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THE REV. JOHN WESLEY.
his stay there, he formed an acquaintance with the Rev. John Wesley, the venerable founder of Methodism, who baptized two of the negroes. Upon Mr. Gilbert's return to Antigua, he signified to those individuals who resided near him, that he should feel happy in meeting them at his house on certain evenings, when he would expound the word of God to them, and endeavour to enlighten their minds upon religious subjects. This invitation was eagerly accepted by many of the negroes and coloured people, and Mr. Gilbert was led to increase his views, and form a regular organized society, which in a short time amounted to two hundred members. This proceeding of Mr. Gilbert produced the greatest astonishment among the inhabitants of Antigua. A man in his rank of life to herd with negro slaves, and.their coloured offspring, who, although perhaps they might be free, bore about with them the marks of their despised race !—oh ! wondrous ! incomprehensible ! — the man must be mad, thought they. But when he, unmindful of their censure, proceeded in his acts of love towards these poor outcasts from the pale of society, their wonder knew no bounds ; their feelings took another turn, and what at first was surprise, gave way to reproach and contempt. Mr. Gilbert, however, was not to be moved by what mankind said of him ; he knew the consequence before he commenced his labours ; and reckless of scorn or reprehension, he steadily pursued the path he had chalked out, knowing full well in whom he trusted. Thus he proceeded, until death called him from this world, and summoned him to reap his reward in heaven ; when, strong in faith, he left his infant society without a shepherd to watch over its welfare. Mr. Gilbert derived his origin from a family of considerable distinction in the west of England, where one of its members—Sir Humphery Gilbert—associating himself with his kinsman, the celebrated Sir Walter Raleigh, became one of the most eminent circumnavigators of the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Dying, he left a son, Raleigh Gilbert, Esq., who, among other individuals, obtained from King James I. a