After a pause in the history of the founding of Wesleyan Methodism in South Australia, commenced in No. XIV., giving the arrival of the Rev. [William] Longbottom, saved from shipwreck and the savage blacks on the southern coast, and his reception with open arms, by the small number of Wesleyans then in the colony, I now propose to give a brief account of his actions after he accepted the post of first preacher of that communion ; also to give a brief account of the work of his successor, the Rev. [Daniel James] Draper in building up what Mr. Longbottom commenced.

I take advantage of extracts from the published life of the Rev. Mr. Draper to present the heart-rending picture of the last moments of that good man, when he spent his latest breath, in comforting the large number (169) of the crew and passengers before they were engulfed with him by the foundering of the steamship London. [11 Jan 1866]

Before the arrival of Mr. Longbottom, an organisation of members of his denomination had been made, starting with fifteen members. Shortly after this, a small chapel was built in Hindley-street. In this building Mr. Longbottom was able to officiate on his arrival ; and, in this respect, he found himself placed in much more favorable circumstances than were the two ministers of religion who preceded him when they arrived, for they had to gather their flocks, and assist with their own hands in the erection of mere temporary coverings in which to hold worship.

In the natural order of things, Mr. Longbottom would feel some embarrassment at finding such a large proportion of officers to members, and would have some anxiety as to future means and management. And here, in giving a correct account of the 'early experiences' in founding the Churches in this colony, it is proper to relate of this Church that after the ministrations of so good a man, and one so universally beloved as Mr. Longbottom was, dissensions arose as recorded in the life of the Rev. Mr. Draper, which gives the history of Wesleyan Methodism in South Australia.

These dissensions do not appear to have ceased until Mr. Draper's firm and influential rule as Superintendent was exercised. The founder of the Wesleyan Church, the revered John Wesley, certainly in the organisation he prescribed did not adopt any approach to a democratic form of government for the management of the section of the Christian Church which he founded, nor has any such principle, as far as I know, been admitted into the Wesleyan Methodist connexion since his time.

It appears to me, as an outsider, and from a perusal of the Rev. J. C. Symons's work, from which I shall now quote pretty freely, that in the early steps which were taken to appoint office bearers out of so small a number of members more zeal than discretion was displayed, and I am under the impression that the difficulties which occurred in the early days to this Church may be attributed to the proceedings of a democratic character which were necessarily adopted in electing officers from so small a number as then presented themselves, which almost amounted to self-election.

It is not necessary to enlarge upon this state of things further than to say that when the first difficulties were got over, and some ballast was got rid of, the Church rebounded and rose to its present strength and state of harmony. In about eight years from the commencement of the Rev. Mr. Longbottom's services, and including his second appointment, five preachers in succession occupied the post.

Not long after the ministrations of Mr. Longbottom commenced necessity for enlarged church accommodation was felt, and the foundation of a large and handsome chapel was laid in Gawler-place, which was completed at a cost of over £2,000, exclusive of the land, which was given by Mr. E. Stephens. When completed a debt remained on the building of £1,300. Mr. Longbottom's health had been greatly enfeebled by his residence in India, where he had labored as a missionary ; his ship-wreck and subsequent privations had completed what the climate of India had begun; and then must be added the anxieties he was subjected to, without the aid of a colleague to strengthen his hands, and under the peculiar circumstance in which he was placed in this colony.

Nor must it be forgotten that he and his family, for the greater part of his time, had no better accommodation as a residence than a small pizé cottage. It thus soon became apparent that he was unequal to the heavy work which pressed upon him ; in the increasing demands of his church "he sought for aid, and no colleague could be sent."

He was at length compelled to depart, which was painful indeed to himself and the Church. He had won the esteem of his own flock and all who knew him, and the people had drawn forth his deepest sympathies and energies. Seldom have pastor and people parted with more regret. Mr. Longbottom removed to Tasmania, and was appointed to New Norfolk, the healthful and bracing air of which it was hoped would restore his health.

He was succeeded by the Rev. John Eggleston, who reached Adelaide in March, 1840. He remained less than two years ; the heat of the climate, the unsuitable house, but chiefly what he described as a series of afflictions, induced in the first instance by excessive exertions, compelled him to seek a removal. "His brief period of service had been signally owned of God ; many were added to the Church, and great was the sorrow of all classes of the community at his departure.''

The Rev. J. C. Weatherstone, Mr. Eggleston's successor, remained in Adelaide about two years. Commencing well, and even prosperously, it was not long before dis-satisfaction, financial embarrassment, and all but ruin — at least, temporary — came upon the Church.

The colony had scarcely recovered from the crushing crisis which terminated Colonel Gawler's term of administration, which crisis tended to produce the break up of the unity of the Church to too great an extent. In Mr.Weatherstone's time, in September, 1843, a petition of the Wesleyan Methodists of South Australia was presented to Governor Sir G. Grey, praying "that the Government would grant them monetary aid to pay off the debt of £1,300 on their chapel in Gawler-place, and in supporting the ordinances of religion.''

From a com-plication of difficulties, Mr. Weatherstone had to retire, and it was asked who would come in his stead ? None were willing, and for the year 1844 Adelaide does not appear as a station in the minutes of Conference. Meanwhile, Mr. Longbottom had been directed to remove from Tasmania to Sydney. He reached there just when the Adelaide difficulties were under discussion. Such was the unfavorable impression produced, that no minister would come here.

Deeply moved by the scattered and all-but destroyed Church, he offered to return to his former field of labor. This offer was instantaneously and gladly accepted. Here was a true soldier, ready to do his Master's work at whatever inconvenience to him-self. He arrived the second time, with Mrs. L. and his son, in April, 1844.

Mr. Longbottom's health soon again proved totally inadequate to the toils and responsibilities of so extensive a circuit. The society in general were a warm-hearted, earnest, and generous people, who only wanted a leader, and this post Mr. L. with his failing health could not fulfil, while his genial spirit and entire devotion to the spiritual requirements of his flock still created the warmest respect and gratitude towards him. This was exhibited not by mere sentiment, but in making such provision when he retired as supernumerary in 1846, as enabled him to pass his declining years in somewhat more of comfort than his allowance as a supernumerary would have enabled him to do.

I must here add that members of other communions also assisted in this becoming action, and so displayed their feelings of love and respect towards him. The place of Mr. Longbottom was ably filled by the Rev. Mr. Draper, ''who at this time was engaged in the Sydney first circuit, and would gladly have spent more years in New South Wales, but who, feeling deeply for the connexion in the colony of South Australia, volunteered his services to occupy the post.''

Results have shown this arrangement to have been most happy and successful, as witness the position the Wesleyan connexion holds in South Australia at this time. Mr. Draper, some time after his return to his duties in Victoria, required rest and change, and after several attempts to procure leave of absence to visit England he was at length spared.

He embarked with Mrs. Draper on board the Great Britain on March 16, 1865. After an unusually pleasant voyage they arrived in Liverpool 20th May. The number of souls on board was 787. Three days after their arrival they left Liverpool for London. On the following Sunday Mr. Draper preached in Great Queen-street Chapel. Having visited the place of his birth he, with Mrs. Draper, made a tour through Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, preaching and delivering addresses in the various places he visited. He also made a hasty continental trip, and in Paris preached to the small flock of Wesleyans in their nice chapel there.

In one of his letters to his friend Mr. Symons, dated 18th August, he mentions ''we have travelled 2,450 miles by rail since we landed. I guess another 1,000 will do. Thank God we have not had a day's sickness since we left you. Our thoughts are beginning to turn homeward.''

His purpose was to remain absent a year, and though many efforts were made by friends in England to prolong his stay, they were unavailing. September 19 he writes : — ''I see the London is advertised to sail on the 20th December, but I expect it will be a fortnight later. If cholera, &c, should prevent our going via Egypt, we may go in her. I hope we shall be in Melbourne in March. Mr. Boyce and others are trying to get me to stay another year, but I do not think of doing so.''

In a letter dated 18th December subsequently he wrote : — ''The time of our leaving is now definitely fixed. The London will leave the East India Docks on the 28th inst., and finally leave Plymouth at 6 p.m.'' It is true that in bidding adieu to Mr. and Mrs. Powell both Mr. and Mrs. Draper appeared to be unusually depressed, and expressed themselves in terms very different to their usual buoyant character, so much so indeed that it led the Powells to remark on it ere any calamity had occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Draper embarked at Plymouth on 5th January, 1866.

There was nothing at this time to indicate the severe weather which was to come on ; the barometer was unsteady but not low. It was almost calm when the ship started; she steamed along against a head wind. On Sunday, the 7th, the wind freshened somewhat. Dr. Woolley, President of the Sydney University, and Mr. Draper united in conducting Divine service. The same night it blew a gale, with heavy squalls and a high sea. On Monday, the 8th, the sea was so heavy that the engines were stopped, and the ship was put under easy canvas. About mid-day the wind lessened and steam was again used. Tuesday morning the wind greatly increased, the flying jibboom, foretopmast, topgallantmast, and royalmast were carried away ; the gale had become so violent that all the wreck could not be cleared, the spars swinging to and fro, doing much damage.

In the afternoon the wind increased to a hurricane, with fearful cross seas, which broke over the ship and carried away the port lifeboat, and did other damage. At 3 p.m. of the 10th the ship was put about under full steam for Plymouth. She immediately began to ship green seas over all, which swept her decks and carried away the starboard lifeboat, and destroyed one of the cutters.

At half past 10 o'clock on Wednesday night, a mountain of water broke on board and swept away the main engine skylight ; the engine-room was filled, and in three minutes the fires were out. Sails, mattresses, tarpaulins, spars, and all available means were used to stop the opening, and prevent the water from rushing into the ship — all efforts were futile. Pumps and the donkey engine were kept at work, even when the ship went down.

Long and gallant was the struggle continued between man and the furious elements. At last when the issue was no longer doubtful, Captain Martin said to his men ' Boys, you may say your prayers.' All earthly hope was gone, and unless winds and waves were hushed and stilled by the power of their Creator, it was a mere question of time when the London should go down. The gale increased in fury.

At midnight the Rev. Mr. Draper commenced that memorable prayer meeting, which lasted till the ship sank, on the next day at 2 o'clock. With one impulse, passengers and crew had gathered in the saloon, distinction of class forgotten. One of the rescued tells that there were no cries or shrieking of men or women, no frantic behavior. Mothers were weeping over their children, and the children pitifully asking the cause of the tears. During the intervals of prayer, Mr. Draper earnestly besought, as he moved among the crowd, the people to come to Christ for salvation.

When the captain had lowered the starboard pinnace, which was immediately upset and lost, he entered the cabin and said, " Ladies, there is no hope for us; nothing short of a miracle can save us." To this Mr. Draper calmly replied, 'Then let us pray,' and used these memorable words — 'Well, my friends, the captain informs us that our ship is doomed, and that there is no hope of our getting into port ; but the Great Captain tells us there is hope, and that we may all get safe to heaven.'

At 2 p.m. the ship appeared to be sinking. The captain then directed the second engineer that as the port cutter was ready to be lowered, he had better get into her, saying 'There is not much chance for the boat, there is none for the ship ; your duty is done, mine is to remain here with the passengers ; I wish you God speed, and safe to land.' The number who escaped in the boat out of 180 on board was 19. In about five minutes after pushing off those in the boat saw the London go down by the stern. The boat drifted before the wind about 20 hours, when she fell in with the Italian brig Marianople, and they were ultimately landed at Falmouth on January 17."

I have felt it appropriate to conclude this number with a republication of the thrilling picture of a devoted missionary finishing the work assigned to him on earth in a manner so grand as he did; as well as to record the last act of Captain Martin whose death was that of a true hero.

A previous number gives an account of a merciful dispensation of Providence when a missionary was saved from a wreck and granted to open the services of the Wesleyan Church in South Australia, and this concludes with an account of the loss of another missionary of the same communion by wreck, who had built up what the previous one had commenced here. I have here introduced the latter wreck, although it does not belong to ''Early Experiences of South Australia,'' as both occurrences have such deep interest for the Wesleyans in this colony. The latter is conspicuously marked by the Draper Memorial Church, which was erected to the memory of the good man after whom it is named. ( To be continued.)