the seeker's bench; and it is very probable that his labours were more successful, and more signally blessed, than those of any minister who has succeeded him upon that "circuit." His health was early sacrificed to the cause in which he laboured. "Consumption, that sly and deceitful destroyer," fastened its deadly fangs upon his vitals. Pale, emaciated, broken down, perhaps by over-exertion, but "rejoicing in hope," and patient in suffering, he appeared upon the camp-ground; hundreds flocked around the carriage in which he reclined; and as he reached forth his trembling hand, and looked upon the people with an expression of deepest tenderness and concern, assuring them that he should see them no more in this world, and entreating them to meet him in Heaven, whither he was hastening, tears flowed most copiously down many a cheek, and from eyes unused to weeping; while stout hearts, which, perhaps, he had failed to move before, were now made to feel. It has been stated that not one among the hundreds who took leave of him, on that occasion, failed to shed tears freely, and to feel most deeply.

A few weeks thereafter, at the residence of Rev. Dr. Webb, he breathed his last breath, and his pure and happy spirit triumphantly ascended to Him, whom he had so faithfully endeavoured to serve on earth.

We will observe, and, we trust, without incurring censure for indulging in what may be considered an unprofitable digression here, that it has been a source of controversy and regret among some of the members of the Methodist Church, in this and other sections of our State, and elsewhere, that several of its ablest ministers have heeded and accepted a call, to retire from the regular duties of the itinerancy, to act as presidents and professors of colleges, editors, &c.

It is thought, by many judicious persons, to be an unwise policy to deprive the church of the immediate influence of their personal ministrations upon the people-of their ministerial efforts in the "travelling connexion," inasmuch as their present places, as it is declared, might be supplied by local preachers or laymen. It is affirmed that the work of Methodist ministers is to travel and preach; "to go," using the words of the founder of Methodism, "not only to those who want them, but to those

who want them most; to spend and be spent in the work." The pulpits and altars of the churches, the meetings for prayer and praise, the family circle, the couch of the sick and dying, the damp hovels of the wretched, the prison-houses, the cottages of the poor, and the palaces of the rich, too—these, it is thought, constitute the legitimate fields of labour for Methodist ministers; not merely in some particular and favoured locations, but (in its regular turn) in every part of the territory embraced in the jurisdiction of the Conferences to which they belong. But strong and convincing arguments have been adduced in justification of the course pursued by the church, and alluded to above.

There are some persons, who, on taking a glance at the churchgoing portion of the community, are wont to exclaim, “Methodism has changed." But doctrines and principles, if properly based upon the infallible Word, alter not in their nature. The rise and fall of empires; the heavy, onward tread of hostile armies, sated with the blood, and hardened by the fearful and unavailing shrieks of injured innocence; earth's deep heavings and convulsions; the "crush of worlds;" the ample sweep of unmeasured and immeasurable eternity, all combined, will not suffice, it is well enough known, to produce a change in a single well-established principle of divine truth. It is man, unstable man, that changes, and wanders into error. The delusive effects of sin and satanic agency upon his heart, seduce him into forbidden paths, away from the once adopted and immovable standards of Christian faith. There are many, however, both in this and the other branches of the church militant, "who hold fast the profession of their faith without wavering."

The impatient reader will say we have travelled quite far enough from our proper course; and so, perhaps, we have. But who will declare, after taking a look at the "signs of the times," that some great reformer, with a big, unfaltering heart like Luther's, firm, resolute, steady to his purpose; urged onward by the all-powerful principle of love to God, and the souls of men,—would not find work to do in orthodox churches of every persuasion, in pointing professors back to the holy standards of faith and practice, which, at the present day, are in too many cases, sadly neglected?

CHAPTER XXV.

1828-1832.

Dismal Swamp Canal-Methodist Protestant Church-Naval Hospital-SnowStorm-Population-Dr. M'Alpine-Cold Weather - Anniversary Celebration-Procession-Interesting Display-Oration, &c.—Strange Solar Appearance-Insurrection in Southampton-Its Effect-Increasing Commerce -Mayor-Singular Weather—The Cholera-Death of the Mayor-Death of John Tunis, Esq.-His Enterprise, &c.—Philanthropic Remark-Benevolent Idea-Reflections-Riches-Dr. Johnson-Utility of Poverty-Old Methodist Church Taken Down-New Building Dedicated-Dr. William A. Smith.

ON Wednesday, December 31st, the Dismal Swamp Canal was completed, and opened for the uninterrupted passage of vessels. The Methodist Protestant Church was organized this year (1828). The theatre that stood on Fenchurch Street was purchased by that denomination, and converted into a house of worship. This having been burnt a few years after, the present neat building, on Church, near Freemason Street, was bought, and the members still worship there. Rev. John Whitefield is the present able and esteemed pastor.

1829. The Naval Hospital, near the site of Old Fort Nelson, was commenced this year. It is a very large and exceedingly commodious and handsome stone building, finely adapted to the important purpose for which it is intended. The location was well chosen, being healthful, retired, and convenient. This massive structure is a splendid ornament to the harbour, and presents its beautiful and lofty front for the admiration of the beholder on coming up the river, or from the Norfolk side. The strictest order and discipline are observed at the establishment, and its utility at this great naval depot is obvious.

March 19, 21. Great snow-storm.

1830. Population of Norfolk, 9,860.

Died, this year, in Kempsville, Princess Anne County, Doctor James M'Alpine, a physician of great popularity, and remarkable for his skill and success in the treatment of disease, as well as for the deep interest which he manifested in his patients of every

class. His death was sudden and unexpected, and the sad news spread with astonishing rapidity through the length and breadth of the county. Old and young, white and coloured, were startled, and greatly distressed by the intelligence; and, indeed, a death has seldom, if ever occasioned more general sorrow in Princess Anne County. A large concourse of persons attended the funeral, and very many gave unmistakeable evidence of their sincere grief for the great loss which the county had sustained.

1831. During the month of January, the weather was exceedingly cold. The usual trips of the old steamboat Hampton, Captain S. Selden, were prevented, on one or more occasions, by the ice, which was of considerable thickness in the harbour; and on the 18th, a severe snow-storm commenced.

The anniversary of American Independence was celebrated this year in a style that far surpassed all other occasions of the kind in Norfolk. The recollection of such an evidence of devoted patriotism on the part of our citizens twenty years ago, is pleasing, especially to those who witnessed the splendid display which marked the return of the fifty-fifth birthday of the nation.

The rising of the sun, on that bright morning, was greeted by heavy discharges of artillery, and, at an early hour, a procession was formed, comprising the different volunteer companies, and a long train of large cars, or carriages, which consisted of plank platforms on wheels. On these, the different trades were represented, and as they passed along, drawn by fine horses, it was truly animating to behold the different mechanical operations, by a judicious and ingenious arrangement, all busily and systematically going on,—the carpenter at his bench, amid the shavings that curled rapidly from his jack-plane; the brick-mason, amid his bricks and mortar, causing the shrill sound of his trowel to resound far and wide; the blacksmith, with his dingy face and brawny arms, his roaring bellows and heavy sledge, causing the sparks to fly, like a "fiery shower," from the glowing bar, and "fall like golden rain around him;" the painter, the hatter, the cordwainer, &c., &c., each in his respective car, was to be seen engaged at his useful and indispensable avocation.

The procession, after marching through the principal streets, halted on Freemason Street, at about eleven o'clock; at which

hour, H. B. Grigsby, Esq., formerly editor of the Norfolk Beacon, delivered, in Christ Church, an oration, which was characterized by well-chosen subjects, as well as great strength and beauty of language, combined with superior rhetorical skill, and a graceful delivery. After the conclusion of the address, the procession again took up the line of march. Salutes were fired; fine bands of music cheered the hearts of the multitudes; the government and merchant ships were handsomely dressed with maritime flags; the streets were thronged with visiters from the neighbouring towns and counties, and never in any place of the same size was there a more charming exhibition of female beauty than on that exciting and interesting occasion. But, alas! there were some who mingled in the gay and cheerful crowd that day, that were marked as victims of the dreadful scourge of the succeeding year, then already on its mysterious and rapid course to the western continent. True it was, that some of those, whose hearts beat with the liveliest emotions of pleasure then,

"Ere the twelve months made their round again,"

were reposing in deep sepulchral stillness.

The citizens were much surprised, on the morning of August 13th, by the very strange appearance of the sun. Owing to some change or derangement of the atmosphere of that great central luminary of our system, a very singular phenomenon was exhibited. The sun's disk seemed, on rising, to have changed from the usual brilliant golden colour to a pale, greenish tint, which soon gave place to cerulean blue, and this, also, to a silvery white. In the afternoon, he appeared like an immense circular plane of polished silver; and to the naked eye there was exhibited, on his surface, an appearance that was termed a "black spot." The sun shone with a dull, gloomy light, and the atmosphere was moist and hazy. These phenomena excited much wonder and astonishment among the people. The credulous were induced to believe that some awful calamity was about to happen; and among the various speculations of the more intelligent part of the citizens, none appeared to be satisfactory. It