I ask for that picture
to take with me to Australia 1 I would value it very much ; and
the place of honour it shall have in my Australian home, if you will
entrust it to me.' ' Yes,' he replied, 'you are quite welcome to it.'
I did thank him with the warmest expressions I could command.
But there was one drawback to my pleasure in my visit to Alton.
I copy from my Diary : —

• I had a nice walk with the Rev. Joseph Payne. He told me of two
oppressive cases. The first from a lord landowner ; the second from the
parish minister. The former refused a bit of land as a site for a Wesleyan
place of worship ; and the latter had threatened the withdrawal of pay from
the poor rate, because the recipient was a " Dissenter." I often heard of similar
cases in the agricultural districts.'

Nov. 7th. — Dr. Punshon informed me that the Missionary Com-
mittee would send three young ministers to South Australia, on the
condition that I guaranteed repayment of the expense in three
instalments. In behalf of my Conference, I accepted the offer with
thanks.

Nov. 8th. — I read three gieat political speeches : — Mr. Gladstone's
at DubHn ; Lord Hartington's at Glasgow ; and Mr. Bright's at
Rochdale ; — the English triumvirate ; each a trusted tribune of the
people.

Nov. l'2th. — I preached at Tunbridge Wells for the Missions. The
rain spoiled our congregations. The next day, the Rev. Joseph
Hargreaves dined with us at the Learoyd's, with whom and Mrs.
Learoyd we were much pleased. There were four teetotal ministers
present at the Missionary Meeting — Messrs. Hargreaves, Smith,
B. Blown, and myself. I was much delighted with my visit to this
beautiful spot.

Nov. 11th. — I left for Woolwich. The Rev. Richard Hardy
accompanied me to Mrs. Harris's, Shooter's Hill. I preached twice

EN6LAXD. 351

the next day, and left for London on the Monday. Mrs. and Miss
Harris went with me in their carriage to Blackheath Station. We
had a nice conversation by the way.

Nov. ^Oth. — I preached at City Road, and held the Leaders'
Meeting. The Rev. John Baker, M.A., the Superintendent, has
not allowed this important institution to become obsolete in this
the mother establishment of English Methodism.

Nov. 2Qth. — I went to Horncastle to advocate our Missions. The
Rev. Thomas Baine and young Mr. Roberts were at the station
awaiting my arrival. I had to preach in the afternoon, and address
the public meeting in the evening. There were also the Revs. Jabez
Marrott, William Henderson, R. W. Little, and Samuel Joll. Mr.
Marrott gave an excellent speech on our West India Missions,
and I kept to Australia and the South Seas. I was the guest of
Mr. R. Roberts, whose family pleased me very much. I called to
see Mrs. Watson, — * a widow indeed ' — the sister of the Rev. Thomas
Williams, of Ballarat, Victoria.

Dec. 23nZ. — In the early part of this month I was under the
medical ti-eatment of Dr. Smith, and was confined to the house. My
last preaching services for the year were at Greenwich, where I was
the guest of Mrs. Archer, formerly of Adelaide. I held two services
and a lovefeast. It was a profitable day. This was my last public
work for 1877.

1878.

Jan. \st. — I copy from my Diary : —

' Through the mercy of God I enter upon the duties and responsibilities of
another year. Here, in the quietude of our own home, my dear wife and I kept
our " Watch Night." and together implored the descending blessings of God upon
us and our kindred. Oh, that the new year may be a time of visitation to them
as well as to us 1 '

My literary exercises began with a careful reading of the London
Quarterly on this very day. The first article is very able, but I was
more than interested with the review of the Rev. W. Arthur's book,
' The Pope, the Eling, and the People.' The author has a marvellous
grip of the subject in all its phases. It is a work over which
high ecclesiastics and leading Eiu-opean statesmen would do weU to
ponder. On the 2nd I read in Earl Russell's ' Recollections,' with

352 JAMES BICKFORD : AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

much avidity and satisfaction. Eminent statesmen, like eminent
poets, are not made, but born.

Jan. 2\st. — The Rev. Thomas Bird, a probationer in one of our
Scottish Cu'cuits, having repHed to my advertisement for a young
minister of two or three years' standing for Western Australia,
expressive of his wUlingness to go, I informed Dr. Punshon, who,
in reply, was pleased to say that Mr. Bird was the sort of man for
the place ! But the transfer was not to be obtained as easily as
might have been expected.

Jan. Z\st. — The war spirit is in the ascendant. Disraeli seems
(letemiined to plunge the country into a murderous conflict with
Russia over the Turkish embroilment. But many Christian
Enghshmen are resolved that this shall not be. Circulars were
therefore sent to certain influential men ' in Church and State '
to attend a meeting at the Memorial Hall, Farringdon Street, to
oppose the war vote of £6,000,000, proposed by the Government.
The Rev. James BuUer and I attended. We both felt that, although
we were very Australian in our sympathies, we had not lost our
early love and jealousy for the honour of the country of our birth.
Hence our earnest opposition to the vote. The Rev. Guinness Rogers
struck the key-note in earnest and burning terms ; the Rev. Newman
Hall followed in a calm, strong speech. With bated breath and
solemn pause at the close, he said : ' If England goes into this war,
then I for one will not be able on my knees to ask my Father, God,
to give success to the British arms.' It was a ponderous utterance,
and fell like a thunderclap on the audience. We afterwards went
to the Cannon Street Hotel to attend a similar meeting. But the
' Jingoes ' came full-primed for a row, and in the end prevented the
meeting being held. The scent in then* nostrils for blood and plunder
was very dreadful.

Feb. 1th. — I went to hear Dr. Parker preach, and to attend an
after-meeting on Mission work in London. His text was : ' He shall
go free for his tooth's sake.' There were three leading thoughts : (1)
God cares for everything He has made; (2) The Old Testament
treats mostly of Divine providence in its care for the body ; (3) The
New Testament shows God's great love for the soul. Injury to
others, sooner or later, brings the penalty of Divine chastisement.
At one point in the discourse I certainly expected the preacher to
put in a plea for the Christian Principalities of Turkey, but he lost

ENGLAND. 353

the opportunity. At the after-meeting the Earl of Shaftesbury
presided. The best speakei's, I thought, were ' Edward White ' and
' Joseph Parker.'

Feh. 15th. — In the House of Commons this evening Mr. Morgan's
resolution for throwing open the National Cemeteries (alias ' Church-
yards') to the people for the interment of their dead, without
interference from rectors, vicars, et hoc genus omne, was lost by a
majority — For, 227 ; against, 240. I wrote a strong letter to the
Daily Neios on the ' Burial Question,' in the interests of religious
equality and the rights of British citizenship.

Feb. \^th. — I heard Dr. Punshon lecture at Hampstead on
' Daniel in Babylon.' For fervid eloquence, solidity of thought, and
aptness of illustration — grand principles upon which to build the
character and virtue of statesmen, of social reformers, and Christian
men generally — I never heard its like before. Its elocution was
faultless, the language simply beautiful, the humour natural and
smart, and the occasional hits equal, if not superior, to any I have
heard from Dr. Parker, or Mr. Spurgeon. I returned to Haverstock
Hill well pleased.

Feb. 20iA. — I ran over to-day to the Great Northern Hotel to
inquire for Mr. T. G. Waterhouse, and found him rapidly improving.
The doctors were right, when they remarked upon his bruised and.
battered appearance after the terrible accident : ' There is some
chance for him because he is a teetotaler ; we may be able to pull
him through.'

Feb. I^rd. — I went to the Centenary Hall to see the young
ministers, Messrs. Teague, Bird, Moreland, and Ince, who are
about to sail for Australia. Mr. Samuel Adams and I went to
the ship to see that everything was comfortably arranged for them.
I afterwards left for Woolston to preach in behalf of the Church.
Trusts the following day. I was the guest of Mr. and Mrs.
Louney, at the Laurels, whose kindness it -will be impossible for
me to forget.

On the 25th I lectured on ' Christian Work in Australasia,' the
Rev. Mr. Poultier presided. The Rev. George and Mrs. Ranyell
were much gratified to see me again at Woolston.

The ' Colonial Marriages Bill ' was read a second time last night
in the House of Commons. There were for the Bill, 182 ; against,
161. It was of course opposed by the Tory Government, as is

23

354 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

every otbei' measure proposed by the Liberals in favour of the non-
franchised and nonconforming portion of the British people.*

March lOth. — I went to tlie ' Royal Colonial Institute,' and heard
an able paper read by Sir Julius Vogel, an ex-Premier of New
Zealand, on the present concHtion and resources of that wonderful
Colony. The Duke of Manchester presided. The Hon. Mr. Casey,
from Melbourne, spoke sharply in defence of Victoria, which had
been unfavourably alluded to by Sir Julius. How is it that public
men are unable to learn that * comparisons are odious ' ?

March 20th. — I had the great gi-atification once more to see the Rev.
Henry Hurd, who after forty years of good work in the West Indies,
had * retui'ned home.' It was about twenty-six years ago since we
last saw each other at the St. Vincent's District ^Meeting. The Rev.
William Dawson, whose health had been seriously impaii'ed by the
malaria fever of Trinidad, came with him to see me.

March 25th. — The Melbourne Spectator and Argus came to hand
to-day. The Conference had been successfully held, and Dr Gervase
Smith was continuing to win golden opinions. He will render great
service to our Australasian Church.

April 3rd. — I went to Exeter Hall to attend the Wesleyan
Education Meeting ; William E. Forster, who spoke with great ability,
in the chau\ Dr. Rigg, F. W. Macdonald, and W. O. Simpson
followed. It was a splendid demonstration in favour of Wesleyan
Day Schools.

April 5th. — This evening I heard the Rev. Dr. Dykes preach the
opening sermon of the new Oxenden Presbyterian Church, Haverstock
Hill. He took his text from Hebrews xiii. 7. He had two heads :
(1) The advantages of piously remembering the pious dead; (2) The
dangers connected therewith. He insisted that our only safeguard
was the presence in the Church of the ever-living Christ, and a strong
spiritual life in each follower of Christ from day to day. It was a

* We take another example. Last month in the House of Commons, Mr.
Meldon called attention to the restricted nature of the Borough Franchise in
Ireland, as compared with that existing in England and Scotland, as a subject
deserving the immediate attention of Parliament, with a view of establishing a
fair and just equality of the franchise of the three kingdoms. The case is as
follows : Borough Franchise in England, £4 ; Ireland, £6 : County Franchise,
English and Scottish, £12 ; Ireland, £16. Mr. Meldon 's motion was rejected
by 8 votes— For, 126; against, 13i. What shameful injustice is this !

ENGLAND. 355

beautiful exposition of a subject not often heard in our pulpits. I
had a nice interview with him at the close of the service.

A2}ril \Oth. — I attended the meeting of the Missionary Committee.
We had before us important documents from South Africa upon the
Scriptural right of the Colonial Chiu-ches to govern themselves.
After a long and earnest discussion a committee was appointed to
prepare a reply.

ApHl \^th. — I left for Ripon for missionary services. Attended
meetings at Galphay, E-ipon, Rainton, and Markington. The Snows,
Aslin, and other friends, showed me much kindness.

On the 17th I went over to Harrogate to see Mrs. Vasey, relict of
the late Rev. Thomas Vasey. Miss Vasey took me to the springs j
I drank, and was refreshed. Mrs. Vasey was bed-ridden, but patient
and happy.

April 25th. — The Missionary season has come. I attended at the
great room, Centenary Hall, to hear the Reverend President, W. B.
Pope, D.D., px-each the first of the sermons on behalf of the Society.
Text : Rev. i. 9 ; of course, the sermon was read. (But why of
course ?) It was a great service taken altogether ; but its eflrectivene.<^s
was marred by the too close use of the paper.

Ap7-il 2Qth. — I heard the Rev, Dr. Thompson, of Edinburgh, preach
the official sermon at Great Queen Street. Dr. Punshon read prayers,
and this eminent preacher followed with an able discourse. This also
was read. I wonder how it is that when so many ministers of the
Gospel become ' D.D.'s,' they appear to lose the gift of extempore
speech. Better do without the ' D.D.' than sink to the level of mere
' readers,' instead of being preachers of sermons ' with the Holy Ghost
sent down from heaven.'

Ap)ril21th. — China Breakfast Meeting. Said I to the Rev. J. K.,
' Why don't you go on to the platform, and take your rightful place
among the great officials and " M.P's " up there ? ' He replied, ' I
don't belong to the Brahmins ; I am of a lower caste, and am content
^^^.th my position.' ' Indeed ! ' I rejoined. Perhaps this interjection
would be more forcible, as showing the absurdity of the situation,
than any words I could employ.

April 29th. — Off to Exeter Hall, Mesdames Hurd, Rodwell,
Sillifant, and Bickford accompanying me. ' It has been a capital
meeting,' said Mr. S. D. Waddy, Q.C., the popular chairman. But
a greater ti-eat was in reserve for the evening at City Road, when

356 JAMES BICKFOBB: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

the annual missionary lovefeast was to be held. The grand old
sanctuary was full of godly Methodists, and the influence was sanc-
tifying. I had the high honom- of conducting this blessed service.
The Revs. Buller (New Zealand), Greenwood (Victoria), Hartwell
(West Indies), and Dr. Lowry (America), took part, and testified to
the triumphs of the Gospel in their respective fields of labour. On
the 30th, 1 attended the annual meeting of the ' Church Missionary
Society' at Exeter Hall. We had a nobleman in the chair, and
several bishops on the platform. But the cynosure of all eyes was
tlie black Bishop Crowther, from Western Africa. His was a fine
story, and he told it well. The evangelical element was strong and
outspoken.

May 6tJt. [Diary Jotting] — 'I am this day sixty-two years of age. This
morning I renewed my consecration to God. May the good Lord this year
direct and bless me and mine.'

May 8th. — This forenoon I attended the monthly meeting of the
Missionary Committee. The Revs. T. Hodgson, E. Rigg, H. Hurd,
and J. Richardson were presented to the Committee. The insurance
of the Mission vessel, the Jolin Wesley, was earnestly discussed, in
which, because of my local knowledge, I took part. We decided to
continue the payment of the English premium. In the evening, I
went to the annual meeting of the Liberation Society ; Mr. H.
Richard, M.P., in the chair. Mr. C. Williams, the Secretary, and
Mr. S. D. Waddy spoke very effectively. An Anglican clergyman
also spoke, and particularly dwelt upon the desirability of the State
Church being entirely separated from the control of the Crown and
the Parliament. ' Exactly,' said I. But will the ' Church ' be pre-
pared to pay the penalty of surrendering ' the loaves and fishes ' to
secure this freedom ?

May 2Srd. — At the request of Mr. Secretary Kilner, I went to
Rotherham to speak at the Missionary Meeting. Mr. Wigfield
received me at the station, and drove me to his beautiful home. The
Mayor of Rotherham (a Congregationalist) took the chair at the
the public meeting. The Rev. Joseph Nettleton and I were the only
speakers. In this old Yorkshire town there is a generous Missionary
feeling. It is the custom of the ' elect ' sisters to hold a yearly
bazaar at the annivei^sary meeting. This year was raised ^140. We
had a spirited conversation at the tea-table. The Mayor and I

ENGLAND. 357

happened not to be in accord upon certain politico-social queries.
But as he had sprung from the people, and had gained his present
position by his skill and perseverance, I own that I was sorely
disappointed with some of the views he expressed. It was soon
evident that he and I were not of the same guild.

How inexcusable are the remarks that some otherwise very kind
friends sometimes make to strangers, when about to retire for the
night ! ' It was in this room, and in this very bed,' said my femme
de chamhre, ' that the Rev. Mr. Perks died twelve months ago,
when he was hei^e as a Missionary deputation.' ' Really ! ' I quietly
said. It reminded me of a cautionary warning I received some years
ago in the island of Tobago, at the house of the hospitable squatter,
Mr. Goldsborough, on my way to the Windward for a Sabbath Day's
services. Quasheba, with candle in hand, proceeded to conduct me
to my room for the night. As she was leaving, she said, ' Don't be
afraid, sir, if you hear noises in the night, for this room is full of
rats.' Bless me, I thought, I needed not to be told of such nocturnal
companions ; I had rather the room were full of spii-its than of rats.
But what coidd I do but contrive to fall asleep, and wait for the
disclosures the daylight might make? But it so happened that
neither my proboscis nor digits had been nibbled off during the
night ; so that, after partaking of a delicious cup of coffee, with the
usual breakfast of salt fish and yam, I was able to pursue my long and
fatiguing journey to the Windward.

May '2ith. — To-day Mr. Edward Young met me at the Newark
Station, and di'ove me to his brother's farm at Collingham. The
brothers, Edward and John, were formerly on the Ballarat gold-
iields, and ' pitched their tent ' in the Lydiard Street Chnrch
Reserve. They made their pile, returned home, and re-entered upon
farming pursuits. At Newark, the next day, I sought out for Mr.
and Mrs. Egglestone's kindred. I saw Mr. and Mrs. Harmston, the
Oldhams, and the Knights. I dined at Mr. Edward Oldham's, the
brother of Messrs. George and John Oldham, in Victoria. I then
proceeded to Loughborough, and was kindly received by the Rev.
John and Mrs. Thomas. The next day I opened the new Church at
Sheepshed, and was the guest of the Robertses, at Hurst's farm. I
was very comfortable with my new friends.

June Ath. — A man not much known in Methodist circles is the
Rev. Francis J. Sharr, but who will be as the years of his itinerancy

358 JAMES BICKFORD : AN Al^TOBIOGRAPHY.

roll on. I heard him lecture at King's Cross this evening to a
delighted audience. His subject Avas ' Man.' It was able, finely
original, and well delivered.

June 2~t/i. — I was asked this day at the Mission House, by one
of the General Secretaries, if I would go out to the West Indies, and
take charge of the St. Vincent's District. I felt pleased for such an
expression of confidence ; but, because of my connection with the
Australasian Connexion, I had to decline the great honour proffered
to me.

In the evening the Rev. J. C. Richardson and I went to a
' Prohibitory Permissive Bill ' Meeting at Exeter Hall ; Sir Wilfrid
Lawson, ISI.P., in the chair. Canon Farrar, Cardinal Manning, and
Dr. Richardson, were the principal speakers. The large audience was
enthusiastic in their condemnation of the Government in smotheiing
the Bill. But the will of the nation will at length prevail.

June '28th. — I was informed by the Rev. John Hartley, of Bradford,
that I was to be billeted, during the Conference, at Miss Townend's,
Laurel Bank, Manningham Lane. ' The lines have again fallen
unto me in pleasant places.' Fortunate me ! In 1853 I was the
welcomed guest of the same lady, and of her aunt. Miss Pickles,
during the Conference of that year. In the afternoon I prepared, by
request, a tabular statement of Australasian and Polynesian sta-
tistics for the Missionary Report of 1878, and forwarded the same
to Samuel Alder Adams for the use of the General Secretaries.

Jidt/ Qth. — I preached at Loughborough to-day. The next evening
I gave two speeches at the meeting : one, on the Home Missions ;
the other, on our Foreign Missions. On my way to London the next
day, I turned aside for a few hours to call in at Bedford to see
Mr. Prior, senr., the father of the Rev. S. F. Prior, of the South
Australian Conference. In the afternoon the Misses Prior chaperoned
me over the town to see all the historic sights. Of course, everything
connected with the hei-oic life, ministry, and sufferings of John
Bunyan, were full of interest to me, who owe so much to the
' Pilgrim's Progress ' for light and help when I first began to seek
the Lord.

Jul// llth. — Mi-s. Bickford and I went to the Crystal Palace
to see the fireworks, which were wonderful for variety and
splendour.

July 22nd. — The Rev. T. M'Cullagh was my chum (Australian) at

ENGLAND. 359

Miss Townend's happy home. I am much favoured in having the
companionship of so enjoyable a man.

In the evening I went with my lady host to hear the Rev. G. W.
,01ver's * Fernley Lecture.' The church was crowded. Mr. Olver
has his own theory of the future state of the wicked. It is, I
believe, that the soul only is punishable in eternity, and that it will
be retained in a state of eternal solitude, without hope of i-edemj^tion ;
whUst, as to the body, it will be destroyed ' in the lake of fire ! '
' I don't know,' said I to him, ' where you get your theory from ; I
do not so read the Scriptures.' The plain fact is, that our learned
lecturer, on this question (probably, on this question only), is in
nubibus. But he is not the first, nor will he be the last. Examples :
Edward White, Archdeacon Farrar, etc.

The next morning I went to Conference, and took my seat as
heretofore on the platform ; Mr Buller came afterwards, and took
his seat at my side. It was a largely attended Conference, and was
a grand sight from the platform. We voted for Dr. Rigg, as we
both believed that under the new regime (the mixed Conference) a
man of strength and grip was wanted. The Rev. Marmaduke
Osborn was elected Secretary. At the open Conference the Rev.
Pasteur Lelievre and Bishop Bowman spoke with great efiect. On
the 28th I went, by reqviest, to Morecambe, to conduct the Sabbath
services, and to give an address on Australasian matters. Mr. and
Mrs. Crabtree were my kind host and hostess. At the close of the
evening exercises I held quite a levee. One gentleman inquired, ' Do
you know the Rev. Matthew Wilson ? ' Another : ' The Rev. E. S.
Bickford was a college chum of mine. Do you know him, su* ? ' And
so they continued vmtil I was tired ' with hearing and answering
questions.' I took advantage of this ' outing ' to visit the Chamberses
at Lytham and the Laceys at Todmorden. I returned to the Confer-
ence on the 31st, and remained to the end to see the Minutes signed.
The ' John Wesley Conference ' was now a thing of the past.

In connection with this Conference, which, as years roll on, will
be regarded as one of the most important ever held, a few jottings
made at the time may not be wdthout some interest to the future
generations of the jNIethodist people : —

Doctor Pope's Chabge.
' We receive you into our fellowship with perfect confidence. We send you
forth, as we have ourselves been sent forth, in trust that you will surpass

3G0 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

us who sent you in everything good. We pray for you that you may prosper
in your work, and that it may appear to all, not only in your sound and deep
theology, in your faithful and successful administration of our economy, in
your earnest and zealous preaching, and in all the gifts and grace that adorn
the Christian Ministry, but in, what is above, and beneath, and around all
these — your exercise unto godliness.'

The Pastoral Oversight op the Youxg.

' There shall be established in connection with our Society classes for the
religious instruction and training of young j^eople. The names of all such
young pei-sons shall be enrolled as recognised members. Each member of such
a class shall receive some token or ticket, signed by a minister, to be renewable
every quarter. Membership in these classes should be accepted, instead of the
ordinary probation of Church membership.'

The Reception of New Members.

' The Conference agreed to adopt some formal method of admitting new
members, because such a practice was in accordance with early Methodist
usage, and for the purpose of giving all due impressiveness to a member's
entrance into the Church of Christ. The Conference, however, did not say
when this special service should be held, but it did recommend that it should
be public'

The Laymex in Conference.

• The President avowed himself in entire sympathy with that great develop-
ment which had gathered them together, and he had been in sympathy with it
for many years upon the basis of the charter of rights; there had Ijeen a gradual
extension, and they now met as pastors and brethren, with no distinction what-
ever, and only with the assignment of subjects by mutual agreement with the
pastoral Conference.'

A Revision of the Liturgy.

'The report of the Committee was presented. Everything went on smoothly
until it came to the Prayer of Absolution. It was so amended, as to meet the
most fastidious non-sacerdotalist that ever came into the ministerial oflBce. But
it would not go.'

Doctor Gervase Smith.

' The returned delegate to the Australasian Churches met with an enthu-
siastic reception. For an hour and a quarter, with much fluency and con-
nectedness, he detailed the principal events connected with his late Southern
mission. He had a good word to say for all the Colonies, and for the Methodist
Churches in particular.'

Aug. Srd. — I left for Ripon, and found my dear friends, Mr. and
Mrs. Snow, and family all well.

[Diary Jotting] — ' We had a delightful evening. What a lovely family this
is ! Miss Keeling and other friends joined us.'

ENGLAND. 361

Atuf. 10th. — I left for Edinburgh, and was received by Mrs.
Donald, one of our leaders, wdth Christian heartiness. I preached
on the 11th, and after the evening service I addressed from three to
four hunch-ed persons on the work of God in Australia. We had
quite a levee at the close. The people came round me in shoals,
inquiring for their friends in Australia. One of the last to come
was a little demure Scotch sister, who said, ' And do you know John
Egglestone ] ' ' Yes ; well,' I replied. ' I was converted under his
ministry forty years ago in this very Circuit, and I am holding on
to this very day.' ' Thank God,' I responded ; ' should I see Mr.
Egglestone again, I will tell him of you.' Two of my hearers at the
Sabbath services were the Hon. John Dunn, M.L.C., and Miss
Dunn, of Adelaide. I was much pleased with the grand old northern
city.

On the 13th I took train for Montrose, and was kindly welcomed
by Mr. Sorrell, the uncle of my nephew, the Rev. E. S. Bickford, of
Victoria. The Misses Sorrell soon pressed me into a service of love
for the ' waifs ' and ' strays ' — the outcast and the fallen — in a pro
tempore mission-room, which a few young ladies and gentlemen had
fitted up for evangelistic work. I went as desired, and spoke to
about eighty persons. When I returned to the Sorrells, I found
that the young minister (the Rev. Alexander Borrowman) had learnt
of my being in jNIontrose. ' Will you give us a service in our little
church to-morrow evening ? ' he inquu-ed. ' Yes,' said I, ' if you can
get a congregation.' The next day the town was placarded with
bills setting forth the intended service. We had a capital congrega-
tion. At the close of the service, 1 invited all who could stay for a
short time to do so, when I would tell them a few things about
Austraha. Nearly the whole audience stayed.

Aug. 15th. — I left for Sedbergh, in Yoi'kshire, to see my old
friends, the Rev. William and Mrs. Moister. On my way, I spent
a night at Dumfries, with Mr. and Mrs. Robb, friends of the Leasons
in South Australia. At the Sedbergh Station I met Mr. Moister, and
accompanied him to his nice, quiet home. My friend is an eminent
conversationalist. It was a great treat to me to listen to him, as he
di'ew from his mental storehouse reminiscences of his long, laborious,
and eventful missionary life. I left for London the next day.

Aug. 19th. — My book at last is pubHshed, and I am busy in
sending copies all over the kingdom. I shall act under the suggestion

362 JAMES BICKFOBD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

of my friend, Mr INloister, viz., ' If you want your book to go, you
must look after it yourself.' Exactly : and so I wiU.

Oct. Ath. — After wading through incessant engagements for the
last two months, I was glad to again have a run into Yox'kshire. I
\nsited Kipon, and was the guest of my old friends, Mr. and Mrs. Snow.
In the evening I lectured on Australia, and had a good attendance.

Oct. 5th. — I left for East Keswick. Mr. Joseph Lawrence and
Miss Lawrence met me at the station. I preached twice on behalf
of our Foreign Missions, and attended meetings at Keswick, tJlleskelf ,
Blanham, and Aberford. A good interest was shown in each of these
places for the Missions. ]Mr. Lawrence's academy is doing a great
work in training young men for the Christian ministry. I was
much pleased with the young men I saw at their studies in this
preparatory institution.

Oct. I'dth. — I was at Cro.ss Hills for Foreign Missions. The Revs.
John S. Fordham and Henry Bunting were with me.

Oct. nth. — I lectured at Rothwell on South Australia. The next
day I went to Collingham, and was again the welcome guest of Mr.
and Mrs. John Young. I had taken a violent cold, and had to
consult a Dr. Broadbent for relief. He examined me thoroughly,
and told me I required complete rest from travelling and preaching.
I did the best I could on the Sabbath and on the Monday and
Tuesday evenings, and on the 23rd I returned to London.

iA^ov. 2nd. — I left for Coalville to preach on behalf of the Sunday
Schools. My cough was very trying.

On the Monday evening I lectured on Australasia to a large
audience for an hour.and a half. We raised in all £36. On the 11th,
at the request of the Missionary Secretaries, I went to Sheerness to
speak at the public meeting ; Sir William King Hall in the chair.
Mr. and Mrs. Bobby gave me a true Christian welcome.

liov. I'dth. — I attended an important Committee Meeting at
Centenary Hall. In connection with its business, the Rev. M. C.
Osborn received his instructions, re his visit of inspection of our
West Indian Missions. The specific object is to prepare the way
for constituting those Missions an afiihated Connexion with the
Mother Conference in England. I did not approve of the proposed
change, believing that the West Indian Churches could be more
cheaply managed from London than among themselves. W^e shall
see whether I am right.

EN&LANlJ. 363

Dec. \st. — I preached twice at Romford, and on Monday evening
I lectured to about one hundred persons on Australia. The audience
was quite demonstrative in their thanks. I was again the guest of
Mr. and Mrs. Abi-aham Davey, who, with their interesting family,
treated me with much kindness.

On the 3rd was held the inaugural meeting of ' The Thanksgiving
Fund,' at Wesley's own church. City Road. Of all the historic
Methodist sanctviaries in England it was the most appropriate of
them all for such an object. The Australian representation consisted
of Mrs. G. F. Wilkinson, of Lower Mitcham, Mrs. Bickford and
myself from South Australia ; the Rev. James BuUer from New
Zealand, and the Rev. William Butters from Victoria. The Rev.
James H. Rigg, D.D., presided with great ability, and the Rev. T.
B. Stephenson was the honoured Secretary. The devotional services
were of the highest order. The hymns were well chosen, and ' sung
as in ancient days.' The Revs. A. McAulay, T. Nightingale, T.
Champness, G. W. Olver, B.A., John Hartley, and Messrs. J. B. Ingle
and W. T. Pocock led the great audience in prayer. The amount
contributed during the day, as an expression of the people's gratitude
to God for the peacefvJ and prosperous condition of British Methodism,,
was £34,680. It was a noble offering by a noble-hearted people.

Dec. \ith. [Diary Jotting] — ' Princess Alice died to-day. the seventeenth
anniversary of her father's death. The good Queen is in great sorrow^. May
God comfort her, and touch her heart in mercy for the poor Afghans, whom we
are brutally murdering ! '

Dec. I5th. — I heard two of the ablest London j^reachers, the
Rev. Edward White and Canon Liddou. For pure intellect, give
me the Congregationalist ; but for oratory of the loftiest character,
give me the Canon. These were the last of England's great
preachers I heard before leaving on my return voyage to South
Australia.

1879.

Jan. 1st. — Being with Mrs. Bickford at Upper Norwood, as the
guests of Mrs. Edmondson, we spent the last moments of the old
year in holding a semi-watchnight service. Mrs. Scott and Miss
Scott, formerly of Demerara, our kind hostess, Mrs. Edmondson,
and the servant, formed the devout party.

On the 2nd I sent to the Mission House, Bishopsgate Street

364 JAMES BICKFORB: AX AUTOBIOGBAPHY.

Within, several valuable packages, to be forwarded to Southampton,
and put on board the P. and 0. steamer for Glenelg. It was
bitterly cold. Whilst standing at the door superintending the
delivery of the luggage, I was struck through and through with the
biting east wind, and during the evening I became alarmingly ill.
The form which my illness took was that known as erythema, and was
the accumulation of the colds I had taken in travelling up and down
the kingdom in the interests of English Methodism, our Foreign
jNIissions, and the Australian colonies. We called in Dr. F. T.
Smith to see what could be done towards getting me ready for the
intended voyage on the 9th. The Rev. W. Butters came and
offered prayer for my recovery. At my request, he went to see
Dr. Punshon, to report my illness, and suggest that the du'ectors
of the P. and O. Company should be seen, about our voyage being
postponed for a mouth. This was readily conceded. I do not
believe that I was ever so near death as at this time. On the sixth
night I said to Mrs. Bickford, ' Matters are becoming very serious
with us now. I wish to say that, unless God has more work for
me to do in Australia, this illness will see the last of me. But
if it be His will that I should return to my beloved people, and work
out there, then it can have no power to do that.' To this my dear
wife assented, adding, ' Let us do our best. I do hope that you may
be spared to me a few years longer.' That night I lay in a helpless
condition. The next morning the fever broke, and I felt that a new
lease of life w^as for me.

It was now that I saw how reckless I had been with my health
ever since I came home; that I ought to have listened to Dr.
Broadbent, who told me that I must have rest from all work, and
that my constitution had the appearance of being mvich older than
my years. It did not occur to me until I became convalescent,
that, all through the time I was contending with the ' swellings of
Jordan,' I did not offer even one prayer to my Heavenly Father for
deliverance. The habit of my long life seemed suddenly to have
collapsed, and I calmly rested upon God to know His will. But
when the pulsation of a new life again penetrated my being, and
I felt I was standing on the threshold of a renewed career of life-
work, the old habitude asserted its power, and I began again to
pray In my prostration I learnt to be ' still, and to know that
He was God ; ' but in my recovery I heard a ' voice ' which bade

THE RETURX VOYAGE. 3C5

me ' rise and stand upon thy feet, for I have renewed thee for this
purpose.'

The London ministers, through the Secretary of their Monthly
Meeting, the Rev. William Hudson, expressed to me in a most
affectionate and sympathising letter their regret that at my age, and
after so long a term of foreign service, I was again leaving my native
land. I was much touched with the recognition it recorded of disin-
terested and acceptable services rendered to the Methodist Church
during the time of my visit to the ' home of my fathers ; ' and it
breathed a loving prayer for the joreservation of Mrs. Bickford and
myself when again on the great deep. It is no wonder that, in the
midst of so many tokens of kindness and esteem, I glory in the
brotherhood of Methodist preachers as the purest and strongest
known in the Christian Church.

Feb. Qth. — We went aboard the Australian, 3,663 tons burthen, at
11.30 a.m. The Rev. Joseph Payne, my old and obliging friend;
Mr. Samuel Adams, from the Mission House ; the Rev. George and
Mrs. Ranyell, and Mr. Louney, were there to see us off. It was
hard to part again from friends so dear.

At 3 p.m. we steamed out of the harbour, and were soon in the
Bay of Biscay.

Fei. 7th. [Diary Jotting] — ' In the Bay of Biscay. Head winds and heavy
seas. Course S.W. The ship rolling a good deal. All the lady passengers are
sick. Soundings were taken for fixing our exact position .'

On the 9th, after the Rev. Mr. Le^vis (Anglican) had read prayers,
which, because of the fierce wind and sea, was all that could be done,
as we were sitting at the midday meal, a tremendous wave came on
board, pouring itself upon us through the skylight, whilst the second-
class passengers in the midships were deluged. Their skylight had
been carried away bodily, and they found themselves up to their knees
in water. A terrible night followed. We had less sea the next dav,
but the wind was still a furious gale. It became westerly a point
or two, and the mainsail and the jib were set. We were then about
midway between Cape Finisterre and Cape St. Yincent. During the
night we had a terrible fright. By some mischance the steering gear
at the stern unhooked, and the labouring ship 'broached too.' Three
awful lurches followed, and I certainly thought the steamer would
have gone clean over. ' A nautical passenger rushed on deck, saw the
danger at a glance, sprang forward and caught the chain with a

366 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

deadly grip, and made it fast before it was too late. We were ' under
the water ' for a while, fox- the sea was washing from stem to stern,
fiUing the cabins, and causing the hearts of all the passengers to
quake \vith fear.

We reached Gibraltar on the 12th, at 9 a.m. This notable rock
is pierced, tunnelled, and planted ^vith guns. The telegram from
London was full of bad news : the 24th Regiment, composed partly
of native soldiers, had been cut to pieces ; five thousand Zulus were
killed in an engagement. What a crime is this restless, bragging,
fighting policy of the Foi-eign Ofiice ! We saw Lord Napier embark
in the Poonang. The place was all alive with boats and boating,
with flags flying, and soldiers playing in red-coats.

Feb. Ibth. — We reached Malta. I read the article in the Qv/xr-
terly Revieic on Cyprus. It is very able, and of course justifies
Disraeli in securing it for the Crown. The Rev. Joseph Webster
came on boai'd to take us to the parsonage. The last time we saw
each other was in Grenada, thiity-two years ago ; Mr. and Mrs.
Webster were then on their way to the Honduras Mission. The
Maltese boatmen were the most exacting of any I have ever met
with. They were ready to filch us of every shilling we had. I do
think they are quite as bad as the boatmen used to be in Barbadoes.

Feb. l^th. — We reached Port Said, and came to anchor opposite
the coalyard. We entered the Canal between two breakwaters,
after a detention of three or four hours. This canal is a marvellous
proof of what money, skill, and perseverance can do. We are
indebted to M. de Lesseps for this ' short cut to India.' The voyage
from London to India is by it reduced about six thousand miles. It
is 86 miles long, 327 feet wide, and cost over £19,000,000 sterling.
It took nine years to do the work. I have been asked, ' Why did
you not land at Alexandria, and pay a visit to the Pyramids ? ' The
answer is : I have I'ead ever since my youthhood of these huge un-
sightly, useless erections, and have seen pictures of them, ad nauseam,
and until some abler engineer than any of the past can give a
satisfactory account of the names, and the original intentions of
their founders, I am content to remain in blissful ignorance. But
a practical work like Lesseps', I could not forego seeing when I had
the opportunity. Why, it seems to bring our Eastern Possessions
next door to England itself, and revolutionises the commerce of the
world.

THE RETURN VOYAGE. 367

We reached Suez on the evening of the 20th. A fine-looking
Tiu'kish gentleman came on board to sell postage stamps, and to
take charge of our letters. The steamer's deck was soon invaded
by all kinds of complexioned people for business, hiring donkeys, or
to be chaperoned on shore, or to the old city about two miles
distant.

Feb. list. — Captain Bowers, Mrs. Bickford, and I examined the
^\•harves and docks recently erected by the enterprising Khedive.
There were several vessels laid aside through want of trade, or for
sale. The next day we made another start, and gallantly steamed
down the Gulf of Suez.

Our passengers had increased by the addition of the Right Rev.
Bishop Staunton, first Bishop of North Queensland ; the Rev. Mr.
Flume, and his wife, Mrs. Flume, were also with us. The chaplain,
Mr. Flume, introduced the Bishop to me on the saloon deck, in the
midst of a number of passengers. I found Dr. Staunton an un-
travelled but an agreeable man. He pressed me earnestly to take
part in the Sabbath services which were to be conducted for all the
passengers alike; but I declined the covirtesy, and gave as my
reason, that the directors of the P. and O. Company had decided that
when Anglican clergymen were in their boats, they were to take
precedence of all other clergymen in such exercises. But the good
Bishop wovild not be content. He emphatically remarked, ' that
it was important, being thrown into the midst of a number or
strangers, belonging no doubt to various branches of the Church of
Christ, that we show them at the first we were the servants of the
one only Master, and that we were united in His great work.'
' Happy bishop ! ' thought I. ' It will save you from ten thousand
annoyances, if you keep to that spirit when you reach the new diocese
in North Queensland.'

On the 26th we reached Aden; rugged, sterile Aden! Sublime
in her solitariness ; another of England's ' strongholds ' in the East.
The Somali, from the African coast, were all astir, diving for
small coins, and otherwise trying to amuse us. Others also, mostly
mongrel Jews, came on board to drive a trade in ostrich feathers,
bracelets, shells, walking-sticks, and money-changing. The English
sovereign had gi'eat attraction for them. Poor creatures ! As I
looked upon them, I could not but feel the force of the question,
'Is Life worth living, or having?' At 11.30 a.m. we steamed away

368 JAMES BICKFOBD: AN AUT0BI06BAPTIY.

for Point de Galle, Ceylon. Running nearly on the equatorial line,
we had as much as we could bear, for the next 1,874 miles, in the
way of heat.

March Qth. — We made Ceylon at 12 o'clock. Before 1 p.m. we
were on board the Tanjore, bound for Australia. We went on shore
in the afternoon, and soon fell in with the Rev. Mr. Tebb, our
missionary, who kindly drove us around this ancient and unique town
of Galle. This is the place for professional beggars of all kinds. For
peace sake I had to buy off some of them. Sevei'al accompanied us to
the wharf, annoying us all the way with their cry for ' backsheesh.' I
had at last to ask the interference of the water-police, and then we
escaped our tormentors.

March 7th. — Again at sea, and bound for King George's Sound.
A copy of the Melbourne Argus was on board, containing a notice
of the death of the Rev. John Egglestone. A good and noble life is
closed in peace. Nothing occurred of any importance as we steamed
down the Indian Ocean, and on the 20th, in the good providence of
God, we made King George's Sound, and passed through the bold
Heads into Princess Charlotte Harbour. I went on shore for letters,
and met the Rev. John Higgins, our minister in charge of the
Albany Station, on his way to meet me. The 23rd was the last
Sunday on board the Tanjore, when the services were conducted by
Bishop Staunton, who preached in the morning, and I preached in
the evening. The run through the Australian Bight was pleasant,
and we anchored off Glenelg on the 24th, at 1 p.m. ' So He bringeth
them unto the haven where they desire to be.'

The distance, as taken by me, day by day, from the ship's log, is
as follows : —

Southampton to Gall, 30 days . . ' . . . 6.576 miles.
Gall to King George's Sound, 15 days . . . 3,330 „
King George's Sound to Glenelg, 4 days . . . 1,007 „

10,913 miles.

The speed, inclusive of stoppages, was at the rate of 237| miles per
diem.

It was a source of much pleasuie to me to have fallen in with a
very choice company, on board the Australian and Tanjore, of agree-
able co-voyager.s. For the first few days, as a matter of course, we
are all under a certain degree of restraint, and we do not venture

"W "'

REY? JOHH EGGLSSTON ,

■AUSTRALASIAN CONFERENCE .1830

^vaiK.iis i.'arui5 Gi"?^ L

THE VOYAGE. 369

on anything beyond the veriest 'small talk.' But my supply of that
commodity being very soon exhausted, I was glad to make acquaint-
anceships, which much contributed to temper the tedium of the
voyage. Those on board with whom I had most intercourse were
Mr. Wilberforce Stephen, Q.C., one of the Victorian judges ; Captain
Alexander Bowers, of Penang ; and Bishop .Staunton. My first
observation of the judge was when we wei'e in the troublous navigation
of the Biscay. He, with Mrs. Stephen, and the Misses Stephen, had
been to Europe in the hope of the judge's health being restored. It
was cold and damp, and the great lawyer was sitting by a stove in
the saloon cabin trying to catch a little warmth. He was so altered
that I confess that I did not at first recognise him. But I was
struck with his gravity, intellectuality, and calm fortitude.

As we proceeded on the voyage, we became very friendly and
communicative, and many an hour we sat side by side on the deck,
talking on many subjects. Of course, I can only remember the
substance of our conversations. ' Upon reflection, Judge,' said I, ' do
you regard with reasonable satisfaction the leading part you took in
" drafting " and conducting through the Victorian House of Assembly,
in 1872, the Bill for establishing a National System of Education
upon free, secular, and compulsory piinciples ] ' 'I do,' he promptly
replied, ' it was the crowning act of my political life.' ' How did
your Anglican friends look at it ? were they pleased % ' said I. ' Cer-
tainly not,' he rejoined ; ' most of them were opposed to it. But
Victoria is essentially democratic, and the people must be educated,
cost what it may.' ' What is your' opinion,' I inquired, ' on the
question of marriage with a deceased wife's sister % You know that
we have had that permission for many years in South Australia ! '
' For England,' he said, ' I am opposed to it. Besides, the Church is
opposed to it.' ' But what of that. Judge ? If you mean that the
' State ' or Anglican Church is opposed to it, I have only to say
that she has no title to interfere with the wishes of the majority of
the EngKsh people, and you know that the Nonconformists are now
in the majority. The argument from Leviticus (xviii. 18), upon which
the opposition of most of the Bishops in the House of Lords is based,
goes the other way. Its meaning is as clear as sunlight in our favour.
Besides, Judge, look at the question as I will illustrate it.' Holding
up my left hand Avith three of its fingers all in a row, I said, ' I call
the jirst, husband, the second, wife, and the third, sister-in-law. This

24

370 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

is their relation to each other in law, and in fact ; and as long as the
second stands it must continue so to be. But, in the providence of
God, this second is removed, carrying with it both the root and link
of the relation as previously existing between the first and the thii-d,
so that now they are as separate and independent of each other as
any other two jjersons could be. Where then is the civil or ecclesi-
astical disability of such persons contracting a marriage if they thus
chose ? ' The judge was equal to the position, and good-naturedly
remarked, ' My good friend, you are too subtle. You ought to ha\e
been a la^Nyer instead of a parson.' The conversation then dropped.
Judge Stephen had singular notions as to the relation of laymen to
que.stions of theology.

Aftei- hearing an earnest sermon, given extem2)07-e, by Bishop
Staunton, I said to him : ' It struck me as very strange, oftentimes
in England, that sermons to which we had been listening with much
delight, were scarcely ever made the subjects of critical or commenda-
tory remark. Surely intelligent hearers must have some thoughts of
their own, to which they might give expression on such occasions.'
' Why should they ? ' he I'eplied ; ' what have laymen to do with
theology ? ' * Well, Judge,' I rejoined, ' there are ladies in London,
and in other parts of England, who are coming to the front as
instructresses of their own sex, in the drawing-rooms and parlours of
the first families. At such gatherings papers are read on Scriptural
exegesis of great ability and beauty. Here is a marked change for
the better, and will put many of you gentlemen to shame.' ' Well,
well,' said my patient hearer, ' all I have to say is this : the Lord
deliver me from theological ladies.' I could not but inwardly ask
if such were the usual attitude towards Biblical subjects of the
generality of educated laymen to such questions ?

Captain Alexander Bowers was a man of a different stamp.
He was a sturdy, hard-headed, intelligent Scotchman. He had
been to England on important business connected with steam
vessels employed in the China Seas and the Strait Settlements.
He was thoroughly religious, and had a weakness for theological
discussion. The Deistical controversy of the early decades of the
last century he had well mastered. With the theology of Calvin
and Arminius ; Wesley and Fletcher, as leaders on the Arminian
side ; and with the Hills and Toplady, as the defenders of Calvin's
views, he was conversant with on the other. ' I regard,' said he.

THE VOYAGE. 371

'John Wesley as the greatest theologian of the last century. It
was his sermon on " Predestination calmly considered " that killed
the Decrees in me.' I lent him Mr. Bon wick's book, entitled,
' Egyptian Belief and Modern Thought,' which he read with the
utmost care ; making an analysis of its main points and conclu-
sions. He told me that he regarded Mr. Bonwick as a learned
Egyptologist.

There was hardly a phase of the leligious life of England which
Bishop Staunton and I did not converse upon. One day I told him
of my occasional visits to the services of the Anglican Church ; but
that I was becoming quite sick of the shameful way in which the
finest liturgy in Christendom was rendered in some of the churches.
I noted particularly the wretched reading, or intoning, the liturgy
in St. Pavil's, which so vexed me that I found it difficult so to regain
my equilibrium as to appreciate, as I desired, the learned discourse
of Canon Liddon. I told him, that even had I remained in England
for a year or two longer, I would have had to give up my occasional
attendance at Episcopal Churches, because of the ' sing-song ' and
unedifying manner of rendering the liturgy. The Bishop coincided
with all that I said, which he could consistently do, for his reading
of the prayers and lessons was marked with proper emphasis, and
free from all foolish affectation.

The Bishop was anxious to gain as much knowledge as possible of
the newly-formed diocese to which he was going. I besought him
to accept the facts of his new position, reminding him there was no
State Church in Queensland, and that the rank and rights of all
ordained ministers wore equal in the eye of the law ; that public
education was conducted by the G-overnment upon the secular and
compulsory basis, with which the religious bodies, as such, had
nothing whatsoever to do ; and that the principle of universal suffrage
was the law of the land. ' You must " swim with the stream," Bishop,
and do not try to breast it,' I impressively said. ' I apprehend,' I
added, ' that Queensland is the most democratic of all these Colonies,
but you may find it to be a gloi'ious field of usefulness if you happen
to get the " right clue." ' When we parted at Glenelg, he was
pleased to express to me the great pleasure he had had in our free
intercourse during the voyage, and of the benefit he had derived from
the many practical suggestions I had given him. And I also had
received much pleasure and profit from the conversations and

372 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

discourses of this Anglican clergyman and first Bishop of North
Queensland. May God bless him !

Before landing there came on board to welcome us the Revs. T.
Lloyd, R. S. Casely, C. Lane, R. M. Hunter, Jos. Nicholson, and A.
J. Boyle, Mr. and Mrs. John Jarvis, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Coombs,
Mrs. John Thompson, Mi*. Robert Wallace, and some other friends.
The Rev. D. O. Donnell was awaiting us on the jetty. As the
return mail steamer was anchored in the bay, I hastened to write
the Rev. John Kilner, London, informing him of our safe arrival, to
be noticed in our papers for the satisfaction of our English friends.
We then proceeded to Unley to ' rest awhile ' before going to our
new Circuit at the Burra.

March SOth. — I preached at Unley and Pirie Street. It was
truly a thanksgiving day, and in the evening the sum of <£12 was
collected for the Circuit Fund. During the next week I visited old
friends, among whom I may mention Mr. and Mrs. John Colton,
Mr. and Mrs. James Scott, Mr. and Mrs. Kaines, Halton Brook ;
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wallace, Mr. and Mrs. William Keynes,
Dunrobin ; the Padmans, Johnstons, Rastons, Waterhouses, the
Hills and Careys, Coombs and Greers, I also called upon.

A2Jril 9 th. — I attended the funeral of the Rev. George Lee — ' a
good man and a just ' — whom God had taken to Himself. In the
evening of the same day, the Rev. Walter H. Hanton was ordained
for the Northern Territory Mission. I delivered the charge, founded
upon Actsxxvi. 17, 18.

A2)ril 12th. — We went by train to the Burra; Mr. F. W. Holder
was at the station to receive us. At 3 p.m. we took possession of
our humble home for a term of service as the Conference may
appoint. The brethren also devolved upon me the Chairmanship of
the Middle District, which, with the care of the Circuit, will occupy
all my time.

The Burra, from its geographical position, being 101 miles north
from Adelaide, would naturally become the base of operations for
new townships as the years come on. The Rev. John Harcourt was
the first resident minister, as a young man, in 1845. Even at that
time there was a noble band of pioneer local preachers, who toiled
hard and successfully in the Master's vineyard. Such names as the
following are worthy of mention : Messrs. Thomas Thomas, John
Boots, John Chapman, Samuel Bray, Joseph Sleep, James D. Bone,

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 373

and J. R. Stephens. The first leader was good Thomas Moyses ;
John Dunstone was the first Sunday School Superintendent, and
John Eoach, one of the first teachei's. Thomas Burgess did great
service to the young in evening classes ; and William Pearce intro-
duced the Temperance cause, A Mr, Thorpe, from Clarendon, used
to preach out of doors in his blue serge before the Gospel had a local
habitation. He brought potatoes and other vegetables from his
farm at Kangarilla for the miners, and preached salvation to them
likewise. Mrs. Cotton and Mrs. Sleep (then the Misses Mitchell)
and the Misses Mayor, collected the first money for establishing a.
Sunday School, and afterwards for erecting the first sanctuary in
Kooringa (Burra). My circuit I found to be compact and free from
heavy debts. Kooringa and Redruth were the dual head ; having
as outstations, Westbury, two miles ; Baldry, fourteen ; Baldina
eight ; and Mongalota, eighteen. I saw plainly that I would have
all my afternoons, if I chose, for pastoral visitation, for strengthening
and building up the Societies, There was nothing heroic in the
administration of the Circuit. It was the quietest routine I had
ever had in any of my appointments, and left me all my forenoons
undisturbed for study and for Connexional correspondence. My
circuit stewards were Messrs. F. W, Holder and John Roach.
More agreeable church olficers I could not have desired.

May 2%th. — We held the Redruth Church anniversary, and raised
over £100. Mr. Roach presided, and Captain Paull and I were the
speakers.

June 2nd. — I wrote my first letter on South Australia for publica-
tion in the Methodist Recorder, my object being to supply informa-
tion to English capitalists, and to those of my countrymen who may
desire to better theii* condition by emigrating to this prosperous
colony.

Jime 20th. — I held my first Local Preachers' Meeting. Messrs.
Sleep, Holder, Kitchen, Giles, Crews, and Dr. Brummitt were
present. I held the Quarterly Meeting also, when I found that our
income exceeded the expenditure by £20. A good beginning !

Jione 24:th. — My oflicial visitation of the Circuits began to-day.
I went by train to Freeling, and held the Quarterly Meeting. In
the evening I gave my lecture on ' INIy Trip to England and Back '
to about one hundred persons. Mrs. Rankin was my kind hostess.

Jitly 5th. — I went to Crystal Book to preach and lecture on

374 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

behalf of the Trust Funds. I was the welcome guest of Mr. and
Mrs. Claridge.

July 8th. — I was at Clare for the Home Missions, and on the 9th
I was at Mintaro for the same purpose. In this visit I had much
pleasure in the society of the Rev. C. T. and ^Irs. Newman, and of
Mr. and Mrs. Jolly.

July 20f7i. [ Diary Jotting] — 'A good day. I had the largest congregation
I have yet seen in the Kooringa Church. At the after prayer meeting, Mr.
Walker came forward to seek salvation.'

Jioly '24:th. — There has been a fall of snow. It was a refreshing
sight for my old English eyes.

Aug. Srd. — I preached at Jamestown on behalf of the Trust Fund
of the Church. We raised altogether .£112. A Mr. Williams, a
well-to-do farmer, promised the proceeds of five acres of wheat.
On the 5th, the Rev. P. 0. Thomas and I went to Caltowie, where
I lectured in aid of the Circuit Funds. We were the guests of Mr.
and Mrs. Henry Williams. On my way home the next day, I
tarried at Hallett to witness the laying of the ' foundation stone '
of the new Institute by Mr. Rowland Rees, M.P., the member for
the District. He gave quite a classical speech.

Avff. I0t7i. [Diary Jotting] — ' Laborious and profitable day. Preached
three times, gave the Lord's Supper, baptized two children, and held and
addressed a prayer meeting at the close. Drove twenty-four miles ; my friend,
Mr. Holder, accompanied me.'

Aug. 2ot7t. [Diary Jotting] — ' I read over the correspondence anent the
young men I sent out from England. The Rev. William Jenkins (P.M.M. )
called, and we had a nice conversation about their Connexional matters, their
Equalisation Fund, Circuit difficulties, etc., etc. In the evening I attended the
" Bible Christian " and " Primitive Methodist meetings," and spoke for an hour
and a quarter at both places. I got home at 10 p.m., tired and excited.'

Sept. 5th. — I went to Kapunda, and gave my lecture on * My
Trip to England and Back.' It was the last of a series, and was well
received.

Sept. nth. — I attended the Allocation Committee in Adelaide. We
had £1,180 3s. lOcl. to distribute for Connexional expenses and for
Circuit deficiencies. The Loan Fund income was .£1,550. Princely
contributions from a grateful and godly people !

Oct. 10th. — The Rev. E. S. Bickford, my nephew, visited us, and
preached the Kooringa Church Anniversary Sermons. The next

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 375

clay the Hon. John Colton, M.P., my nephew, and I dined at Dr.
Brummitt's. Mr. Colton presided at the meeting in the evening.

Oct. list. — We began the Annual District Meeting, when all the
ministers were present. The next day the Circuit Stewards joined
us. ■ We had a short and successful meeting.

Oct. 23rcZ. — The Rev. R. W. Campbell lectured on ' Burns,' the
great Scottish poet. He spoke for an hoiu- and a half without a
manuscript or note. It was a very ably composed lecture, and
suffered nothing in its delivery. Give me an educated, sympathis-
ing Scot to lecture on Scott or Burns, and we may be sure of a treat.
My nephew, E. S. Bickford, accompanied Mr. George Sara, a
contractor, on his northern fortnightly round, whilst we were at
District business. I wanted him to see the Northern Areas, whilst
he was over here. He was much pleased with what he saw.

On the 27th, my nephew, E. S. B., my niece. Miss Jarvis, the Eev.
R. S. Casely, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Drew, and I dined at Mrs.
John Drew's, when we had a time of most agreeable intercourse.
The next day we closed the Bazaar efibrt for the Kooringa Lecture
Hall, and found that we had raised £151 3s. lOcZ.

Dec. ^\st. — The usual 'Watch Night Service' was held at Kooringa.
Mr. Holder and I addressed the congregation. It was indeed a
season of grace and blessing to us all. And so was closed the year

1879.

1880.

Jan. \st. — I enter upon the New Tear under the influence of a
premonition that it will be an eventful one. But I tru.st in God for
both guidance and grace. Pere Granion has remarked : ' Sometimes
three sacrifices are required by our Heavenly Father, expressed in
three Latin words : tua, tuos, te — i.e. thy goods, thy children, and
thyself. In my renewal of consecration this morning, I did give
my goods and myself to God ; but children to give I have none. I
find the clippings I make, in the course of my miscellancons reading,
to be an inspii-ation of noble and divinest thought in my otherwise
lethargic soul. Lord Mansfield's sententious apothegm is suggestive
of the spirit in which I should, in the beginning of a new year, enter
upon my clerical duties : ' I wish popularity ; but it is that popular-
ity which follows, not that which is run after. It is that popularity
which, sooner or later, never fails to do justice to the pursuit of noble
■ends by noble means.' So may I pursue my holy calling.

376 JAMES BICKFOIW: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

It is impossible in tliese stirring times to sever oneself from the
possibilities which await the English race. For example, we, Anglo-
Anstralians, are laying the foundations of a great and prosperous
empire in the Southern World. As certainly as the sun rises on the
hills and valleys of this Austral land, and the water of the seas lave
our shores, so siu-e will be the increase of the white i-aces from the over-
populated countries of northern latitudes, to people and to develop
these priceless colonies of the south. Carcour's prediction is i-eceiving
rapid fulfilment : ' England's mi'^sions have been many, to introduce
into the world representative government and free ti'ade, and to keep
alive the embers of European liberty. But your great mission is
that foretold by Shakespeare, to found empires, to scatter wide the
civilised man. Fifty years hence, three or four hundred millions of
the most energetic men in the world will speak English. French
and German will be dialects, as Dutch and Portuguese are now.'

The Churches of Christ are the heaven-ordained factors for
bringing about a world-wide human regeneration. These Churches
are the custodians of the ' leaven ' for effecting this glorious trans-
formation. And, in all humility, we may venture to say, ' We are
able to do it.' What is our numerical strength of English-speaking
Christians in this year of grace, 1880? Episcopalians, say,
18,000,000; Methodists, 16,500,000; Roman Catholics, 13,500,000;
Presbyterians, 10,250,000 ; Baptists, 5,000,000 ; Congregationalists,
6,000,000; and Unitarians, 1,000,000. We confidently ask, Can
earth or hell arrest the triumphant progress of Anglo-Saxon civilisa-
tion and Anglo-Saxon Christianity ?

With such thoughts, I left the Burra on the 19th, for the Annual
Conference in Adelaide. I was the guest by invitation of Chief
Jvistice Way, at his beautiful mansion, Montefiore, Noi-th Adelaide.
At the station, the judge's carriage was in waiting, and I Avas soon
conveyed to my temporary home. The next day, the Conference
was opened by the retiring President, the Rev. C. H. Goldsmith ;
and the Rev. Henry T. Burgess was elected as his successor, with
the Rev. J. B. Stephenson as Secretary. The easy despatch of
business, and the general order of the Conference, soon showed the
wisdom of the choice made of our chief officers. On the 23rcl, at
the request of the President, I examined, vivd voce, W. A. Langsford,
H. H. Teague, and T. E. Thomas, B.A., for ' full connexion.' They
were received by an unanimous vote. The thanks of the Conference

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 377

were presented to me, * for my assiduous attention to the best
interests of South Australia, during my recent sojourn in England.'

March 1st. — I went to Adelaide to attend a meeting of the
Directors of the Wesleyan Newspaper Company. I expressed my
dissatisfaction with the old administration, and with the arrangements
for the new. The paper before long is bound to come to grief,
through lack of support. Our people have taken but little to it ;
hence our poor subscription list. And yet, as a church, we cannot
do without a weekly organ. We want it for giving information of
our work, and as a means of defence when we are misrepresented.

March 29th. — I heard to-day of the lamented death of the E«v.
Joseph Dare, D.D., in Melbourne. The ' ApoUos ' of our Australasian
Church is gone. A great loss not easily to be repaired.

Ajyril 9th. — Great Britain has just passed through the turmoil of
a general election. The returns are, Liberals, 343 ; Conservatives,
177. The latter at present, as a party, is completely broken up.

A2)ril 18th. — I preached three times at Port Pirie, in aid of the
Trust Funds. I had to return by first train the next morning to
inter the remains of the late ]\Ir. Thomas Hosking. There was a
large funeral ; it was a mournful sight.

Ajyril 26i/i. — English telegram : The Queen has been obliged, after
all, to ask Mr. Gladstone to form the new Government. That
knightly man, Lord Granville, is Foreign Secretary. Mr. H. H.
Fowler, of Wolverhampton, has, I find, been elected to Parliament
in the Liberal interest.

June 5th. — The Burials Bill has been read a second time in the
House of Lords. The right man is again at the helm.

JuIt/ 15th. — The Hon. John Colton, M.P., introduced me to our
Governor, Sir William Jervois, K.C.M.G., who received us very
graciously. I delivered to him a message of respect from Captain
Bowers, of Penang. The Governor's references to the old captain
were very complimentary.

Se2)t. 19th. — I went to North Adelaide, to inquire after my old
friend Captain Bagot, who was veiy poorly, but fully prepared for
the coming of the Lord.

Sppt. 11th. [Diary Jotting] — ' Made a copious outline of a sermon for to-
morrow. What a comfort it is to be prepared early for the Sabbath services I
This discourse on Heb. xi. 1, I began re-wi-iting on Wednesday, and I finished
it on Friday evening. This is what I must try to do in future every week. I

378 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

have read also the London Quarterly, and Agnes Strickland's " Lives of the
Queens of England," with intense interest. What misery has been inflicted
upon Great Britain i through the interference of the Parliaments with the
people's religion ! The Stuarts owe their downfall more to this insane
meddling than to any other cause. Why cannot Legislatures, as well as
individuals, learn the lesson of our Lord : " My kingdom is not of this world,"'
and practise it also 1 '

Sept. nth. — Sitting for many hours at my desk, occasioned a
severe pressure of pain in my head. I worked in the garden until
it was quite removed. The great Archbishop Whately, of Dublin,
used to cleave wood for the same piu-pose. It is an infallible
remedy.

Oct. dth. — I preached at Yarcowie Church anniversary. We
raised =£55. The Rev. W. A. Langsford and Mrs. Langsfox-d were
very kind.

Oct. 19th. — I was at Gawler attending the District Meeting. Mr.
J. H. Goss successfully passed as a candidate for our Ministry. The
l)usiness was finished in two days. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Clement
were my obliging host and hostess.

Oct. 2ith. — I was at Kapunda, in behalf of the Sunday School.
I gave an address to the teachers, parents, and scholars in the
afternoon.

Oct. 25tk. — At Kooringa Church anniversary, Mr. President
Burgess lectured on the nineteenth century discoveries. It was
very stimulating, and admirably delivered. We raised <£104.

Nov. lith. — The Rev. B. Chapman, General Secretary of our
Foreign Missions, preached to-day at Redruth and Kooringa. Mr.
Chapman earnestly advocated the Missions in the South Seas. At
intervals, some time in each day he was with us, he would refer to
the Friendly Islands' District. It was evident to me that the
condition of that romantic, and, until recently, glorious Mission was
causing him the intensest anxiety.*

Bee. 9th. — I held the service at Redruth, and met the classes for
tickets. I am greatly distressed at the small attendance of the
members at the weekly fellowship. And what to do to cure this

* The Rev. Shirley Baker, who for many years had been ' Chairman of the
District,' had accepted service under King George as Prime Minister of his
kingdom. Such a position, for Mr. Baker, was bound to be a source of en-
tanglement and trouble. And so events have proved.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 379

negligence I cannot tell ! Our membership is loose and inconsistent.
But who will take this question in hand ? Who 1

Dec. Z\st. — We have got through the heat and ' j our neyings often '
of another year. The preaching appointments have been well taken
up, and the pastoral work, devolving moie particularly upon myself,
has been vigorously prosecuted. We held the usual ' Watchnight '
service, which was well attended. Mr. Holder and I gave addresses,
and Mr. James Harry acted as precentor. I hope for lasting good
as the result of this last service of the year.

1881.

Jan. 1st. [Diary Jotting]-^' In the good Providence of God, I enter upon the
duties and trials of another year. "Hitherto the Lord hath helped me."
This year I intend, morning by morning, devotionally to read the " Portable
Commentary " upon the New Testament, two chapters in the Old, and Bates'
and Pascoe's Aids and Helps. I must have my mornings at my own command,
and undisturbed. I will give heed to the suggestion of the Rev. E. E. Jenkins,
M.A., as of great value to me in my Australian ministry : " If you would make
sure of the ground upon which your faith rests, cherish the habit of observing a
stated time, day by day, for the study of the Holy Scriptures, and for medita-
tion upon God, as well as prayer to God. You have no enemy more dangerous
than the temptation that would filch from you the golden minutes consecrated
to your private intercoiarse with God. In everything else judicious solitude is
the spring of open services. As a tree attains Its strength and loftiness by the
unseen and silent ministry of the soil, so great characters are built in secret."
To such wise words I am resolved to give heed.

' " My company before is gone." The Fiev. Henry Hurd, who knelt with me
at our Ordination, and with whom I went to the West Indies in 1838, died
at Cardiff, "Wales, on the 5th ult. He had served the West India Mission for
forty years, and now is reaping his reward.'

Jan. l%th. — The Annual Conference was opened by Mr. ex-
President Burgess, and the Bev. J. B. Stephenson was chosen as his
successor. The Rev. S. Knight was elected as Secretary. He worked
hard, and did a great deal of business. I was requested by the
President to examine John Gillingham, Walter H. Hautar, and
John Watts, all of whom were cordially received into ' full connexion '
with the Conference. At the Ordination Service on the 26th, the
ex-President gave an excellent charge. I returned to Kooringa on
the 29th, so as to be ready for the Sabbath services.

Feb. 1st. — In the evening I heard the President of the ' Bible
Chi'istian Conference ' preach at the Burra. He reminded me very
much of Wesley's famous words, ' I write plain truth for a plain

380 JAMES BICKFORD : AN A UTOBIOGRAPHY.

people ; ' but then only an able man can reach that perfection.
Mrs. Bickford and I remained for the after-service, and took the
Lord's Supper. We found it good thus to unite with this dear
people in their sacred services.

Feb. 2\st. — No brain work possible to-day, with the thermometer
105° in the shade and 165° in the sun, with a fierce hot wind
blowing as if it came from a red-hot furnace.

Feb. 28</i. — I drove out to the Baldina plains to see the aged Mrs.
Pearce. She was very ill, but very happy. ' The love of Christ,'
she said, * took away her pain.' I called upon the Rogers, the
Bains, and the Tuckfields. In the evening I held the Quarterly
Love Feast, when eighteen believers testified to their conversion.

March \st. — Mis. Bickford and I went to Monovea Farm to see
our kind friends Mr. and Mrs. Field and family. We spent an
agi'eeable time with them. The only drawback was the great
heat.

March Gth. — I preached at Mintaro, and lectured the next evening.
We raised £40 for the Trust Fund. I wrote a letter entitled, ' The
New Theory of Child Salvation,' and sent it to The Methodist Journal
for publication.

March 12>th. — I preached at Riverton, and lectured on ' My Trip
to England and Back.' Collections for the Trust Funds ^666. I
made my home at ]\Ir. and Mrs. Polamountain's.

March 2Sth. — I held the Quarterly Meeting at Mr. John Dunstan's,
Redruth. We passed several resolutions bearing upon the work
of God in the Circuit. The balance in hand was about ten
guineas.

A2)ril oi'd. — After preaching at Kooringa, I drove to Mongalutu,
a distance of eighteen miles, for the afternoon service, and to meet
the class. I spent, as usual, an agreeable evening with Dr. Stephens
and family.

A2)ril 16th. — I heard to-day of the death of Dr. William Morley
Punshon. I was struck dumb. The loss to the Methodist Connexion
is great indeed.

A2»'il 20th. — Great men are falling fast. By telegram we learn
that Lord Beaconsfield died yesterday morning in the seventy-seventh
year of his age. One of the most trusted servants of the Queen is
gone from her councils, and the Tories have lost the most skilful
leader they have had in this century. His politics were not mine ;

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 381

but I thi'ow a wreath upon liia grave for his jealous guard over what
he thought to be the honour of England.

I exercise my right as a citizen of South Australia in voting for
such gentlemen as I please who are candidates for seats in Parliament.
My ministerial position, instead of shutting me off from the exerci.se
of my legal vote, in my conviction, seriously increases my obligation
to use it. My object is twofold : (1) To keep unsuitable men out of
Parliament ; (2) to elect suitable men to that position. Acting upon
this principle, I voted to-day for Sir H. Ayres, Sir John Milne ;
Messrs. Tartleton, Pickering, Hay, and Buck, for the Legislative
Council.

April 23>yZ. — I finished my reminiscences of the late Dr. Punshon,
and sent them to The MetliocUst Journal. I have a feeling of
admiration for his superb eloquence, and of veneration for his probity
and honoiu'. Like Wesley and Bunting, he has left no successor in
our Church.

April 2Qtli. — Mr. John Nairne, a young local preacher from
Magpie, Ballarat, called this morning. He is to take charge of the
Hanson Home Mission Station until next Conference.

May 2nd. [Diary Jotting] — ' Frightful telegraphic news reached us this
morning of the loss of the Waratau, about twenty-five miles from BlufE
Harbour, New Zealand. The Eev. Joseph Waterhouse, Eevs. Richardson and
Armitage were drowned; also one hundred and four passengers and sailors in all;
only about twenty sailors were saved.'

It seemed that the luckless steamer, by an alteration of her
course, was steered ' dead on ' to the Waipara reef. There were,
besides those names above given, Messrs. E. Connell, and E. Mitchell,
members of our Genex'al Conference. Since the loss of the Maria,
' mail boat,' in the West Indies in 1825, no such calamity as this has
befallen us.

Ajjril 11th. — The General Conference was opened to-day by the
Eev. John Watsford, the I'etiring President, and the Pev. James
Swanton Waugh, D.D., was elected as his successor. We met under
a great cloud of trouble, and it was difficult so to rise above it as to
be able to attend to business. Mr. Watsf ord's address was impressive
and seasonable. We agreed to constitute the Friendly Islands
Missions into a separate district of the New South Wales Conference
and to be free from the control of the Missionary Committee in
Sydney, It was done at the earnest request of King George himself.

382 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Carefully prepared, and aftectionately loyal despatches -were forwarded
to the King upon the subject. The Rev. B. Chapman was appointed
for another three years' term as General Secretary of Foreign
Missions. The Rev. W. Morley, representative from New Zealand,
brought before the Conference propositions for the separation of their
Conference from the Australasian Connexion. After a long and
earnest debate, they were negatived by a majority of five votes. On
the 27th we reached the end of our business. Dr. Waugh reqviested
me to offer the last prayer, and give the Benediction. In pai-ting with
the brethren, I was affected to tears, knowing that many of us would
see each other no more in this world.

July 2nd. — We agreed to have the Rev. W. A. Bainger as second
preacher. A few friends met at Dr. Brummitt's to arrange for
meeting this additional expense. .£80 were soon subscribed.

Julij 2(ith. — I wrote Mr. John Roberts, of Robertstown, about
twenty miles from Ivooringa, that Mr. Bainger would preach there,
on August 14th, if he could secure a congregation. This is our fii-st
attempt to enlarge the boundaries of our work. Robertstown is
situated in the centre of an agricultural and squatting district, and
it will be a great charity to give the people the Gospel of Jesus
Christ. Mr. Roberts is, I believe, the founder of the township.

Julij 30th. — I had an agreeable run to the North; the weather was
beautifully tine, and the air was bracing. The Rev. C. H. Gold-
smith met me at the Port Pirie Station, and took me to the Parsonage,
where I was kiiidly welcomed by Mrs. Goldsmith. I preached twice
the next day to good congregations. On Monday Mr. Goldsmith and
I strolled among the wharves, and ^dsited several families. In the
afternoon we drove to Lower Broughton, when I was delighted with
the wheat-fields, which looked so well. We had a public meeting in
the evening. The next day we drove to the Reservoir, and I was much
pleased with all that I saw. I lectured in the evening to a small
congregation. Admission by one shilling ticket is not popular on the
Northern Circuits. I returned home all well, and read sixty-eight
pages of McCarthy's ' Histoi-y of our Own Times,' which I much
enjoyed.

Aiig. 13th. — I sent off Mr. Bainger to Robertstown with full in-
structions. I had a severe headache to-day, the result of hard study
over my sermon. Read McCarthy on the Kabul massacre, etc.
Alas ! the whole of this trouble we brought upon ourselves through

SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 383'

meddling with the reigning powers of Afghanistan. Surely ours is
a ' spirited ' foreign policy ! But I hope the English Government
will be less adventurous under Mr. Gladstone's guidance.

Aiog. 1\st. — I preached a funeral sermon for dear Father Goss,
who had grown old and feeble in his Master's service. He was
eminently a good man, and departed this life at the age of seventy-
five, in blissful hope of heaven.

Sept. 12th. — I read in the South Australian Register of the death
of the Rev. B. Chapman, at Windsor, New Sovith Wales, on the
10th current. No death has occurred for many years in our ranks
which has distressed me more than this. Mr. Chapman was away
from home in his beloved deputation work, when he became ill, and
soon passed away. The greatest sorrow of his official life was the
sad condition of the Tongan mission. Indeed, I venture to think,
it killed him. A post-mortem, if it be reverent so to say, would
show deeply cut into his bleeding heart the ominous words, ' Tonga,
Tonga.' Nothing could heal the sorrow, or wash away the gore of
that heart, but the messenger of Death, whom the Heavenly Father
saw fit to send to him. But his record of integrity is on high.

Oct. 2nd. — The Rev. F. Langham, our apostolic missionary from
Fiji, paid us a visit. He preached and spoke at several places in
the interests of the work to which he had given his life. The Rev.
A. Rigg also paid us a visit. These ' wise men from the east ' contri-
buted much to our enjoyment diu'ing the time they spent with us.

j^ov. lith. — We inaugurated special services at the Burra, by
holding morning and mid-day prayer meetings, and services in the
evening. The Revs. Pearce and B'urt joined us in these hallowed
exercises. Mr. Matthew Burnett came to our assistance, and a
great work of God followed. Foi' miles outside the Burra the saving
power was felt. With these services on hand, and the care and
work of the Circuit to look after, I became prostrate, and had to
stand aside.

Dec. 23rd. — Mr. and Mrs. Burnett left the Burra for Port
Elliot, for rest and rustication. They have left a large blessing
behind them.

Dec. 21th. [Diary Jotting] — ' Dr. Brummitt called to see us. I am better,
but Mrs. Bickf ord had a bad nigbt. She is a great sufferer. I kept out of the
sun all the day as I could not endure its intense heat.'

Dec. 28!'/«. [Diary Jotting] — ' I was poorly all the forenoon through the

384 JAMES lilCKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

fierce, hot wind and heat. We held the Quarterly Meeting in the evening.
The accounts balanced. Mr. Thomas Drew was appointed junior Steward, and
Dr. Stephens as our Representative to Conference.'

Dec. 'ilst. — The Rev. Charles Lane and Mr. Holder conducted the
' Watch Night Service ' at Kooringa, and Mr. John Lane and I
a similai- service in the Primitive Methodist Church at Redruth.
Thank God for all the blessings of the year !

• 1882.

Jan. 1st. — I had a hard day's work in my somewhat enfeebled
condition. I preached at Redruth, Baldina, and in the ' Bible
Christian Church.' The Rev. Charles Lane conducted the services
at Kooringa in behalf of the new classrooms, when £13 2*. &d.
were collected.

Jan. nth. — The Annual Conference was opened to-day. The
Rev. R. S. Casely was elected President, and the Rev. R. M.
Hunter, Secretary. John Nairn was received as a probationer in
our Ministry. I took my full share of work in the Conference —
Sunday. At Pii-ie Street I preached on ' Freedom from Sin ' (Rom.
viii. 22,) and in the evening, at Gilbert Street, on the ' Redemption
of the Soul ' (Psalm xlix. 8), to excellent congregations. It was a
day of special blessing to me.

The Conference incorporated in its ' Annual Adch-ess ' a paragraph
as follows, upon the subject of weekly fellowship : ' We cannot close
without saying a word for a means of grace which we prize very
highly, and which may almost be accepted as a distinctive charac-
teristic of our Church, namely, the Class Meeting. There is but one
opinion as to the worth of this institution, considered as a means of
grace. There many of oui- members have learnt what, perhaps,
they had never known from any other sources, that there are clearly
defined degrees of spiritual life ; that there are temptations common
to all ; and that there are temptations which grow out of peculiarity
of temperament, or are the effects of faulty training in early life.
What many of the old Puritans longed for we have in our Class
Meeting — a place where believei's meet face to face for the pui-pose
of comparing things spiritual with things spiritual, and of exhorting
each other to higher attainments in the Divine life. Do you shiink
from such an exercise ? If you do, we woidd earnestly and afiection-
ately ask 3'ou to look into your own heai't, and ask yourself why you

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 385

are averse to this simple searching, and, as we believe, this Scriptural
communion of saints. Such a process of self-examination may be
productive of very blessed results ; and will, at the least, be one
means of responding to the exhortation of Holy Writ, ' Examine
yoiu'selves whether ye be in the faith ; prove your own selves.' As my
full time of three years was up in the Burra Circuit, I was appointed
Superintendent of the Port Adelaide Circuit, with the Rev. S. F.
Prior as my colleague. The Rev. Samuel Knight succeeded me at
the Bun-a. On the 28th the Minutes were signed, and I returned
home the same evening.

Feb. \st. — We had a Society Tea Meeting, when from one hundred
to one hundred and fifty members and communicants were present.
It was a glorious meeting, and must do good. On the 7th I presided
at the United Monthly Meeting of the classes. The members were
in a good state. ' What must we do,' I asked William Taylor,
when in Sydney, ' to preserve these new-born souls the Lord has
given us as the fruit of your labours? ' ' Do ? ' said he. ' You must
feed their emotional nature by fellowship meetings and love-feasts,
and keep them in a good state of soul, as well as preach to them
from time to time.' This ' winner of souls ' was right, as experience
has shown me in every Circuit in which I have laboured.

Feb. \2)tli. — I held a Special Circuit Meeting to consider certain
alterations to the old parsonage, or to erect a new one. We agreed
that a new parsonage should be built on Limestone Hill, to cost
=£1,000.

Feb. 2\st. — I read the Melbourne Spectator, and was much pleased
with the Rev. G. Daniel's charge to the newly ordained brethren at
the Melbourne Conference. There is an appropriateness of subject,
grasp of thought, earnestness, and aflection, in its whole form that
commanded my admiration. Such a charge should not only be
printed, but widely circulated among the rising Ministry of our
Chui-ch.

March lOth. — I was very unwell this morning, and I had to send
for Dr. Brummitt to assist me. He pronounced the inflammation in
my foot to be the gout. Alas for me that I should be the first of
my family to be afflicted in this manner ! The result, doubtless, of
exliaustion from the great heat and hard work.

March 27th. — I held the Quarterly Meeting at Mr. Tiver's, Aber-
deen. We had a large attendance and a fine meeting. The returns

25

386 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

are : — Full members 157, on trial 52, Catechumens 52. The increase
on the quarter Avas 36 members. We agreed to purchase a parson-
age site, 101 X 211, for .£30, on Limestone Hill, Kooringa. Mr.
George Sara, senior Steward, did us good f<er\ace in this matter.

April Qth. — This day we left our dear friends at the Burra for our
new Circuit. Theie had been two valedictory meetings at Redruth
and Kooringa, when very kind things were said to us by Messrs.
Forder, Sara, Tiver, Rabbich, Dunstan (Redruth), and Messrs. T.
Drew, Joseph Sleep, Wilkinson, F. W. Holder, Dr. Brummitt, John
Lane, and Dr. Stephens, with many others (Kooringa), to which I
responded as well as I could. I had had three happy, laborious
years at the Burra, and I felt deeply when the time came to say
Vale.

I was appointed to the Port Adelaide Circuit at my own request.
It is not always safe to choose one's own sphere of latour ; this was
the first time I had ventured so to do. There were good reasons
for this departure from the course I had habitually pvirsued during
my forty-thi-ee years of itinerancy, which I need not state. At the
Port Station the Rev. S. F. Prior, Mr. Theophilus Hack, and Mr.
Jarvis were there to receive us. At the Parsonage, Dale Street,
Mesdames Prior and Shorney were in waiting to give Mrs. Bickford
and me a heaity welcome. The Methodist system of itinerancy
would be intolerable were it not that the pain, connected with the
severance of friendship in leaving Circuits, is soon compensated by
the free and immediate openings to other equally sincere friendships
in the new Circuits to which one has to go. It was certainly so in
this case ; for, in a few days, we were quite at home with our new
friends, and were hard at our beloved work. The principle of the
itinerancy is in accordance with Apostolic practice. It recognises
the fact, that the ministry is one of the ' gifts ' of the Mediatorial
Lord to the Chm-ch for its preservation and extension in the world.
And it seems to be an equitable arrangement for Synods, Conferences,
or any other appointing power, to give efiect to the principle by
distributing equally this ' gift ' over the entire vineyard of the
Great Husbandman, for its cultivation and help. This, ' beyond all
controversy,' the Methodist Conferences in England, Ireland,
America, Australia, the West Indies, and Southern Africa, en-
deavour to do. And the system works well wheresoever it is
faithfully applied.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 387

I found in my new Circuit that I was committed to a vigorous
administration of its affairs. I began by a personal pastoral call upon
every family connected with our congregations. I then addressed a
note to each treasurer of the Church Trusts, for a copy of the balance
sheet as audited and presented at the last Anniversary. My object
was to get an exact knowledge of the financial condition of each
Trust. I advanced the cash necessary for paying off the Circuit debt
(£129 19«. lOf^.), so that all interest might be stopped. The way now
seemed cleared for an ' onward movement,' and my colleague, Mr.
Prior, the local preachers, and other Church ofHcers, braced then-
energies to the Lord's work. This was a courageous policy of adminis-
tx'ation, and it answered well. We were, indeed, only following a
Divine injunction : ' Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up
the stumbling-blocks out of the way of My people.'

Ajiril 9t7i. — I opened my commission, by preaching at the Semaphore
in aid of the Sunday School. On the next day Mrs. Bickford, Miss
Jarvis, and I, accompanied the teachers, cliiltb-en, and parents to their
annual picnic. There was a large gathering, and the enjoyment of
all was innocent and stimulating. We had a Sunday School Teachers'
tea in the evening, over which I presided. This was a good beginning
of active mmisterial service.

Mai/ 24cth. — The Queen is sixty-three years of age to-day. I went
to the Governor's levee in her honour, as is my invariable custom. I
then went to North Adelaide for the annual Conference of the ' South
Australia Temperance Society and Band of Hope,' and took my full
share in its proceedings. In the evening I went over to Birkenhead
and presided at the Good Templars' Meeting. I returned home at
9 p.m. much tired, but it was not a lost day by any means.

Mai/ 29th. — I voted for Messrs. Salom, Madge, Eidgeway, Cotton,
Glyde, and Murray, who were candidates for seats in the Legislative
Council. I regard the franchise our democratic Constitution gives
me as a solemn responsibility, and I always exercise it as I think
just and right.

June 7th. — I, also, as an Austral-Englishman, claim the privilege
of corresponding with the ' powers that be,' in the old country, on
matters affecting distinguished men in the service of the Queen, when
I tliink proper so to do. To-day, with that feeling, I addressed
a letter to Mr. Gladstone, Prime Minister, asking that the honour of
a K.C.M.G. might be conferred on as one eminently deserving

388 JAMES BICKFOBB: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

that dLstinction. It is a strange omission in some quarters that this
has not been done long before this.

June 2Sth. — Nothing like a diligent attendance to the routine work
of a Circuit for spending time pleasantly. Here we are already at the
end of June, and our Quarterly Meeting has to be held this evening.
We accordingly met at Mr. Shorney's, at the Semaphore, and had a
large attendance. The income had sprung to .£150 9*. lie?., and the
expenditure was £150 8s. lid. The number of members' names on
the class-books was one hundred and forty-seven, so that our income
was a little over £1 per head, taking for convenience the members as
a basis, for the quarter then ending. On the motion of Mr. E.
Butler, it was unanimously agreed to invite Dr. BoUen, Messrs. J.
Ottaway, J. Rofe, and J. Bray to resume their former positions in the
Port Church, and I was requested to conduct this delicate business,
which I gladly consented to do.

July 1st. — Our so-called ' White Elephant ' (the Northern Terri-
tory) is still a practical difficulty with our Government. Just now
the Legislature is engaged in discussing a Bill entitled, ' The India n
Immigration BiU,' for the introduction of Coolie labour to work the
sugar estates. I secured a copy of the Bill ; and, if I rightly recollect,
it is pretty much a transcript of an Act passed many years ago by
the Court of Policy in British Guiana for a similar object. I was
constrained, in the sorrowful remembrance of the working of that
Act, to write a strongly remonstrative letter for publication in the
Register, in opposition against the Bill now before our Parliament.
How can we expect these poor creatures, on their arrival in the
Territory, entering into wi-itten engagements with white men, and
under penalties, too, the meaning of which they cannot understand.
But this is only one aspect of the matter.

July 25th. — I interred to-day the remains of the late Mrs. Dr.
Mitchell. I found her ill when I came to the Port last April, and
now she is gone to the land where sickness is unknown. She was the
daughter of Dr. Bollen, and died at the early age of twenty-five.
Sweetness itself in her temper, and heavenly in her aspirations, she
seems to have been too good to battle with the storms of human life.
Her end was eminently peacefvU. She ' fell on sleep.'

On the 24th I received a letter from the Hon. G. W. Cotton, M.L.C.,
approving of my view of the! case.

July 28th. — We made an effort for the reduction of the debt on

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 389

Alberton Chm-ch. The Revs. R. S. Casely and G. E. Rowe did us
valuable service. We I'aised over £100.

Aug. 7th. — I prepared a lengthy article on the Methodist Confer-
ences of Ireland, France, and England, for the Christian Weekly.
So few of our people take the Watchman, or Recorder, or Monthly
Times, that I think it one's duty to supply them with such in-
formation as my article contains. On the 11th I wrote a letter,
for publication in the Register, on ' The Egyptian Embroglio and
England's Duty.' I gave much care to the preparation of this
communication in the hope that it may clear the mistiness away
which clouds many minds in regard to the origin of this melancholy
outbreak.

Ai(,g. Sth. — I read in Dean Stanley's 'Christian Institutions' with
surpassing satisfaction. The Dean is the kind of ' Churchman ' that
I greatly honour. He is faithful to historical traditions, although
they may be against the high assumptions of the hierarchs of his
own Church. But, in the largeness of his Christian instincts, he
cannot help it. ' The love of Christ constrains him.'

Atig. 21st. — I breakfasted at the Rev. J. B. Stephenson's to meet
his eminent cousin, the Rev. Dr. Bowman Stephenson, Mrs.
Stephenson, and daughter. We arranged a programme for the
Doctor's visitation of Circuits while he remains with us. ' The
Children's Home' is the burden of his tale, and a good tale it is.
South Australia is bound to help this Apostle of Humanity in a
substantial manner.

SejJt. 27th. — We held the Quarterly Meeting. Samuel Rossiter
was recommended as a candidate for our Ministry. It was a really
good meeting.

Oct. 3rd. — Dr. Stephenson, in the Port Town Hall, this evening
gave his lecture on the ' Children's Home and Orphanage ' in
England. He had a sympathizing audience.

Oct. 7th. — Mrs. Bickford and I left for Blackwood, and were
welcomed by the Hon. John and Mrs. Carr. We spent an inter-
esting evening with the family and friends who were there to
meet us. I preached the next day in behalf of the Church Trust.

On Monday evening the tea and public meeting came otf. We
had a fine attendance, and raised £56.

Oct. 10th. — I rose at 4 a.m., and saw a comet in the east. I have
seen many in my time, but tliis one is a stranger to me. But we

390 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

shall soon learn what Mr. C. Todd, our learned scientist, has to say
of this brilliant visitor.

Oct. Wth. — Dr. Bollen and I called on Mrs. Bayertz, a converted
Jewess, and a successfvU evangelist, about the proposed services it
is desired she should hold in the Semaphore Church. The interview
was very pleasant, and I was impressed with her freedom from all
foolish airs. She was natural, intelligent, self-possessed, and emin-
ently religious in her whole bearing. We were much pleased with her.

Oct. 20th.— The District Meeting closed to-day. We recommended
James Robert Bradbury, William George Clarke, John Charles Hill,
and Samuel Rossiter for our work. We were nearly four days in
session. The Rev. R. S. Casely presided over our deliberations ;
and under his guidance we had a happy and successful meeting.

Nov. 6th. — Mrs. Bickford and I embarked in the South Australian
for Geelong vid Melbourne. We were forty passengers, who, soon
after starting, disappeared. Poor things !

We reached Geelong on the 8th, my nephew, the Rev. E. S.
Bickford, and Allan his son, were at the station to receive us. We
went to the annual ' Flower Show ' in the evening, which was very
beautiful. Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcock were the presiding genii of
the affair. We saw many of ovir old friends, which was a real
pleasure to us.

iVov. 13th. — Dr. Stephenson lectured for his great ' charity,' the
' Children's Home.' We had a good attendance, and, at the close, I
said a few words in commendation of his object.

JS^ov. lith. — I called in at the District Meeting, when the brethren
welcomed me with much warmth of feeling. The Rev. Henry Bath
was in the chair. In the evening I lectured at ISre%vtown in aid of
the Trust funds. My subject was ' My Trip to England and Back,'
which took me an hour and a half in its delivery.

Ifov. 15th. — We went to Melbourne, and were the guests of our
early and kind friends, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Oakley, at Carlton.
In the afternoon I dropped in at the District Meeting, the Rev.
W. L. Binks, presiding. It was pleasant to see a few of my former
comrades in many a struggle, occasioned by the distractions of
the discovery of the Goldfields. But all, even the youngest of the
brethren, were Avarm in their welcome. Blessed be God for the
brotherhood of Wesleyan Ministers ! We visited about a great deal,
but the weather was too hot for much enjoyment.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 39 1

Deo. Ifit. [Diarj' Jotting] — ' On board the South Avstralian on our way to
Port Adelaide. Passengers very agreeable, and the weather beautiful. But I
am out of sorts somehow. I shall be better, I hope, when again on shore.
Mrs. Bickford was much indisposed after the voyage.'

Dec. lOtli. [Diary Jotting] — ' Could not preach to-day, but was confined to
the house quite ill.'

Dec. \')th. [Diary Jotting] — 'Little better, but still unwell. The gout is
come into my left foot to distress me still further. This is the second time in
my life I have had this terrible evil upon me.'

Dec. IWi. [Diary Jotting] — ' Given up all thoughts of preaching on Sunday,
in obedience to my medical adviser, Dr. Mitchell. Can't put my foot to the
floor without the acutest pain. (Is this a messenger of Satan to buffet me ? )
Mr. President Casely came to see me and Mrs. Bickford, who is also very
ill.'

Dec. 2Qth. — We have had the Rev. Mr. Youngman here as
missionary deputation but I could not hear him, which was a great
deprivation. The Rev. Joseph Nicholson did us good service at the
Semaphore.

Dec. 2ith. — I was able to take my appointments. Blessed be God !
' Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.'

1883.

Jan. \st. [Diary Jotting] — ' In God's good providence I have entered upon
the duties and responsibilities of another year. At the '• Watch Night Service "
I gave myself, "body, spirit, and soul," to my Lord and Saviour. May God
accept the surrender, and be with me for good ! '

Jan. Qth. — Our popular Grovernor, Sn- William Jervois, held a levee
to-day, prior to his lea\'ing South Australia for New Zealand. I
went, of course, to show my respect for the Queen he has represented
during his gubernatorial reign over us ; but, also, for himself, as one
of the best Governors this Colony has ever had. Indeed, for blame-
lessness of character, and as a vigorous administrator, I class him
with Sir Henry Barkly, and that is no small compliment.

Jan. 7th. [Diary Jotting] — ' Heard Mr. Prior preach an excellent sermon at
the Port. In the afternoon I conducted the " Renewal of Covenant Service,"
and gave the Lord's Supper. I preached at Alberton in the evening ; held the
" Covenant Service," and gave the Lord's Supper.'

Jan. 8th. — For some months I had given a weekly visit to our
day school, at Birkenhead, conducted by a Mrs. Jones, a qualified
teacher from England, to assist her in giving a Bible Lesson for the
attendant childi-en. There was no difficulty in carrying out this

392 JAMES BICKFORD : AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

exercise to the fullest extent. This pleasing fact led me to consider,
whether it would not be possible for some arrangement to be made
for giving Bible Lessons to the Poi-t Model School, by ministers of
religion, on one or two days in each week, according to the Board's
Regulations, or in some other way. I, therefore, sent a circular note
to each minister, asking them to meet me in my study to consider the
desirableness of our making some attempt to accomplish this object.
Accordingly, this forenoon, the Rev. Canon Green, Pastor Bambour,
Revs. J. C Kirby, J. H. Angas, and M. Lloyd, met to talk the
matter over. We agreed to try to secure permission from the Board
for the use of one of the classrooms, during school hours, for meeting
such of the pupils as choose to attend, and Mr. Kii-by and I were
requested to communicate with the Minister of Education on the
subject. This we did, but we failed to get the desired concession ;
besides which there would be a monetary charge upon us, even if the
exercises were held before or after the hours for the daily routine
school-work. We saw, therefore, that we could proceed no farthei-
until the Act was so amended as to permit Bible Reading being
given within school hours, instead of before or after as the Act
provides. And at that point we stopped for the present. We
agreed at this meeting to form a branch of the Society for the
Promotion of Social Purit}'^, and Canon Green was requested to act
as Secretary.

Jan. Wth. [Diary Jotting] — -Mr. T. Hack informed me that the "Site
Committee," which had been appointed by the Quarterly Meeting, had recom-
mended the sale of the property in St. Vincent Street, and the purchase of a
new site in Dale Street. So that I am in for work of an anxious kind. I
have no doubt but that God will help us through.'

Jan. \Qih. — I held a Special Trustee Meeting of the Port property
in Vincent Street. We agreed to ask the permission of the Con-
ference to sell the property, and erect new premises in Dale Street.
All the trustees were of one mind in this proposed action.

Jan. nth. — The Rev. R. S. Casely opened the Annual Conference
this (Wednesday) evening, and I was elected as his successor by a
majority of twenty-four votes. The probationers were examined the
next day, and the stations were read a second time in the Saturday
forenoon.

Jan. '2lst. — I preached the official sermon in Pirie Street Church.
Text, Eccles. ii. 26. By invitation, the Revs. Knight, Casely, Lane,

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 393

Hunter, myself, and Major Ferguson dined at the Chief Justice's,
Montefiore Hill, North Adelaide. His Honour is happy, indeed, in
his manner of entertaining his clerical friends. We certainly had
a lively, but not a frivolous, time. I heaid Mr. ex-President Casely
preach a good sermon in the evening.

Jan. 2&th. [Diary Jotting] — ' I went to Conference, and presided all the day.
We had a great debate on " Bible Reading in State Schools during school
hours," but a vote was not taken. In the afternoon, Brother Patchell, in a few
minutes after he had spoken, was seized with an apoplectic fit, from which he
never rallied. He died in one hour and ten minutes from the time he was
attacked. We could do no more business ; and, after a season of prayer, we
met in the evening to make arrangements for the funeral.'

The next day, in the afternoon, the mortal remains of this good
and useful man were laid in the silent grave, at the Western
Cemetery, in the presence of the bereaved Mrs. Patchell, a large
number of friends of the family, and by nearly the whole Conference
of Ministers. I felt more than I can describe, whilst reading the
service at the grave over the remains of my former colleague in the
Pii-ie Street Circuit.

Jan. 28th. — As President it fell to my lot to preach the funeral
sermon for my departed friend the day after the funeral. I was
very unwell, but I did the best I could. After the service I went
to my friends the Wallaces' for the night. I was much wearied and
sorrow-stricken with the painful scenes and laboiu's through which
I had passed.

Jan. SOth. — We reached the end of our business. The Minutes
were signed at 9 p.m. My old heart thanked God for His merciful
aid vouchsafed to me from day to day as I presided over the Sessions
of this Conference.

Feb. 4:th. — By request of the Conference, I visited Goolwa, to
improve the death of their late pastor, Mr. Patchell. I had a large
congregation at the evening service, and much feeling was shown by
the bereaved chvu-ch. I met the oiiicials, and arranged for a supply
until April next. I left Mrs. Patchell and family, after commending
them to the care and love of the Heavenly Father.

Feb. Idth. — I went up to the city to witness the ceremony of the
swearing-in of the new Governor, Sir William F. C. Robinson.
Several of the brethren were present. Sii' William held a levee on
the 21st, when 600 gentlemen were presented. I I'ead the address,
which the Governor nicely responded to.

394 JAMES BICKFOUD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Feb. 2'2nd. — I now feel as if a cup of sorrow were about to be
administered to me. My dear wife is prostrate in body and mind,
from a paralytic attack. It came on early this morning, when her
sister, Mrs. Jarvis, pei'ceived that she was unable to articulate her
words. We sent at once for Dr. Mitchell, and committed the case
to him to do his best.

Feb. 23rd. — We thought Mi's. Bickford would have died in the
night, but she has rallied a little this morning. She can speak, but
not converse with us. Kind friends keep calling, but the doctor has
peremptorily ordered that no visitors must see her. Perfect quiet
and nourishment are all that can be done just now. Mrs. Saunday
came and sat up with the dear sick one.

Feb. 24:th. — T tried to do something for to-morrow (Sunday), but
found myself unequal to it. Mrs. Bickford is still very, very ill.
Alas ! for the cloud of sorrow which has come upon us.

March 12th. — NotwithstancUng Mrs. Bickford's precarious condi-
tion, I was compelled to leave her and go to Port Augusta, to
give evidence in a case of bigamy. The journey was two hundred
and eighty-five miles by rail. I arrived in time to speak at the
Church Anniversary for a few minutes. The Rev. W. and Mrs.
Beed gave me a kind welcome.

March ISth. — I attended the Court, presided over by Chief Justice
Way. Johnston, the bigamist, after confronting me, by the advice
of his Counsel, ' confessed judgment,' and was sentenced to six
months' imprisonment. The Rev. Samuel Knight lectured this
evening on his ' Travels in Europe and America,' which was full of
fine touches — descriptive and oratorical. It was well received. I
moved a vote of thanks to him.

March lUh.—The Rev. S. Knight, Mr. Moncrieff, and I left for
Quorn this morning. I had a fine view of the Pichirichi Pass. I
preached in the evening, and met afterwards four of the church
officers, and heard their grievances. They want, they say, a
Methodist Administration of the afRxirs of the Circuit. Mr. Knight
was present. We were in the church until a late hour. We were
the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Moncrieff, who showed us all possible
kindness.

This is the third time my brethren have elected me to the position
of President of Annual Conference. As an expression of theii-
confidence, it is valuable ; but the office involves much responsibility.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. . 395

It is not a sinecm-e by any means : it confers no financial advantage ;
the honoui' of the office is its only reward. It does not create a
higher grade of ministerial ' orders ; ' but rests upon a previous
historical eldership received from Wesley and Coke. For the time
being, the President is a veritable Bishop (eTrio-KOTros), and does the
work of visiting the Circuits, and guides the affairs of the Connexion
over which he is placed. In addition to the duties of the Presidency,
he is generally the Superintendent of a Circuit, and takes his turn
with his colleagues in preaching and pastoral labours. An onerous
position for any man ; no one covets it ; but, when it comes, it is
cheerfully accepted. My visit to Quorn was in virtue of my office
as President. But this was only a beginning of such ' journejdngs ; '
for on the 23rd instant, I had to be in the Laura Cu'cuit on a very
difficidt errand. The Rev. D. S. Wylie di-ove me from Gladstone to
Yarcowie, where I had to meet the Church officers in then- Quarterly
Meeting. I heard theii' ' tale ' of troubles ; and, ultimately, by
mutual concession and explanations, I succeeded in making ' peace
among the brethren.'

I attended the Church Anniversary in the evening, when I gave,
extempore, the substance of my lecture on * My Trip to England and
Back.* We had a very fine meeting. We then drove to Laura, and
I was kindly entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Close. This has been a
trying day in many respects.

March 25th. — I was at Kooringa in the interests of the Sunday
School ; and at the beautiful ' Ser^^.ce of Song ' in the afternoon, I
read the connective pieces. In the absence of the Rev. Samuel
Knight, Superintendent, the next day I held the Quarterly Meeting,
which was easily got through. The usual tea and public meeting
were held in the evening, and passed off well. I returned home
on the 27th, and found Mrs. Bickford, considerably improved, down-
stairs in the parlour.

March 30th. — I held the Quaiterly Meeting at Woodville. We re-
ported 240 members; income, £170 7s. Id. ; expenditure, .£148 Is. ;
balance in hands of Stewards, £22 6s. Id. It was an excellent
meeting, but it always is the case when the balance is on the right
side. I had two deputations to-day about the supply for Kangaroo
Island, and Woodside in the Mount Barker Circuit.

Ajyril 15th. — I was at Yankalilla in the interests of the Church
Trust. I preached twice to good congregations. The next morning

396 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

the Rev. John Watts took me to see some good Wesleyan families —
the Heathcotes, Duftys and FaiUkners. We went also to see the
Gorge on the sea-coast, which is finely romantic. I lectured in the
evening : Messrs. Watts and 0. Lake were present.

April 17th. — Two young ministers from England came to-day:
Messrs. W. A. Potts and G. W. Kendrew. The next day we ap-
pointed them to their stations until next Conference. Dr. Kelynack
is visiting us upon missionary business. Messrs. Burgess, Stephen-
son, and I met him in consultation. We shall help him all that we
can.

A2}ril 25t?t. [Diary Jotting] — ' I went to Prince Alfred College to receive
the Governor, Sir W. T. C. Robinson, who was coming to see the Institution.
About 400 boys were present. His Excellency was much pleased at what he
saw and heard.'

April 27th. — I wrote a letter to the Register, re the action of the
Anglican Synod ignoring our efforts in the Northern Territory.
How foolish it is for these clerics to shut their eyes to the presence
of the plainest facts ! But it can make no difference to us, for we
began evangelistic work at Palmerston before the Anglicans, and
shall ' hold the fort ' against all odds.

May Qt7i. [Diary Jotting] — 'lam this day sixty-seven years of age. May
the good Lord forget me not as my strength shall fail ; but be merciful to
me to the end. — Amen.'

May lOth. — I took tea at Mr. T. Hack's, Avith several friends, to
meet Dr. Kelynack. His lecture came off in the evening. We
raised £60 for the missions debt.

Mai/ 24^/i. — I attended the levee : Messrs. Casely, Hunter,
Stoyell, and I went in together. The Governor was very complaisant
and nice. Bishop Kennion and I spoke a few words to him. Intro-
duced the brethren to Sir William.

May 31st. — I was at Port Piiie on very unpleasant business.

June 2nd. — Mrs. Bickford had a second attack of paralysis at
5 o'clock this morning. She is perfectly helpless.

June Sth. — I met thirteen young men, to form ' The Port Adelaide
and Alberton Young Men's Christian and Literary Society.' If
vigorously carried out, this Society will meet a great want which
has long been felt.

June llth. — I wrote my dear friend, Mrs. Holder, at the Burra,

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 397

on Mrs. Bickford's dangerous condition, and requested the prayers of
my late ' flock ' for her.

June 14</i. — I wrote a letter to the Register on the subject of
Immigration, suggesting that the Government should arrange with
the Orient line of steamers for conveying them from England to
Port Adelaide instead of coming by sailing vessels. I gave good
reasons for the change I suggested.

June 18th. — I attended the Bible Christian Church Anniversary.
Mr. Mattinson, M.P., in the chair. I gave a guinea for Mrs. Bick-
ford, as an expi^ession of her loving memory of her brother, John
Brown Tapp, who, for many years, was an able minister of that
body. He died in Canada in 1876.

June 20th. — I went to the Upper Sturt to hold the Quarterly
Meeting. The Hon. John Carr, M.P., was with me. I lectured in
the evening.

Jime 29th. — We held the Quarterly Meeting, The membership
had risen to 251 ; on trial, 35. Income, £196 7s. lOd. Expendi-
ture, =£166 7s. lOd Credit balance, £30.

Juli/ lith. — Bishop Kennion and I travelled from Hamley Bridge
to Moonta. As we rushed along, we had much conversation on
EnglLsh Chiu-ch affairs. In the afternoon he and I addressed the
miners in the carpenters' workshop at the mines. It was rather a
romantic service. I spent a quiet evening at the Handcocks.' The
next day I preached at Moonta in aid of the Trust of Yelta Church ,
It was cold, and I felt very uncomfortable all the day. I lectured
the next evening (Monday) at Moonta, to about 300 persons. The
financial I'esult was satisfactory.

Auff. 15th. [Diary Jottins:] — "The " Salvation Army" had a great row to-
night in Commercial Road, Captain Gibbs and Captain Ross were in deadly
opposition ; the former proved the stronger party. It was a disgusting exhibi-
tion of ignorance, irreligiousness, and boisterousness.'

Aug. lith. — I went as usual to visit our Birkenhead day school,
and was much pleased with the Bible Lesson : Subject, ' The History
of David.' About eighty children are in attendance.

Sept. 2Qth. — In the absence of the Rev. T. Lloyd, the Superin-
tendent of the Glenelg Circuit, I went thither to hold the Quarterly
Meeting. Income, £126 Os. 8d. Expenditure was £91 Ss. 9d.
Members, 171. I was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Scott,

398 JAMES BICKFORI): AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

/Sept. 28th. — We held the Quarterly Meeting. Members 290 .
on trial, 68. Income, £197 10s. Id. Expenditure, £177 12«. 6d
The official returns of our Sunday Schools were : — Teachers, 82 ;
Children on the Roll, 815. Meeting in class, 57.

Oct. 9th. [Diary Jotting]—' I held the Monthly Fellowship Meeting of
all the classes. There was a fine attendance and a good feeling.'

Oct. 16th. — I left early for the District Meeting. We had two
cases of dii>cipline, which were a great pain to us. The Financial
Meeting was held the next day. We had an evening sitting and
closed the business of the Connexional funds. We sat on the 18th
and 19th, considering the cases of candidates, probationers, etc., and
finished our work. This was a distressful District Meeting to me,
which was only compensated by an unanimous vote of thanks from
the brethren for my conduct in the chair.

Oct. 23rd. — I went to Parkside, and purchased a newly erected
cottage in Young Street, near to the church now in course of erection.
This has been done in the expectation of my becoming a Super-
numerary at the next Conference. Mrs. Bickford's enfeebled health,
and my physical inability to do the pastoral work of a Circuit,
compel me to take this course.

Oct. 28th. — I preached at Mount Barker. In the evening the
Institute was quite filled. The next day I attended the tea and
public meeting, and spoke fifty minutes with considerable freedom.
I was the welcome guest of the Hon. J. and Mrs. Dunn.*

Oct. SOth. — I went over to Woodside, and lectured in the Institute
on ' My Trip to England and Back.'

Oct. 31st. — Mr. Wheatley, just from England, preached a good,
practical sermon at the Semaphore this evening. I shall have every
confidence in sending him to Mitcham, until the Conference, as second
preacher in the Unley Circuit.

N'ov. Ist. — By invitation I attended the laying of the ' Foundation
Stone ' of the Young Men's Christian Association, and attended the
banquet in the Town Hall. This good enterprise is launched under
high auspices, and I hope and pray it may contribute much to the
advantage of those for whose benefit it has been undertaken.

* Nothing like the country for a little leisure for reading. To-day, at
Mr. Dunn's, I read the Revised Edition of St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans
right through in the morning. It was a great treat, and I enjoyed it much.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 399

Nov. 27id. — I read an article in the Nineteenth Century on
' After Death.' Thank God for the Holy Scriptures, which have
brought ' Life and Immortality to Light.'

Nov. 3rd. — I Avent to the Hon. John Colton's to dine. There was
a select gathering of friends. I saw the dear old Mrs. Colton, and
conversed and prayed with her.

Nov. 5th. — I had the pleasure of attending the stone-laying
ceremony in the rising subui'b of Parkside. We have probably a
hundred families already settled in the neighbourhood, for whom, as a
Church, we are only now beginning to provide religious ordinances.
The Rev. J. B. Stephenson, Superintendent, and the Pirie Street
Trustees, originated this movement in the most generous spirit. The
church to be erected will be commodious and elegant ; and in every
way in keeping with the rising importance and attractiveness of the
district. The cost, inclusive of site, will be over <£ 5,000.

Nov. 1th. — We laid the ' Foundation Stone ' of the additions to the
Semaphore Church, and raised £55. It was an enthusiastic affair.

Nov. \^th. — We laid the ' Stone ' at Woodvilleof a new church, to
cost .£1,050. Assets, so far, probably .£532.

Nov. 27th.— We held the Quarterly Meeting. Income £194 6s. 6d. ;
expenditure £177 18s. lid. Dr. Mitchell and Mr. George Shorney
were appointed Circuit Stewards, and Mr. Hack as Representative
to Conference.

Dec. 31st. [Diary Jotting] — ' My mind is much afEected this morning with a
deep sense of the goodness of God to me and my dear partner. '• I will sing of
mercy and of judgment ; unto Thee, 0 Lord, will I sing." I conducted the
' Watch Night Service ; ' Messrs. Hounslow, Ottaway, and Eofe took part. We
had a good attendance and a good time. One young man came up to the
Communion rails, and weepingly sought salvation.'

During this year I had, as President, several communications
with the Eev. John Kilner, of the London Mission House ; the Rev.
William Lowe, the venerable chairman ; and the Hon. George
Shenton, M. L. C, Perth (West Australia), on the subject of a
steady ministerial supply from home for that sparsely populated
but important colony, at the Committee's expense. Under date,
February 14th, 1883, the Rev. John Kilner, senior Missionary
Secretary, thus wrote Mr. Shenton : —

' We pray that your work may so take root and spread, that you may be
able readily not only to meet the comparatively small expense of passage and

400 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

outfit of the needed reinforcements from England referred to, but to occupy
new ground until the land is won for Christ.'

Of this paragraph Mr. Shenton says in a letter to me, May 23rd,

1883—

• I forward Mr. Kilner's letter, and j-ou will take notice that he only refers
to "' passage and outfit," therefore I do not see how they can ask us for the
college expense. I hope you will speedily hear that they are sending us two
men.'

Since then, the South Australian Conference has undertaken to
supply the Sister Church with ministers, but the District and Circuit
claims are to fall entirely upon Western Australia itself. This is
an equitable and final arrangement.*

1884.

Jan. 1st. [Diary Jotting] — ' I commenced this year on m^'^ knees in the Port
Church. Possibly, I may stand aside from the itinerancy after the Conference.
If so, the wrench, after forty-six years of unremitting service " among my own
people," will be severe. But Dr. Mitchell says '' that he cannot incur the
responsibility of not advising a removal of Mrs. Bickford from the Port." God's
will be done. This removal, at the end of two years, seems to involve my
becoming a. Supernumerary, But. I shall not be inactive. I will serve
Methodism in my comparative retirement.'

Jan. \1th. — The Rev. J. B, Stephenson called to ask me if I would
accept Parkside as a station in April next, should the Conference
make me a Supernumerary. My duties would be few, and just what
my strength permitted. He came in the name of the Circuit Stewards,
Messrs. Dungey and Colton, to consult me on the matter. I thanked
him for his kindness in thinking of me.

Jan. \Qth. — I opened the Conference in Pirie Street Church at
7 p.m., and, after ' supplications and prayers ' by two or three of the
brethren, I gave a resume of the work of the year. The Rev. Robert

* In a letter, dated July 13th, 1883, the Rev. John Kilner, senior Secretary
of our Foreign Missions, in reply to letters from me urging the continuance of
the Committee's help to Western Australia, says : ' The Committee cannot
re-open the question of our relation to the Mission in Western Australia. They
cannot do anything towards the maintenance of the work there. This is the
unchangeable conviction of the Committee. Be assured that our sympathy for
Western Australia, and for other openings Tsithin the area of your Conference,
is as real and as warm as ever. If we can help you in anything that does not
mean money grants we shall be glad to do so.'

FERN WATERFALL. ADELAIDE.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 401

Moi'ris Hunter was elected as my successor — a position he has
earned by his fine character, and wise conduct of all the Circuits in
which he has travelled. The Rev. W. Lowe, Chairman of the Western
Australia District, after many years of highly .honourable service in
Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia, was, at
his own request, made a Supernumerary Minister.

Jan. l^th. — I examined the four-years' men, Thomas Britton
Angwin, M.A., and George Edwards Rowe, both of whom were
received for Ordination to the full work of the Christian Ministry.
We received six candidates, and two as students in Prince Alfred
College.

Jan. 23?yZ. — At Kent Town Church this evening, I gave the
' charge ' to the newly ordained ministers. It was founded upon
Acts XX. 17, 28 : 'And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called
to him the elders of the Church. And when they were come to him,
he said unto them. . . . Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock,
in which the Holy Ghost hath made yoii bishops, to feed the Church
of God, which He purchased with His own blood ' (R.V.) The object
of my ' charge ' was specially to show the undoubted identity of the
* Elders ' and ' Bishops,' as an ' order ' of ministry in the Apostolic and
Primitive Churches ; and, that, if the ministerial * succession, as
shown in the earliest reliable ecclesiastical history, be of any value in
the argument, then the Branch of the Catholic Church known as the
Wesleyan Methodist, has a valid ministry derived from Wesley and
Coke, who were presbyters (' elders) of the Church of England. This
was the only controversial charge I have given ; it was well listened
to by a crowded congregation, and the whole Conference of Ministers,
with evident satisfaction. It was a great relief to me the next
morning when the Hon. John Carr, M.P., moved : ' That the thanks
of the Conference be given to the Rev. J. Bickford, the ex- President,
for his able, practical, and appropriate charge to the young ministers
who have been received into fall connexion.' I knew that the ground
over which I had travelled was novel, and, perhaps, a little dangerous ;

* I designedly disown the misleading phrase, ' Apostolical ' succession, and use
instead ' Ministerial.' The Apostles, as such, had no successors — no lineage ; in
the course of nature, they died as do other men ; and, with their deaths, the ' order '
ceased. But not so the ministerial succession ; which lives to day, and must
live on, until this dispensation of grace is closed by the Lord Himself, ' when
He shall come the second time without sin unto Salvation.'

26

402 JAMES JilCKFOIiD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

but, I have had no reason since to regret the course that I adopted.
I felt that the time had come for me, as the oldest minister in the
South Australia Conference, to try, at least, * to stop the mouth of
every foe ' by justifj'ing our position as a Scriptural Church, having
a vahd ministry beyond all reasonable assailment.

The Conference was pleased to insert in its Minutes the following
notice of my retirement from the Methodist Itinerancy : —

'REV. JAMES BICKFORD.

' After forty-six years of active and valued service in the Ministry of our
Church, in the West Indies and in these Colonies, the Conference regrets that
it now becomes necessary, mainly on the ground of family affliction, to accede
to the application of Mr. Bickford to become a Supernumerary. But, in meeting
this request, the Conference places on record its high appreciation of Mr.
Bickford's labours in every department of our Church work. Mr. Bickford has
several times been Chairman of District ; and on three ojcasions has been
elected to the Chair of the Conference. He has most faithfully discharged his
duties as a pastor, a preacher, and an administrator of Church affairs. He has
won a high place in the esteem and affection both of his brethren and of the
members and adherents of our Church. The Conference trusts that, in the
compai'ative retirement of his present position, he will have many years granted
him, during which he. with his ripe experien' e, will still be able to continue to
render help in the great cause to which he has devoted his life.'

Jan. 28^/i. — We closed the Conference to day. The Minutes were
read and signed : ' So we depa ted.'

Feh. 2>rd. — I was at Wilhmga in the interests of the Church Trust.
The next morning I went to the Slate Quarries in the company of
Mr. George Sara, J. P., and soon found that there was a mine of
wealth there only waiting to be worked on a larger scale. I lectured
ia the evening to a good audience. Proceeds between ,£70 and
.£80.

Feh. 10th. — I opened for Divine worship the new church at
Aldgate. On the Tuesday evening the after meetings were held ;
the Hon. L. Carr presiding. It was a successfid service.

Feb. I8th. — I i-ead, in the Nineteenth Century, Eai'l Grey's article
on the ' Condition of Ireland.' I was much disappointed with it.

March Ath. — I went to the stone-laying ceremony of the Dunn
Memorial Church at Mount Barker. This chm-ch, now in com-se
of erection, is the gift of the Hon. J. Dunn, ex.-M.L.C, to the
Wesleyan Methodist Connexion. It is a princely benefaction to
the Mount Barker District : ' beautiful for situation,' like Zion of

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 40S

old, to which the tribes of our Israel will go up to worship as the
centuries roll on.

March 17th. — A valedictory meeting was held at Port Adelaide
for the Circuit ministers (Messrs. Bickford and Prior) in anticipation
of our departure at the end of the month. It was largely attended,
;ind Dr. Mitchell presided over it with affectionate courtesy. The
following address was presei:ited to me ; and, as it is the last of the
kind that I could receive as an itinerant Wesleyan minister, it is
here given in full : —

• To THE Rev. James Bickford, — Superintendent of the Port Adelaide
and Semaphore Circuit, and ex-President of the Wesleyan Methodist
Conference of South Australia.

' Dear Sir and Brother,—

' It is with no ordinary feelings that we approach the pending change
of ministers, blessed as the Circuit has been in having you as Superintendent
for the past two years. That we shall regret the departure from us of our ex-
perienced and beloved pastor will, we hope, require no assurance here, seeing
the appreciation that has ever manifested itself in regard to your earnest, genuine,
and faithful ministry amongst us ; and that you will have our earnest prayers
and heartfelt sympathy in the unusual circumstances of your departure will,.
we believe, be as readily understood.

' Having been a minister of the Gospel in various lands for forty-six years,
and thrice President of Conference, it is no insignificant and uninteresting fact
to us, that your retirement here dates your retirement from that official and
active work for God and His Church, which we know has been your delight.
Greatly as we regret the loss of our minister, we more deeply regret the
Church's loss of your continued eminent services.

' The Lord in His providence. " too wise to err, too good to be unkind,"
has dictated your retirement in the affliction of your dear wife, but we pray
that your joint lives may be spared to enjoy for many years the rest you both
deserve and need. Our sympathy will follow you, and may the Great Father
amply sustain you to the end of this life, and give you an abundant entrance
to a higher sphere beyond it.

' We cannot conclude without referring to the success of this Circuit in
connection with your ministry and administration. You have promoted
harmony, and re-organized the finances, while the membership has doubled,
and important enterprises have been initiated. With earnest for the Divine
blessing on your house, —

' On behalf of the Circuit,

' We are, yours very sincerely,

' James T. Mitchell, 1 .,. . ^^ ,
'George Shorney, |<^^'-^«'^ Stewards.

' March llth, 1884."

404 JAMES BICKFOBB: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

April 1th. — A mere ' fly on the wheel ' surely I am this very
day. God works, and I am no more than than the smallest insect
in the evolutions of His providence. My last Quarterly Meeting
was held on the 26th ult., and on the Gth current, I opened the
new church at Woodville. The preachers for the day were, myself,
the Rev. G. W. Kendrew, and the Rev. J. Angas, In the evening
I preached in the Presbyterian Church, after which I went to the
Town Hall, and addressed Mr. Hounslow's nautical congregation
8o closed my ministry at the Port.

[Diary Jotting] — ' We left the Port this morning for Parkside : Mrs. Bick-
ford and Miss Jarvis went on in the waggonette, and I went by rail. Mrs.
Harris and Mrs. Jarvis were at " Edmeston Cottage " to receive us. Everything
was well arranged — thanks to my friends. Mrs. Bickford stood the journey
much better than I expected. Here we shall have a quiet retreat : God grant
that we may for some years enjoy it ! "

April \2th. — I read two or three Lent addresses by a French
Jesuit, which were very fine in some parts. I prepared an outline
for to-morrow evening at Archer Street. The quiet of this place
is delightful after all the worry of my itinerant life.

May ith. — We opened the new Church at Parkside to-day. The
dedication of the building was begun at 7 o'clock, which was a
time of gracious visitation. The ' ark of the covenant ' was then
brought ' into the House of the Lord.' The Revs. J. B. Stephenson,
R. M. Hunter, and J. Bickford preached the sermons. It was a
day of great rejoicing to us all.

May Gth. [Diary Jotting] — ' I am this day sixty-eight years of age. I
am the Lord's by personal consecration, and Him will I serve with every
power I possess.'

I am busily engaged in preparing for the public meetings of this
evening. We had large attendances, and, everything included, the
result was, say, £220. We had many presents. Mr. and Mrs. A.
A. Scott, gave the Communion Service ; Mrs. Catt gave the carpeting
for the rostrum and communion ; Mrs. GuDy gave the Bible, Hymn,
and Service Book; Mrs. Wallace gave the pulpit chaii*; and the
INIisses Gully gave the pulpit cushion. Messrs. Pengelly and Knobe
promised the Communion Table. It was certainly a glorious begin-
ning of the cause at Parkside,

May 8th. — I read in Bacon's Essays, with Archbishop Whately's
Annotations, for two hom-s, and received some solid instruction.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 405

May \Oth. — We let 131 sittings in the new church to-day. Thank
God for this token of His favour.

May \-^th. — The first Society class was held to-day. There were
present : — James Bickf ord, Leader ; and Mesdames Norton, Sykes,
Patterson, and Shepherd. In the evening the Rev. R. M. Hunter
preached, and held the first leader's meeting. There were present.
Mr. Hunter in the chair, and the Rev. James Bickford ; also Messrs.
W. Gully, B. Norton, G. Viney, and A. A. Scott. On the nomination
of the Superintendent, the following appointments were made : —
Society Stewards, W. Gully and George Viney ; Poor Stewards,
B. Norton and A. A. Scott ; Leaders, B. Norton, J. B. Butler, and
T. T. Prisk. I was requested to take charge of the Wednesday
afternoon class. The new cause was thus organised, and set to
work.

May \Qth. — I read the Memoir of the late Rev. Frederick
Jobson, D.D. It much interested me, as I had known him so
intimately, and had received from him many acts of kindness. It
is a beautifid work, and might be enlarged with much advantage.

May nth. — I read in ' Mosheim ' and ' Ancient Christianity ' for
several hours. I am becoming quite fascinated with this kind of
reading.

May 28th. — We held the first Sunday School Teachers' Meeting.
The necessary officers were appointed, and the school was fully
organised. There were 113 children's names taken down last
Sunday. Strange to say, two children did not know their names.
The Hon. A. Catt, M.P., was appointed senior Superintendent ; and
Mr. GUlingham, senior Secretary.

June 17th. — I held the leader's meeting, and entered up in the
stewards' books the number of members, the contributions in the
classes, and the collections, for the Quarter Board. We appointed
Mr. E. Alcock as leader, and Mrs. Wallace to meet a 'Young
Ckristians ' class. Mesdames Gully, Norton, Scott, Prisk, Peacock,
and Pdben were appointed a visiting committee of the sick and poor.
It was a very nice meeting, and all seemed to be in good heart.

June 18th. — I attended the Quarterly Meeting as a supernumerary
minister attached by special agreement with the Circuit. It was
a large and successful meeting. Pleasing references were made by
Mr. Colton and other brethren to the success which has attended the
Parkside enterprise.

406 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

June 20th. — Richard Dunstan and W. A. Millikan, Prince Alfred
College students, came for their theological lecture. I like the spirit
of the young men very much. Papers from England to-day. The
Egyptian question, even from a financial point of view, is terrible.
But El-Mahdi is on his way to the north. May God in His provi-
dence stop the cruel career of this false and bloody man !

Juli/ 31st. — I wrote a letter for the Reyister on the subject of ' Free
Education,' which I advocated in the strongest terms I could use. I
do hope that the Legislature will grant this boon to the poor cliildren
of the country.

Aug. Sth. — I attended the ' Holiness Convention,' in Pirie Street.
The addresses of Messrs. Burgess, Nicholson, Davison, and Nock were
able and to the point. The day's proceetlings were marked by much
of the Divine blessing.

Aug. 16th. — I attended the funeral of the Rev. James Way, one
of the pioneers of the ' Bible Christian Church ' in this colony. The
departed minister was held in high respect for his blameless life and
useful ministry.

Sept. Srcl. — I read Joseph Chamberlain's speech in answer to Lord
SaKsbury — ' A Roland for an Oliver.'

Se^Jt. 4:th. — I read in the Wentioorth Telegraph and Murray
Advertising News a cruel and impudent critique on our Chief
Seci'etary, Hon. John Colton, M.P. The man who wrote it cannot
know the man of whom he thus writes. But colonial public men
have to pay large penalties for their positions.

Sept. l^th. — I wrote two articles for the Melbourne Sp)ectator, on
* The Proposed Dismemberment of the Australasian Wesleyan
Methodist Connexion ' in New Zealand, and on our own Northern
Territory Mission.

Sept. 2ith. — I attended the Quarterly Meeting. Balance in hand
<£135 lis. lOf^. I was invited to continue in charge for another year
at Parkside.

Oct. ith. [Diary Jotting] — ' Telegram from Kev. Eobert Kelly : " If you
want to see Mr. Hack, sen., come quick." I went at once, and found on my
arrival at the Semaphore that he had died at a quarter to 11 a.m. He was
nearly eighty years of age. To him the words apply : " Mark the perfect man,
and behold the upright : for the end of that man is peace."'

Oct. 1th. — There are circumstances connected with the Churches (not
including the Anglican) which are suggestive of the desirableness of

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 407

a closer union among the ministei-s, for dealing with questions which
often arise of a social, political, and religious kind, which demand
consideration and guidance. Acting upon this belief, the Rev. James
(Presbyterian) sent out circulars inviting his brethi-en of other
Churches to form a ' Ministerial Association,' for conference and
prayer as occasion may arise.

Oct. 12th. — I went, by special request of the family, to the
Semaphore, to preach a funeral sermon for the late Mr. J. B. Hack.
Text: Job xiv. 20, 21. The congregation was large, and the
attention, throughout the deKvery of the sermon and the reading of
the obituary, was unbroken. A good colonist, a true Christian, and
another of my most attached friends has gone home.

Oct. 13</i. — I presided this morning at the first meeting of
' Ministerial Association.' After devotion, ' we agreed not to take
any united action to prevent the taxation scheme of the Government
relative to the inclusion of church sites.' For this negative result, I
am very sorry. I was so much dissatisfied at the non-action, that
I wrote a strong remonstrative letter to the Register, in opposition to
the scope of the tax, over the signature of ' Preshuteros.'

Oct. \4ith. — District Meeting all day.

Oct. \&th. — I examined, at the request of Mr. President Hunter,
Alfred Pickford Burgess and Frederick Finch, who were candidates
for oiu" Ministry ; both were recommended to the Coixf erence. Messrs.
Bennett and VVheatley were to be employed as home missionaries
for the year ensuing. I also examined A(Villiam Andrews Bainger
and John Goss for full connexion ; both passed very well.

The Sessions closed on the evening of the 17th. As the President
was leaving for New Zealand to attend the General Conference, I
was requested by him to take charge of the Circuit and all presi-
dential business during his absence, which I wilHngly did.

Oct. 23r(i. — I read for a couple of hours, Bev. J. Haslam's Life,
which is a very wonderful story. It is the severest thing I have
seen for some time, on the hollowness of the High Church theories
of certain Anglican Clergymen at home, by one of themselves.

Nov. 4:th. — I wrote a letter to the Register, entitled, ' Dr. Dendy :
Wooden Churches and Dissent.' It is in a jocular style, and may
serve a purpose. Ridicule sometimes is a more powerful weapon
than cogent reasoning.

Nov. 1th. — Mr. G. W. Coombs died this day. The chequered

408 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

life of this servant of God is now over. He has entered into
peace.

Nov. lOth. — I went to the Mayor's banquet this evening. There
were 120 gentlemen present. The speaking had too much political
smack in it for a social gathering.

Nov. 20th. — I read an article in the London Quarterly, entitled,
' Christian Perfection.' The best part of it is the last ; the early
and middle portions are too diffuse and difficult to be of much use to
ordinary readers.

Nov. 23?tZ. — In Pirie Street Church, this evening, I preached a
funeral sermon for the late G. W. Coombs. It was a trjdng time to
me and drew hygely upon my nervous power. We had a large
congregation, and I got through, I svippose, fairly well.

Nov. 27th. — I wrote to the Register a long letter under the signa-
ture of ' A Practical, but not a Perplexed Churchman,' in reply to ' A
Perplexed Church woman,' which had just appeared. It possibly
may clear away some mist.

Bee. 1st. — I attended the meeting of the ' Ministerial Association ;
this morning. The Rev, Dr. Paton spoke well on the aspects of
' Modern Infidelity.' A full conversation followed of an edifying
nature.

Dec. 18th. — I met Mr. Joseph Hardy's class for tickets; eight
present. I had a conversation with the members about a leader to
take the place of Mr. Hardy, who is very poorly. The feeling was in
favour of Mr. Alfred Catt taking the position.

Dec. 20th. — I weut to North Adelaide to see Sir H. T. Wrenforsley
to have a chat with him on missionary work in Fiji. Mr. Casely
accompanied me. The ex-Judge bore a noble testimony to the
character and work of our brethren in those islands.

Dec. 237'd. — I finished my fifty-first budget of Australian news for
the Watchman and Recorder. This number I have sent to London,
for publication, in the interests of the capitalists, merchants, me-
chanics, and agriculturists in Great Britain and Ireland, as well as
for the benefit of Australians themselves. I commenced these letters
in June 1879, and have continued them to this date, without fee or
reward.

Dec. 2Qth. — I have been trying this week to get my strength up
again ; for I was much run down with the two months' engagements.
The President was away.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 4U9

Dec. Zlst. — I held the ' Watch Night Service ; ' the first of the kind
in Parkside Church. About 120 to 150 persons were present.
Mr. E. Alcock gave an addi-ess, and Brother Unwin offered prayer.
It was a pretty good service, and I pray that it may bear some
fruit.

I have just met with a cHpping on the ' Temperance ' question,
which I insert as my closing record for the year : —

• Almost all thinking men in the country — ministers of religion, judges and
magistrates, and statesmen — are agreed that that which most hinders the moral
and spiritual welfare of the people is the prevalence of drinking habits. The
clergy know very well that it is impossible to hope that the truth of God will
have free course among the people, and will prevail over sorrow and sin, so long-
as drink stands in the way. Drunkenness is punished, not only in the person
of him who commits it, but in the persons of his wife and children, who are
innocent of drink, and only deplore it.' — Archbishop of York.

1885.

Jan. \st. — Another year ! Blessed be God ! I am hoping that
the peacefulness and quietude of this day will be often repeated in
my heart and in our humble home this year. Mi-s. Bickford's health
appears a little stronger, and I am trusting in the Heavenly Father
for her in all respects.

Jan. I'^th. — I am still reading the Rev. J. R. Gregory's work
on ' Conditional Immortality.' What a fine book this is in close
reasoning, keen criticism, and strong putting of the salient points of
the controversy. The Rev. Edward White, of London, the leader
of the new theory of (so-called) ' Life in Christ,' acknowledged to me
that he was the only opponent who had successfully attacked his
views. He inquired of me who he was, and said that he wovxld
much like to be acquainted ^^'ith him. Mr. White, I thought,
appeared to great advantage in this conversation, as a hard-headed
but generous opponent.

Jan. 2\st. — I Avrote H. H. Fowler, M.P., Under Secretary of
State for the Home Department, on the unpopularity of the Earl
of Derby, Secretary of State for the Colonies, throughout Australia.
We blame the noble earl for allowing the eastern portion of New
Guinea being annexed by the Germans, thereby creating prospective
difficulties to us in those seas lying to the north of AustraHa. In
the event of a war between Germany and Great Britain, our commerce
with China and India might be seriously interfered with.

410 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Jan. 'l\st. — The Conference was opened to-day, and the Rev.
C T. Newman was elected President. Mr. ex-President Hunter
gave a good adch-ess in retiring from the chair.

Jan. IQth. — I examined Messrs. Bainger, Blackett, Goss, and
Hadley. The ordeal was intentionally thorough, and occupied nearly
two hours to get thi-ough it. The young men were unanimously
received for ordination on the 25th current.

Jan. 30i/i. — At the mixed Conference, Mr. David Nock's motion
for making Bible reading in the State schools, during school hours,
came on. I moved an amendment, somewhat in the following terms :
' That inasmuch as " Bible reading " was provided for in the Act,
and might be had by any two parents of children attending the
school requiring it, this Conference recommends to the parents and
guardians of State school children to avail themselves of the provision
as found in the Act.' The motion was carried. By this Conference,
I was officially appointed as Theological Tutor of the ministerial
students at Prince Alfred College — a work of love which I cheerfully
accepted.

Jan. Z\st. — The Conference closed to-day.

Feb. Qth. — ' Khartoum.' I read, this morning, in the telegrams,
that El-Mahdi, through treachery, has captm-ed this old city, and
massacred two thovisand of its inhabitants. The torture of suspense,
re the fate of General Gordon, is terrible. It may surely be hoped,
that, in the absence of the arrival of the relieving party, he has
made good his escape from the doomed city, as he has river steamers
at his command, and, by going south, may be soon out of the reach
of his bloodthirsty enemies.

Feb. lOth. — Mr. Hunter brought me the sad intelligence of the
murder, in cold blood, of General Gordon on the 26th ult. I am
sorely distressed at the death of so good and courageous a man at
the hands of a band of savages. But, then, we ought not to be
there ! A cordon of defence, along the dividing line between the
two countries of Soudan and Upper Egypt, is all that British inter-
ests can demand in this inhospitable and deadly climate from the
English Government. But the end is not yet.

Feb. 20th.— The Rev. Mr. Goodwin (P.M.M.) spent an agreeable
hour with me this morning. He and Mrs. Goodwin are going to
England for a year's rest. I always liked Mr. Goodwin as a brother
minister and servant of Jesus Christ equally with myself. In the

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 411

course of conversation he told me that he had sat under the ministry
of the late Rev. Samuel Coley, at Cheetham Hill, Manchester. He
spoke in the highest terms of the character and eminent ability of
this soul-saving preacher of the ' Old Body.' I gave him, on leaving,
a copy of my work on ' Australasia,' as a memento of our brotherly
friendship.

March Qth. — The Rev. Henry Haigh, from India, dined with us
to-day. He is a most interesting man, and an able advocate of our
Missions. I expressed to him my earnest hope that he would deliver
his lecture — ' The Two Indies ' — in Exeter Hall, London, as it would
supply most valuable information for the use of Statesmen, as well
as for the Directors of the Missionary Societies, whose representatives
are labouring in India. Mr. Haigh, whilst in Adelaide, was the
welcome guest of Mr. and Mrs. W. Rhodes, of Kent Town.

March l^th. — I wrote the Register, under the signature, 'EtpT^voTroiot"
(Matt. V. 9.), on 'The Times: how critical!' for my contribution
to the reading public as a protest against the war spirit, now so
ripe in some quarters. My prayer is, ' Give peace in our time,
O Lord ! '

March 26^/i. — I read in the London Quarterly an article on old
Doctor Johnson. The Toryism of this publication disgusts me very
much. The animus of the writer is seen in the abuse it pours upon
the brilliant and philanthropic Macaulay, and its glorification of the
great lexicographer — Doctor Johnson. But to burn incense to the
memory of the latter, did not require in its wretched performance,
the author to do injury to one of the greatest literary lights
England has yet seen. But prejudice is blind and cruel !

Ajyi'il Srd. (Good Friday) — I am most anxious that here, in
Australia, the Crucifixion of oui' Lord shall be piously commemorated
in our churches, in the form of a full service, as on the Lord's
Day. Accordingly, I preached at Parkside at 11 a.m., on
John xii. 32, 33. We held in the afternoon a special religious
service in Pirie Street. At the request of the President, I ofiered
the opening prayer and read an appropriate lesson. The Revs. 0. T.
Newman, H. T. Burgess, S. Knight, and R. M. Hunter, severally
spoke on the last words of Jesus. The service was repeated in
the evening with good effect. This is a new departure, and it is
right.

April 8th. — Read in the Fortnightly for an hour or two. The

412 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

article which attracted my attention most, was 'The Seats Bill.'
I am astonished at Mr. Courtney's opposition to this Bill. It is
endoi"sed by the principle leaders of the Government, and should
have had the approval of the Liskeard Member. Its principle is
the ' One-Member Constituency,' which, if established, would secure
a ' House of Commons ' elected by the majority of the voters in
Great Britain and Ireland.

Ajn^il 27th. — I sent an article to the Advertiser, on England and
Russia. My object was to show the origin and nature of the dis-
agreement between these two gi*eat powers; their comparative
military strength, and the duty of the Churches of the ' Prince of
Peace ' uniting in earnest prayer to Almighty God for the success of
the British arms, should a war break out. And wherefore ? Because
in this instance, Russia is the aggressor — the disturber of peace in
the East. She has not learnt the lesson our Lord has left upon
record : ' All they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.'

May 24<7i. — I attended as usual the Governor's levee, in honour of
our good Queen Victoria. It was well attended by the leading
gentlemen of the Colony. In the afternoon, I presided at the annual
meeting of the Temperance League at North Adelaide. We held a
great meeting in the evening, when we had good speaking and an
enthusiastic feeling.

Ju7ie 8th. — Mr. B. Norton and I went to the Parkside Lunatic
Asylum, and saw the buildings which are assigned to the men.
Everything was beautifuily clean. There were some 250 men
wrecked and ruined by various causes, mostly by drink ; to whom
the pity of Christian people can now scai-cely reach. We came
away much affected with what we had seen.

June IQth. — I wrote the Hon. and Rev. S. W. Baker, Premier of
Tonga, in the hope of inducing him to use his influence to heal the
dreadful schism which has come upon our mission churches in the
Friendly Islands. The following is the latter referred to : —

' Paekside, Adelaide : June IGth, 1S85.

' My Dear Brother Baker, — Yesterday I received a letter from my nephew,
the Eev. E. S. Bickford, now of St. Kilda, in which there is a reference to the
Deputation which has returned from Tonga. From the general complexion of
the reference, I would infer, that what has happened there has been a source
of much concern to you. As my eye dropped upon this statement, I felt that I
could no longer defer the fulfilment of a purpose I had often formed of writing
you. And now I do so, as one of your oldest friends ; the Eev. Thomas Kaston

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 413

is before me, but not much. I was one of the so-called " Triers," who heard you
preach in Bi-unswick Church in 1859, and spoke and voted for you in the District
Meeting which followed. For the good work you did in the Friendly Islands,
for several years, I greatly honoured and loved you. And I have not forgotten
when you came up to the Colonies the first time, and came as a Deputation to
the Geelong Circuit, how nobly you spoke of the dear Tonga king and the
Tonga Christians ; also, how much I envied you the pure satisfaction you
enjoyed at the retrospect of your labours in that glorious field of missionary
success. But now, from circumstances which cannot be re-called, but which
may be Christianly deplored, nearly all this is changed. And this is what
distresses me, and constrains me to write to you. I am now an old man in my
seventieth year ; and must, in the natural order of things, soon reach the end
of my career. And I therefore want to see this dreadful schism healed — for
dear King George's sake, for the sake of the Tonga Mission churches, and for
your own sake, so that it may be well all round. May God help you to feel, as
I feel, at beholding the " rent garment " daily before your eyes. I am deeply
impressed that the 'evil should be checked before it becomes more cruelly
marked than it is ; I am also impressed, and firmly believe, that " in the bowels
of Jesus Christ " you can do it, if you will.

' I have had during my long ministerial career some experience in grappling
with troublous times and troubling officials. And this I have found — that no good
results have ever followed from " fighting out to the bitter end " differences of
ministers with each other ; or differences as between ministers and laymen.
The " more excellent way " is, for Christ's sake, to entirely cease from all
further recrimination of each other, and the exercise of mutual forbearance and
forgivingness of dis-position towards each other. We cannot without inflicting
deep injury on the Church — which is " His body," go into civil courts, or into
any other arena of strife and accusations for settling our ecclesiastical and
spiritual affairs, without displeasing and grieving our Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
I would recommend — permit me this great liberty — that on your bended knees
before the Crucified One, yourself and the Missionary brethren should pray for
forgiveness in •' this thing." Dear Brother Baker, I implore you to lay the state
of the Church to heart, and, at once, to use your great influence to heal the
dreadful schism which has come upon the Tongan Church. It is in your power
to save the dear old king from going down to the grave in sorrow, through
leaving behind him a divided church and disturbed kingdom. Heal the breach,
and stay all further distraction and mischief in King George's dominions.

' Permit me to suggest also that you do not impose upon the Conference, as
the price of the renewed loyalty of the king and of yourself, conditions, which, to
accept, would possibly be a great injury to their representatives (as ministers)
whom they commission and recognise ; and humbling to the Conference itself,
as the superior court of the body. My meaning and issue are : Forgive and
forget the past ; be reconciled to each other in Christ ; reconsecrate yourselves
to the great purposes of the Mission — the salvation of the people's souls. Then
leave it with the Conference to do what shall appear necessary in the matter
of continuing or discontinuing the present staff ; and any other action which
the case, in all its surroundings, shall requh'e.

' The Eev. John Watsford's report of the visit to Tonga is not yet pubhshed.
I need not say what interest I shall feel in its perusal. This much I hope to

414 JAMES BICKFOBD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

see — that the persecutions of our people for not attending the State Church (so
called) are not founded in fact. I cannot bring myself to believe that you, in
your high position as Prime Minister, could permit anything so wicked to be
done ; neither should any officials under you be allowed to do anything contrary
to the principles of religious liberty, and, what is even of more importance, the
principle of religious equality. The very idea of a spirit of persecution in Tonga
— hitherto, as we have always believed, the very garden of the Lord — is too
much for human credulity. If it has been practised, in however small a degree,
the Lord will hear the cry of the oppressed, and will come down in providential
dispensations, for their deliverance. But I will believe, that so evil and so
criminal a thing as persecution for attending the old Tongan Methodist Church,
my brother and old fiiend, Shirley Baker, will never permit. No, it cannot be.

' This letter is in no sense official. It is simply written in the interests of
yourself, as it respects your own spiritual comfort, the quiet of the king, the
good of the Church, and the power of Methodism. Oh, how my heart warms
to you as I indite these hurried lines ! How much I wish I could see you and
your dear wife, whom I knew so well in her young womanhood, the daughter
of the good Brother Powell, whom I loved so much. I suppose you remember
that Dr. Waugh, then resident at St. Kilda, and I buried his dear remains, and
that I preached his funeral sermon. And Mrs. Powell I love as a '• widow
indeed," and worthy of all honour.

' You are at liberty to show this letter to Messrs. Moulton and Watkin, if you
think well to do so.

' I am, my dear Brother Baker,

' Yours ever truly,

'James Bickford.

' The Hon. S. W, Baker, etc.. etc.,
' Tonga, Friendly Islands.'

To this communication Mr. Baker has sent no reply. His silence
carries with it its own comment.

June 27th. — I wrote, under a deep sense of public duty, a letter
to the Register, signed ' Sanguineus,' in defence of the Hon. John
Howe, Minister of Lands, on the subject of Assisted Emigration.
How hard some people, especially political opponents, are to please !
* Sti'ike high,' or ' strike low,' it is all the same with them. It is a
repetition of the old enquiry, ' Can any good thing come out of
Nazareth ? '

Juli/ Si'd. — I attended a meeting on the Tongan business. After
considerable cUscussion, we passed a resolution expressive of our
abhorrence at the persecutions of the Tongan Christians, who are
loyal to us, and of sympathy with them. We recognised also the
painstaking labours of the deputation, who had gone to Tonga in
the interests of the distracted Wesley an Church.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 41 5.

July 17th. — This evening at the ' Young Men's Literary Society's
Meeting,' I spoke on the ' Federation of the Australian Colonies,'
after which a good debate ensued. It was carried, by an unanimous
vote, that no such federation was practicable or desirable at present.

July SOth — I read again Dr. Hatch's great work on the ' Con-
stitution of the Early Church,' and finished it. It is truly a
marvellous book of i-esearch and logical array of incontestable facts.
Alas for the High Church pretensions, which are herein so ruthlessly
disposed of by one of their own order ! But then, ' facts are stubborn
things.'

Aug. 1st. — I received a touching letter this morning from my
venerable friend, Rev. W. Moister, informing me of the death of
Mrs. Moister, at Sedbergh, Yorkshire, in her eighty-first year. She
was a second mother to me, when, as her husband's colleague in
Trinidad, 1838, she cared for me in my first illness. She was a
kind, good lady ; besides being a fellow-helper to her husband, in the
West Indies, Africa, and in English Circuits. She died honoured
and loved.

Aug. 25th. — I read in the London Quarterly the article, ' George
Eliot,' the severest reviewer, I think, she has yet come under.
Poor, unfortunate creature, whose creed destroyed her moral sense !

Sept. Sth. — My first of a series of Ecclesiastical Lectures for the
' Young Men's Literary Society,' entitled, ' English Christianity, '
was finished to-day. It has run to thirty-one closely written pages.
I hope it will be as interesting to those for whose special benefit it
was prepared as it was to me in composing it.

Sept. th. — I read Nineteenth Century article : * Mr. Gladstone as
a Foreign Minister,' by J. Guinness Rogers. I fully endorse every
word of this able and just article, and I sincerely thank Mr. Rogers
for it.

Sept. 2ith. — I began a second lecture for the ' Young Men,' on
' Scottish Christianity.' This exercise I find to be profitable to me
in every way. It is to be dej)lored that young ministers have so
little relish for such subjects.

Sept. 30th. — I attended the Quarterly Meeting in Pirie Street.
By resolution it was agreed that a probationer should be obtained
for Parkside Church at the next Conference. So let it be !

Oct. 2nd. — At the ' Young Men's Society,' the head master of
' Prince Alfred College,' F. Chappie, B.A., B.Sc, gave a most telling

416 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

lecture on ' Latimer, Bishop of Worcester.' It was crowded with
:apt quotations from the quaint and learned writings of the martyr-
bishop. The founders of the Reformation had their baptism of fire
at the stake ; they suffered for us. A quotation from his published
sermons will show the spiiit of this reforming ' Father of the
Heformation : ' —

• There is God's way, and man's way. I will tell you what a Bishop of this
realm said once to me ; he sent for me, and marvelled that I would not consent
to such traditions as were then set out. I answered him that I would be ruled
by God's Book ; and rather than I would dissent one jot from it, I would be
torn with wild horses. And I chanced in our communication to name the
LokI's Supper. '' Tush," said the Bishop, "what do you call the Lord's Supper?
What new term is that / " There stood by him a dubber, one Doctor Dubber,
he dubbed him by-and-by, who said that this term was seldom read in the
doctors. And I made answer that I would rather follow Paul, in using his terms,
than them, though they had all the doctors on theii* side.'

Oct. 8th. — I do not recollect when students of God's Word, in
ordinary reading even, met with so much of exegesis, bristling with
controversy and challenging old and accepted tenets, as at the present
time. The consequence is, that I cannot make headway in reading
now as I coidd in former years. I take an illustration, I have lying
upon my desk the Quarterly, in which I find an able article on the
' First Christian Council in Jerusalem, a.d. 50.' The learned writer
deals deservedly hard with the ' Revisers of the New Testament,' in
forcing a rendering upon Acts xv, 23, which is manifestly incorrect.
The Greek presbuteroi , in the ' Authorised Version,' is properly
rendered ' elders,' and the passage reads, ' The Apostles, and elders,
and brethren ; ' but the revisionists have it, ' The Apostles and the
elder brethren,' thereby ignoring the rightful position of this class of
ecclesiastics in this the first Council of the Chvu-ch, and absorbing
them in the general designation of ' elder brethren.' It is surely, to
put it mildly, an unfortunate and misleading blunder, as the critic
(an Anglican clergyman) so severely points out.

Oct. 12th. — I wrote a letter to the Register on * The Depression of
the Colony.' The mechanical and farming classes are leaving in
great niimbers, simply through their inability to make a decent
living. To this condition of things the Government appear to be
blind, and the Parliament simply looks on. This letter was followed a
few days after by another on ' The Public Finances,' but there is not

SOUTH AVSTRALIA. 417

much chance of exciting sympathy in the hearts of the ' governing '
towards the governed. But we shall soon see !

Oct. 20th. — I attended the Annual District Meeting, Mr. Px'esident
Newman in the chair. We had some disciplinary work before us,
and our President acted with much courtesy and firmness in conduct-
ing the business to the end. I examined W. A. Potts for full
connexion, and he was cordially recommended to the Conference
to be received.

Oct. SOtJt. [Diary Jotting] — ' I spent a quiet evening in reading Mr. Joseph
Chamberlain's splendid oration at Glasgow. " A coming man," no doubt.
Perhaps a successor to the grand old man. Mr. Gladstone, some day.'

Oct. 31st. — I left for Melbourne, per steamer Victoria, for the
pui-pose of recruiting my health, and attending to private business.
My nephew, the Rev. E. S. Bickford, was at the Wharf, and we
went together to St. Kilda. I lost no time in visiting my brother
N. M. Bickford, and family at Northcote ; my sister, Mrs. Wyatt,
and Mr. Wyatt at Carlton ; and my brother G-eorge and his daughter
at INIyrtle Creek, near Sandhurst. My nephews and nieces, and
former friends, I also called upon. On JVov. 21st 1 reached home
once more, and found Mrs. Bickford much the same as when I left
her, three weeks ago. My heart was full of gratitude to God for
His gracious care over her during the time I had been away in
Victoria.

Mrs. Bickford's Last Illness and Death.

There was so evident an improvement in the health of my dear
wife that, on the evening of my return from Melboiu-ne, we had a
sweet conversation on the hopeful aspects of the next few years. I
had arranged all the business matters for which I had gone to the
sister colony ; and she herself had so far recovered her strength, that
we felt warranted in anticipating a quiet and unbroken eventide
of life. But our hopes were doomed to miscarry, for a Higher
Power had appointed otherwise. Between 4 and 5 o'clock on the
morning of the 26th I had hastily to call in Dr. H, Wigg for her.
She had been so ill during the night that we feared she would have
died before medical aid could be got. The severity of the attack was
such that she lost both sight and speech; and the symptoms, otherwise,
were most alarming. With various alternations, she lingered on until

27

418 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

the afternoon of Dec. 1th, when she, ' in sure and certain hope,'
yielded up her spirit to God. And thus ended a Hfe which had been
* yoked ' with mine, in the Lord's work, in many lands and among
many people, for forty-four years. A few jottings from my Diary
will pointedly show the experiences of the next few days : —

' Dec. 8th, — Sad and solitary this morning. I am looking forward to the
scenes of this day with distressful sorrow. May the merciful God help me
through them ! The funeral took place this afternoon. We had a short but
beautiful service in the house, conducted by the Revs, C. T. Newman (President),
H. T. Burgess, Joseph Nicholson, and T. Easton. At the Western Cemetery the
Eevs. R. M. Hunter, J. T Simpson, J. B. Stephenson, and S. Knight ofl&ciated.
There was a large attendance of ministers and friends from neighbouring
Circuits, and from the city. We came back and spent a mournful evening with
our kindred in chastened conversations and family worship. I learnt from
Dr. Wigg that my precious one died from " pneumonia and cystitis, originating
in a chill, and accelerated by mort. cordis, and a general senile decay." Dear,
precious one ! when I remember how great were yoiir sufferings, I could not
wish you back again " in this vale of tears," '

' Dec. Idth. — At my request, the Rev. J. T. Simpson, who had been an inmate
of our Geelong home, in 1866, in the commencement of his ministry, preached
the funeral sermon for my late wife, taking as his text, " Thanks be unto God,
who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ," to a large and
sympathising congregation. He read, at the close of his discourse, a memorial
sketch of Mrs. Bickford's early life, conversion, marriage, and after life in the
West Indies and Australia, which was listened to with breathless attention.
The service, from beginning to end, was highly spiritual, and was well calcu-
lated to comfort mourning friends, and to impress the general hearers with the
safety and great value of earnest service in the Lord's work.'

Dec. 21st. — Shoals of letters of condolence now came to me by
every post. Among these I may specially mention one from our
oldest missionary friend, the Rev. W, L. Binks, in Victoria ; and
another from the Rev. John Watsford, formerly one of our honoured
missionaries in Fiji. Mr. Watsford enclosed in bis very welcome
epistle the following verses : —

'PARTED— SOON TO MEET AGAIN.

' When the tendcrest ties are broken,

Loving hearts asunder torn ;
Farewell words so sadly spoken,

And the sufferer left to mourn ;
Bright the hopes that yet remain,
Parted — soon to meet again.

The Late Mrs. BICKFORD.

\\'|)C1DIURVPRI.\T. WATERI.uW Jt SONS LlMITEl),

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 419

' Parted — all the conflict ended,

One from earth has soared away ;
Gone, by heavenly hosts attended,

To the land of cloudless day ;
Gone, no more to suffer pain,
Parted — soon to meet again.

' One is left, while one is taken,
Left to walk his lonely way ;
Left awhile, but not forsaken.

His a sure and constant Stay ;
Blessed hope will now sustain,
Parted — soon to meet again.'

This bereavement is the great sorrow of my hfe. But I bow to
the Divine decree, which has torn from me my other self, with all
the submissiveness that I can command. And the new and inspiring
thoughts which have come to me, since my dear one has gone from
my side, of the deathless nature of the human soul, and its living
personality in the heavenly state, is to me a new revelation full of
comfort and strength. My loving and trusty companion is ' not lost,
but gone before.' — ' Father ! Thy mil be done.'

I moved along quietly to the end of the year, taking all the Sunday
services appointed for me, meeting the Society and Theological classes,
and generally presiding at the weekly meeting of the ' Young Men's
Literary Society.' Indeed, all the work I had engaged to do in
the Circuit I faithfully performed. At the ' Watch Night Service '
Dr. J. R. Stephens pieached the accustomed sermon, and I did the
remainder. It was to me a faithfully oppressive wincUng up of the
public duties of the year.

1885 is gone ! What a year it was to me ! The culminating
incident was the death of my life-long companion and wife, after
an illness of twelve days, following upon two years and nine months
of previous indisposition. Now she has ' all her suflerings passed, and
is entered into rest.' But my poor heart is sad and sorrowful beyond
endurance, only as my Heavenly Father may help me. I ti'emble as
I contemplate the new year with all its environments, as touching
my health, life, and engagements. Oh, that God may help me ! My
prayer is, ' Now, also, when I am old and grey-headed, O God, forsake
me not, until I have showed Thy strength unto this genei'ation, and
Thy power to every one that is to come,'

420 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

188C.

Jan. \^th. — Once launched on the new year, the time for holding
the Conference soon came on. It was opened this evening, and the
Rev. Charles Lane was chosen as President. The next morning I
wrote the President, asking to be released from daily attendance at
the Sessions. I received a reply, a sympathetic letter, expressive of
the hope that I would be present when my health and convenience
permitted.

Jan. 25th. — I left for the Burra, and spent a few days with my
hospitable friends, Mr. and Mrs. Field, at Monavea Farm, The
cool ail' and the daily buggy exercise refreshed me much.

Jan. 29th. — I returned to Parkside tired and wearied with the
journey. I found the Conference still in session. It was unheroic,
and soon got through its ordinary business. It propei'ly recorded
the following notice of one of our noblest laymen, who had died at
Barnet, near London, during the year : —

' The Late T. G. Waterhouse, Esq.

' This Conference records its high esteem of the character and life of the late
T, G. Waterhouse, of London, and its sense of loss in his removal. During an
absence of eighteen years, Mr. Waterhouse manifested unabated attachment to
the Wesleyan Church of this Colony. His generous assistance to the Connexion,
his devotion to the interests of Prince Alfred College, and his widespread charity,
have greatly endeared Mr. Waterhouse's memory to the Methodist Church of
South Australia. The Conference offers its condolence to Mrs. Waterhouse,
whose large-hearted sympathy ever associated itself with Mr. Waterhouse's
Christian benevolence.'

The Minutes were signed by the President and Secretary on the 30th.

Feb. 1st. — Acting under strong personal persuasion, I went to
Woodside for the rest of the summer, taking with me my niece,
Miss Jarvis, and the servant also. The Rev. G. W. Kendrew, the
young minister, the Tembys, the Perkinses, and Mr. and Mrs.
Caldwell showed us much coui-teous attention. I visited the
Hutchinses, Mitchells, Haldsteads, and other Christian families, with
much pleasure.

Feb. 22nd. — I attended the Annual Missionary Meeting at Mount
Barker ; the dear old John Dunn, J. P., presiding. I was the guest
of Mr. and Mrs. Sexton, who were veiy kind. The next day, the
Revs. P. C. Thomas, John Leggo, and I went to see the public school.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 421

There were over two huncb'ed and thirty scholars, and a very
competent staff of teachers. A fii-st-class school. In the evening,
at Woodville, we held the Missionary Meeting. Mr. Leggo, and
his companion, a native Fijian teacher, greatly interested the
congregation.

Feb. Tlth. — I read of the failure of the Commercial Bank in
Adelaide. It is a terrible calamity. The Lantern — a facetious
paper, an imitation of Punch — was cruelly hard upon certain
religionists, because of the wreck of this once promising and obliging
institution.

March 1st. — I went to Parkside to see my dear friend, Mr.
Joseph Hardy. I found him very ill. He bore a beautiful testimony
to his personal sense of the infinite mercy of God as shown in the
death of Jesus Christ. His experience much reminded me of that of
the late Percival Bunting. It was Christ, and only Christ, in whom
he trusted. I was much comforted, and left him in the full belief
that he was ' ready ' for the ' coming ' of ' The Master.'

March 2nd. — I found here ten letters of condolence awaiting me.
The reading of these caused my tears again to flow, and my deep
sorrow was renewed. Shall I ever get over my crushing bereave-
ment ? What a change has come upon me ! I am no longer the
same man ! May God help me !

March IQth. — I commenced reading Mr. Gladstone's article ' Proem
to Genesis,' in the Nineteenth Century. A biblical critic of a high
order, as well as a statesman of unrivalled greatness. A match
for Huxley, Max Miiller, et hoc genus omne. Marvellous man, who
' fears God always.'

March IQth. — I have now written fifty theological lectures for our
ministerial students, which completes the first year's programme.
This has been a real help to me in my sorrowful experiences.

March 17th. — I began reathng in Plumptre's ' Spii-its in Prison,'
and so far I am disappointed with the work. Why does not the
author tell us in the beginning of his work what he believes
himself ?

March 19th. — Busy in preparing for the Young Men's Meeting
this evening. The questions is : ' Which is the better statesman,
Gladstone or Salisbury, for administering the Government of Great
Britain and Ireland at the present time ? ' I need not say on which
side I was. The votes were largely for Mr. Gladstone.

422 JAMES BICKFOBD: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Ajrril ith. — I preached in the Parkside Church this evening a
semi-valedictory sermon, as mjirking the termination of my engage-
ment with the Pii'ie Street Circuit. Thank God I am now free from
all obligatory work, after forty-eight years of pastoral, preaching,
official, and administrative labours in the West Indies and Australia.
It is only by the ' help of God that I have continued to this day.'

April dth. — Busy and important day. I attended a great meeting
in the Adelaide Town Hall to consider the state of the Colony. We
agreed to observe the 18th as a day for special humiliation and
prayer. Two other intermediate meetings I attended, which filled
me with pain and anxiety. In the evening I heard the Rev. S.
Knight lectiire on Gladstone. He did his hero ample justice.

April IQth. — I read telegrams this morning, that Hartington and
Salisbury are combining to defeat Mr. Gladstone's intention to give
' Home Rule ' to Ireland. We may have therefore to wait a few
years before this act of national justice is done, but it will come
nevertheless. ' Right,' like truth, prevails in the end.

April 2Qth. — I read to-day in Rev. Thomas Jones's work, ' The
Divine Order.' It is exquisitely written ; besides showing a powerful
imagination, and extensive reading. Looking phrenologically at
Mr. Jones's pictm-e, it greatly surprises me that the author could
produce such a book. But phrenology is not a science, as yet.

May Srd. — My niece, Miss Jarvis, and I went to see Mrs.
Bickford's grave. It is five months ago since she left us for the
' better country.' How much I miss her — every day, every hour —
none but myself can know.

May llth. — The President, Mr. Lane, inaugurated the South
Australian Jubilee movement to-night. It was a good beginning of
the other services yet to l^e held. Our Church in this Colony was
commenced on May llth, 1836, when two classes were formed.
Since when, there haA^e been expended for churches and parsonages
£249,000 ; Prince Alfred College (inclusive of land), £30,000. The
present debt is £24,000. The Breakfast Meeting was well attended
— seven hundred, at least, being present ; at the afternoon meeting
£1,000 was subscribed. We hope, by this movement, to save some
£5,000 we are now paying in interest on our church j^roperties.

May I9ih. — Joseph Hardy died last night. He was brother-in-law
to the Rev. William Linnex, formerly one of our Missionaries in the
West Indies, who, with Mrs. Linnex, Mr. Hardy's sister, will deeply

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 423

feel our friend's death. Mr. Hardy was a good man ; one of our
leaders in Parkside Church, and a true friend of the ministers.
These English (early) emigrants are dying out very rapidly.

May IXst. — Dean Russell died from accident last night at the
Town Hall. The Anglican Church has thus lost its ablest preacher,
Bishop Kennion a wise counsellor, and the Adelaide poor a generous
sympathiser.

May 24cth. — I attended the levee in honour of our good Queen. I
afterwards presided at the Annual Meeting of the ' Temperance
Society and Band of Hope ' at North Adelaide. We had a very
successful day. I was appointed President for a third year.

June lAth. — I wrote Mr. Gladstone on ' Irish Home Rule,' approving
of the principle of his bill ; at the same time I recommended that the
Imperial Parliament should be asked to pass such a measure as would
enable the Australian Governments to annex, from time to time,
certain islands adjacent to our coasts, in the name and on behalf of
the Queen. The passage in the letter is nearly as follows : —

' I may say a word upon the question of the annexation of certain islands in
the Pacific, contiguous to Australia and New Zealand. The rumoured action
of France, re the New Hebrides, is causing a bitter feeling throughout the
Australasian group. The one feeling is, that France cannot, and must not, be
trusted. And delays are dangerous. It was through the tardiness of Lord
Derby that Bismarck appropriated the eastern, the best, and largest portion of
New Guinea, New Britain, New Ireland, etc. A sad and terrible blunder, as I
fear will yet be seen. And to prevent future complications, it would be well for
the Imperial Parliament to pass an " Enabling Act," empowering the Austrahan
and New Zealand Colonies, with the consent of the chiefs, to annex, in
the name of the Queen, all those islands respectively contiguous to their
Governments, so that they might become integral parts of the British Empire ;
but to be administered by the authorities out here, standing at the head of
each batch, and by the individual Governors appointed for us by the Queen
in Council. Such actions, as that which I suggest, would prevent, in the future,
all discontent and hard feeling as between the English Colonial Secretaries
and the Australasian people. I feel sure that Lord Piosebery, who knows us
well, and feels kindly towards us, would heartily approve of such action as that
now suggested. And it would, besides, be immensely popular ; and be the best
thing possible for the natives of the Western Pacific themselves.'

July 9th. — I finished my fii'st lecture on ' Scottish Christianity/
for the * Young Men's Literary Society.' My contention is now
faii'ly proven that, from the earliest authentic accounts, Scottish
Christianity has been ruled by an eldership, and not by an episcopacy.
And I suppose that it is the only Church in Christendom that can

424 JAMES BICKFORD: .4.V AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

boast of an uninterrupted succession of ' elders,' from the inception
of the Gospel in Scotland, down through the succeeding centuries.
All attempts of Episcopacy to supei'sede it by cruel persecutions
have miserably failed. Let the Scotland of to-day be proud of its
Scriptiu'al inheritance, and hold to it with a grip as strong as death.
No middle course will do.

Aug. \^th. — The I'esult of Mr. Gladstone's appeal to the electo-
rates of Great Britain and Ireland was telegi'aphed to us this
morning: — Conservatives, 316; Unionists, 78; Gladstonians, 191.
Parnellites, 86. In this historical election (for so it will be regarded
as years roll on) 1,388,718 votes were cast for Mr. Gladstone's
Irish policy ; and 1,416,472 against it. I sympathise deeply with
the defeated Statesman ; but, as his relentless rival, Disraeli, used to
say, ' All good things come to those who wait.' So let him wait.

Sept. %th. — My brother, A. M. Bickford, who is on a visit to me
from Melbourne, and I went to see the far-famed Adelaide Botanical
Gardens. He was much pleased with the beauty and abundance
with which he was surrounded. We afterwards went to the Western
Cemeteiy to see Mrs. Bickford's grave. Both of us felt more than
we could express. How strange, yet how affectingly true, it is that,
out of the five brothers we are, four are widowers.

Sept. Ibth. — Mrs. Fairweather, a saintly woman, has gone home
to her Father in heaven ; and Mrs. Dr. Stephens has also passed to
her rest. Two good members whom we could ill spare from oui-
Church.

Sept. nth. — Under the guidance of the Rev. C. T. Newman, we
had a Young Men's gathering to-day, when 1,000 were present. It
was a grand and impressive sight. The hope of our Church in this
land is in such young men as I saw assembled in the great meeting
in Pirie Street Church to-night.

Oct. 14th. — The Rev. W. L. Binks, my oldest ministerial friend in
Australia, called upon me to-day. The next day Mr. Binks, and the
Rev. Thomas Williams, from Ballarat, were with us in the District
Meeting. At the request of the Chairman I examined Samuel
Rossita and J. C. Hill — four-years men — for full connexion. Both
were recommended by an unanimous vote to the Conference for
ordination.

^ov. 8th. — The Rev. T. Williams greatly interested an audience
in the Pirie Lecture Hall, by an exhibition of numerous curios which

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 425

he had collected in Fiji, accompanied by an excellent explanatory
speech. Dr. Stephens presided.

Nov. 9th. — The VVesleyan Sunday School Jubilee gathering came
off to-day, when — so it is estimated — 5,000 children were present.

Dec. 1st. — I went to the Mount Gambler District as a missionary
deputation. I visited in succession Border Town, Narracoote, Milli-
cent, Beachport, Glenburne, Kingston, and Mount Gambler. We
had good attendances on the Sundays and on the weekdays, and
much interest in the cause of our South Seas Mission was shown —
I retm-ned to Parkside on the 28th, greatly fatigued. I cannot
speak too highly of the kindness of the Eev. John and Mrs. Trevor-
row, the Eev. J. H. Hadley and Mrs. Hadley, the Rev. A. D. and
Mrs. Bennett, and Revs. G. W. Kendrew and W. H. Hodge, to me
during my first tour throughout this vast district. With Mount
Gambler I was delighted.

Dec. 29 th. — The Rev. J. W. Simpson brought me the sad news of
the sudden death of the Rev. R. W. Campbell, at Perth, Western
Australia. He was in full work on the Sabbath, and died during
the quiet hours of the following night. His work was ' finished.'
In his death we have lost a fearless and able preacher of the Gospel
of Salvation. With the bereaved widow, her children, and the
Chiu'ch at Perth, and throvighout the Western Australian District,
the sincerest regret and sorrow will be shared by all good Wesleyans
in this colony. , It is a mysterious dispensation of Providence, but
the Heavenly Father can overrule it for good.

Dec. '51st. [Diary Jotting] — 'In the mercy o£ God, I have lived to see the
last day of this year. How much of sorrow I have passed through, God only
knows. But I have been helped by His presence and grace. I praise Him ; I
bless Him ; for He is good to me. Dr. Stephens and I conducted the '• Watch
Night Service." We had a fair attendance, and a solemn time. Oh, that the
coniing year may be one of blessedness and grace to us In our churches !
Amen.'

1887.

Jan. '2nd. — The first Sabbath of a new year. I had a full day,
preachmg at Pirie Street and Parkside. In the evening, at the
Covenant and Sacramental Services, we had about 100 persons
present. It was to me an encouraging beginning of another year's
work.

426 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Jan. \Oth. — I was at Woodside. Telegram : Sir Stafford North-
cote, my county-man, has been superseded at the Foreign Office, and
has resigned his connection with the Salisbury Ministry. His son
has also resigned. I am very sorry, for I have always regarded Sir
Stafford as a conscientious statesman, and, in his religious instincts,
taking rank with Lord Selborne, Mr. Gladstone, Samuel Morley,
and Sir William McArthur. Such men are as necessary in the
Councils of the Cabinet as in the House of Commons itself. The
next day news came of the sudden death of the ex-Minister at the
Foreign Office. Dismissal from the sei'vice of the Crown followed,
within twenty-four hours, by a call from God to the higher service
and rest in heaven. It is very tragic and admonitory.

Jan. \^th. — I went to Adelaide to be present at the opening of
the Conference. The Rev. J. T. Simpson was elected President ;
and the Rev. J. Haslam, Secretary. The brethren have shown
their wisdom in choosing two able men for the highest offices in the
Conference. The Rev. John Leggo, a returned Fijian missionary,
by a cordial vote, was received as a member of our Conference. The
Rev. J. B. Stephenson was made Supernumerary for one year, and
had permission to reside in England. A suitable obituary notice
was approved, to be printed in the Minutes, of the character and
useful labours of the late brother, R. W. Campbell, at Perth, W. A.
I examined the ' five-years men ' — for full connexion. They were
W. G. Clarke, J. C. Hill, G. W. Kendrew, C. H. Nield, and S.
Rossiter, all of whom were vmanimously recommended for Ordina-
tion. We also received on trial Augustus D. Bennett, Horace
Faull, Thomas Trestrail, and Henry Wilkinson.

Jan. 25th. — I went again to the Conference and took my full
share in the business. The next evening, the Ordination Service was
held at Kent Town in the presence of a devout and large congrega-
tion. The Rev. Charles Lane, ex-President, gave an excellent
charge. This was in every sense a thoroughly business Conference.
The Minutes were signed on the 31st.

Feb. 8th. — I read to-day the Tongan Report presented by the Rev.
E. Crosby to the New South Wales Conference. The brutality to
which the Wesleyan subjects of King George are said to be exposed
is. simply infamous. It reminds me of the state of things in England
in the days of the Stuai-ts, of execrable memory. Who is this
wicked Ahithophel at the Ijottom of such infamous conduct ?

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 427

Feb. l^ih. — 1 finished reading to-day 'India for the Indians."
Such a book ought to open the eyes of our statesmen to the evils of
our present administration of the Government of India, and lead to
a radical change. One is constrained to ask, whether a conference
of ex-Governors General might not be held for dramng up a sufficient,
but safe, form of constitutional Government, in which the British
and the upper class of the natives might take an equally responsible
part. This ' reform ' would be conservative in the highest degree.
The administration should be in the hands of a Governor General
and of Provincial Governors, with such local Representative Councils,
or parliaments, to be created under competent authorities. The
present system cannot possibly continue for long.

Feb. I8th. — General telegram from ' Tonga : ' ' Five men shot for
the late attempt on ShWey Baker's life.' The Rev. J. E. Moulton's.
telegram was : ' The men who shot at Mr. Baker are not Wesleyans,
or have anything to do with us.' But this is only a repetition of
the conduct of the Maori Wesleyans in the ten years' war in New
Zealand : — ' No Wesleyan took up arms against the British Govern-
ment in that disastrous conflict.'

March 9th. — I read in Dr. Stokes' ' Celtic Church ' for three
hours. I am seeking information on * The Introduction of Chris-
tianity ' into Ireland for our ' Young Men's Literary Society.'

March 2%th. — I came from Woodside to be present at the marriage
of Miss Thompson, late of Bradford, England, with the Rev. G. W.
Kendrew. Many were the good wishes for the long life of the happy
pair.

Aj^ril. 1th. — I re-arranged my study, and once more set to work.
I feel much stronger after two months' residence at Woodside. The
' hills ' and not the ' plains,' for old Englishmen in the summer
months, is the proper thing in this Colony.

I read in Sir Charles Gavan Duffy's ' Young Ireland ' an account
of the wrongs inflicted by English kings, Cromwell, etc., on the
poor Irish. In the matter of the supersession of the Irish Parliament
and the Legislative Union of Great Britain and Ireland, carried by
Pitt, Sir Charles feai-lessly says : —

' It was while the people were prostrate and gagged that the Union was
carried. Within the Parliament a majority was bought, and paid for ; over a
million sterling was spent in secret bribes ; and a million and a quarter openly,
in buying the interest which patrons were supposed to possess in the right of

428 JAMES BICKFORB: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

boroughs to representation. In the army, iu the navy, in the customs, patronage
was distributed as bribes. Those, who preferred money down, get a sum of
£8,000 for a vote, but an office of £2,000 a year was not considered too high an
equivalent. No less than twenty peerages, ten bishoprics, one chief -justiceship,
and six puisne judgeships were given to men who voted for the Union. Thus, it
will be seen that the Union was obtained by fi-aud and injustice, whilst the
leading men of the nation were powerless to prevent it.'

It is really surprising to find so acute a writer as Duffy lend-
ing his name and pen to the perpetuation of the statement of
Mosheim, that Ireland is indebted to Rome for its fir.st knowledge
of Christianity. He says : —

' The Irish race first felt the contagion of a common purpose, not in war, but
in labours of devotion and charity. Lying on the extreme verge of Europe, the
last land then known to the adventurous Scandinavian, and l)eyond which
fable had scarcely projected its dreams, it was in the fifth century since the
Redemption that Christianity reached them.'

Then follows the story of St. Patrick's Mission, who, says Duffy, was
received with extraordinary favour, and before his death nearly the
whole island had embraced Christianity.

The late Dean Stanley, and Professor Stokes, D.D., have searched
this matter to the bottom. The result is thus briefly given : —

' The origin of Irish Christianity is a vexed question. Whether it came from
Rome, or from Asia Minor, one thing is certain, that its form in our earliest
knowledge of it is totally different from what it assumed at that time in any
country. There were bishops of their own type and beliefs who could be
counted by hundreds. In a single monastery one hundred of these were
crowded together. . . The peciiliarities of this early Church are in diametrical
opposition to the usages of Catholicism and Protestantism of later times. . . .
'• This," says the Dean, " is the old national religion of Ireland." '

Professor Stokes's work has the following passage as the result of
his learned and laborious enquiries : —

' Celtic Christianity was older than Irish Christianity, and more extensive ; '
addhig ' that British Christianity and Gallic also were both Celtic. Gallic
Christianity may have come from Galatia, and thus we reach Asia Minor, one of
the earliest fields of St. Paul's labours — •' the true church of Celtic Ireland,"
says Stanley, " which until the fifth century had stood alone and apart from
every Church in Christendom." '

If Sir Gavan Duffy ever brings out a second edition of ' Young
Ireland,' I hope he will be so good as to acknowledge that Christ's
Gospel was known in Ireland long before Palladius ^dsited in the
year a.d. 423.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 429

April Wth. — Dr. Adam Clarke on Acts xvii. came in the course
of my reading this morning. It is wonderfully critical and able.
How sorry I am that I have allowed so many years to pass
without a consecutive reading of this great Commentary. I once
read right through, day after day, the Doctor's annotations on the
Book of God, and I can never forget the intensity of desire I felt to
know the full meaning and high purpose of this, the world's oldest
poem. In the summer months, when I am in the ' Hills,' Dr.
E. N. Young's echtion of Clarke is my favourite daily reading.

Ajyril \lth. — I heard Mr. Prior preach this morning from the text :
' Brethi-en, pray for us.' It was strong and robust all the way
through.

May \2th. — I received a letter from the Eev. Thomas James, this
morning, whose beautiful references to my late wife affected me
very much, and caused my tears again to course down my cheeks.

May \Qth. — I read the Rev. Corbett Cook's 'Apostolic Succession,
for three or four hours. What a pvizzle the respective advocates
make of this ridiculous myth !

May lith. — I prayed for our dear, good, old Queen this morning.
I was unable to be present at the levee as usual, having had a
previous engagement at the Burra.

June 1th. — I wrote a long letter to the Register on ' Ireland and
Mr. Goschen, M.P.' It was in condemnation of further ' Coercion
Bills ' for Ireland, and recommended instead concession, liberal land
laws, and emigration, as remedial measures.

I now quote from my Diary for a few days : —

'Ju)iel3tJt. — This afternoon I attended a Committee Meeting of the Inter-
national Convention, and presided over the deliberations. In walking to and
from the tram, I became conscious of a diminution of leg-strength. I was f^lad
to get home and rest.'

' Ju7U' lith. — I was quite poorly this morning from severe chill. I was glad
to keep by the fire and nurse myself. At night, when retiring to rest, I was
attacked with shivering, and from 10 to 2 in the morning my hands and feet
were cold as ice. My pulse and breath were difficult, and I was very ill. At
last, I was relieved by the simple warmth of the bed, and I fell asleep.'

'June l5tJt.—l sent for Dr. Stephens, who ordered me to keep in bed. My
pulse was a hundred and two, and I was full of pain. The Rev. S. Kniglit,
Mr. B. Norton, and Dr. Stephens prayed vrith me after the Home Missionary
Meeting. I heard the clock strike eleven, twelve, one, two, three, so wakeful
was I. But the temperature has gone down considerably.'

' Jine 16^7;.— Remained in bed all day. The pulse had fallen twenty-three

430 JAMES BICKFORD : AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

from the hundred and two beats when the doctor called this morning. He
ordered another medicine, and perfect quiet. Slops and no meat is the regime.

' June Vltli. — Better this morning. The pulse is in a normal condition, God
be praised ! I came into the sitting-room and took a little boiled mutton for
dinner. I went into the garden and everthing looked so nice.'

' June \%th. — Kept inside the house for fear of cold.

'■June \^th. — A prisoner all the day (Sabbath). In the evening, my old
friend. Mr. James Scott, spent a profitable two hours with me. I read to-day,
" John Wesley in Company with High Churchmen." It is amusing to see the
Titualistic Anglicans claiming Wesley to be one of themselves.'

' June 22nd. — I am regaining my strength very slowly, and am unable to take
any preaching work. Read Greville's " Memoirs and English Papers " with
much profit and interest.'

' Jnne 27th. —I went to Stow Church, and heard Rev. C. Manthorpe lecture on
^' The Act of Uniformity," passed by the English Parliament in 1662. It was a
terrible tale he gave us. and all was done by vile men under the guise of religion.
How shocking is the thought ! The principal actors were more like incarnate
fiends than Christian men.'

Atii/. bth. — I attended an aggregate meeting of leaders in Pirie
Street Church, when the Rev. G. E. Rowe and Mr. John Funnell,
Circuit Steward, read papers on the Class-meeting question. I tliink
the real point was missed, although the papers were good as far as
they went. The question really was : * What can be done to pre-
vent the cessation of fellowship in oiu" Church ? ' But no remedy
was suggested by any of the speakers — which was chsappointing to
me.

A^(,g. lOth. — The Register of this morning was a very fine issue.
In it appeared a letter from Bishop Kennion, in which he pleads for
certain changes in our Education Act, but the sapient editor is wide-
awake, and no harm to our popular system of day schools is likely to
come about.

Ally. llth. — I read forty pages of the late Dr. George Smith's
excellent work on the ' Pastoral Office,' which I think able, cogent.
Scriptural, and highly respectful to the large body of local preachers
to which he belonged. It was written at a time of agitation in
English Methodism, and efiectuaUy deals with Dr. Melson's famous
motto : ' One Wor-k ; and One Call.' The immediate reason of the
pubHcation has passed away; stUl, there is such a setting forth of
the reasons for justifying a separated ministry, as will be always
of great value to those Christian readers and thinkers as are found
in English Methodism.

Aug. 2ith. — I made copious extracts from the July number

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 431

of the London Quarterly article : ' The Service of Man : Positivist
and Christian.' The writer deals smartly with John Morley and
James Cotton Morrison. Deluded men, who would rob us of our
God and Christianity, and give us instead their miserable husks.
j\Iay the merciful God * open their eyes ' that they may see and know
better !

Sept. IZth. — I presided at the International Temperance Conven-
tion, and gave an inaugural address. We had a large attendance of
delegates from the neighboviring colonies. Some of them appeared
to be very able men. We sat until the 15th, when we closed by a
great meeting in the Town Hall. The Hon. James Munro, M.L.A.,
from Melbourne, presided. For the success of this Convention, we
are mainly indebted to Messrs. G. W. Cole and F. W. Wood, the
Honorary Secretaries.

Oct. 5th. — By invitation of the Chancellor of the Adelaide Uni-
versity, I arranged to hear the Primate of Australia, Bishop Barry,
give an address on ' Higher Education.' We had a splendid gathering
of the elite of the colony present. The Primate spoke only as a great
man and ripe scholar could. There was a perfect absence of any at-
tempt at grandiloquence, smartness, ecclesiastical clap-trap. Bishop
Kennion introduced me to the Primate, as an ex-President of the
Conference, and as the oldest Wesleyan minister in the Colony.
Bishop Barry shook hands with me very heartily. Mrs. J. B. Smith,
from Victoria, accompanied me to hear the good and learned man.

Oct. 12th. — I heard to-night of the death of my earliest Victorian
friend, the venerable and Reverend William Butters. From July, 1854,
to February, 1879, his friendship with me had never known the slight-
est diminution. I prepared for the press a sketch of his fine character
and eminent labours in Tasmania, Victoria, and South Australia.

Oct. 20th. — The District Meeting closed to-day. I was too much
engaged with Jubilee visitors to be in attendance on its sessions.

Oct. 31st. — I finished my article on Gladstone, for the ' Young
Men's Society.' It falls much below what a man of the ex- Premier's
calibre and commanding personality merited. But I did my little best.
It is, at least, my tribute to the high character and patriotism of
England's greatest man.

i^ov. ith. — I attended the Committee on ' The Transfer of Property
Bill,' for our Church in South Australia. The Attorney General
(C. C. Kingston) has made two concessions, but he refuses to insert

432 JAMES BICKFOED: AX AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

the proviso for a separate registry of sales of property by a Court of
ovir own. But we can enlarge the number of trustees at any time,
without having recourse to any power outside ourselves. This is
something gained.

Nov. \bth. — Sad news of a poHtical nature from London this
morning. The Government have created by the ipse dixit of Mr.
Matthews, Home Secx-etary, two new offences : — (1) The public airing
of their grievances by the thousands of unemployed in London ;
(2) The holding of public processions and meetings in Trafalgar
Square, For less blunders than these Louis Philippe lost his throne.

Nov. 227id. — I read in Dr. Cochrane 's work, ' Future Punish-
ment,' for some hours. This is a head-splitting production, but 1
mean to go through with it. I must read such works — if not for
myself, but for others. I am, though, rather unfitted for such
reading from the weakening effects of my recent illness. I have
other works of the same kind in hand just now.

Nov. 28th. — Sir R. D. Ross, Speaker of our House of Assembly,
died last evening of heart-disease. He was the son of John
Pemberton Ross, Esq. , a sugar planter in the island of St. Vincent,
West Indies. There were scores of emancipated slaves, who bore
his name in several of the plantations when I was there in 1838,
and downwards. Sir John was a man of dignified bearing, an
able debater, and ruled the Assembly with the discretion of a wise,
strong man. His death is a great loss from the ranks of oin- best
public men.

Dec. 31 St. — I took part in the ' Watch Night Service ' at Pirie
Street : Revs. J. Read, S. Knight, and I conducted it. I founded
my address on the words : ' Thou crownest the year with Thy
goodness.' I returned to Parkside at about 1 p.m., and was
chilled Avith the cold, strong south wind, which I had to breast all
the way. Mr. Samuel Gully drove me home in his buggy. And so
the years roll on.

1888.

Jan. 5th. — Being poorly again, I am very much concerned to
get away from the great heat on these plains which tries me so
severely. To ' The Hills,' for the remainder of the summer is my
inexorable duty.

Ja7i. Gth. — I wrote to day upon ' English and Irish Politics ' for

I 9

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 433

the City Press. My lieai-t was moved with deepest sympathy for the
Irish people as I thought of their pitiable condition. I transcribe
two paragraphs, as follows :

' It is to the cruel policy of '' Coercion," alia^ " The Crimes Act," that Lord
Salisbury's Government, assisted by Lord Hartington. Mr. Goschen, etc., has
committed itself. I often wonder if dead statesmen have any consciousness of
the eiiects of words which they uttered when alive and in high places. Such
words, for example, as those which the late Lord Beaconsfield once uttered
in earnest tones of warning to the Liberal Government, which he then hated
and opposed with cruellest perseverance. •' It is not in human nature," he
said, •• and all history teaches this, that men should be content under a system
of legislation and of institutions, such as exist in Ireland. You may pass this
Coercion Bill, you may put men in gaol, you may suppress conspiracy, but the
moment it is suppressed there will remain the germs of the malady, and from
these germs will grow as heretofore another crop of disaifectiou, another
harvest of misfortunes." The pi'obability is that Salisbury, who was then
Beaconsfield's Jidus Achates, was sitting by his side, and heard these words of
common sense and prudent forecasting. The dead statesman may be oblivious
to them, but the living statesman ought not to be.

' The administration of the Crimes Act is creative of crime, instead of being
a cm-e for it. I wonder again if Lord Salisbury has ever dropped upon the
following pregnant sentence: — "Where no freedom of thought could be
indulged, where every noble aspiration of a citizen was sternly suppressed,
secret societies afforded the only breathing place amid the stifling dungeon-
like air surrounding them." The proper safety-valves were fastened down,
what wonder if the heated vapours at last burst its bounds, and overthrew
thrones, principalities, and powers 1 Sir, is there, under such sorrowful
conditions of Irish life as we have indicated, no helping hand anywhere to be
found ? I would to God that Englishmen would take a just and merciful
look at this sad case. We can do it without injuring ourselves or losing
India, as Lord Salisbury has indiscreetly hinted. There is a touch of true
nature, and of God-like justice, in the simple yet forcible words of him, whom
I used to call, with justifiable pride, honest John Bright — " I beUevc," he said,
" that these Irish people are made as we are ; that they are patient beyond
belief, but, at the same time, broken spirited and desperate, living on the
verge of starvation in places in wluch we would not keep our cattle." It is
some forty years ago that the old thunderer (the Times) wisely insisted " that
the rights of property, viewed in the light of nature and common sense, must
include some regard to the poor man under God's charter to live and breathe
in this the Almighty's world." Let this judgment of God, for it is such to me,
have due consideration at the hands of the existing Irish landlords, and of the
English landowners and merchant princes of London, and then it may be
hoped that such harrowing telegrams as we have received this very week fi-om
London, and elsewhere, will be written to us no more.'

' I am fearfully and wondeifuUy made.' What says the Chris-
tian Commonwealth just to hand 1 — • The total number of pores

28

434 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY

of the body may be about 7,000,000, and the length of the per-
spiratory tubing about 1,570,000 inches, or nearly 28 miles.' Did
this marvellous machine make itself, or how was it made ?

Jan. \ith. — Once more at Woodside, and entered the cottage
on the hill. The air was simply delightful — the tri;e elLxir of
life to me.

Jan. nth. — Returned to the City for the Conference. The
Rev. James Haslam was elected as President, and the Rev. D. S.
Wylie as Secretary. We heard to-day of the melancholy death of
Mrs. Kendrew, occasioned by her dress catching fire at Strathalbyn
yesterday. The Conference was quite broken with gi'ief.

Jan. I9th. — Conference all day. The Rev. E. H. Sugden, B.A.,
B.Sc, from England, called on his way to Melbourne. He was
suitably addressed by the President, to which he replied very nicely.
After a little friendly shaking of hands with the brethren, he
took his departure for the Head -mastership of Queen's College,
Melbourne.

Jan. 24:th. — An intei'esting episode took place in the Mixed Con-
ference this morning, which took me by surprise. Mr. Frederick
Chappel, B.A., B.Sc, the Kent Town lay Representative, after a
neat speech, moved the following resolution : —

' That this Conference heartily congratulates the Eev. James Bickf ord on
having reached, and nearly completed, the fiftieth year of his ministry. It
rejoices with him in his having been spared to toil so long and so honourably
in this noble work, and to occupy such important positions in the Methodism
of Australia ; iacluding the occupancy of the Chair of the Conference three
times. And it desires to place on record its high appreciation of his personal
character, and of his labours as a preacher of the Gospel. It glorifies God for
the grace that has been vouchsafed to him, and it trusts that it may please
God still to spare him to aid and to give counsel to this Conference and to our
Church.'

This resolution was seconded by the Rev. Samuel Knight, and
after a few remarks from the Revs. T. Lloyd, Raston, and some
other members of the Conference, was cordially adopted. I replied
as well as I could. In the afternoon session, when the Tongan
case was under discussion, I moved, but not mth much heartiness,
the following resolution : —

' That this Conference, whilst sympathising with the Missionary Committee
in all their difficulties in relation to the Tongan Mission Churches, recommends
to the General Conference that the Friendly Islands District be constituted a

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 435

separate Conference, affliliated to the General Conference, as the best means
in our judgment of securing peace in Tonga, and of promoting the interests of
the Church in these islands.'

This motion was not carried, the Confei-ence feeUng that the
facts of the whole case were not sufficiently known to it to justify
such action.

Jan. 25«/i. — The most striking incident of this day's session was
the presentation by the Conference Evangelist, the Rev. D. O.
Donnell, of the year's operations. He had preached 222 times,
and had given 29 other addresses. There had been 63 Bible
readings, and 1,120 had presented themselves as penitents; 613
of these were over sixteen years of age. Towards the support of
the work, there had been received fi"om Circuits <£137 13^. ?)d., and
donated .£107 17s. The expenditure up to December 31st had been
^224 10s. We thanked God for such results.
Jan. 30i/i. — The Conference was closed to-day.
Feb. Qth. — Methodist Administration. The Class-test of member-
ship has been for some years a perplexing subject in our Australasian
churches. Indeed, it has become the vexata qucestio in every
ecclesiastical court of MethocUsm, and what to do with it we cannot
tell. I resolved, therefore, in the quietiide of Woodside, to think out
a few practical steps, for easing down something of the formidableness
of this ' giant ' in our path of progress. The case can be seen at a
glance: (1) We have in our Australasian congregations thousands
of persons regularly worshipping with us, who will not join our
Church because of the Class-meeting condition of membership. (2)
Whilst, of those persons whose names are on our ' roll of membership,'
not more than one half of them comply with the rule requu-ing them
to meet in class. (3) We are constantly losmg the sons and
daughters of Methodist parents because of our test of membership.
(4) The ministers in charge of Societies find it impossible to rigidly
administer the law relating to membeishi^D, without cutting off large
numbers of persons who approve of our worship and accept our
pastorate. I could not, I confess, find any way out of this condition
of things by any new (say) radical, legislation, even if the ' General
Conf ei'ence ' had the power, which it has not, under the ' Constitution '
which we accepted from the English Conference in 1874. But I
contend, nevertheless, that the Annual Conferences, in the exercise
of then- administrative rights, might so broaden and liberalise our

436 JAMES BICKFORD : AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

' rule ' as to make it competent to Circuit Superintendents, in part,
at least, to lessen, if not completely remove, this incubus to the
natural growth of our Church.

In a letter to the Christian Weekly, I put forth the following
suggestions as helpful in this direction, that is to say : —

1 . All persons desiring to become members shall signify by personal applica-
tion to the minister in charge, or, iu his absence, to one of the leaders, their
desire to join the Church.

2. At the next Leaders' Meeting thereafter, the presiding minister shall read
the names of such applicants, with the view of gaining information respecting
their character ; when, if it appear there is no objection to the reception 'on
trial ' of such persons, the minister shall enter their names on the Church-roll.
He shall also enter their names in the class-book, for the use of the leaders to
whose spiritual supervision they are confided.

3. That in all those instances of persons thus received, when any of them,
from various causes, do not attend the weekly fellowship, they shall be required
nevertheless, to observe our discipline as provided in the ' General Rules of the
Society,' viz : — (1) They shall attend, whensoever practicable, the established
means of grace, such as the public worship of God, the Lord's Supper, and
meetings for united prayer and Christian fellowship, (2) They shall be
visited at suitable times by the minister, for the renewal of tickets and pastoral
counsel.

4. An. official register shall be kept by the minister in charge of the whole
membership of the Church, or Society, in anj' given locality, and which shall
be revised fi'om the class-books at a special Leaders' Meeting, say, to be held
ten days before the holding of the Annual District Meeting. This roll, so
revised, shall be the official return for the September Quarterly Meeting, the
District Meeting, and the Conference.

5. The present law of the Church, re the ' recognition of those members '
(p. 114, ' Methodist Laws'), should be carried out in whole, or in part, in all
our Societies and Circuits, our present practice being too unimpressive ; hence
the leakage which is so much deplored from year to year.

6. In the Minutes of the English Conference for 1821, on cases of backsliding
from the Society, the following regulation was agreed to : — ' Let us pay par-
ticular attention to backsliders, and endeavour in the spirit of meekness to
restore them that have been overtaken in a fault, and by private efforts, as well
as by our ministrations, to " recover them out of the snare of the devil." '

7. In the recommendations of the Committee, appointed by the last English
Conference to consider the question of • the class-meeting and membership, are
two, especiallj' sustaining the views expressed in sections 3 (1, 2) and 4. in
substance, and almost equally in form, in this letter. I, therefore, with the
more confidence submit the. suggestions herein to my ministerial and lay brethren
in our South Australian Connexion. I have relied on our Laws and Usages,
as I have known them administered in the earlier years of my official life,
with great advantage to the ' flock,' over which the Holy Ghost hath made us
overseers.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 437

Feb. \Qth. — I read in 'Marcus Aurelius ' this evening. It is a
marvellous collection of wise and weighty sayings.

Feb. 27th. — I preached at Angaston yesterday. The next morn-
ing I went to see my dear father's grave. I felt much as I thought
of the dear old man resting in that silent home. He died at North
Rliine in 1851. In the afternoon the Eev. T. Angwin, M.A., drove
me to see the Hon. J. H. Angas, M.L.C., in his lovely seat. We had
an interesting interview, Mr. Angas manifesting concern in the visit
I was papng to the district. In the evening, at the Public Meeting,
I spoke of incidents which I remembered for the last tifty yeai\s.
The audience was attentive.

March \st. — Woodside. I again called on the aged Mrs. Disher,
and prayed with and for her. I think she is maturing in soul for
the final vision.

I read to-day in Bonwick's ' Romance of the Wool Trade.' It is
a book of invaluable information for those who have to do with that
great staple of the world's commei'ce.

March Wth. — I improved the death of William, the late Emperor
of Germany. Text : ' Moses My servant is dead.' There were
several of the German residents present, who appeared to take much
interest in the service.

March 27th. — I wrote to the Register on the resolutions of the
English Conference re the ' Union of the Methodist Bodies.'

The following is a copy of the letter : —

' Sib,—

' First impressions I have often found are not only the safest, but the wisest,
among religious men. Hence I hasten to express the profoimd satisfaction I
feel, at the information which has reached us this very day on the crucial
question of Methodist Union in England. It is well known in all Methodist
and other Christian circles, how persistently I have striven for some years to
prevent any hasty action being taken by the Conferences, of which I have been
a member, for the purpose of precipitating a course of action for which we and
the other bodies concerned were not prepared. But I now think light of the
right kind and measure is beginning to dawn upon us. The English Conference
Committee have met the representatives of the four union branches of the
British Methodist Church, and have passed a resolution in favour of an organic
union of the five divisions therein concerned. Sir, all along my strongest
objection, indeed I may say my only objection, was in the legal aspect of the
relation of the parent body to the offshoot ; but it seems that this will be met,
and got over, by the third of the resolutions of the united Committee, viz , " that
the Conferences be affiliated to the Wesleyan Conference.' This proviso saves

438 JAMES BICKFORD: AX AZ^TOBIOGRAPHT.

the poll-deed of Wcslev intact, and projects into the future the fullest legal
recognition and ministerial rights for the united Methodism of Great Britain.
The first of the resolutions passed by the Committee is simply one of ecclesiastical
order and equality ; the second is one of trusts and trustees, and the third
avoids all legal difficulty by the affiliation of the minor Churches to the old
Body. We shall watch, Sir, with intensest anxiety, the further elucidation of
the scheme, and hope and pray for its final unification. Once accomplished in
England, Australian Methodism will not be slow to follow the example set
before it. At least, so I think.'

Ajyril Ath. — We returned to Parkside to-day. ' The Hills ' had
done us much good. Lovely drives, striking gcenery, fresh, cool air,
and restful nights — what more could we wish 1 Eveiybody was kind,
and tried to minister to our comfort.

April 10th. — In a dream, early this morning, I had delightful
intercourse with that greatest of living men, Mr. Gladstone. It w^as
most real. I want an Abernethy to explain to me the philosophy of
this.

Ma>/ 8th. — I ^vl"ote the fifty-thu'd lecture for the students ;
subject, ' Baptism.' I am sure, I made out the case for our custom
of baptizing infants and children, to the satisfaction of every un-
prejudiced mind.

Mat/ 11th. — I heard Miss Finkelstein lecture on the 'Homes and
Haunts ' of Jesus. It was a beautifvtl lecture, aptly illustrated, and
gracefully given. There was a great crowd in the Town Hall to
hear this wonderful converted Jewess.

June 4:th. — I wrote my fifty-fourth lecture for the students ;
subject, ' The Ministry of the Church.' How the subjects of these
lectures widen in my hands ! It does me good to prepai'e them.

Jul// 10th. — I read in the magazine for March Dr. Gregory's
reply to Dr. Dallinger. Without being a scientist, I cannot but
think that the talented editor has greatly the advantage over the
philosopher.

Juli/ IQth. — I finished reading Drummond's 'Central Africa;' it
is a capital book. The hand of the naturalist and the scientist is
apparent in every page of this work.

Jubj 25th. — I completed my article on the 'Federation of the
Australian Colonies ' for the Young Meris Quarterly. The drift of
the paper is to show that, for sucli objects as defences, railway gauges,
intercolonial trade, and the creation of a final Court of Appeal, etc.,
such a Federation w^ould be desirable. But no such combination

SOUTH AUSTEALIA. 439

could be permitted as would impair the perfect autonomy of our
constitutional Government, as now existent, in each of the Colonies.
Neither could we permit any additional burden of taxation to come
upon the people for meeting expenses connected with a Federal
Parliament. ' Imperial Federation ' (so called) is simply a dream
as far as the Australian Colonies are concerned. Our wisdom is to
be content with the evils we have, rather than to plvinge into
others of which we do not know.

July 2Qth. — A valuable budget of English news this morning. I
read Mr. Gladstone's criticism on Mrs. Ward's religious novel,
* Robert Elsmere.' It is a deep, searching, and profound criticism.
Besides, its ring is worthy of the great statesman. I read also his
House of Commons speech on the melancholy death of Frederick III.,
late Emperor of Germany. No wonder that the House was so deeply
moved. Lord Hartington, under the inspiration of the speech, paid
a high compliment to the noble-minded ex-Premier.

Aug. 6th. — At the Ministerial Association Meeting this morning,
I mentioned the subject of the gambling-machine, yclept, ' the
Totalizator,' and suggested that we should petition the Parliament
against the re-enactment of the law permitting its use. The Rev.
James Lyall, the Rev. F. W. Cox, and I were appointed a sub-
committee to look after the matter. The next day Mr. Lyall and
I waited upon the Premier (Hon. Thomas Playford), to seek his
advice as to how we should proceed. He advised that we should
memorialise the Council. The Attorney General (Hon. C. C.
Kingston) also advised that course. We therefore ordered the
necessary bills, circulars, etc., and essayed to fulfil our mission
Mrs. E. S, Bickford, my niece, and Gerty, my great-niece, left us
to-day for Melbourne.

Aug. 15th. — I wrote to the Press to-day a strong letter on Sir
John Downer's Bill, now before the House, for extending the ' Law
of Divorce ' in this Colony. I am afraid that if this Bill be passed
it will be followed by serious and far-reaching consequences.

Aitg. 28th. — I begun to-day writing an Autobiography of my life-
work in the West Indies and Australia. But I want, at least, twenty
years of younger life to do all that is in my heart to do. AJl my
friends tell me that I ought to leave behind me such a record as that
now contemplated. So, by God's help, I will try what can be done.

Sept. 1 3th. — Miss Jarvis and I left by ' express ' for Victoria. At

440 JAMES BICKFOBD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Ballai-at, the next morning, Mr. Thomas Wills, a very true and old
friend, received us at the station, and we accompanied him to his
home. In the course of the forenoon, the Rev. R. C. Flockart came
for me to be his guest during my .stay in the city. Miss Jarvis
remained with my friends, INIr. and Mrs. Wills. On Sunday I
preached in the new and beautiful church in Lydiard Street ; and, in
the evening, at Barkly Street. On Monday I gave my lecture on
' Irish Christianity ' in l^ehalf of the Trust funds. I saw many of
my friends, dating back to 1857, and I was greatly pleased with their
remembrance of me.

Sept. \^th. — We left for Kew this morning by train. At the
Spencer Street Station, Melbourne, I saw my nephew, the Rev. E.
S. Bickford in the crowd, with whom we left for his home. We
spent a quiet, delightful evening.

Sej)t. 20iA. — We went to the great ' Exhibition.' We were, in all,
quite a little party — the Rev. E. S. and Mrs. Bickford, Mrs. J. B.
Smith, Mrs. McKensie, Miss McKensie, Miss Jarvis, and myself.
This ' Exhibition ' is worthy of our grand Australian history. A
marvel of skilful arrangement and uncounted wealth. Such a
gathering of peoples, from many lands, at such a time and place, is
suggestive of the bounties of God's providence, of the Divine Mission
of the Austral-Englishman, and of the inexhaustible character of the
material resources of the possessions of the Crown in the Southern
World.

Sejjt. ^Ist. — I and my nephew, E. S. Bickford, went to Frankston
for Home Mission objects. The next day (' Sabbath ') I heard the
Rev. R. Osborne Cook preach an excellent sermon on the ' choice of
Moses.' There were both originality and force in the construction
and delivery of the discourse. At 3 p.m. I addressed the Sunday
School, and in the evening I preached. We held the public meeting
the next day ; Mr. Cook and I were the speakers. I tried to develop
the whole scheme of Home Missionary operations in Victoria, so
as to induce a sympathetic co-operation of the Circuit with the
Society in its widespread efforts. Treby Bickford Moysey, my
nephew, whom I had not seen for many years, called upon me in the
afternoon. He bids fair to become a rich man, and I pray that
he may be a good, Christian man also. I left my hospitable
friends, Mr. and Mrs. Cook, on the morning of the 26th, and joined
my nephew at the station to call upon the Rev. J. B. and Mrs.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 441

Smith at South Brighton. We proceeded from thence to Kew,
where we arrived in the evening.

Sept. 2Wi. — We went to Northcote to spend a few days with my
brother, N. M. Bickford and Mrs. Bickford. Sunday morning we
worshipped once more together in God's house. This was a great
pleasure to me. The Rev. Samuel Cuthbert preached to a devout
and interested congregation. I occupied the pulpit in the evening.
Subject, ' The Pentecostal Church in Jerusalem.'

Oct. \st. — I went to Carlton to see my sister, Mrs. Wyett, Mr.
Wyett, and Laura. In the afternoon I called at Queen's College,
and saw the Rev. E. H. and Mrs. Sugden, with whom I was much
pleased. Here we have a noble Institution, well-manned, well-cared-
for, and well patronised. It must be, in every respect, a great
blessing to the youth of the Golden Colony.

Oct. 2nd. — I had the pleasure of seeing at the Book Room Revs.
Symonds, Binks, Quick, Wells, Crisp, Daniels, Rigg, Shaw, and
Howard, It was a pleasant surprise to me.

Oct. ith. — A notable day for Melbourne. The new Prince's Bi-idge
was opened to-day for general traffic. It has three spans, each of
120 feet, and a land span of 24 feet, while its measurement from
end to end is a fraction over 400 feet, and its width 99 feet; 63 feet
being taken up by the carriage-way, and 18 feet on each side of
the footpath. David Munroe & Co. were the contractors. It is
a glorious structiue, and apparently as strong as solid rock.

Oct. Qth. — My niece and I went to Geelong, and found Miss
Hitchcock at the station awaiting our arrival. I preached in Yarra
Street on Sunday morning, and addressed the Sunday School in the
afternoon. In the evening I heard the Rev. Thomas Angwin preach.
He and I gave the Lord's Supper at the after service. It was a
specially good day to me. Blessed be the Lord !

Oct. Sth. — My kind hostess, Mrs. Hitchcock, drove us to the
Orphan Asylum, Bell-post Hill, etc. It was a most delightful drive.
In the evening we took tea at Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Daniels', and
spent a most delightful time with them, Mr. and Mrs. W. Thacker.
and other friends.

Oct. 9th. — We took lunch at Mr. and Mrs. Oldfield's, and called
upon many of my former charge. It did my old heart good to see
them again.

Oct. 1 2th. — At Kew I gave a lectui-e to the ' Young Men's Mutual

442 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Improvement Society/ the Rev. P. R. C. Ussher, presiding ; subject
' A Talk on the West Indies.' I was heartily thanked for the
address.

Oct. \^th. — I preached at Brighton and South Brighton. We
spent a nice time with our dear friends the Smiths. I took services
at Clifton Hill, Kew, and St. Kilda, when I had the gratification,
always welcome to an old Itinerant, of seeing familiar faces again, and
of worshipping our one Father together. And this was my happiness
to the full.

Nov. 1th. [Diary Jotting] — 'We left our clear kindred at Kew this afternoon
for Spencer Street Station. We said good-bye to our old friends, the Rev.
.John and Mrs. Harcourt, and Mr. James Lowe came along with us to help us
with oiu" " traps." My brother Nicholas, Frank, my nephew, Edwin Pascoe,
were there to see us off. At Ballarat, my unfailing friends, the Wills, were at
the station with tea and other good things to help us on our journey, From
Dimboola to Adelaide my niece and I had the carriage to ourselves. We reached
the Adelaide Station the next day, and found Mr. William Gully there with his
trap to convey us to Parkside. I met my class in the evening.

' What a host of matters I have to attend to fi-om being away eight weeks i
Our back garden is smothered with weeds, and looks like a forsaken wilderness.
And so will the heart be choked, in the absence of care and cultivation, by the
noxious presence of sin and temptation.'

Nov. \^th. — Working hard at the Autobiography. In the evening
I read in the London Quarterly for a couple of hours : ai'ticle,
' The Self -revelation of God.' Tough reading, and unadapted for
general use.

Nov. 16^/i. — I went to Norwood to see my friend the Rev. William
Jenkins, P.M.M., who is in a dying condition ; Rev, Wellington and I
prayed with him, and commended his soul to God. He was always a
good, earnest man in the Lord's work.

Dec. \Qth. — I went to the Ministerial Association Meeting, and
heard Dr. Hannay's address. It was, after its way, no doubt, able,
but it bristled with points of controversy. But for these we had no
time. I moved a vote of thanks. I read in the afternoon in Fish's
' Conferences of the Reformers and Divines of the Early English
Church, on the Doctrines of the Oxford Tractarians.' It seems to
me to be an admirable summary of potent arguments against the
' High Oxford Party,' and shows them uj) as in dead opposition to
the principles of the English Reformers, who were the founders of

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 443

the * Reformed Protestant Church of England.' The motto on the
' Title-page,' chosen by the reverend compiler of the work, is singularly-
well chosen : —

' The peace of the Church, and the unity of her doctrine, is best conceived
when it is judged by the proportion to that rule of unity which the Apostles
gave ; that is, the creed for articles of mere belief, and the precepts of Jesus
Christ, and the practical rules of piety, which are most plain and easy, and,
without controversy, set down in the Gospels and writings of the Apostles.
But to multiply articles, and adopt them into the family of faith, and to I'equire
assent to such articles, which, as St. Paul's phrase, are of doubtful disputation,
equal to that assent we give to matters of faith, is to build a tower on the top
of a bulrush, and the further the effect of such proceedings does extend, the
worse they are." — Jeremy Taylor.

Dec. 12th. — I went to Adelaide to meet the President. There
were ten brethren present. The President read a letter of resigna-
tion from David O'Donnell, caused by the action of the General
Conference in appointing him to New Zealand, instead of to the
Victoran Conference, which he requested. We agreed that a repl}-
should be sent, suggesting to him to reconsider his action.

Bee. 17th. — I presided at the Pirie Street Missionary Meeting
this evening. The Rev. William Reid gave us a very effective
speech on Fiji, confirming from his recent observation in the Group
the grand successes of our missionary brethi'en. At all events, there
has been brought about the complete cessation of heathen, savage
customs ; and the arcliipelago of islands is now a colony of the
British Crown.

Dec. 31st. — I buried the mortal remains of poor Mrs. Slater ;
'from sufferings and from woes released.' I baptized the motherless
baby on our return from the Cemetery. A dreadful accident occurred
last night in ' the Hills,' about two and a half miles from Mitcham,
by the overturning of a coach full of picknickers ; one young man
was killed, and several young persons were seriously injured. If
the party had retui'ned by daylight this catastrophe had not
happened.

The ' Watch Night Service ' was held by the Rev. H. C. George
and myself. We had a good attendance, and a solemn time of
heart-searching and of consecration to God. With this service I
finish fifty years of Christian work in the Lord's vineyard. And so

444 JAMES BICKFORD: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

the story of my Autobiography is ended. I think the desire to write
such an account must have been from God, for I find in my Diary
for August 1st, 1888, the following jotting : —

' In the evening, whilst reading the London Quarterly, an inspiration came
upon me, re the West Indies, the anniversary of the freedom of whose slaves,
in 1838, we commemorate this day. Possibly this may be the beginning of an
autobiographical record of fifty j'ears' work in the West Indies and Australia.
Who can tell / '

CONCLUSION.

'Australia is in an ocean by herself." — GOLDWIN Smith.

We are indebted to the Churches of Christ for building up the
AustraUa of to-day. Yet we are of such modern growth, that this
fact is hardly known among the older nations of the world. The
ignorance that prevails even in Great Britain of the material and
ecclesiastical condition of Australia is extraordinary. Probably,
few of English statesmen are seized of the idea that a possession
of 1,884,591,920 acres, here in these seas, has been, in the order of
Divine Providence, donated to the Anglo-Saxon race ; and that
already there has sprung up between the five Colonies of Australia
and Great Britain, America, etc., a commerce of imports and exports
of an annual value of ,£106,208,599 sterling. But, inclusive of
Tasmania and New Zealand, it amounts to =£112,862,353 sterling.
And, although we are only ' of yesterday,' we have a population of
over three millions ; whilst, with Tasmania and New Zealand added,
we have close upon four million souls. It is estimated that, in
twenty years, from fifteen to eighteen milHons of people Avill be
settled m Australasia.

The ecclesiastical arrangements are all that Anglo- Australians can
reasonably expect. There being no State Church, the most perfect
religious equality obtains. With our free and independent parlia-
ments, elected upon the basis of a manhood suffrage, there need be
no fear of any legislative meddling with the rights of the people
to worship their Creator according to the dictates of their own
consciences, and to support such of the Churches as they shall
choose. Every denomination stands on its own merits, and all
duly appointed ministers are estimated at their real worth as moral
reformers and pastors of the people. Our systems of pubHc in-
struction are intended to carry the benefits of educational training
to every child of school-age, and to be had by the payment of a small

446 JAMES BICKFORD. AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

fee, or no fee at all. INIinisters of religion, as such, are eligible to
sit on * Boards of Advice ; ' but they are never elected to that
position. In each Colony, excepting perhaps Western Australia, a
Minister of the Crown is the autliorised head of ' Public Instruction,'
and is directly responsible to Parliament.

He would be a bold man who attempted to cast the horoscope of
the Austi'alias. That there is no serious thought of separation from
the Mother Country must be patent to every observant man who
moves much amongst the people ; and no such feeling is likely to
arise, as long as the Australian Parliaments are not interfered with
in mattei's of domestic legislation. The veto of the Crown must be
sparingly used. There is, however, no idolatrous reverence for
Imperialism, which can never become a ' fetish ' amongst us. The
trend of poHtical feeling, as far as we can judge, is in favour of a
Republican form of Government, rather than to be under the heel of
the Colonial Office, and subject to interference by the Houses of
Lords and Commons.

An Australian empii-e, at no distant period, is the cynosure to
w-hich all eyes are looking, as certainly as that the needle points to
the Pole. But even in that form — if such be the will of Pi-ovidence —
the great South Empire would not be in antagonism to, but be a
loving and strong ally of, England in any struggles she might have
with Continental powers. Such a fair and true daughter, as
Australia has proved herself to be, would not forsake her ' Old
Mother ' in a time of extremity. Still, the policy in the main must
ever be : ' Peace ' within our own borders, and ' Peace ' without,
with all the world.

Printed by Hazell, Watson, & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury.

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