EV.S.ROMILLYHALL 
 
 /" 
 
 THOS NIGHTINGALE \f/
 
 LIFE 
 
 OF THE REV. 
 
 SAMUEL ROMILLY HALL 
 
 C0gicms (Kstate from jris iarics antr gette. 
 
 THOMAS NIGHTINGALE. 
 
 LONDON : 
 
 PUBLISHED FOR THB AUTHOR, AT THE 
 
 WESLEYAN CONFERENCE OFFICE, 
 
 2, CASTLE STREET, CITY-ROAD. 
 AND 66, PATERNOSTER ROW.
 
 Hazell, Watson, and Viney, Printers, London and Aylesbury.
 
 MS 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 A LIFE of the Rev. S. Romilly Hall, so fraught 
 * ^" with valuable lessons, ought to be written. It 
 was only when those who are well qualified declined to 
 undertake the task, that, in response to the request of 
 others, the writer of this Memoir consented to do so. 
 It is little more than a selection made from the diaries 
 and letters of Mr. Hall, and might almost be called 
 his autobiography. In his own words he "is left to 
 tell the story of his very active life, and little else 
 has been done by the author, so-called, beside 
 connecting the links and presenting the chain when 
 formed to the reader. A more than ordinary example 
 will be found here of one who was ' not slothful in 
 business,' but ' fervent in spirit, serving the Lord ; ' 
 an example which recalls the words of the Wise Man, 
 ' Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall
 
 IV PREFACE. 
 
 stand before kings ; he shall not stand before mean 
 men;' an example also which will impress upon the 
 mind of the serious reader more deeply the apostolic 
 exhortation, ' Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to 
 the Lord, and not unto men ; knowing that of the 
 Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance : 
 for ye serve the Lord Christ.' 
 
 EXETER, July, 1879.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 CONVERSION HOLINESS THE MINISTRY, FIRST 
 
 IMPRESSIONS - I 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE BRISTOL CONFERENCE 
 BRISTOL RIOTS DEATH OF AN ONLY 
 BROTHER - - 10 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 REVIVAL FIRST ATTEMPTS IN PREACHING CALL 
 
 TO THE MINISTRY - - 2O 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 HOXTON THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION THE REV. 
 JOHN M'LEAN'S VISIT HOLINESS MISSION 
 WORK - - 28 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 WINDSOR HULL IN LABOURS MORE ABUNDANT 
 ILLNESS DEATH OF MRS. PETERSON, 
 HIS SISTER - - - 41
 
 VI CONTEXTS. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 SOUTHWARK FIRST CONFERENCE SPEECH CHEL- 
 SEA EDUCATION EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE 
 LIVERPOOL LEEDS - 50 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 MANCHESTER REV. A. M'AULAY BRISTOL CONFER- 
 ENCE BIRM-INGHAM FINANCIAL SECRE- 
 TARY LECTURES - - 63 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 BRISTOL AGAIN SUPERINTENDENT AND CHAIR- 
 MANLONDON, GREAT QUEEN STREET- 
 HOME MISSION WORK 78 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 MANCHESTER, IRWELL STREET THE SABBATH 
 QUESTION TEMPERANCE LETTERS TO HIS 
 SONS - 94 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 PRESIDENT YEAR OF OFFICE, ETCETERA - 109 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 MANCHESTER, GROSVENOR STREET DEATH OF 
 HIS SON CHARLES LETTERS RELATING 
 THERETO PASTORAL VISITATION - - 123
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 PAGP 
 
 PENZANCE CORNISH METHODISM A CORNISH 
 REVIVAL PARALYTIC SEIZURE RETIRE- 
 MENT FROM CIRCUIT WORK - 140 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 BRISTOL ONCE MORE" SUFFERING AFFLICTION " 
 THE CORRESPONDENCE OF AN INVALIDED 
 VETERAN HEAVENWARD 156 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 THE TESTIMONY OF GOOD MEN CONCLUSION - I So
 
 LIFE 
 
 OF THE REV 
 
 SAMUEL ROMILLY HALL. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 CONVERSION HOLINESS FIRST IMPRESSIONS AS TO 
 THE MINISTRY. 
 
 IN the preparation of this record of the Life of the 
 late Rev. S. Romilly Hall, I have almost alto- 
 gether limited myself to the task of collection and 
 connection, thinking that the most exact views of 
 what he was will be obtained, by those who did not 
 personally know him, from his own words found in 
 his letters and other private memoranda. There may 
 be opinions entertained by our departed friend here 
 introduced to which objection will be taken ; but for 
 the sake of showing those marks of individuality 
 which distinguish one man from another, they have 
 not been withheld. Memoirs should not be like 
 trees in a Dutch garden, all clipped and squared 
 according to one size and pattern. 
 
 i
 
 CONVERSION. 
 
 Mr. Hall was born at Bristol, on the ist December, 
 1812. Methodistically his family is monumentally 
 memorialized, most uniquely, in the ancient city. 
 His grandfather, John Hall, his father, John Wesley 
 Hall, and himself, each in his own generation, took 
 the leading part in the erection of three Bristol chapels, 
 namely, those of Old Market Street, Baptist Mills, 
 and Victoria, Clifton. 
 
 In a Journal kept by Mr. Hall, in the beginning 
 of his religious life, he writes : 
 
 'It was early in November 1830 that the severe 
 illness of an acquaintance led me to consider what 
 would have been my hope if I had been placed so 
 near death : ah ! I well knew. I determined from that 
 time to change my way of living, though the change 
 came on very gradually, for I was not laid under 
 such deep convictions as some are. I soon became 
 a Sunday-school Teacher, and I thank God that ever 
 I did. I had not been in the School long before Mr. 
 James Wood told me that there was a great revival 
 of religion among the young people in Bristol ; this 
 was the first time that I had heard of it, and it stirred 
 me up greatly ; he also sent me a note on the day 
 of his class-meeting, to attend. I went, and the first 
 time seemed to feel more the hardness of my heart, 
 and told Mr. Wood that what I most wanted was 
 repentance ; he encouraged me to expect it, and said 
 the Lord would send in the way He thought best.'
 
 COXVERSTOX. 
 
 Another writer supplies an interesting incident con- 
 nected with this first visit to the class-meeting, a 
 means of grace so in unison with the spirit and action 
 of the primitive Church : 
 
 ' He had given his word to attend the Society class, 
 though it was a great trial. His courage nearly failed 
 him when he drew near to the place of gathering. 
 He walked up and down before the door watching one 
 member after another pass in. Whilst so doing he 
 saw a flock of sheep coming toward him. Putting his 
 hand on the latch he said to himself, " Now, before 
 the last sheep passes I will go in." When speaking 
 of this in after years he would add, " I would have 
 given anything to have kept that last sheep back." 
 Well might the struggle be severe ; who can tell how 
 much depended on the uplifting of that latch ? ' 
 
 Resuming the Journal narrative of the great change, 
 we read : 
 
 'I began now to attend the prayer-meetings and 
 found them very profitable, and followed the advice 
 of the Rev. Joseph Taylor to read Mr. Fletcher's 
 " Appeal to Common-sense." I was much struck 
 one evening while reading it, at the thought that I 
 was still under the condemnation of God, that He 
 was still angry with me. When I went into my 
 room I was determined if I could to find pardon 
 before I retired to rest. I cried, I strove, I prayed,
 
 CONVERSION. 
 
 I wept. But my ways were not God's ways ; and 
 although when I went to bed I was in fear lest I 
 should open my eyes in hell, I was more determined 
 than ever to follow Him. 
 
 ' Afterward, my desires to find peace were not so 
 earnest as before till receiving a letter from my friend 
 John Irving, junr., I determined to set out again. 
 I found I had given way to discouragement, but it 
 would not do ; I began again. 
 
 'About the beginning of February 1831 I re- 
 mained to the Monday night prayer-meeting King 
 Street Chapel, and was very earnest and very 
 much encouraged to believe. I prayed more than 
 ever all the way home for faith. When I retired to 
 rest I was still very earnest to obtain the forgiveness 
 of my sins, and prayed very much for faith ; then 
 when on my bed thinking of what had passed and 
 what I should do if I could obtain that peace which 
 I wanted, light seemed to dawn, I seemed to think 
 I did believe I did believe. I told some of my 
 friends of it next morning, and was very much en- 
 couraged to hold fast, and I am grateful to think 
 that I have done so unto this day.' 
 
 Another account of the entrance into life states 
 that 'at the time of finding peace, this scripture, 
 " As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He 
 removed our transgressions from us," was so forcibly 
 applied to his mind and heart, as to leave no doubt as
 
 CONVERSION. 
 
 to his acceptance with God.' As Mr. Hall was taught 
 of the Spirit of God the way of salvation by faith 
 alone, so in after years he strove to teach others, 
 with great simplicity and great success : in preaching, 
 in conversation, and in the prayer-meeting he held 
 up the atonement of Jesus Christ and faith therein 
 as the sole condition to be observed by the true 
 penitent in order to justification and sonship, so 
 clearly, and with so much of the faith that filled his 
 own heart infused into his words, that very many 
 were emboldened at once to believe unto the salva- 
 tion of the soul. 
 
 The Journal now speaks of the progress of the 
 work of holiness in the heart of the Lord's young 
 disciple. The next paragraph, written a month after 
 conversion, is a case to illustrate the rule, that from 
 the first the Holy Spirit by the Word does prompt 
 young converts, ' that with purpose of heart they 
 cleave to the Lord, and through life walk in the 
 narrower part of the narrow way.' Would that all 
 were faithful to His teaching ! 
 
 'I thought that all was right, that I had now only to 
 go on my way rejoicing, but I soon found that I had 
 entered upon a warfare, that I had not only a com- 
 panion with whom to argue, but to contend against 
 Satan himself; but Christ was on my side, and with the 
 shield of faith I was able to parry all the thrusts of the 
 wicked one. One night at the class I was much sur-
 
 CONVERSION. 
 
 prised to hear that I was then to seek for holiness; I 
 did not know what it was, but by the instructions of 
 those who experienced it, I was stirred up to seek 
 it most earnestly ; I soon found that it must be had, 
 for without holiness no man can see the Lord, and 
 that the longer I was without it the more unlikely 
 I should be to obtain it. About this time Mr. James 
 Wood invited me to a prayer-meeting for holiness 
 at Langton Street Chapel; I went, wishing for, but 
 little expecting a blessing. I was much struck with 
 the remark in one of the prayers, that we could not 
 have holiness if we kept anything back. I knew that 
 I would willingly give all to obtain that purity of 
 heart which I so much longed for. I saw plainly that 
 it must be by faith. I was determined, as the point 
 of time when to believe must come, to believe that 
 night, with the help of God. At one time I did all 
 but believe, but yielded to the temptation that if I 
 received the blessing I should lose it. However, 
 before I left the meeting, thank God, I did believe, 
 and could say that to love God was the supreme 
 desire of my soul. I lost those feelings of enmity 
 towards others which I before had. I went home 
 very happy, completely overwhelmed with love to 
 my Saviour, resolved Him alone to serve. This was 
 early in March 1831.' 
 
 Whatever various views may be held of Mr. 
 Hall's account of the cleansing of his soul from
 
 CONVERSION. 
 
 ' all the filthiness of the flesh and the spirit,' there 
 can be no question that he did receive, at this 
 time, a signal anointing of the Holy Spirit, which 
 placed him on loftier vantage-ground in reference 
 to the life of God. Who will deny that in conse- 
 quence of such a time of refreshing in these early 
 days he was all the more a burning and shining 
 Christian during the remainder of life? A baptism 
 of the Spirit of holy light and holy love like this 
 was the confirming of his heart in the faith of 
 Christ, conferred upon him by the hands of the 
 Shepherd and Bishop of souls, and a confirmation so 
 complete as to render needless all forms of con- 
 firmation observed by man. 
 
 ' May 2nd. Have been kept in a more constant 
 and peaceful frame of mind. I thank God that during 
 the Election He preserved me from entering into 
 things which are so likely to distract the mind. 
 
 ' May 2ist. I have long been wishing and praying 
 for another outpouring of the Spirit of God. Last 
 night, I am thankful to the Lord, I received it 
 while at the private band, John Irving, junr., only 
 present. I felt the love of God so shed abroad in 
 my heart that I was completely overwhelmed ; tears 
 of gratitude ran down my face, and I felt myself 
 wholly given up unto the Lord.' 
 
 Mr. Hall's belief that God would call him to the 
 work of the ministry is next referred to in the journal.
 
 8 CONVERSION, 
 
 His first impressions were in favour of the Foreign 
 Mission Field, and were revived again, as will be 
 seen, when in the Institution. 
 
 . The Lord has been very good to my 
 soul. While thankful to Him for having kept me 
 since He drew me to Himself, yet I am doubly 
 thankful for what He has done for me this week. 
 I have felt so happy in my Saviour's love that I can 
 cast my all on Him. Oh the pleasantness and comfort 
 of religion ! The world, I have to my sorrow tried its 
 pleasures, but they are all worse than dross, compared 
 to those which religion brings. From the desires 
 which I have had this week, as well as during most of 
 my life, I began seriously to think whether the Lord 
 would employ me as a missionary. My prospects 
 and hopes in this life are as flattering as those of 
 most young people in my position; the profession 
 (that of an architect) which I now follow I like very 
 much ; but the riches and honours of this world, 
 could I obtain more than any mortal ever sought 
 after, yet what are they when compared to the 
 thought of being an instrument in the hand of God 
 of saving many souls ? The wealth, honour, power 
 of this world will dwindle into insignificance at the 
 approach of death, but oh the sight of a missionary's 
 death-bed ! to see one who has spent his best days 
 in the service of God departing to receive the crown 
 of glory prepared for him ! It is animating, though
 
 CONVERSION. 
 
 it is a solemn responsibility to stand forth in the 
 name of God to warn sinners to flee from the wrath 
 to come; yet I do feel that I am called to do so, 
 and I cannot, I dare not, I would not stifle these 
 feelings. I commit myself into the hands of my 
 God, and ask Him to do with me what seeemeth best 
 to Him.' 
 
 These impressions were not followed by any 
 direct attempt to preach until after at least fifteen 
 months.
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE BRISTOL CONFERENCE 
 
 BRISTOL RIOTS DEATH OF AN ONLY BROTHER, 
 ETC. 
 
 THE following Journal entries speak of the work 
 of God in his own heart ; the Bristol Conference, 
 the first of the many conferences in which he would 
 be interested ; the Bristol riots ; the cholera pesti- 
 lence ; instances of taking up the cross and self-denial 
 which argued what would be the hardihood of the 
 man ; and the death of his only brother. 
 
 ' July 2ist, 1831. This day has been one of some 
 profit ; I have not only had power at business to 
 avoid trifling, for which I am thankful, but have 
 enjoyed the society of the preachers (Mr. Farrar, 
 etcetera : it being Conference) very much. Have en- 
 joyed private prayer very greatly. After all, what am 
 I, where should I have been, were it not for the 
 atonement of Christ ? May I ever follow Him nearer, 
 be more watchful and very humble. I always feel 
 most happy when I can bow my head in submission 
 and weep for love. May I have more of this feeling.
 
 EARLY EXPERIENCE. II 
 
 ztfh, Sunday evening. During the past 
 week, while thinking of the best way to get good dur- 
 ing the Conference, one was, not to run about on the 
 Sunday. To-day, being the first day, I was strongly 
 tempted to wander about. I felt a wish to give up 
 my duty at school and go and hear the preaching ; but 
 I had strength to resist it, not of myself, but through 
 Christ. In the evening was much tempted, having 
 been entreated and advised to go and hear Mr. 
 Watson. I went to the chapel, got as far as the pew 
 door ; but it was not my place. I had strength again 
 given me to resist. I left, went to my own place, 
 heard a very good sermon from Valentine Ward. 
 Though I did not feel much joy, yet a solid peace 
 while hearing him describe the wicked, and a thank- 
 ful heart while thinking that I need not go over again 
 a repentance which such a one needed. Lord keep 
 me, for Christ's sake ! ' 
 
 While it may excite a smile that the young dis- 
 ciple should speak of a temptation to hear Richard 
 Watson preach as though he were resisting the great 
 adversary, still his purpose to abide in what he 
 thought to be the path of duty was very com- 
 mendable, and highly characteristic of what he was 
 through life. 
 
 Sunday evening. This morning went 
 to the band as usual, and spoke. Went to the school, 
 though very much wished to go to chapel. Morning
 
 12 EARLY EXPERIENCE. 
 
 and evening heard two very good sermons, from 
 Mr. Bunting and Mr. Robert Wood. Yet during 
 all these meetings I do not feel the love I could wish 
 to enjoy: what is it? can it be weather, or what? 
 Be it what it may, I am in the hands of God. I do 
 wish to love Him more than ever. 
 
 ' Aug. isf, Monday evening. Have this night been 
 to hear the experience of those young men who are 
 to be admitted into full connexion. I was naturally 
 led to think, Shall I ever be in the same situation ? 
 If so, I hope to be there with a will wholly given up 
 to God. 
 
 ' Aug. yd. Have heard and seen this evening the 
 young men about twenty admitted into full con- 
 nexion. Shall I ever stand there ? I am willing, if 
 God is willing. Let Him do with me what seemeth 
 Him best. 
 
 ' Aug. 6th. While at the Penitent meeting felt a 
 little revived, and could say I loved God with all my 
 heart. I feel very thankful for the peace of mind 
 I now enjoy, and for the many comforts of this life 
 which I possess. May all I have be devoted to God. 
 On Thursday I called on James Wood, jun., my 
 class-leader, and opened my mind to him about 
 being a preacher and servant of God ; he approved 
 of it, and had thought of it before himself. He 
 recommended me to take Mr. Edmondson's counsel, 
 given in his " Essay on the Christian Ministry," and 
 "not to be slothful in business."
 
 EARLY EXPERIENCE. 13 
 
 ' ioth. When thinking how many idle thoughts, 
 words, and actions have escaped me, how thankful 
 I ought to be that there is continually an Inter- 
 cessor at the throne of grace, and that I have been 
 continually led to that fountain, and that I have 
 been enabled to plunge therein by faith, and to set 
 out again towards the kingdom of heaven. May I 
 every time become more humble and devoted. I 
 have to-day determined to commence the study of 
 Latin ; my only reason is that I think it will be 
 necessary should I become a preacher. I have 
 asked the Lord's help, and have begun in His 
 Name ; my prayer is, that He will give me strength 
 to persevere, and may all the wisdom (if I dare 
 call it such) I get, be devoted to His service. 
 Amen. 
 
 ' Bid me of ^{/"beware, 
 And to my ways take heed-' 
 
 ' Sept. 2nd. I thank God that His Holy Spirit has 
 not only kept me from entering into the amuse- 
 ments of the illumination (coronation of William IV.), 
 but kept me away from it altogether. Had I been 
 left to myself I should have ran headlong into 
 mischief, but now I am thankful that I have been 
 preserved from even the appearance of evil, having 
 stayed at home all day. 
 
 ' zqth. I am now brought to the close of another 
 week in serving God. Glory to His Name, I have 
 this night conducted family prayer : J refused to
 
 14 EARLY EXPERIENCE. 
 
 stop, and so did R , but the Lord was with me 
 
 and gave me help. 
 
 ' 28M. Have this day been kept from excitement 
 during the meeting of the Reformers. How many 
 ways has Satan whereby to deceive his followers ! 
 
 ' Oct. 2nd. A good Sabbath to my soul: this 
 evening rather tried. My brother had some worldly 
 friends to supper ; I hardly knew how to apt. I 
 asked help of the Lord, and tried to act and speak 
 under His fear. Was greatly helped at family prayer j 
 may I be kept from pride. 
 
 ' 4^. Still kept by the grace of God. This 
 evening only eight at class, and no leader. I was 
 asked to conduct a prayer-meeting. I did so : had 
 a blessed time. The Spirit of the Lord indeed was 
 present. Lord, keep me at Thy feet ! 
 
 ' %th. Have felt much, very much, peace. I try to 
 be thankful that I am kept from distraction of mind. 
 The Reform Bill is lost. I feel sorry, but much 
 more sorry that to-morrow the Sabbath is so likely 
 to be profaned. May the Lord keep me and all 
 who call themselves Christians ! 
 
 'On the Monday (6th) I went to the Reform 
 meeting ; I think I could say I got no harm there, 
 but I got no good, and may the Lord keep me from 
 ever doing anything on which I cannot ask His 
 blessing. 
 
 ' Nov. ist. I have not words to express how thank- 
 ful I feel for having been kept from entering into
 
 EARLY EXPERIENCE. 
 
 the excitements of this city during the riots. The 
 last three days have been spent in rioting by many. 
 On the Sunday in the day I had no desire to ap- 
 proach the scene of action ; in the evening I was 
 rather tempted to go, under the pretence of see- 
 ing the fires, yet I am thankful I havfe been kept 
 from it. O Lord, preserve me in all things ! 
 
 ' \lth. I have felt this week' a greater certainty of 
 being called into the ministry, and a firmer determina- 
 tion to yield myself to God. To-morrow is a day 
 especially set apart by our Society for fasting and 
 prayer to Almighty God to stop the pestilence through 
 the land. I feel determined to coincide with the 
 advice and regulations of that Society to which I 
 humbly thank God I belong. But I want to have my 
 soul humbled before to-morrow, I want a blessing 
 now. 
 
 1 jgfA. The Fast-day passed without much joy, 
 perhaps it was a trial of faith. To-morrow, if spared, I 
 hope to approach the Lord's table. I wonder how 
 it is I do not feel more thankful for the privilege. 
 I have felt at times much freedom and some hope 
 
 when praying for my uncle J , D , and my 
 
 brother' J . I do think that there is a work of grace 
 
 in J 's heart. May the Lord carry it on until 
 
 he submits ! 
 
 ' Sunday. After writing the above last evening 
 when I retired to bed I had a most delightful sense 
 of the presence of my Saviour: such rapture, such
 
 1 6 EARLY EXPERIENCE. 
 
 joy. I was unwilling to sleep, lest in the morning 
 it should have vanished ; yet the former part of this 
 day has been good. 
 
 l Dec. ist. I am this day nineteen. Nineteen years 
 are past, but where are the deeds ? Nineteen years 
 lost, irretrievably lost, but the deeds are remembered, 
 and shall be brought forward at the last day. I have 
 to humble myself before Thee this morning, O Lord 
 of Hosts, for having rebelled and fought against Thee 
 so long : yet, glory to Thy name for ever and ever, 
 I can say now, without any doubt, that through the 
 merit of my Saviour I am enlisted under Thy banner. 
 Oh, arm me to fight valiantly for Thee, and increase 
 in me that enmity I feel to Satan and make me more 
 anxious to see him dethroned in all hearts, and Thy 
 kingdom come with power and glory. Permit me now, 
 
 Heavenly Father and Redeemer of my soul, with 
 sincere and godly fear (knowing that Thou seest my 
 heart and givest my hand power now to write), to give 
 myself up to Thee entirely this morning. With Thy 
 help I'll not conceive a thought, utter a word, commit 
 a deed, which may be contrary to Christianity. But as 
 
 1 know that temptations will come, I ask Thee for 
 that help which I know I shall have, that I may be 
 kept from grieving Thee. Claim Thy right ! Do 
 come and take me more fully for Thy own ! And 
 as I think it is Thy will to employ me for Thy service, 
 do prepare me for that very awful situation and im- 
 portant life : let me fix my mind on those studies
 
 EARLY EXPERIENCE. 17 
 
 which shall afterwards be devoted to Thee ; and do 
 Thou help and prepare me for Thy gracious will, 
 for Christ's sake. Amen and Amen. S. R. Hall. 
 
 ' 2$rd. The affliction of my poor brother has been 
 sanctified to us all. I began really to think I had 
 no natural affection, till I found the Lord had blessed 
 him, and then my heart was melted and I wept for 
 joy. I am more than ever desirous to devote myself 
 to Qod. I hope my latest breath will be spent in 
 His service. 
 
 ' 28//z. I have had a brother but now, on the 28th 
 December, 1831, at about twenty minutes past two 
 p.m., he went, I believe, to glory. O my Heavenly 
 Father, was ever love like Thine, to save him in his 
 last hours he who was living in rebellion against 
 Thee, to give him time to prepare ? O Lord, sanctify 
 this to us all ; I lay hold of Thy promises, Thou 
 must for Christ's sake impress it upon us all. And, 
 O Lord, the time must come when I shall have to pass 
 the cold stream of Jordan, but let me meet my brother 
 on the happy shores beyond ! I here give myself up to 
 Thee entirely ; with Thy help (I know Thou canst not 
 refuse) I will live for Thee ; in this hour take me 
 more fully for Thy own.' 
 
 The account of the watch-night and covenant ser- 
 vice observed in private because of his brother's 
 decease, like the recently inserted records, shows 
 how Mr. Hall was wont in the closet to pray to 
 Him who seeth in secret. 
 
 2
 
 I 8 EARLY EXPERIENCE. 
 
 'Dec. 3U/, 1831. About twenty minutes to twelve 
 p.m. Have been detained from keeping my watch- 
 night in the house of God by the death of my brother ; 
 but is not the Lord in this place ? Oh yes, and I 
 claim now the Holy Spirit promised to those who ask. 
 May I be able to watch out this year, which has been 
 witness to so much unfaithfulness, but the guilt of 
 which I believe the blood of Christ has washed away. 
 Now, Lord, help me to watch in the new year, one 
 in which I hope my every breath may be spent in 
 the service of God. Amen. 1832 has just com- 
 menced, and with it determinations more steadily to 
 follow Him in all things with the help of His Spirit, 
 which He cannot refuse to those who ask in the right 
 of Christ. 
 
 ' Jan. ist, 1832. Not being able in public to 
 renew my covenant with Thee, I draw near to Thee 
 this afternoon, beseeching Thee to hear my vows. 
 I here determine that this year shall be spent in 
 serving God. I purpose by word, thought, and deed, 
 to glorify God. As this year may present more 
 temptations in the form of riches, I do, on this first 
 day of the year, give it all to Thee, O Christ, if it 
 be Thy will to trust me with earthly prosperity. I 
 receive it but as a loan; let me always remember 
 I shall have to render an account to Thee. It is 
 still my belief that I am to be employed as Thy 
 servant to teach some the unsearchable riches of 
 Christ. I am determined that no temptation shall
 
 EARLY EXPERIENCE. 19 
 
 induce me to shun a cross. O Lord, I solemnly call 
 upon Thee to witness this. Yet I make it not in my 
 own strength ; Thou, Lord, knowest I cannot one 
 hour stand if I trust my own ; I feel comfort in the 
 thought that Thou art always near at hand to help. 
 I therefore make these resolutions in Thy strength. 
 Amen. And on my bended knees, calling on Christ 
 to witness, I subscribe my name. 
 
 'SAMUEL R. HALL.' 
 
 When it is remembered that we are reading the 
 experience not of an elderly Christian, but of one who 
 entered upon the new life only twelve months ago, 
 it is clear that considerable progress has been made.
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 REVIVAL FIRST ATTEMPTS IN PREACHING CALL TO 
 THE MINISTRY. 
 
 THE Bristol Societies were favoured at this time 
 with an unusual outpouring of the Holy Spirit, 
 under the power of which many young persons 
 especially were converted. The impulse given by 
 the more abundant grace encouraged Mr. Hall to 
 enter upon that great work of calling sinners to 
 repentance to which almost from the beginning of 
 his religious life, or even before, we have seen he 
 believed that God would call him. 
 
 ' June i$th, 1832. Attended a love-feast at West- 
 bury, where the Lord is reviving His work. The 
 love-feast began at two, and with the exception 
 of tea-time, continued till ten. It was a glorious 
 time. Since then, the Lord has set my heart upon 
 having a revival at Easton and Baptist Mills ; the 
 people are not saved. I have asked what I believe 
 is according to God's will, the salvation of souls ; 
 because it is His promise I believe we shall have
 
 CALL TO THE MINISTRY. 21 
 
 it. If we use the means we must, He cannot fail. 
 At the prayer-meeting at Baptist Mills we had a 
 blessed time ; it has begun : may the Lord carry it 
 on for His name's sake ! 
 
 '24^. The Lord has answered prayer. At a love- 
 feast at Easton this evening the Lord appeared in 
 our midst, and we all found it good to be there ; we 
 kept the prayer meeting up till nearly ten o'clock. 
 Many were very earnest, and two found peace, glory 
 be to God ! 
 
 ' Oct. Agth. Since last entry the Lord has been doing 
 very much for Easton. Sometimes eight or ten have 
 found peace in one evening. Praise the Lord for 
 it ! About a week since, I said a few words at a 
 prayer-meeting in Baptist Mills, the Lord much 
 helped me. This evening I preached for the first time 
 at Filton, from i John iv. 4. I thank God that He 
 assisted me, and also that He so humbled me that I 
 do not feel one spark of pride. I have now begun, 
 I am willing to go forward ; if the Lord can so con- 
 descend as to make me His honoured servant, I shall 
 feel very thankful ; and as I believe that this is His 
 will concerning me, I here dedicate myself for Him 
 to live and die. 
 
 ' Dec. \st. Another year has rolled away since my 
 last birthday : it has gone, but the actions live. On 
 the last anniversary of my birthday I anticipated 
 preaching. I have preached about half-a-dozen 
 times, and have this day received a note authorising
 
 22 CALL TO THE MINISTRY. 
 
 me to preach. Am I sincere? In the sight of God 
 I think I am. Is it my duty ? I believe it to be. 
 If so, be pleased, Heavenly Father, to prepare me and 
 my way ; if not, to stop both the one and the other. 
 
 ' 20//&. During the last few months I have preached 
 several times, also two trial sermons : at times with 
 much comfort, ease, and delight, but at other times 
 with much fear and trembling. This evening I 
 have to be examined by the brethren, preparatory 
 to being admitted on trial. I feel much, yet I think 
 I am willing to be refused if it be God's will. He 
 alone can assist me, and I believe He will. I trust 
 Him also so to influence His servants that they 
 may be able to judge aright. 
 
 ' Jan. ist, 1833. Tuesday morning about one 
 o'clock returned from Easton Chapel, where I assisted 
 in conducting a watch-night. It was an exceedingly 
 solemn and interesting time, chapel full, congregation 
 very attentive. Just at the close of the old and the 
 beginning of the new year, I dedicated myself 
 afresh to God. I am His; I believe the Lord will 
 strengthen me to overcome the enemy, and I hope 
 I may be made the honoured instrument in saving 
 many souls. 
 
 'March tfh, 1834. I am just going to be examined 
 at a leaders' meeting, for the office of leader. I have 
 been attempting to lead a class for nearly twelve 
 montlis. Thank God the work seems to prosper. 
 I expect a blessed time next Wednesday at class.
 
 CALL TO THE Af/NlSTRY. 23 
 
 ' 5//L I must testify to the goodness of God. Last 
 night I was publicly received as a leader. I felt 
 desirous for a good time at class to-night, and believed 
 we should have it; three from other classes by the 
 Spirit were led to cry for mercy, and obtained it by 
 faith in Christ. Several in my class found holiness 
 of heart. May the Lord keep my soul humble and 
 holy, and bless every member of the class. 
 
 ' April gth. The Lord is reviving His work around 
 us. I preached at Westbury on Sunday last. In 
 the prayer-meeting after, the Spirit came down, and 
 ten found peace. The next night there were six 
 more. I began a class at St. Philip's Chapel in the 
 gallery last evening. Lord help me ! 
 
 ' IQ//J. I preached at Filton to-night from Mark 
 xvi. 1 6 ; a prayer-meeting after: it was hard work, 
 there was so much indifference, but the Lord 
 answered prayer and honoured faith, and saved 
 two souls. To Him be all the glory. 
 
 *i5/>$. The Lord is graciously outpouring His 
 Spirit upon our circuit. On Friday four found Christ 
 at St. Philip's Chapel, three at Easton the same 
 evening, where Brother W. R. Williams preached ; on 
 that night also, seven at Westbury, fourteen at King 
 Street. Last night from fifteen to twenty at King 
 Street, three at Tiler's Fields, and one at the Down. 
 To-night about a dozen were saved at King Street, 
 and four found holiness of heart. My desire is 
 that I may be prepared for all the Lord's will.
 
 24 CALL TO THE MINISTRY. 
 
 ' i6th. The Lord has a greater right to me than 
 ever. To-day I was thrown out of a gig on my back, 
 and what has often been death to others has been 
 only a few slight bruises to me. It was the Lord's 
 doing, He therefore has a right to that which He 
 spared. I am willing to give it. Come, O my God, 
 and claim the whole, spirit, soul, and body ! 
 
 i-jt/i. I have just returned (about midnight) from 
 a special prayer- meeting held at Westbury. There 
 was a very gracious influence. About twenty souls 
 found peace and several purity of heart. Among the 
 
 number of those pardoned T I . About two 
 
 years ago Mr. P. C. Turner met him in Westbury ; 
 he was convinced of his sin, and a short time after, 
 on Mr. Wesley's birthday, while I was with him in 
 a field near Kingswood, he found the Lord. Soon 
 he became careless and trifling, went sadly into the 
 world, and for his bad behaviour was sent as a 
 common sailor, and sailed to the Mediterranean and 
 to South America. He has been home for some 
 time, but has been off and on about religion. How- 
 ever to-night, after much sobbing and many tears, 
 he believed and again became happy. I am to be 
 his leader. Lord, help me to watch over one of the 
 most volatile and trifling of Thy creatures ! 
 
 ' May ^th. This Sabbath has been a high day : my 
 soul has not had much joy, but peace and assurance. 
 The Lord graciously assisted me to preach this after- 
 noon on the Down, in the open air, near the grand
 
 CALL TO THE MINISTRY. 
 
 stand prepared for the races in a few days. The 
 effort was a very feeble one, but I could have said 
 nothing without His help, glory be to God. I rejoice 
 to hear this evening that during the past three weeks 
 about two hundred and forty souls have been con- 
 verted, and about eighty fully sanctified to God. 
 
 l Dec. ist. I have been employed as a local preacher 
 for about two years. During that time I believe that 
 the feelings which generally depress or elevate young 
 preachers have fallen to my lot I think I can say 
 that my dependence has been placed upon my 
 Saviour. I confess that I have frequently felt 
 tempted to pride, but I hope that it was only a 
 temptation, for my endeavour has been to acknow- 
 ledge all success as dependent upon the Spirit's 
 assistance. I am thankful also that discouragements 
 have been short. I have felt, and still feel, happy 
 in the work. I am shocked while thinking that to- 
 day twenty-two years of my life for ever close, and 
 that so little progress has been made. I sincere.ly 
 desire to consecrate myself afresh to my God this 
 day, for I feel that life would be worse than a blank 
 unless spent in the service of my Redeemer.' 
 
 The diary records given in this and the preceding 
 chapter tell of a persistent and realizing faith which 
 could not be satisfied unless he saw fruit to his ministry; 
 of virtue, courage, which emboldened him to conduct 
 family worship when those of his own household, of
 
 26 CALL TO THE MINISTRY. 
 
 his own age, were disposed to sneer, and to preach 
 the word on Clifton Downs ; and in the face of the 
 preparations made for the races, unfurl a banner for 
 the truth, and thus beard the lion in his own den ; 
 also of his firm purpose from the first to stand aloof 
 from the world and worldly influences, as evinced by 
 his refusal to visit coronation illuminations and the 
 tumultuous scenes of the now historical Bristol Re- 
 form Riots. And when he dates the day of the 
 hopeful conversion of the young man by the day 
 of Mr. Wesley's birth, he foreshadows the deep 
 interest he would take in all after life in whatso- 
 ever belongs to the Wesley family, and to Methodist 
 antiquities. The next record is of the call to offer 
 himself as a candidate for the ministry, given by the 
 quarterly meeting. 
 
 ' April "]th, 1835. Am just returned from the Bristol 
 quarterly meeting, and have been unanimously re- 
 ceived as a person fit to be employed in the Itine- 
 rancy. However much I might be depressed whilst 
 looking at my own deficiencies and my inability to 
 work for God, there are two circumstances among 
 many others which much relieve me from anxiety 
 and discouragement ; the first is, the door has been 
 opened to me by the church : I do not think that 
 I have been knocking at that door, or that I have 
 gained admittance by any means which the Spirit 
 of God disapproves of; the other is, that God pre-
 
 CALL TO THE MINISTRY. 2J 
 
 pares those He calls. I feel exceedingly thankful 
 to God for the honour He has conferred upon me : 
 to save souls is the most honourable work that any 
 being can be engaged in, and I believe I know of 
 no sinister motive ; I believe my one desire is to save 
 souls, and thereby to glorify God. But I likewise 
 feel it to be a duty so urgent, that were I to refuse 
 to give myself fully up to the work of the ministry, 
 I think I should destroy my soul. In the name of 
 the Lord I do then give myself to God wholly, to 
 be His, to do His work, and to find my way to 
 heaven.' 
 
 If the members of the Bristol quarterly meeting 
 could have read, unknown to the writer, the above 
 journal entry immediately after it was penned, they 
 would have been all the more satisfied that they had 
 done a good work when that day they sanctioned 
 by their unanimous vote the nomination of Samuel 
 Romilly Hall as a candidate for the Wesleyan 
 ministry.
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 HOXTON THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION REV. JOHN 
 M'LEAN'S VISIT MISSION WORK. 
 
 ' I^HE immediate consequences of the action of the 
 A- quarterly meeting are thus stated, together with 
 a review of the goodness of God to him in the past. 
 
 ' Wesleyan Theological Institution, 
 ' Oct. i6t/i, 1835. 
 
 'Since writing, some of the momentous events of life 
 have occurred, which decide my engagements for life 
 and my eternal happiness. I have passed the Bristol 
 District (Mr. Treffry, Chairman, Mr. J. Scott my 
 superintendent in the Bristol North Circuit) along 
 with Messrs. James Alsop, George Maunder, Henry 
 Castle, Davies, and Cooper. Since then the Confe- 
 rence has received me on trial for the Itinerancy, 
 and as a preparation for that work, I have been 
 received into the Institution ; through the mercy of 
 God I can now look back upon His dealings with 
 me and trace His goodness following me all my days. 
 I feel deeply humbled when I think of my sins and
 
 HOXTON. 
 
 2 9 
 
 failings : but praise the Lord I can look to Him and 
 feel that my doubts are all removed because I am 
 accepted in the Beloved. I have long professed 
 the enjoyment of the perfect love of God : I believe 
 I have been sincere, but not faithful I have not 
 always retained the enjoyment of it. Lately I have 
 been excited to fresh diligence by my friend Edward 
 Brice, and have gone again to the Fountain which 
 cleanses from all sin, and have given myself again to 
 God. I pray that the Lord would sanctify all the 
 knowledge I gain in this place, make me very humble 
 and holy, and employ me as His servant in convert- 
 ing many, very many souls to Him.' 
 
 With such purposes and views he entered the 
 school which a year before had been set apart by 
 Methodism for the further instruction of the candidates 
 for her ministry. It was here that my acquaintance 
 with Mr. Hall began, which ripened into a life-long 
 friendship. He and John Hunt were my band- 
 mates John Hunt, that man of apostolic light and 
 fire. All those specialities of character and conduct 
 which in after life were so prominent in Mr. Hall, 
 were already manifest in these young days. 
 
 If a neglected neighbourhood needed an evangelist 
 he would be among the first to pioneer the way : if 
 anything occurred within the domain of Alma Mater 
 which he thought was not according to the strict line 
 of righteousness, none so valiant as he in contending
 
 30 HOXTON. 
 
 for what he considered to be the truth : if a more 
 than ordinary measure of the Spirit of holiness and 
 love rested upon the brethren, no one seemed to 
 receive a larger supply, or was more urgent in 
 encouraging those of feebler faith, to derive the 
 utmost benefit from the abounding grace, than him- 
 self. And if it were a kind of gala day, because 
 perhaps the birthday of Mr. Entwisle, the paternal 
 Governor, or of Dr. Hannah, the enthusiastically 
 beloved Tutor, or his own birthday, for aptness and 
 beauty of sentiment, no one surpassed, on those 
 occasions, the brief addresses he gave. But they have 
 passed away long ago, those scenes and their actors 
 also, with scarcely an exception, Tutors, Governors, 
 and Students, Matthew T. Male, John Morris, David 
 Hay, Richard Sergeant, Richard D. Griffith, John 
 Hunt, Samuel Romilly Hall, with others, rest from 
 their labours ; none are now in full work who entered 
 Hoxton with Mr. Hall but Dr. James and myself. 
 But I must not digress : it is of my departed friend 
 that I write, and I have much more to communicate. 
 The Institution narrative proceeds to give an 
 account of a deepening of the work of holiness in 
 the hearts of the Students, which commenced in 
 connection with a visit paid by the late Rev. John 
 M'Lean, in November 1836 : 
 
 ' Mr. M'Lean from Sheffield visited us and gave a 
 short address on the subject- of entire holiness. I
 
 HOXTON. 3 1 
 
 was again stirred up to be more diligent, to take a 
 firmer hold of God, and to believe that through the 
 blood of Christ He would take all my heart and fill it 
 with His love. He did so, and for the last week I 
 have had a blessed time. ' And again : 
 
 ' Dec, With gratitude I record it that the last fort- 
 night has been the most glorious of my life. I have 
 witnessed one of the most gracious outpourings of 
 the Spirit which I ever heard of. Two of the brethren 
 obtained the blessing of entire sanctification at the 
 Sunday morning prayer-meeting, and on the two or 
 three days following, the Lord strove still more power- 
 fully ; many were in great distress, some wept aloud, 
 others struggled violently : we had prayer-meetings in 
 different studies, some between five and six in the 
 morning ; the result was that about twenty fully enjoy 
 the perfect love of God, and many others are pressing 
 on toward this mark of a more abundant possession 
 of holy knowledge and love. At the supper-table I 
 proposed that we visit the streets around, to talk and 
 pray with the people, tracts to be our introduction. I 
 am thankful to say that it was unanimously and most 
 heartily responded to. This I take as a good sign : 
 I think we are bringing forth the fruits of holiness. 
 Praise the Lord ! it is all His doing : everything 
 good comes directly from Him alone.' 
 
 In a letter which he wrote to Mr. James Wood of 
 Bristol, his former leader, whom he reverenced as
 
 32 , HOXTON. 
 
 one who had been a father to him in the gospel, 
 Mr. Hall gives a more minute account of the baptism 
 of the Holy Ghost and of fire by which the lips and 
 hearts of the Lord's young servants were re-touched, 
 that they might be all the more fully prepared to 
 say in answer to the question, ' Whom shall I send 
 and who will go for us?' 'Here are we, send us.' 
 From this letter the following is extracted : 
 
 ' Hoxton, Dec. $rd, 1836. 
 
 ' MY VERY DEAR SlR, 
 
 'Although you are busily engaged in municipal 
 affairs, I have no doubt you will feel pleasure to 
 hear something of the work of God which is going 
 on in this place. It will not perhaps lose any of its 
 interest because communicated by one who owes in 
 a great measure to your instrumentality much of 
 the religion which he at present enjoys, and who 
 ever must feel the deep obligations to you under 
 which he is placed. The Father of Lights has been 
 graciously pleased during the last few weeks to visit 
 the students of this place in a very remarkable 
 manner. For a month or two there has evidently 
 been a preparation for a very powerful offer of sanc- 
 tifying grace. But though desires after God became 
 more fervent, still none seemed to like to speak 
 out : expressions were but as yet general, or at least 
 only hints were given in reference to perfect love. 
 But about three weeks since, one of the students
 
 HOXTON. 33 
 
 obtained a renewal of his evidence of entire holiness. 
 A few days after this Mr. M'Lean visited us, and 
 said a few words on the subject. This seemed to 
 bring the matter to a point, so that at the next class- 
 meeting, when the student who had believed for this 
 good old Methodist second blessing professed his 
 enjoyment, the snare was broken, and immediately 
 several others expressed their desire to obtain the 
 same. The thing was now fairly and openly before 
 us, and we had a fair start. At the next class- 
 meeting three more gave clear testimony to their 
 having believed and obtained a blessing ; also others 
 wept, and seemed in great distress to enjoy the 
 same. The two next were glorious days. The Spirit 
 strove with mighty power, and there was no resisting 
 Him. One after another fell before His power, 
 and now two-thirds of our number have believed 
 and entered into the perfect love of God. You 
 may suppose that special blessings called for special 
 means to obtain them ; and we have had such means. 
 I am sure for once there has been something new 
 under the sun, at least it is new in Methodism, for 
 ministers of the Gospel if you will allow the ex- 
 pression to be crying bitterly and wrestling in agony 
 to obtain entire sanctification. The shout of the 
 Lord, and no common one, has been heard in our 
 camp. Most of us have got up at half-past four, 
 and have had a prayer-meeting from five to six for 
 three mornings, at which several have been brought 
 
 3
 
 34 HOXTOX. 
 
 into perfect liberty. At other times we have met 
 in one of the studies without previous design, merely 
 brought together by the cries of distress, and there 
 prayed till the distressed were made happy. Several 
 have retired from these meetings, and in their own 
 rooms, alone, have believed. The work has been as 
 deep as it has been general; distress most poignant 
 has been manifested by nearly all ; and as to the 
 peace and joy experienced since, why I could not 
 describe it were I to write a whole letter about it. 
 I can sincerely say, for I feel it, that it is satisfactory, 
 generally steady, and almost overwhelming ; it's love ! 
 it's perfect love ! we seem as if a new family, and are 
 determined by the grace of God not to stop praying 
 and believing until all in the house possess the same 
 grace. I think we see the necessity of constant 
 watchfulness and prayer, and a continual growth in 
 the grace we have already received. Pray for us, 
 that our faith fail not. 
 
 ' I have thus given you a simple, straight- forward, 
 though hurried and imperfect, sketch of God's work 
 here. Throwing myself on your candour to forgive 
 all faults, 
 
 'I remain, etc., 
 
 ' S. ROMILLY HALL.' 
 
 Not only did .a work of holiness, such as that here 
 referred to, tend to prepare the Lord's servants for the 
 future, but it also yielded immediate benefit, as was
 
 HOXTON. 35 
 
 seen in the more facile management of the collegiate 
 realm, and the greater attention of the brethren to 
 the duties of scholastic life. Speaking of a like 
 gracious visitation with which the students of a later 
 period were favoured, Dr. Hannah said to me, ' Ah, 
 these times of refreshing are already a great blessing 
 to us ; they wonderfully assist in promoting the order 
 of the Institution and the diligent prosecution of 
 study on the part of the brethren.' 
 
 The birthday entry for 1836 will conclude the 
 Institution portion of the diary. 
 
 ' Dec. 21 st. Rose this morning a little before five, 
 and as a first act devoted myself again to God. I 
 can say with heartfelt joy, "Lord, I am thine," but I 
 deeply feel the necessity of adding, " Save me." I 
 have looked back to the state of my mind at this 
 time last year. I find I was then in a good state of 
 grace. But how much cause have I for deep 
 humility on account of many failings ! I have not 
 kept my vows, and oh ! had I not the precious blood 
 of Christ to plead, how heavy would be my load. 
 But, blessed be God, I can plead that blood, that 
 atoning and that cleansing blood, and trusting in it 
 I feel I am safe. 
 
 ' It is with gratitude I record that I am in a better 
 state of grace now than at this time last year, for I 
 have clearer sense of my acceptance, and of my 
 entire sanctification. And I do think that I have
 
 36 HOXTON. 
 
 better prospects ; past evils afford me warning of 
 future dangers. I purpose to be more explicit in my 
 testimony concerning holiness, and to be more con- 
 stantly pressing forward. But in this I feel my utter 
 weakness. Concerning God, I have no doubt. (The 
 Triune God must ever be love, unfathomed, un- 
 bounded love.} Concerning His ability and willing- 
 ness ever to keep me, I am quite satisfied with the 
 proofs of this; the promise, the oath, and the 
 pledge (the death of Christ) all confirm my faith' 
 on this point without the slightest wavering. But I 
 have some fear and trembling on my own account. 
 I have been so frequently unfaithful. I am so much 
 the creature of mere feeling, mere excitement, that I 
 tremble for my faith. However, now I have hold, 
 may the Lord strengthen my faith, and may the 
 perfect love of God ever fill my heart, rule all my 
 actions and thoughts, and prepare me for God and 
 heaven ! ' 
 
 While still at Hoxton, Mr. Hall's impressions that 
 God might call him to the Foreign Mission work, 
 which were so strong in the first days of religious 
 life, were greatly revived, so much so that he fully 
 stated his views in a letter to his sister, afterwards Mrs. 
 Peterson, to whom, not only because of natural ties, 
 but also because of the eminent service she rendered 
 him when he first decided for Christ, he was strongly 
 attached. She was on account of her saintliness and
 
 HOXTON. 37 
 
 diligence a star of great lustre in the Bristol churches 
 of those times, and her name is still mentioned with 
 reverent affection by the few survivors who once were 
 witnesses of the faith and patience which abounded 
 in her. 
 
 In one of the entries of the Diary, in reference 
 to a love-feast in which Miss Hall spoke, her brother 
 writes : 
 
 ' The Lord answered prayer this evening at Easton 
 love-feast : He appeared in our midst. I wept much 
 at the thought of having such a sister ; four in 'our 
 family could be thankful to God for her as His in- 
 strument in leading them to Himself.' 
 
 This is the missionary letter : 
 
 ' Hoxton, April 1836. 
 ' MY DEAR SISTER, 
 
 ' I have to request that you will apply to father and 
 mother for their permission to my going abroad. I 
 am serious in making this application, I hope they 
 will be serious in replying to it. I believe it to be 
 unnecessary to urge to you my motive for such con- 
 duct, as I think your Christianity will form a sufficient 
 check to anything which may arise to oppose me in 
 that which may become my duty, and I hope you will 
 see the propriety of pressing the same principle as a 
 guide to my parents. I cannot but think too that 
 common gratitude should incline them to lay even
 
 38 HOXTON. 
 
 an only son on the Missionary altar, when they re- 
 member that he is one at all by the mercy of God ; 
 it is, I think then, not too much to ask, that that 
 which has been so spared should be devoted to the 
 service of God. 
 
 ' I may explain also my views of the work. I go 
 upon the broad principle that God sends His ambas- 
 sadors to a rebellious world, and that unless He point 
 them out some special spot on which to labour, I 
 see no reason why they should refuse to go to the 
 world. With this view I have given myself to the 
 Conference, only expressing a doubt whether I am 
 called to go abroad at present without the consent of 
 my parents. That consent I now request, so that 
 then I shall be at the call of the Church, either for 
 the home or foreign work. I do not, I dare not, 
 choose ; I leave that to God, trusting to be guided 
 rightly, when guided by His servants.' 
 
 The answer to this letter is equally godly, and dis- 
 plays great sobriety of judgment: and will show 
 what a precious sister she was. It will not be un- 
 profitable to extract somewhat from it: 
 
 ' MY DEAR SAMUEL, 
 
 'I will not attempt to describe my feelings on 
 reading your letter; the thought of parting with 
 you, my only brother, perhaps never more to see 
 you in this world, and many other thoughts which
 
 HOXTON. 39 
 
 natural affection suggested, were extremely painful, 
 until the recollection of the love of God in giving 
 His only Son to die for me, a consideration of the 
 benefits of the Gospel, the state of the heathen, and 
 circumstances connected with your own conversion, at 
 length gave me power, not only to subdue every re- 
 bellious disposition, and from the heart to say, " The 
 will of the Lord be done," but likewise made me feel 
 ready to help forward whatever may appear His willj 
 even in the way of sacrifice. Time seems so very 
 short that, should we be called upon to separate until 
 we meet in our Father's house above, if thereby but 
 one soul could be plucked from everlasting burnings 
 and made a partaker of heavenly bliss, I would by 
 all means say, choose eternal bliss at whatever cost> 
 to the pleasure and comforts of time. With such 
 views and feelings I have made your request the 
 subject of much prayer for the last two days. 
 
 'At present I cannot see your way clear to- go 
 abroad ; you do not appear to have any call to go to 
 any particular place, from any impression on your mind. 
 As to the command to go out to the world, England 
 forms a part, and until you have tried the effects of 
 your ministry here, and proved that men will not 
 hear you, or that there is no one needing the talents 
 entrusted to you, I doubt if you can turn to the 
 heathen. If the Conference were to call you, then 
 I think the call should be attended to ; but it ap- 
 peared to me, that if it was only on the supposition
 
 40 HOXTON. 
 
 that such a call might be given, it was rather premature 
 to ask the consent of our parents to what may never 
 take place. I have shown them your letter, and at 
 present they are averse to your going abroad. I 
 think then that you will see it best to attend to the 
 openings of Providence. I do not find that young 
 men are wanted, but more money to enlarge the 
 sphere of labour. If the Missionary work were to 
 stand still for want of the men, then I think you 
 might do well to offer yourself, but at present I think 
 you must patiently wait until the way is clearer. 
 When we are sincerely desirous of doing whatever 
 is the will of God, I believe that Will will be made 
 known to us ; but the Lord may see fit to lead us 
 step by step, to show us our dependence upon Him 
 for whatever we may require, that it may truly be said 
 that whatever good is done upon the earth, He does it. 
 ' I did not intend saying so much upon this sub- 
 ject when I began ; I hope you will excuse me 
 if I have said too much. I have been led to it by 
 the deep interest I take in everything that concerns 
 you, and not from any wish to dictate to you in so 
 important a matter.' 
 
 This wise counsel, here given, so sisterly, almost 
 motherly, no doubt aided him to regard without 
 questioning the direction of the Conference, as fix- 
 ing the locality which he should occupy as a labourer 
 of Christ.
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 WINDSOR HULL LABOURS MORE ABUNDANT ILL- 
 NESS DEATH OF MRS. PETERSON. 
 
 WINDSOR was Mr. Hall's first appointment, 
 at that period a very feeble circuit in every 
 respect. The new chapel in the royal borough was 
 well-nigh crushed with debt. The spirit in which 
 he entered upon his work is indicated in the follow- 
 ing letter to Miss Maule, the lady who became his 
 wife : 
 
 'Sept. s*A, 1837- 
 
 ' You must excuse me at present entering into many 
 particulars concerning my present situation, for the 
 truth is I am scarcely yet at home ; suffice it to 
 say that regarding the mere circumstances of the 
 circuit, I have got to a most trying place, pitiably 
 deficient in itself of almost everything that is good ; 
 and just as bad in its prospects. But I must not 
 complain; what are circumstances to one in the way 
 of duty? they cannot, they shall not interfere with 
 my comforts, comforts which best flow direct from 
 God. On the first Sunday I read prayers and
 
 42 WINDSOR HlfLL. 
 
 preached morning and afternoon at Windsor, and 
 at Maidenhead in the evening ; afterwards I held 
 a prayer-meeting, at which two came to the penitent 
 form, one of whom found peace. My room is about 
 ten feet square, and is to serve for a bedroom and 
 study ; the prospect is about ten feet across a passage 
 
 to a dead wall ; but never mind, my dear A , 
 
 remember your knees for yourself and for me : 
 get and do all the good you can.' 
 
 There is only one journal record while at Windsor, 
 written after he had been on the ground some months, 
 and this unfortunately closes the diary, which was 
 never after resumed. The following is a brief extract 
 from the final entry : 
 
 ' Windsor, May 2ist, 1838. Since I last wrote in 
 this book I have by the Providence of God been 
 placed here. Very painful difficulties abound around 
 us. Chapel debts, circuit debts, a querulous people, 
 etcetera : on these grounds I have been in the habit 
 of saying, " Therefore the work of the Lord does 
 not revive." But I begin to suspect that the reason 
 is not a sufficient one, and the more I think of it 
 the more I am convinced the fault is in myself, 
 and not in others. Since I have been in the circuit 
 I have not lived to God so near as I ought and 
 might, and when I look back I wonder at His bound- 
 less mercy. But blessed be His Name I have lately 
 experienced the drawings of His good Spirit afresh,
 
 WINDSOR HULL. 43 
 
 I have trusted anew in the cleansing blood of Christ, 
 and I earnestly pray that God would enable me to 
 abound in His love, and keep me from falling. I 
 have also been earnestly praying that God would 
 pour out His Spirit on the people, and already 
 several are crying for mercy, some are panting after 
 a full salvation, the attendance at our week-night 
 services is about doubled. To God be all the praise ! ' 
 
 If Windsor displayed at that time the comparatively 
 waste places of Methodism,- Hull, then one circuit, 
 Mr. Hall's next appointment, placed him amidst her 
 fruitful fields; the large chapels crowded and the 
 membership near three thousand. Father Reece was 
 the superintendent, and in his house Mr. Hall resided. 
 Rarely did that venerable and somewhat remarkable 
 man in his ministerial associations find a young 
 Timothy whom he so thoroughly trusted, who 
 sympathized with him so largely, or who fulfilled 
 his manifold behests so cheerfully. No wonder, for 
 he not only recognized in Mr. Hall that self-denying 
 hardihood, greed of labour, and indomitable will 
 which so distinctively characterized himself, but his 
 young colleague also stood by him most manfully amid 
 all the difficulties and perplexities which arose in 
 relation to the division of the circuit which took place 
 at the ensuing Conference. Perhaps,' in the best in- 
 terpretation of the word, never was Mr. Hall more 
 popular, or more successful in bringing sinners to
 
 44 WINDSOR HULL. 
 
 Christ, or more prodigal of his strength, than in 
 Hull. There are in my possession three letters, written 
 while in this circuit, the gem of the Methodism of 
 the East Riding. As they are deeply interesting, 
 speaking of the Centenary movement, loss of health, 
 great ministerial success, and the death of his sister, 
 they are given at length : 
 
 To Miss Maule. 
 ( Hull, Christmas Morning, 1838. 
 
 ' I have to thank you for information concerning 
 the adjourned Centenary meeting in Bristol. I am 
 glad that you were present. You would see that 
 Methodism is not a rope of sand, or that despicable 
 thing which it is represented to be by certain 
 would-be descendants of the apostles. No, you see 
 a system raised up by God, adapted and designed 
 to move the world. Thank God I am a Methodist 
 preacher. We have had our meeting in Hull, and 
 gloriously good as was your meeting, yet ours appears 
 to have been abundantly more so. The testimony of 
 all parties seems to be that it was the best day they 
 had had. 
 
 ' About two hundred dined together on the day of 
 the meeting, and after dinner the time was occupied 
 like a love-feast, the President (Mr. Newton), Mr. 
 James Wood of Manchester, Mr. Farmer, giving us 
 their experience in the most affecting and beautifully 
 simple manner imaginable. The amount promised
 
 WINDSOR HULL. 45 
 
 was about ^3,600. I gave ^5 more in memory of 
 John Smith, and ^5 in memory of David Stoner. 
 The work of God still prospers in this place, it gets 
 deeper and wider. I have witnessed lately some of 
 the most remarkable conversions I ever heard of. 
 Yesterday (Christmas) morning, between eight and 
 nine, Mr. Reece being ill in bed sent for me, saying 
 he could not preach, and so I had to take his place 
 at Waltham Street ; having expected a free morning, 
 I had nothing prepared ; it was a trying time, but 
 the Lord graciously helped me. In the evening I 
 preached at Sutton. Afterwards a friend offered to 
 take me home in his gig. Whilst waiting for the 
 horse to be put in, I went into the tap-room, where 
 about a dozen men were drinking, and wished them 
 a happy Christmas, they the same to me. This led 
 to some remarks on happiness, and one of the most 
 drunken was very insolent ; I however kept in good 
 humour with him. After a few minutes he in ridicule 
 asked if I would pray with them. I took him at his 
 word and asked him to kneel down ; the man stood 
 astounded, the rest were quiet, and I knelt down and 
 prayed ; when I arose they were all very civil, though 
 the landlord did not very much like it.' 
 
 To Myself. 
 
 ' Hull, Feb. \$th, 1839. 
 
 ' I expect to be in Bristol for five or six weeks to 
 come. "How is this?" you say. Well. I'll tell
 
 46 WINDSOR HULL. 
 
 you. Last Wednesday morning, about three o'clock, 
 I was awoke by a cough, occasioned by something 
 rising warm in my throat. I soon found I had rup- 
 tured a blood-vessel, but a very small one, I should 
 think, as the haemorrhage was as slight as you can 
 well imagine : I only expectorated a little blood about 
 six or eight times. By the morning, though, I was 
 as well as ever, as far as mere feeling was concerned. 
 I now found myself in a state of painful uncertainty. 
 I might still be as -strong and as able to work as 
 ever, but I might not be ; I could not tell, and I 
 thought, If I again work, and another and far more 
 serious rupture take place, would not every one say, 
 should not I myself feel, that I had had a sufficient 
 warning ? I thought it right to take the best advice, 
 and now, by the advice of the physician, I am to 
 rest for five or six weeks. When I first discovered 
 what had happened, I said at once, " The, will of the 
 Lord be done," and found much confidence in re- 
 ferring to the Divine character. I was soon though 
 thrown from my ground, or at least much staggered, 
 by questioning whether what had happened was 
 according to the will of God; I am conscious that 
 I have been too imprudent, but I had no thought of 
 anything of the kind so soon taking place. I feel 
 much at this coming on just at present, for our work 
 is going on well. I know well enough that the work 
 of the Lord can go on just as well without me as 
 with me ; but then there are certain plans which I
 
 WINDSOR HULL. 47 
 
 am trying to work which I fear will for some time 
 fall through. 
 
 ' Last Sunday I had a blessed night at Waltham 
 Street; a crowded chapel, upwards of three thou- 
 sand, I should think, present ; I met the society 
 afterwards, and then held a prayer- meeting. About 
 six or eight found peace, and one had a glorious 
 entrance into entire sanctification ; the prayer-meeting 
 continued till ten o'clock or later, and I prayed five 
 or six times; this was unusual and imprudent. On 
 Monday after preaching I had a meeting in the 
 vestry, the first of the kind, principally for members 
 of the congregation not in society, and for those 
 seeking salvation. It was a very good time; ten 
 have promised to meet in class, and three were saved. 
 Among the ten was the female saved from the wreck 
 of the Forfarshire by Grace Darling and her father. 
 I feel anxious about this meeting, and am afraid it 
 will drop through. Well, let it ; the Lord can provide 
 some better means, if He see fit, for the salvation 
 of souls.' 
 
 No wonder that after so much exhaustive labour 
 on Sunday night and Monday night, in the course 
 of Tuesday night, or very early on Wednesday 
 morning, Mr. Hall should rupture a blood-vessel, 
 a merciful forewarning, which happily proved to be 
 effectual During these days of weakness and rest 
 from labour I received the following letter, giving
 
 43 WINDSOR HULL. 
 
 the account of the sudden death of his sister, Mrs. 
 Peterson, by far the severest family bereavement 
 which he had as yet sustained : 
 
 ' Ashley Down, near Bristol, April \^th, 1839. 
 
 ' I now write under exceedingly distressing circum- 
 stances : I am mourning the loss of my inestimable 
 and much-beloved sister, Mrs. Peterson. Last Wed- 
 nesday morning she had an apoplectic fit, in which 
 she continued with strong convulsions the whole day, 
 and about ten p.m. she entered into her rest. 
 
 ' Until the seizure she had been so unusually well 
 that not the slightest indication was given of the 
 astounding catastrophe. What follows may appear 
 a little like vanity, yet it is of a soothing tendency 
 to one's own spirit, and on so distressing an occasion 
 I hope will be excused. This day I have been 
 mourning at the tomb, a truly melancholy, but con- 
 sidering circumstances, a gratifying duty. My dear 
 departed sister has been interred at our new chapel 
 at Baptist Mills, not very far from our own residence. 
 The immediate neighbourhood is the scene of the 
 labours and sympathy of the deceased, and the sense 
 in which her character was known and her exertions 
 valued was seen by the numbers who attended her 
 remains to the grave, and the sorrow expressed on 
 the occasion. The chapel was full, with as many 
 perhaps remaining in the burial ground. Not the 
 least interesting and affecting part of the spectacle
 
 WINDSOR HULL. 49 
 
 was seen in the sobbing children belonging to the 
 school over which my sister watched with such con- 
 tinued and motherly attention. The tribute of affec- 
 tion and respect thus given to the departed is truly 
 gratifying to the weeping friends. My prayer is, and 
 I beg an interest in yours to second it, that the 
 affliction may be fully sanctified. I feel nearer, much 
 nearer heaven ; a veil is removed from this earth, by 
 which I seem to estimate its value more correctly, 
 and another saint surrounds the throne, and thereby 
 adds a fresh and more lively interest to heaven. I 
 begin too to love my Saviour more ; He is the Author 
 and Giver of that which I so much admire and love. 
 If I so much delight in but the emanation I see, 
 how much more intensely I should love the Source, 
 He who is the fulness and essence of love, the divine 
 perfection of all glory. Pardon my dwelling so long 
 on this matter.' 
 
 After a much longer stay at his father's house than 
 at first he thought would be requisite, Mr. Hall 
 returned to Hull and finished a year of happy and 
 successful service, where among many other conver- 
 sions through his instrumentality was that of a youth 
 of some fifteen years, who bore the name of William 
 Morley Punshon ; and because of the graces and 
 gifts which in due time appeared in him, the churches 
 for more than a generation have 'glorified God in 
 him.' 
 
 4
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 . 
 
 FIRST SPEECH IN CONFERENCE SOUTHWARK 
 
 CHELSEA EDUCATION EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE 
 LIVERPOOL LEEDS . 
 
 THE fourth year of probation was spent in the 
 Wolverhampton circuit. But there is no record 
 of this year, except that letters, written in later life, 
 express pleasing memories of the days of toil in the 
 heart of the black country; these will appear in 
 chronological order. 
 
 At the Conference of 1840, held for the first time 
 in Newcastle, Mr. Hall was admitted into full minis- 
 terial connexion. His marriage with Miss Maule, 
 who as his widow outlives him,* soon followed. 
 Sevenoaks was the next sphere of labour appointed 
 him, where he had his first experiences of wedded 
 life, its sorrows and its joys. It is to be regretted 
 
 * As these pages were passing through the press, Mrs. Hall, after 
 a very brief illness, -was removed to the 'Father's house." She was an 
 admirable lady ; for the well-being of her family ever ready to sacrifice 
 herself ; by her gentleness, thoughtfulness, and great good sense, peculiarly 
 well-fitted to be the companion and helpmate of the subject of this memoir. 
 ' Her children arise up and call her blessed."
 
 SOUTHWARK- CHELSEA, ETC. 5 
 
 that no memorial can be found of the days spent 
 in this beautiful neighbourhood, except a controversial 
 pamphlet which he issued, intended to expose the 
 High-Church proceedings of the Tunbridge Wells 
 parish clergyman, and entitled ' A Wesleyan Minister's 
 Address to the Members of Society in Tunbridge 
 Wells,' and which soon reached a third edition.. 
 During the two years of residence at Sevenoaks, 
 for the last time in his life, Mr. Hall enjoyed the 
 comparative quiet of a small country circuit and the 
 health- bringing advantages of rural life ; here he 
 gathered strength for the heavier labours and the 
 greater battles yet in the distance ; for the years of 
 toil to come were to be spent, with scarce an excep- 
 tion, in our largest towns, amid the hurry and whirl 
 which are inevitably bound up with a Methodist 
 preacher's city life. 
 
 In 1842, South wark was the allotted circuit, where 
 for three years Mr. Hall remained, and during which 
 he laboured happily with the Revs. James Methley 
 and James Osborn : an increase of more than one 
 hundred and fifty members was the fruit of their 
 associated ministry. There is one letter to myself 
 dated Chapel Place, Long Lane ; it treats of concerts 
 in chapels, and of Church membership. 
 
 1 Dec. 3O//&, 1842. 
 
 'You say, "to be sure the music will be sacred." 
 I am disposed to think, so much the worse. If
 
 52 SOUTHWARK CHELSEA, ETC. 
 
 the unconverted musicians played mere worldly, 
 or even moral rather than religious pieces, the affair 
 would not then be so bad. But for a lot of ungodly 
 men and women to sing the songs of Zion, while 
 outcasts from it, is not merely idle, but profane 
 mockery. I have for some time felt strongly on this 
 subject. Some will say it is for want of a better 
 taste : let them ! I believe it is a wicked thing, and 
 whilst I have opportunity I'll not fail by the help of 
 God to oppose it. 
 
 ' If I may speak freely to you as in band I may say 
 that for some months I have possessed much more 
 of the spirit of my work than for a long time past. 
 Oh ! I fear I have been trifling with the great work 
 of saving souls : may the Lord help me ! A few 
 Sundays ago my heart was under a gracious influence 
 from on high : I felt too full for utterance, and 
 could do little else the whole sermon time than weep 
 and beg the people to give their hearts to God. Our 
 people, I trust, are rising : the doctrine of entire 
 holiness is spoken of more freely : we have a slight 
 increase this quarter, and our quarter-day, which has 
 been looked to for months as a battle day (on the 
 question of the stewards at the Conference opposing 
 the vote of the quarterly meeting), passed off in 
 comparative quietness and' love, and the stewards 
 were re-elected ; this is marvellous in our eyes, and 
 we, give God the glory. . 
 
 ' I feel deeply for the people who hear our preach-
 
 SOUTHWARK CHELSEA, ETC. 53 
 
 ing and do not join our Church : I am afraid that 
 thousands in Methodism (external) are going to hell 
 gospel-hardened. I have thought of writing a short 
 and plain tract on the necessity of Christian com- 
 munion, or union with the Church, the visible society 
 of Christian people, the object of which would be to 
 urge our hearers to meet in class, or to leave our 
 chapels and give room for other sinners, rather than 
 go to hell with a heart hardened under Methodist 
 preaching. I have been lately preaching on the 
 subject, and some of our people say I am not 
 guarded enough : now if I can place my views in 
 black and white, and put the tract into the hands of 
 every pew-holder who does not meet in class, I 
 think it might do some good.' 
 
 This will still be considered an extreme view by 
 some, especially by those who run into the opposite 
 extreme of dispensing with class-meetings altogether, 
 and would consider attendance at the Lord's table 
 and Baptism to be the only conditions of membership 
 with the visible church, notwithstanding what is said 
 in the Acts of the Apostles of the ' fellowship ' of 
 the primitive Christians as distinct from ' doctrine,' 
 ' breaking of bread,' ' and of prayers.' 
 
 The account given in a letter to Mrs. Hall of his 
 first Conference deliverance, when he had been in 
 the ministry nine years, will be read with pleasure, 
 especially as it records the names of some whose
 
 54 SOUTHWARK CHELSEA, ETC. 
 
 memory will be ever cherished by Methodism. 
 Everything must have a beginning : I well remember 
 the tremor and hesitation of the speaker, so unlike 
 the collectedness and confidence in counsel and 
 debate to which he attained ere long. 
 
 'Leeds, Thursday noon, 1845. 
 
 ' MY VERY DEAR A , 
 
 'I was very greatly interested in the discussion 
 which took place in the Conference yesterday 
 evening. Mr. Fowler brought forward his proposal 
 for the reduction of our chapel debts and the 
 appropriation of the surplus income from trust 
 estates to the support of the ministry. He was 
 followed by Mr. Vevers and Mr. J. Burgess, who 
 explained and commended the scheme. I then 
 spoke in opposition. The Conference listened very 
 kindly, and with great attention. Dr. Beaumont 
 spoke highly of the scheme, approved of the cautions 
 I had started, and stated that the proposal that I had 
 made to refer the whole to a finance committee was 
 a very wise one. Dr. Dixon. followed, in a speech 
 full of poetry and fine sentiment; he thoroughly 
 commended the scheme, inquired if my speech 
 were my " maiden speech," congratulated me upon 
 it, and spoke kindly of me, but did not think, 
 though I had shown much tact, that I had argued 
 so as to convince him. Dr. Bunting was then loudly 
 called for. After some delay, and after a few intro-
 
 SOUTHWARK CHELSEA, ETC. 55 
 
 ductory remarks, he said that he was prepared to 
 look with much favour upon the scheme proposed, 
 but thought that no one had answered the objections 
 raised by me in what he thought right to call a 
 very able speech. He thought Dr. Dixon's heart 
 had led him too fast, and that he had by no means 
 overthrown my arguments. He then at some length 
 re-stated the leading points in a very clear and 
 powerful manner, and moved the appointment of 
 a committee for general finance purposes, this one 
 among the rest. On the whole I felt thankful when 
 the discussion was over. I was excited, and ran 
 some risk of being misunderstood and rebuked ; as 
 it was, I was received very kindly. Two or three 
 (Brice and Williams) said that I had thrown them 
 into a perspiration by the attempt. My first and 
 sincere prayer has been that any influence I may 
 possess may be employed to promote the glory 
 of God and the good of men.' 
 
 The reader of this letter will clear the writer of 
 all egotism and vainglory when he remembers it 
 was never intended to be seen by any but Mrs. 
 Hall or other members of his own family. 
 
 There are two letters on one sheet to Mrs. Hall, 
 at that time in Bristol, both written on the same 
 day, the first an hour or two before leaving South- 
 wark, and the second immediately on arrival in the 
 Chelsea circuit, the new sphere of labour, in 1845. 
 A fragment of each may give lay-friends an insight
 
 56 SOUTHWARK CHELSEA, ETC. 
 
 into the itinerating experiences of a Methodist 
 preacher : 
 
 ' Friday Morning, quarter past ten o'clock, 
 
 ' Chapel Place, Southwark. 
 
 1 The last of everything in connection with this 
 house and place is very near at hand ^ I have had 
 my last meal, and am now writing my last letter- 
 Everything about the place appears increasingly dear ; 
 the poplar trees are waving in the breeze most re- 
 freshingly, the flower garden looks a very pleasant 
 spot, and were it not that the recollection of much 
 unfaithfulness rebukes me, I should look upon every- 
 thing around with sorrowful interest on leaving. I 
 am now about to close my writing desk, to walk 
 round the house once more, offer another prayer for 
 the pardon of past sins, and for grace that I may be 
 more faithful, more holy, more useful in the future, 
 and then I leave, and move towards my new house. 
 Farewell." 
 
 Then follows : 
 
 '37, Vincent Square, Westminster, 
 
 1 Friday afternoon. 
 
 ' I have just reached and taken possession of my 
 new abode : God who knows the secrets of the future 
 only knows how long I shall retain it. I have, 
 however, re-consecrated myself to. His service and 
 pleasure, and pray that whether my days be many
 
 SOUTHWARK CHELSEA, ETC. 57 
 
 or few, they may be employed in doing the will of 
 heaven. Tell John what a nice garden I have got 
 for him to play in whenever he is a good boy : give 
 my love to him and to Alfred.' 
 
 There is only one other letter from Westminster, 
 written also to Mrs. Hall ; it gives a narrative of the 
 first Evangelical Alliance Conference, with which those 
 still surviving who were Mr. Hall's contemporaries 
 will be familiar ; but as a new generation has sprung 
 up since those days, it cannot but be interesting to 
 many to read some account of the Conference written 
 by one so well able to give a life-like description of 
 what he saw as Mr. Hall. 
 
 ' 37> Vincent Square, 
 
 'Aug. 2oth, 1846. 
 
 ' During the entire of this week I have had my time 
 occupied with attending the meetings of the proposed 
 Evangelical Alliance. About eight hundred persons 
 are assembled together, members of different Churches 
 from various parts of the world, for the purpose of 
 showing that Christians are one in love and essential 
 truth. Many have arrived from America, and not a 
 few from France, Germany, etc. ; and such an assem- 
 blage, especially considering the object for which it 
 had been called, has not been witnessed since the 
 world was. Monday and Tuesday were occupied with 
 preparatory meetings ; to-day, Wednesday, we began
 
 58 SOUTHWARK CHELSEA, ETC. 
 
 business in good earnest. This evening the main 
 straggle took place ; the resolution came up for dis- 
 cussion on the passing of which depended the forma- 
 tion of the Alliance. Much and earnest prayer for 
 guidance and help was offered to God. John Angell 
 James of Birmingham made a powerful appeal to us, 
 referring to the momentous results of the discussion 
 about to be entered upon ; many who for years had 
 been praying for that hour to come felt their hearts 
 beat high; for a time the resolution was severely 
 criticised ; a dozen merely verbal alterations were 
 proposed : the resolution was then announced by 
 the chairman, Sir Culling E. Smith ; we were all re- 
 quested to stand up and remain a few moments in 
 silent prayer. We were then called upon to vote, 
 and the resolution the last clause of which is " that 
 we do hereby form ourselves into an Evangelical 
 Alliance " was unanimously carried ; Dr. Raffles then 
 called upon the meeting to sing " Praise God from 
 whom all blessings flow ; " after this followed a most 
 remarkable scene, the whole meeting turned into 
 one of general congratulation, every one as a brother 
 shaking hands with those nearest him: the excitement 
 was overwhelming. After prayer we separated. I am 
 persuaded that those at a distance can have no notion 
 of the actual state of things as they exist among us ; 
 we had a few days ago four or five hours' debate on 
 a most important theological point, and yet Mr. 
 James declared that from the beginning to the end
 
 SOUTHWARK-CHELSEA, ETC. 59 
 
 there had not been an ungentlemanly or unkind 
 word used : may we all as Churches, as families, as 
 individuals, have a large increase of the Spirit and 
 mind of our Master and Pattern, Christ ! ' 
 
 As an evidence of Mr. Hall's ability as a man of busi- 
 ness, it may be stated that though only a minister of 
 some eight or nine years' standing he was appointed 
 Treasurer of the Education Fund along with the late 
 James Hunter, Esq. In this office and as a member 
 of the Committee he was most diligent and influential. 
 His residence at Westminster, together with his 
 shrewd discrimination and promptitude in action, 
 had not a little to do with the selection and purchase 
 of the estate on which the ' Wesleyan Normal In- 
 stitution ' now stands. 
 
 During the latter part of the six years which Mr. 
 Hall spent in the Metropolis he became much 
 involved in Committee work. Considering his emi- 
 nent qualifications for the work of an evangelist, this 
 was somewhat to be regretted; day after day spent 
 in Committee is not the most excellent way to prepare 
 a comparatively young minister in full circuit work 
 to receive the great congregation on the Lord's day 
 morning, and to occupy with efficiency the pulpit, 
 which, under God, has ever been the throne of the 
 power of Methodism. There may be no alternative ; 
 still, if it could be accomplished, it would be a great 
 improvement if the bulk of Committee business could
 
 6o SOUTHWARK CHELSEA, ETC. 
 
 be assigned to laymen, and to ministers set apart for 
 departmental service, and who have not to appear 
 five or six times a month before the same congrega- 
 tion. 
 
 Of the next six years of Mr. Hall's life I have the 
 scantiest particulars^ Three were spent at Birkenhead 
 in the Liverpool Brunswick circuit, and three in 
 Leeds St. Peter's. No doubt in the ordinary work 
 of a Methodist preacher he would toil with his wonted 
 assiduity, for he could not do things by halves, but 
 from general connexional action he appears to have 
 abstained almost altogether. From Leeds he writes 
 to Mrs. Hall : 
 
 ' Richmond Hill Chapel, 
 
 ' Sept. gth, 1851. 
 
 ' On Sunday I opened my commission here, the 
 morning congregation thin, the evening tolerably 
 good, with an encouraging prayer-meeting at the 
 close. Methodism in the town generally is feeble, 
 and in this circuit poor in every sense ; we are 
 connected with a densely crowded and wretched 
 population, greatly needing the advantages of true 
 religion ; when I think that my only business here 
 is to improve them, I greatly fear, but the Lord is 
 my helper.' 
 
 ' Sept. is//*, 1851. 
 
 ' Yesterday was my first attempt at St. Peter's. I 
 dreaded the work from the size of the chapel, but I
 
 SOUTHWARK CHELSEA, ETC. 6 1 
 
 do not think that for years I have preached with so 
 little toil and effort as in the morning ; large as the 
 chapel is, it is one of the easiest to preach in that I 
 know of; we had a good prayer-meeting at the close 
 of the evening service, and several penitents found 
 peace with God. 
 
 'You are looking up, I trust, to God for the 
 blessing of constant pardon, life, and love ; we 
 have to yield our own hearts more fully to the 
 Saviour's love, and we have to devote ourselves 
 specially to the training of our dear little ones for 
 a holy life and a safe and happy future ; let us both 
 make a fresh effort to succeed in this.' 
 
 The next letter, also written to Mrs. Hall, who had 
 taken the two elder boys to Bristol, en route for Kings- 
 wood, shows still more his tender love for his children, 
 and how his family ever had a large place in his heart 
 notwithstanding he was so much engaged in public 
 life : 
 
 ' Leeds, June 24^/1, 1853. 
 
 * After you left on Wednesday I tried to engage 
 myself in putting things straight; I got to work in 
 the nursery with my books and the children's shelves 
 until I worked myself into a fearfully wretched state. 
 
 There were J 's and A 's playthings and books, 
 
 but where were the boys ? Everything seemed to tell 
 of other days and early scenes, and then my heart 
 failed me ; then I . pictured the dear boys as finally
 
 62 SOUTHWARK CHELSEA, ETC. 
 
 separated from my home and started in life, till I 
 could endure it no longer.' 
 
 One more line to Mrs. Hall, written while still in 
 the metropolis of Yorkshire Methodism, at that time 
 suffering more from the recent agitation than from 
 Dr. Hook's victorious campaign of High- Churchman- 
 ship of some fifteen years' continuance : 
 
 ' Leeds, Dec. $th, 1853. 
 
 'Yesterday was a good day; my heart was refreshed 
 with thoughts of the love of God; I felt liberty in 
 pressing upon the people at the evening service 
 the privilege of meditation. Let me commend the 
 same to you ; make time to get from five minutes to 
 a quarter of an hour in the midst of the day for 
 intercourse with God alone; make the chief subject 
 of your thoughts, the love of God in Christ to you ; 
 dwell upon this fact, ask the Spirit to enable you 
 to bring this one point home now to your own experi- 
 ence : without dwelling upon the past, fix upon the 
 present love of God to you, you yourself, till your 
 heart says with grateful love, " Bless the Lord for the 
 love of Christ to me." '
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 MANCHESTER REV. A. M'AULAY THE BRISTOL CON- 
 FERENCE BIRMINGHAM FINANCIAL SECRETARY 
 LECTURES. 
 
 ON leaving Leeds, Manchester, Oldham Street, 
 became the new sphere of labour, and Cheet- 
 ham Hill the place of residence, where have lived and 
 died so many of the disciples of Jesus, who were pre- 
 eminent for faith and love. In this circuit for one 
 year the Rev. A. M'Aulay was Mr. Hall's colleague. 
 This gave rise to a close and life-long friendship, 
 one fruit of which is more than one hundred letters 
 to Mr. M'Aulay, happily preserved, and to which 
 these pages will be greatly indebted. The first two 
 are addressed from the Bristol Conference 1856, and 
 as they give a glimpse of the venerable Dr. Bunting 
 present in Conference for the last time, a line or two 
 may here find acceptance. The first has reference 
 to nominations for the Legal Hundred ; after several 
 estimable ministers had been named, Mr. Hall 
 writes : 
 
 ' Dr. Bunting then rose and intimated his dislike
 
 64 MANCHESTER-BIRMINGHAM. 
 
 to the system of canvassing that of late years had been 
 gaining ground, that he had been canvassed for two 
 brethren who had been named; he thought they might 
 take the business into their own hands, as there were 
 plenty of good men besides //? candidates: he would 
 name two or three.' 
 
 It was moved that the resignation of a missionary 
 who had entered into the Church of England and 
 received episcopal ordination be accepted. Mr. Hall 
 says in his letter that he himself ' demurred to vote 
 for the acceptance of a resignation after a man had 
 already been introduced into another Church, and 
 specially objected to the implied patronage held out 
 to men to leave us when they got into difficulty, 
 pointing to what other men had endured who re- 
 mained faithful. I moved the order of the day, the 
 affair took hold, Dr. Bunting seconded the amend- 
 ment, and it was carried unanimously.' 
 
 On leaving Manchester Mr. Hall refers to the 
 great love which he bore towards his Cheetham Hill 
 friends, and how keenly he felt in prospect of separa- 
 tion : 
 
 To Mr. UTAulay. 
 
 1 Cheetham Hill, Aug. "jf/i, 1857. 
 ' You cannot tell my inconveniences arising from 
 this wretched packing-up system. I begin too to feel 
 the pain of parting, and cannot endure saying good-
 
 MANCHESTER BIRMINGHAM. 65 
 
 bye. I intend therefore some morning to slip away 
 without saying a word to any one. I had such a 
 sweating the last time I preached at Cheetham Hill, 
 from the pressure of mere feeling, and my heart was 
 so often in my throat that I dare not attempt to 
 face the congregation again. I am off as soon as 
 possible.' 
 
 Birmingham was the allotted field of labour in 
 1857. In those days the Connexional principle 
 and feeling were somewhat at a discount in this 
 capital of the midland counties. Methodism then 
 savoured strongly of Congregationalism, and the 
 interests of each sanctuary, to the forgetfulness of 
 others, were the chief concern of those who wor- 
 shipped therein. All, and much more than this, 
 was voluntarily acknowledged at the mixed con- 
 ference in Bradford by one of the most influential 
 of the Birmingham laymen, who also bore testimony 
 to a vigorous development of Connexional Methodism 
 in recent years, which testimony is abundantly corro- 
 borated by the very largely increased subscriptions to 
 the Foreign Missions, and the princely gifts to the 
 ' Thanksgiving Fund ' of the Birmingham Methodists 
 of to-day. The tone of a part of the Birmingham 
 correspondence must be my apology for these 
 observations; had Mr. Hall written now instead 
 of then he would not have written so much in the 
 minor key as he has done. 
 
 5
 
 66 MANCHESTER BIRMINGHAM. 
 
 To Mr. M'Aulay. 
 
 ' Birmingham, Feb. 12th, 1858. 
 ' Things are dull in these quarters. I find Birming- 
 ham a different place from Manchester ; one did now 
 and then get some news in that second place in 
 Methodism, queer and unwelcome as the news some- 
 times was, but here things connected with the Church 
 are dull. This is a most unconscionable place for 
 perpetual motion in routine and little things, as tea- 
 meetings, lectures, etcetera; we are never at rest, and 
 unless ill, know nothing of a night at home. As I am 
 grumbling I may as well finish it out. I don't like 
 Birmingham politics, they make men ill-tempered 
 in the Church, and eat out reverence for divine 
 things. I am no Tory, but after all there is a 
 dignity in some of the old " divine right " men that is 
 refreshing, and when they become antagonists they 
 are worth fighting. Do not suppose from this that 
 I have had any field-days here ; as far as I am 
 personally concerned matters have gone on pretty 
 quietly, but nevertheless I have felt a depressing 
 influence abroad, and I sigh for some spirit-stirring 
 and up-springing breezes. Perhaps all this tells 
 me to look more frequently for " the Day-spring 
 from on high : " well, I try to do so ; would that it 
 were with more success. Now and then I meet with 
 some pleasing instances of success which attended 
 my labours when stationed in Wolverhampton near 
 twenty years ago ; several persons in our society
 
 MANCHESTER BIRMINGHAM. 
 
 here date their conversion to God from my ministry 
 at that time. One day I was visiting a poor sick 
 woman; as I was leaving after prayer she asked 
 me, in the presence of her husband, if I remembered 
 preaching at an adjoining chapel some eighteen 
 years since : she informed me of the text, saying it 
 was an anniversary sermon. That day she prevailed 
 upon her husband, who was then a very ungodly 
 man, to accompany her to the chapel ; on the way 
 home he appeared concerned about his soul, asked 
 what the preacher meant by class-meetings (about 
 which it appears I had been speaking), and promised 
 to go that afternoon to one; he went, was shortly 
 afterwards converted, and has been a consistent 
 member ever since. We have north of Birmingham 
 a wonderful country for Methodism ; I begin to think 
 that the heart of Methodism after all is to be found 
 in these circuits. They constitute from their anti- 
 social elements perfect mission stations, and open 
 out a wondrous field for usefulness. What an extra- 
 ordinary circuit is Wednesbury, one vast field of 
 cinders, with a never-varying overhanging atmosphere 
 of fire and smoke.' 
 
 To Mr. M'Aulay, 
 
 < May 1858. 
 
 'Our district meeting closed pleasantly on Friday 
 evening ; I like the sentiments that prevail when 
 we break up and separate; the enforced submission
 
 68 MANCHESTER BIRMINGHAM. 
 
 to routine, the almost unendurable tediousness pro- 
 duced by our Connexional statistics and schedules, 
 and the occasional disturbances that, through the 
 relief of discussion, give freshness to the scene, but 
 now and then temporarily irritate and pain, all pass 
 away and are forgotten when " brotherly love " says 
 " good-bye." 
 
 ' I pity the five boys expelled from the B 
 
 School, it will stick to them for life. A few weeks 
 since one of the lads in a Sunday-school close at hand 
 gave his teacher a hard straightforward blow with his 
 fist, right in his face ; as a matter of course this called 
 for discipline. In the discussion on the case, some 
 urged immediate expulsion, " Turn him out ; " but one 
 good man pleaded for him : " The lad," he said, " has 
 a praying mother and a bad father ; if you expel 
 the boy the father will be pleased, but what of the 
 mother's feelings and prayers ? " The plea prevailed. 
 A week or two later the boy indicated a haughty 
 spirit of insubordination, but at a prayer-meeting of 
 the school, whilst the teacher who had been struck 
 was praying earnestly on the lad's behalf, he " broke 
 down," wept aloud for his sins, has joined the society, 
 and is, I believe, converted to God. This has not 
 taken place in the midst of a revival, or it may by 
 some persons be easily explained away ; it is rather 
 the fair result, by God's blessing, of a right course of 
 correction, " coals of fire on the head." 
 
 In a letter to Mrs. Hall he makes special reference
 
 MA NCHES TERBIR MING HA M. 
 
 to a fellow-townsman, one of his earliest and closest 
 friends, and one of the most diligent and faithful of 
 Methodist preachers : 
 
 'Birmingham, May 1859. 
 
 ' This morning I attended the funeral of my old 
 friend Edward Brice at Wolverhampton ; the demon- 
 stration of respect and sympathy was very highly 
 creditable to the friends ; a thousand people met at 
 the cemetery. A review of my old friend's life brings 
 me back to my first days of religious experience, it 
 is like drawing aside the veil and giving me a view 
 of myself; most of the events that marked his earlier 
 course were associated with mine ; how he improved 
 his privileges his diary and life show how I have 
 neglected mine, my heart and conscience too truly 
 declare. What should one do but for that wondrous 
 throne of grace, that mercy-seat ? It is difficult at 
 times to start afresh, so many failures discourage ; 
 but it must be : may the Lord help us both to do so 
 at once.' 
 
 To Mr. M^Aulay. 
 
 'June St/t, 1857. 
 
 c My soul is full of present events ; I scarcely ever 
 preach without appealing to the people to prepare 
 themselves to co-operate with God in the advanced 
 revival movements of the 'present day. I am truly 
 rejoiced at our Connexional success, but I think less
 
 7 o MA NCHES TERBIRM1NGHA M. 
 
 of it than you appear to do ; my impression is that 
 hundreds, perhaps thousands, have gladly glided 
 back into our haven, who were driven out to sea in 
 the recent storm. But it is this work in Ireland 
 and Wales that moves me. I see God at work in a 
 way that startles and arouses me ; the days of early 
 Methodism are renewed in a place where we should 
 least have expected it. May the Lord ride on ! 
 What of a baptism of the same Holy Ghost in the 
 slumbering Churches of Dissent ? What of a move- 
 ment of the same kind within the sternly strict en- 
 closure of the Establishment? What of a visitation 
 of the same enriching grace upon English Metho- 
 dism? But I have run into ranting before I knew 
 what I was at.' 
 
 To Mr. ATAulay. 
 
 'July i6f/i, 1857. 
 
 ' Just at present, open-air movements are assuming 
 a curious aspect in Birmingham. Some men have 
 been brought before the magistrates by the police 
 for creating an obstruction when attempting to preach 
 in public places. The defence affirmed that the spot 
 selected was so large and open that no obstruction 
 to the public was given. The stipendiary magistrate 
 decided against the accused on the ground of some 
 judgment recently delivered by Lord Campbell, by 
 which it would appear that a tendency to create an 
 obstruction was sufficient to constitute a legal offence.
 
 MA NCffES TERBIR MING HA M. -Jl 
 
 A public meeting has been held. The decision of 
 the magistrate, and the apparent purpose to put 
 down all open-air preaching, might be looked 
 upon more seriously if one could believe that any 
 magistrate would attempt to enforce so outrageous 
 and un-English an interference with our common, 
 rights.' 
 
 To Mr, M'Aulay. 
 
 ' May 1859.. 
 
 ' The district meeting was pleased to appoint me 
 their secretary. I had previously prepared the sche- 
 dules as well as the provoking determination of many 
 of the brethren not to understand their own concerns 
 would enable me to do, and soon slid into duty ; 
 the chairman had a severe cold upon him, and suffer- 
 ing from loss of voice, the task of calling over names 
 and announcing questions fell upon me. This gave 
 me the chance, however, of quietly pushing on, so 
 that we really finished business on Friday morning 
 without the slightest difficulty or hurry. At the close 
 I placed a fair copy of the minutes before the chair- 
 man for his signature. But this severely taxed my 
 brain. I declined an assistant secretary. Remember- 
 ing poor S 's confusion in L , I determined to 
 
 keep my financials straight daily ; but the chairman's 
 infirmity threw upon me unexpectedly a great increase 
 of toil, push, and anxiety ; however, without any soul 
 knowing the somewhat hazardous excitement neces-
 
 7 2 MA NCHESTERBIRMIKGHA M. 
 
 sary to keep the thing going, I kept on and got 
 through.' 
 
 The excellent advice as to health next given to 
 his friend, it would have been for the prolongation 
 of his own life if the prescribing physician had 
 always taken himself: 
 
 'Aug. 241/1, 1859. 
 
 ' I have no right to admonish you for any impru- 
 dence, but I claim the privilege of friendship to 
 entreat you to exercise the same prudence in judging 
 of your own exertions that you would in forming 
 an opinion of the conduct of another man. A three 
 or four months' strain, that will bring a man low, 
 and forfeit him his appetite, indicates cross purposes 
 with God's Providence, which it is time he should 
 -consider. It is useless for you or any other man to 
 contend with your Maker. A Methodist preacher is 
 committed to his own work, and my own opinion is 
 that nothing should be allowed to break down his 
 power to perform that work. Are you wise in seek- 
 ing health at the seaside ? You may be. But " the 
 sea-side " images to my eye the perfection of indo 
 lence, animal lassitude. Don't you need rest with 
 bracing ? I wonder you are not off to the mountains 
 of Scotland, where you may keep your throat quiet 
 and give play to your muscles.' 
 
 Mr. Hall took a leading part at the Conference of
 
 MANCHESTER-BIRMINGHAM. 73 
 
 1859, in Manchester, on the subject of one pulpit in a 
 circuit, to which several ministers are appointed, being 
 occupied by one of them more frequently than by 
 his colleagues ; to the general adoption of such an 
 arrangement he was decidedly opposed, though as 
 will be seen from the following letter to Mr. M'Aulay, 
 he allowed that there might be exceptional cases : 
 
 ' Birniingliam, Aug. 26tfi, 1859. 
 ' I only drew out my resolution a few hours before 
 I submitted it. From the nature of the case I had no 
 speech prepared, in the 1 ordinary sense of preparation ; 
 but I had thought it over with an earnest desire to 
 do it justice, and had prayerfully sought God's help. 
 Without implying unfairly a divine sanction of the 
 cause I maintained, I felt that God helped me in 
 what I said; that was enough for me. I must not 
 open the case with you, but my conviction strengthens 
 that the old Methodist plan is the best, and that the 
 way is perfectly and constitutionally open to approve 
 of an exceptional case, such as the Bayswater one 
 I should like to talk over Conference matters with 
 you ; many new things struck me in Manchester. I 
 have always shrunk from feeling under patronage, 
 and have avoided the advantage of personal favour ; 
 I have therefore generally, hitherto, felt myself alone 
 in Conference. It was not so in Manchester, so many 
 leading men spoke to me kindly, some suggesting 
 particulars, others asking advice, that I was startled
 
 74 MANCHESTER-BIRMINGHAM. 
 
 at finding myself in a new position. / have not 
 sought it. I am most surprised at it; but I am the 
 Lord's servant : may He help me. 
 
 Almost immediately after the date of the following 
 letter Mr. Hall had to mourn the death of his mother, 
 whom he loved with more than ordinary filial love ; 
 he here expresses his grief because of this threatened 
 bereavement : 
 
 To Mr. JWAulay, 
 
 ' Sf. Anstell, April 2yd, 1860. 
 ' I am at present going over the ground that you 
 passed over some time since; James Osborn is my 
 companion. The good and evil of Cornwall Metho- 
 dism balances very strangely to one not yet at home 
 in the land. But I have neither heart nor time to 
 enlarge just now. I am full of sorrow and care. On 
 my way into Cornwall I spent a few days at home, 
 during which time my beloved mother was most 
 seriously ill. She rallied a little the day before I 
 left for my Missionary Deputation work, and as it 
 was the Lord's work I did not feel at liberty to 
 neglect it. But by a note from home received last 
 night, and another this morning, I find that she is 
 much worse, and now is in the most critical and 
 dangerous state. What to do I know not. I have 
 little expectation of being in London next Sunday, 
 and am not only distressed, but perplexed. It is im-
 
 MANCHESTER BIRMINGHAM. 75 
 
 possible for me to make any engagement of the kind 
 you intimate. I am afraid of putting myself into any 
 position in which I cannot readily ask the blessing 
 and help of God. I keep therefore to present duty 
 as long as J can ; but I know not what the next hour 
 may require.' 
 
 While in Birmingham Mr. Hall was on friendly 
 terms with the late John Angell James, and as one 
 of the pall-bearers followed the remains of that most 
 excellent and successful minister to the tomb. About 
 this time also he wrote a series of twelve articles, on 
 ' John Wesley's Use of the Press,' which will be 
 found in the 'Christian Miscellany ' for 1859, and 
 were afterwards published separately. The history 
 of these lively and instructive communications, how 
 they came to be written at all, will be found in a 
 letter here recorded, but written many years later. 
 
 I do not know that Mr. Hall delivered more than 
 two lectures ; as might be expected the subjects were 
 intensely Wesleyan. One was founded on Marshall 
 Claxton's painting of the Death-bed of the Rev. J. 
 Wesley, A.M., delivered in the Wesleyan School 
 Room, Red Bank, Stocks, and published by request. 
 In the third year of Mr. Hall's residence in Birming- 
 ham he delivered in the Music Hall, and afterwards 
 published, a Lecture on Mr. George Dawson's opinion 
 of John Wesley. The preacher from ' Doubting 
 Castle ' had brought the man whose memory Mr.
 
 76 MANCHESTER BIRMINGHAM. 
 
 Hall esteemed and loved more than that of any other, 
 not inspired, before a mixed audience with much 
 the same object in view as the Philistine multitude 
 had when they called for Samson that he might 
 make them sport ; and Mr. Hall's holy ire was kindled 
 so that he could not let it pass. Two men more 
 opposite to each other could scarcely have been met 
 with in their day than George Dawson and Samuel 
 Romilly Hall. The one, though designating his 
 temple, par excellence, ' the Church of the Saviour,' 
 yet undermining men's trust in the cardinal truths 
 of the Saviour's Gospel, by affirming that confidence 
 in them no longer lived in the hearts of men ; the 
 other proclaiming the Gospel, the whole Gospel, and 
 nothing but the Gospel of the Saviour, and the Lord 
 confirming the Word by signs and wonders of salva- 
 tion and healing. The one insisting upon it that 
 what might be sincere, lovely, sublime, and of good 
 report in former epochs of Church history, as the time 
 of the primitive martyrs, of the Protestant reformers, 
 of the Nonconformists, of the first Methodists, has 
 gone by and ceased to affect the minds of men ; 
 the other believing and affirming that what was 
 godly and Christ-like, noble and self-sacrificing, in 
 the past is the inheritance of the present generation ; 
 that good men never die, or being dead, their faith 
 and patience yet speak to us. The one, doubting 
 and demolishing, as far as he could, everything 
 worthy" of reverence and imitation in the past,
 
 MANCHESTER BIRMINGHAM. "J J 
 
 but building up nothing substantial and offering 
 nothing satisfying in return for what he took away, 
 filled the hearts of men with doubt and weariness, 
 too often with despondency and despair ; the other, 
 by the vivid clearness of his views of the plan of 
 salvation by Christ, declared in the exercise of an 
 unquestioning faith, and attended by a rich unction 
 of the Holy One, instrumentally planted the feet of 
 many a waverer upon the Rock of eternal truth and 
 salvation. 
 
 Mr. Dawson was too wise a man in his generation 
 to reply to Mr. Hall ; to do that would not have 
 recouped him in any sense whatever. Yet it is to 
 be hoped that the lecture in defence of John Wesley 
 would be a help to some of the young men in Bir- 
 mingham, who in those days were in imminent peril 
 of being led astray from that piety which godly 
 parents, by prayers and painstaking, had striven to 
 inspire them with from the days of childhood.
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 BRISTOL AGAIN SUPERINTENDENT AND CHAIRMAN 
 QUEEN STREET, LONDON HOME MISSION WORK. 
 
 AT the Conference of 1860, Mr. Hall was 
 appointed to King Street, Bristol. When last 
 he left his native city he was young, single, zealous, 
 but inexperienced, having almost everything to 
 learn. Now it is life's prime with him, and mind 
 and heart are absorbed with the duties and cares 
 of both ministerial and family life. Most cordially 
 was he received, and very successfully he laboured 
 in his own country. As already intimated, he took 
 a foremost part in building the beautiful Victoria 
 Chapel, Clifton, visiting the ground almost every 
 day during the erection, greatly aiding the enterprize 
 by his exquisite taste and architectural experience 
 of former days. At the close of the three years 
 the circuit was divided, and Clifton as a circuit 
 appeared on 'the Minutes' for the first time. The 
 letters to Mr. M'Aulay are my chief source of 
 information in relation to Mr. Hall's second term 
 of sojourn in his native city. The three following
 
 BRISTOL GREA T QUEEN STREET. 79 
 
 are extracts from letters of the first year to Mr. 
 M'Aulay, Sept. nth, 1860; April 6th, 1861 ; July 
 1 2th, 1 86 1 : 
 
 ' I am here, I trust I may truly say, by the grace 
 of God, and have had a very kind welcome given 
 me. Methodism in this circuit is unquestionably 
 in an improved state; the future also opens out 
 with some encouragement.' 
 
 ' Our Superintendent (the Rev. J. Rattenbury) 
 has considerably furthered the circuit, and one of 
 the chapels, under his advice, has been greatly im- 
 proved. I am invited for a second year, and asked 
 to be Superintendent.' 
 
 ' The progress of the Sabbath question is, I fear, 
 unfavourable ; the tone of Parliament and the public 
 press in respect to the Dublin gardens affair shows 
 this. Still we are bound to contend for the faith 
 and hold to the teaching of Scripture. I would that 
 the practice of the Church were more consistent with 
 such teaching. I am afraid our weakness is in 
 our unfaithfulness. Next year will be an eventful 
 one to me. I neither court nor avoid expected 
 arrangements. If I am appointed Superintendent 
 of this circuit, it will involve a world of care and 
 labour : it will soon be decided. ' 
 
 And it was decided even so, and more also ; for
 
 So BRISTOL GREA T QUEEN STREET. 
 
 the Conference of 1861 not only appointed Mr. 
 Hall to the superintendency of his circuit, but elected 
 him to the chairmanship of his district, and also 
 by nomination into the Hundred, or Legal Conference. 
 Rarely have three such distinguishing honours and 
 weighty responsibilities been allotted to one of its 
 members for the first time by the same Conference. 
 Allusion is made to this in the following letter to 
 his second son, then in his teens, in which will also 
 be seen a father's tender solicitude for the right 
 direction and spiritual well-being of his children : 
 
 ' Newcastle, July 1861. 
 ' DEAR A : , 
 
 ' I was glad to see your handwriting this morning, 
 and pleased to find that you and those around ypu 
 are pleased by the honour conferred upon me; but 
 honour brings with it its penalty of burdens, which 
 I now feel. You request to be allowed to join some 
 singing-class : I do not know enough of the case 
 to enable me to give you an opinion, much less a 
 judgment; all you say is, "one is being got up 
 here." I don't know what " here " means, and you 
 give me no particulars. On the general question I 
 might hold modified views; but as I really am 
 unable to give the attention to the question which 
 its importance fairly claims, you must wait till I 
 return home before I consider it more fully. I 
 assure you I shall be most happy to do anything in
 
 BRISTOL GREAT QUEEN STREET. 8 1 
 
 my power to meet your proper wishes and promote 
 your real happiness. Everything around deeply 
 impresses me with the importance and blessedness 
 of an earnest attention to those things that bear 
 favourably upon our true life and future destiny. 
 
 Take care, my dear A ,1 beseech you, that you 
 
 do not grieve the good Spirit by submitting to follow 
 after secondary things. " What shall be in the end 
 thereof?" Ponder this question: don't slight it; 
 pray about it; allow the good Spirit to suggest to 
 you duty, privileged duty; keep your eyes open 
 and look up and onward. God bless you.' 
 
 It is not every father who could have found 
 leisure to write such a letter to his son amid the 
 press of business which filled his hands and 
 burdened his mind at this Conference; for Mr. 
 Hall not only was Financial Secretary, but he 
 suddenly had the weight of the duties of Chairman 
 and Representative imposed upon him by the elec- 
 tion to the Presidency of his Superintendent, Mr. 
 Rattenbury. 
 
 To Mr. ATAulay. 
 
 1 Bristol, Jan. i6///, 1862. 
 
 'It was very pleasant and welcome to me to see 
 your handwriting again, and a glad and gratifying 
 thing to hear of your success. But first to the busi- 
 ness in hand. I shall be glad heartily to do anything 
 
 6
 
 8 2 BRISTOL GREA T Q UEEN STREET. 
 
 in my power to forward your views respecting Sunday 
 excursion trains. But I doubt if it will be wise for a 
 place like Bristol to interfere with the Great Western 
 Railway Directors except by some very effective de- 
 monstration. A memorial from the Methodists only 
 of this city might appear to a powerful body of busi- 
 ness men as a very feeble if not an impertinent thing. 
 However, I am trying what can be done. I have con- 
 versed with some friends on the subject, and have 
 left Mr. S. Budgett your circular to read carefully. 
 
 ' I am truly glad that you find your superintendency 
 so much less exhausting than you feared. I find my 
 work at times most severely oppressive. It is true I 
 have two or three special and heavy affairs on hand 
 (our new Clifton Chapel, etc.), and I am trying quietly 
 to get some ecclesiastical matters put into a state that 
 may prevent mischief in future years. (This week we 
 have placed our largest and really very powerful 
 Sunday School under a committee, with an accept- 
 ance of the Conference principles and rules.) But 
 the continued necessity of looking ahead and keeping 
 all things straight and in place is an oppression to the 
 spirits, especially where there is the absence of any 
 exciting force. How a man who does his duty to a 
 large circuit can find time to run about, I cannot 
 imagine. However, we are at peace, and matters go 
 on pleasantly, with some trials arising out of official 
 faithfulness. Yet we greatly lack revival power. 
 Congregations are good ; financials with " specials "
 
 BRIS TOLGR EAT Q UEEN STREET. 83 
 
 balance ; a new Band which I have started is valued ; 
 still we need power from on high.' 
 
 A letter by Rev. David C. Ingram, who was as a 
 probationer associated with Mr. Hall during his third 
 year in Bristol, may conclude the narrative of this 
 term of labour. It shows that Mr. Hall was rather a 
 father and friend to his young colleague than an 
 austere ruling elder to be dreaded rather than loved. 
 
 ' I have,' writes Mr. Ingram, ' always deemed it to 
 be one of the chief advantages of my ministerial life 
 that in the course of my probation I had Mr. Hall 
 for my Superintendent. His example in the adminis- 
 tration of the affairs of the Bristol King Street circuit, 
 in the fidelity with which he attended to " every point 
 great and small in the Methodist discipline," it is 
 impossible to forget. His interest in me as his junior 
 colleague was uniformly most considerate and prac- 
 tical. I confess this was somewhat of a surprise to 
 me at the time, because the effect produced in me by 
 the commanding bearing of Mr. Hall in the official 
 positions in which alone I had known him previously 
 had been rather fearful. On this account I can the 
 better understand other men who, never having had 
 the opportunity of knowing him in the relations of 
 colleague and friend, have thought him to be stern 
 and severe only. 
 
 ' From the day in which Mr. Hall inducted me into 
 my new parish at Baptist Mills, personally accom-
 
 84 BRISTOL GREA T QUEEN STREET. 
 
 panying me through the historic locality, and into the 
 comfortless, but to him most endeared old chapel, 
 pointing out the openings for usefulness which pre- 
 sented themselves to his own eye, and suggesting 
 methods which his own large experience and fertile 
 ingenuity furnished, right away through the whole 
 term of our association he was to me a staunch, true, 
 and most helpful friend ; always busy, but always 
 accessible, ever ready with some workful project, but 
 ever ready to do his full share of the work ; looking 
 for success constantly in his own labours, yet rejoicing 
 unfeignedly in any success that attended mine. 
 
 ' There were some marks of consideration shown by 
 Mr. Hall which I think it will be admitted were not 
 common. For example, once a quarter I was so 
 appointed on a Sunday as that it was possible for me 
 to partake of the Lord's Supper ; sometimes I was 
 free also to hear the sermon before the administration. 
 In this way I had the chance of hearing Mr. Hall 
 occasionally, and the passionate and persuasive ear- 
 nestness of his preaching is a model before my mind 
 up to this day. 
 
 ' There is an old and almost obsolete rule respect- 
 ing an allowance by the quarterly meeting to proba- 
 tioners of a small sum of money for the purchase of 
 books ; which rule Mr. Hall applied for the benefit 
 of his young men, which was worth not less as an 
 evidence of his friendly interest in them than as a 
 means of replenishing their libraries.
 
 BRISTOL GREA T QUEEN STREET. 85 
 
 ' This reference to rule, " Methodist rules," reminds 
 me of Mr. Hall's remarkably extensive and thorough 
 knowledge of Methodist history, polity, and usage, 
 and of his readiness to impart his knowledge to those 
 of us who were wishful to learn. What instructive 
 table-talk on these subjects I used to hear at 10, 
 Brunswick Square ! And with what ability and con- 
 scientiousness I used to see the laws and usages of 
 Methodism applied in the several circuit and district 
 courts, during the time of which I write ! It would 
 have been strange if Mr. Hall's Methodist enthusiasm 
 had not kindled some in me. 
 
 ' I have the pleasantest and most grateful memories 
 of that period. Mr. Hall was in every respect a 
 Superintendent ; but his authority did not destroy his 
 kindliness, his conspicuous ability did not prevent 
 confidential approach. I was trained to respect him, 
 to trust him, and to love him too; and so would 
 any one who had equal opportunity for knowing 
 his thoughtful, noble, generous, and truly tender 
 nature.' 
 
 In 1863 Mr. Hall removed from Bristol to the 
 Great Queen Street circuit, London, to which he 
 had been engaged for some time. 
 
 The available correspondence of the first year is 
 limited to one letter written to Mrs. Hall when he 
 was on a Foreign Missionary deputation to the North 
 of Ireland :
 
 86 BRISTOL-GREA T Q UEEN STREET. 
 
 1 Coleraine, April 2nd, 1864: Saturday. 
 
 ' MY DEAREST A , 
 
 ' Most of this day has been spent in sight-seeing, 
 and it has compensated for yesterday, which was 
 by no means a pleasant day. I wrote you a note 
 from Strabane yesterday. The day finished up with 
 cold winds and snow. The chapel was miserably 
 attended, and everything was as dismal as well 
 could be, yet the collection was one-fourth more 
 than last year's. I was entertained at the " Com- 
 mercial Hotel," the landlord being the chief Metho- 
 dist in the place. This morning I left for Coleraine. 
 The train passing through Londonderry runs through 
 the most beautiful scenery. When I reached Cole- 
 raine I found the Wesleyan minister in waiting. 
 Thinking this day the only one I could command 
 as my own, I took the preacher with me to see 
 the Giant's Causeway. We first took train to 
 Portrush, a place that brought us within sight of 
 the sea. At Portrush there is a monumental 
 memorial erected in honour of Dr. Clarke, who 
 came from this neighbourhood. The memorial is 
 by the side of the chapel. One of the square sides 
 stands out far enough to receive a full-length statue 
 of Dr. Clarke, subscribed for by the Americans. 
 One of the tablets declares that the statue has 
 been placed there, etcetera; yet the statue has 
 never been executed. The model was prepared, the
 
 BRISTOL GREAT QUEEN STREET. 87 
 
 artist obtained the cash, and then cut, not the stone, 
 but himsell away. 
 
 ' At P. ortrush we took a car to the Causeway, about 
 nine miles from Portrush ; most of the way we drove 
 by the shore, or within sight of it, and passed a 
 beautifully placed and extensive ruin in the way; 
 the line of coast is exceedingly rugged and grand. 
 The Giant's Causeway is beyond description inte- 
 resting. Most of the stones are as if cut to shape, 
 in shafts of different lengths, with from four to 
 eight or nine sides; many of the stones from one 
 to two feet across, and have joints at depths of a 
 foot or two; from the surface of one of the stones 
 I scratched a piece of lichen, which I enclose. 
 
 'Now that I have reached the north of Ireland 
 I have got into better quarters. I am at the house 
 of a good Methodist, Mr. McElwain, who gave 
 ;iooo to the Jubilee fund 3 his daughter is Mrs. 
 William M'Arthur, of London. 
 
 ' This is the town in which Dr. Clarke was appren- 
 ticed to a linen merchant, an article of trade in the 
 town ; he refused to stretch the linen to make it of 
 sufficient measure length, and had to leave his place. 
 God provided him another and a better work.' 
 
 The subject of Home Missions, and the appoint- 
 ment of a Home Missionary to his own circuit, 
 exercised his mind not a little after he had been 
 about a year in London ; this led him to write as
 
 BRISTOL GREAT QUEEN STREET. 
 
 follows to the Home Missionary Secretary of the 
 future : 
 
 ' 13, Queen Square, Aug. iSth, 1864. 
 
 ' On Sunday I spoke of our proposed work, 
 especially at a society meeting at Great Queen 
 Street, somewhat fully ; some good men I trust 
 are at hand waiting to go in for a fair trial. But 
 what to do I scarcely know. I have been walking 
 round about our Great Queen Street chapel, and I 
 feel for Brother Mewton when he sees his Mission 
 Station. Do come and see me, to talk about the 
 work itself. I can think of little else. This affair is 
 beyond all comparison the gravest and the most diffi- 
 cult that I have ever yet engaged in. Something 
 continually says to me, Have faith in God : well, if I 
 were quite sure that the work thought of (I hesitate 
 to use a stronger word) were in accordance with 
 the will of God, my way and duty would be com- 
 paratively easy. Are we called to it? are we the 
 best agents for the kind of work to be done ? Is 
 the outlay likely to be as productive of spiritual 
 good in the way supposed as if it were appro- 
 priated to more direct circuit work ? These and 
 many other questions trouble me, and I only 
 avoid answering or discussing them by asking my- 
 self if I dare place these sinners beyond the appli- 
 cation of the means of grace, and if I am prepared 
 to admit practically that the call which God gave
 
 BRISTOL-GREAT QUEEN STREET. 
 
 to John Wesley to go to those who most needed 
 him is withdrawn from his followers. I should 
 like to have as often as possible two ministers at 
 or near Great Queen Street on the Sunday evenings, 
 one to preach close at hand, at six o'clock, and lead 
 the hearers to the chapel, where the other, who 
 should take part in the open-air service, can preach. 
 I believe my colleagues will be ready for such work. 
 Come and help us, but come first of all and talk with 
 me about the work, and look at the place.' 
 
 Pleasing instances of ministerial encouragement 
 and success are thus glanced at : 
 
 To Mr. ATAulay. 
 'Queen Square, Aug. 2*]th, 1864. 
 'This has been a good though a trying week. 
 At the close of Sunday night's service an intelligent 
 young man offered himself to me for regular work 
 as a preacher : I explained to him what kind of 
 Home Mission work I wanted in the circuit, and 
 left him to think it over before I brought him before 
 the local preachers. A day or two since a young 
 man wrote me an interesting note, to say that he 
 had been a thoughtless youth from the country, 
 but that whilst I was preaching last Sunday evening 
 at King's Cross he was impressed with the truth, 
 and under the sermon he found salvation. This 
 week a nice lad, the son of a leader, whose
 
 90 BRISTOL GREA T QUEEN STREET. 
 
 business (a carrier) is adjoining Little Wild Street 
 (our Mission Station), came to a class I was meeting, 
 for the first time, and gave a most interesting account 
 of his conversion, which took place about a week 
 ago; and last Wednesday I was in communication 
 with a fine young man, educated at Taunton, of 
 Methodist relationship, who has been a member 
 of an Independent Church for two years, but 
 wishes to return to us. With these signs of God's 
 presence and power I am thankful and have hope : 
 yet there are great difficulties to overcome and 
 trials to endure.' 
 
 The labours more abundant are indicated, as well 
 as other subjects, in the next extracts, which con- 
 clude the letters to Mr. M'Aulay while at Queen 
 Street: the dates are August 1864 and March 27th, 
 1865: 
 
 ' I think Mr. Mewton's work is shaping itself to 
 my mind. I seek advice and listen to everything. 
 Thanks for your reference to "Moral Wastes," I'll 
 get it. At present I am carefully reading Bishop 
 O'Brien's work on the nature and effects of faith. 
 It is a wonderful book, so thoroughly Wesleyan 
 as far as I see ; it gives a vastly better view of 
 faith than Pearson gives. I have no hope or chance 
 of an " out " at present : I am alone, and the 
 weight of this great circuit, tickets, Kentish Town
 
 BRISTOL GREA T QUEEN STREET. 9 1 
 
 new chapel to be arranged for to be opened shortly, 
 the troubles of our Great Queen Street trust and 
 schools, all pressing heavily upon me ; besides, till 
 I see the Home Missionary Minister fairly started, 
 I can have no rest. After September I promise 
 myself a little relief, but I cannot go as far as 
 Scotland ; at the same time I am obliged to you 
 for the invitation to join you.' 
 
 ' Our Book-meeting this morning was on the whole 
 a pleasant one, and the report of circuit work was 
 encouraging. In Great Queen Street last quarter 
 we reported about twenty-six increase, this quarter 
 seventy-three, with forty-seven on trial ; the spiritual 
 condition of Great Queen Street, I am still more 
 thankful to say, cheers us. Our quarterly meeting 
 last Friday was largely attended ; all the ministers 
 were unanimously invited to remain another year, 
 that is, two or three who generally assert their right 
 f .o be in opposition this year were silent and did not 
 vote. The question of the division of circuit was 
 under discussion, and the meeting was adjourned 
 to Friday. I am not sure that you do well in 
 taking so gloomy a view of the attention you are 
 just now required to pay to worldly affairs. The 
 Providence of God cannot work out of harmony 
 with His grace. There is nothing inconsistent in 
 the Divine dealings ; and you must be really hard 
 up for something to complain about before you
 
 92 BRISTOL- GREA T QUEEN STREET. 
 
 can look upon your present service, for Christ's 
 cause, as not bearing upon it the most signal marks 
 of the approval of God. " When a man entangleth 
 himself" of his own pleasure in worldly affairs, it is 
 easy to see how soon he will forfeit the minding 
 of the things of the Spirit.' 
 
 About this time Mrs. Hall was summoned to 
 Bristol to nurse a son in scarlet fever, who had been 
 removed there from New Kingswood School ; the 
 letter to Mrs. Hall, next inserted, gives as vivid 
 an idea as I can find anywhere else of the clear 
 and encouraging way in which Mr. Hall used to 
 place before his hearers the plan of salvation by 
 faith, and how he was wont to persuade and press 
 upon them to believe on Christ, there and then : 
 
 ' Queen Square, March 4th, 1865. 
 
 ' A short note from A informs me of your 
 
 safe arrival in Bristol last night, after a four hours' 
 drive from Bath and a break down ; no further par- 
 ticulars this morning. I shall expect news this even- 
 ing with strong desire. I am thankful to assume that 
 you are so far safe at home ; you will have many 
 difficulties and trials to work through for some time 
 to come. Your first care must be to throw your care 
 upon God. If you make this a duty second to any 
 other you will fail of success. You are now shut up 
 unto the faith, faith in a loving Saviour, your own
 
 BRISTOL GREA T QUERN STREET. 93 
 
 Saviour j it is through this door we have access to 
 every other blessing. Trust in Christ, your own 
 trust, trust for yourself, for your own soul just now, 
 a trust in the blood of Christ as shed for you, as 
 prevailing for you, now so prevailing as to wash all 
 your sins away just now ; thus simply coming to this 
 one point, " /believe," " / trust that blood," " I do 
 it now', " then that settled, all else will follow; you 
 will be able to trust your boy to the same love, 
 able to meet very many difficulties, and so overcome 
 them all. Do it: 
 
 Again the triennial period of labour ends, and 
 elsewhere the tent of habitation must be placed. 
 The further changes will be but few, for by far the, 
 longer portion of the day of toil is already over. 
 It is deep in the afternoon of this life now. Still 
 before its sun sets the light thereof will more brightly 
 shine than when it was noon. To the glory of 
 God we shall see ' its lustre still increase.'
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 MANCHESTER, IRWELL STREET SABBATH TEMPER- 
 ANCELETTERS TO HIS SONS. 
 
 MANCHESTER, Irwell Street, was the circuit 
 to which Mr. Hall was appointed in 1866. 
 In this city he remained five years, and only re- 
 moved then at the urgent request of his brethren, 
 that the exigencies of Cornwall might be met. 
 
 The following are extracts from a letter to Mr. 
 M'Aulay, dated November i3th, 1866, which gives 
 his 
 
 First Impressions of the Irwell Street Circuit. 
 
 ' Were you at hand it would be a great relief 
 to me to talk with you respecting this circuit. I 
 am pleased with it on the whole ; but there are 
 serious circuit difficulties to meet, and some few 
 personal peculiarities to become accustomed to. 
 The Irwell Street interest claims grave and prayer- 
 ful consideration. I hesitate to form any certain 
 opinion of the religious condition of the country 
 places. I hesitate also what to suggest to promote 
 the work of God here (Pendleton), where I live ; I
 
 MANCHESTER IRWELL STREET. 95 
 
 watch and wait. I have begun a children's Saturday 
 afternoon meeting, with a prospect of some good, 
 through the children, to the parents, and I have con- 
 nected myself with the Christian Young Men's As- 
 sociation at Pendleton, not with much hope of doing 
 good, but with the desire of preventing evil; the 
 association has been in existence two or three yeafs. 
 I have been obliged to take it as it is, without 
 creating suspicion or opposition by making it my 
 own entirely. We have a good prospect of a new 
 chapel at our Home Mission station, Regent Road ; 
 some oppose ; some, who do least for the spiritual 
 cause of the circuit, and give least of cash, plead 
 for circuit repose and consolidation, rest from bricks 
 and mortar, and concentration upon spiritual work. A 
 good revival would put all this right : I long for it in 
 my own soul. I have been reading John Hunt's 
 Life lately, and really long for the holiness he de- 
 lighted in.' 
 
 To Mr. M'Aulay. 
 
 ' Pendleton, Nov. zyd, 1866. 
 ' I returned home last night (from London) ; most 
 of Wednesday evening I occupied in an endeavour 
 to get at you. I got round at last to your Hall 
 (Peel Grove Hall) and saw you engaged in a way 
 that I dared not interrupt. I wanted to communi- 
 cate on some matters relating to the Home Mission, 
 the more so as not now being a member of your
 
 9/5 MANCHESTER- 1 R WELL STREET. 
 
 committee, I do not deem it decorous to obtrude 
 opinions upon the committee. I am now reading 
 " Hunt's Letters on Entire Sanctification." Whatever 
 may be the case of others, I have no hesitation 
 in saying that when my heart comes under the in- 
 fluence of such reading, I easily discover what I 
 most need, what I think I most desire. Oh, if one 
 could but live in habitual and supreme sympathy 
 with Christ, how unlike one's past life would such a 
 life be ! May the Lord help me. I should have 
 been glad and gratified to spend some few moments 
 alone with * Mrs. Bunting and Miss Bunting for 
 my own advantage, but I felt that the opportunity 
 of such fellowship could not be found, and on my 
 part ought not to be sought ; an ordinary call would 
 have been an impertinence, as I could lay no claim to 
 attention on the ground of private friendship, and 
 having left the circuit, all official and pastoral rela- 
 tionship had ceased ; nevertheless when you have a 
 
 fitting moment for conveying to Mrs. and Miss B 
 
 my most affectionate Christian sympathy, I trust 
 you will do so, and in this matter, as in many others, 
 be my friend.' 
 
 To Mr. M'Aulay. 
 
 'Pendleton, Dec. nM, 1866. 
 
 'Could you manage to be in Manchester early 
 on the ist January? How I should like you to 
 
 x Written a few days after the death of Rev. W. M. Bunting.
 
 MANCHESTER IRWELL STREET. 97 
 
 perform the ceremony on the occasion of P 's 
 
 wedding ! You will sympathize with some of my 
 views; and at least deal gently with me in respect 
 to some of my prejudices. I dare not sanction the 
 drinking usages of society. I have arranged there- 
 fore to have the wedding breakfast at the "Trevelyan," 
 a Temperance Hotel. The absence of wine may 
 put " toasts out of gear " (so much the better), and 
 suggest as a substitute (an improvement, I think) 
 "sentiments " for the occasion. 
 
 ' Circuit affairs are said to be hopeful ; perhaps if 
 I had more of the life of God in my own heart, 
 I should think so too. But this circuit embraces 
 such contrasts that I am scarcely able, as yet, to 
 form a very accurate estimate of the whole. About 
 a week since I had my first Sunday at Walkden 
 Moor : several baptisms, three classes for the renewal 
 of tickets, sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and 
 the ordinary preaching. I was " down" with a cold, 
 and it would have been as easy for me to pitch my 
 body as my voice into the gallery or the end of 
 the chapel. When the services were all over, a 
 fierce storm of wind and heavy rain met me at the 
 door as I turned to walk home in the darkest night. 
 One or two tried to turn the laugh upon me for 
 not taking wine in the vestry, and others afterwards 
 called it " murder " for not taking the rail ; but I got 
 home well and hearty, after a good supper was free 
 from reaction, and was down next morning to 
 
 7
 
 98 MANCHESTER IRWELL STREET. 
 
 breakfast by half-past seven, " all right," with the 
 exception of an old cough and feeble voice for 
 which the Sunday work was not to blame. But all 
 this small talk between ourselves.' 
 
 To Mr. M'Aulay. 
 
 ' Pendleton, April ut/i, 1867. 
 
 'The memorial of your success at Bow reached 
 me this morning : I am much obliged for the print 
 of your new chapel ; the building stands out well ; 
 but its pictorial additions, ladies especially, spoil 
 it : the " East End " London mission is not improved 
 by the " West End " fashions. By-the-bye, we are 
 going in for a little bit of Mission Work at Pendleton. 
 On Sunday week I open a preaching room and 
 Sunday School at Whit Lane, a suburb between 
 Pendleton and Broughton ; we have a few members 
 round about the place who can work it, and the 
 move will save us from some of the mischief of 
 "idle hands." During some months I have had 
 a hard task in hand, but it is now completed, and 
 I am thankful: I have gone through the entire of 
 our Pendleton Society, and have been to the doors 
 of all the members ; I have got them down in my 
 book to their several residences : we have between 
 four and five hundred at Pendleton; it is a great 
 satisfaction and joy to feel assured that I know my 
 people, my work of visitation will now be easy and
 
 MANCHESTER-IRWELL STREET. 99 
 
 pleasant. Oh ! how many poor and aged people 
 I find who have slipped out of sight, but who need 
 and deserve sympathy and help. We have had a 
 strong gale of wind for a few days. Yesterday 
 (Sunday) I was to be at Farnworth, two miles this 
 side of Bolton, and felt some doubts how I should 
 get through the day. However, after a shower- 
 bath about six a.m., and an early breakfast, I started 
 for a slow and steady walk, and reached Farnworth 
 about ten, fresh and strong, at least in body. 
 The evening turned out stormy again, with heavy 
 rain; the friends were kind, and suggested lots of 
 things for my relief, but the Lord enabled me to 
 bear some humble testimony in favour of the Sabbath 
 and temperance. I frankly declared what I really 
 felt, that it was no hardship to walk, that the non- 
 use of stimulants saved me from reaction and 
 feebleness. I then faced the storm, and again 
 quietly and slowly walked home, which I reached 
 about ten o'clock : as a matter of course wet through, 
 but fresh and well, and, after changing my clothes, 
 as free from over-fatigue as ever I have been in 
 my life. I cannot describe the satisfaction and joy 
 I feel when on the road, that the Lord gives me a 
 will to do cheerfully what I consider a right and 
 a good thing. I would not exchange this joy for 
 all the luxuries in the world. All this between our- 
 selves. I was out early this morning, with conscious 
 health and strength to walk again.'
 
 100 MANCHESTER IRWELL STREET. 
 
 This will be the most fitting place to give an 
 extract from a letter to myself by Rev. C. Garrett, 
 containing an account of Mr. Hall's signing the 
 abstinence pledge, though he did not sign till after 
 he had left the Irwell Street Circuit : 
 
 'April 2isf, 1879. 
 ' MY DEAR FRIEND, 
 
 ' Mr. Hall had always held resolutely to the tem- 
 perance of John Wesley, avoiding the use of spirits 
 and denouncing toasts, and all other drinking 
 customs. While in Manchester (Grosvenor Street) 
 he was led to look more closely at the subject of 
 total abstinence. For more than twenty years he had 
 most rigidly been a total abstainer, and he con- 
 stantly urged total abstinence upon others, but his 
 great difficulty was in signing the pledge, and for 
 some time he refused to do it. One day we were 
 talking about a gentleman in whom he was inter- 
 ested, and who though a prominent church-member 
 had began to " look upon the wine when it is red " 
 and to give his friends great anxiety in consequence. 
 Mr. Hall said, " Do try to get him to sign the 
 pledge." I told him that I had done so, but he 
 said, " Mr. Hall has not done so, and why should 
 I ? " I shall never forget the earnest, anxious look 
 which he now fixed upon me. He was silent a 
 moment, and then said, "Send me down a pledge ! " 
 I did so, and from that day he never faltered, but
 
 MANCHESTER-IRWELL STREET. 
 
 again and again in public and private expressed his 
 gratitude that I had induced him to take a course 
 in which the \yeakest could follow him. Soon after 
 he had signed I had the pleasure to tell him that 
 the gentleman for whose sake he had taken the 
 step had, on learning what Mr. Hall had done, at 
 once followed his example.' 
 
 The following letter will afford a glimpse of the 
 leading part which Mr. Hall was wont to tajce in the 
 business of our Church courts : 
 
 To Mr. M'Aulay. 
 ' Bolton {District Meeting}, 
 
 1 Wednesday, May 1867. 
 
 ' We report 729 increase, 2026 on trial. When the 
 question as to the state of the work of God was on, 
 I interposed a remark touching the supposed helpless 
 condition of our large chapels in the midst of our 
 towns (the Bridgewater Street Chapel led to the 
 inquiry), suggesting that extra agencies should be 
 employed when ordinary ones failed. Another point 
 I deemed it right to raise, to the effect that Gothic 
 architecture, especially internal arrangements, where- 
 by free sittings are placed away from the entrance 
 doors to some out-of-the-way spot, will be injurious 
 to the work of God. 
 
 'Last night I had to preach before the District. 
 The Chapel (Bridge Street) was filled. I quaked 
 more than I care to confess, when I thought of the
 
 102 MANCHESTER-IRWELL STREET. 
 
 number of ministers likely to be present, but there 
 was no help for it ; with a little hesitation I kept my 
 brief notes in my pocket, and threw myself on the 
 help of the Good Spirit I took Rom. xiv. 9, making 
 the chief point, towards the close, of "consecration" 
 as the privilege and duty of Christians, and especially 
 so of Methodist preachers ; the loth rule of a helper 
 served me well ; I quoted R. Watson, J. Bunting, 
 R. Newton, their pulpit and platform power freely 
 laid on 'the altar of Methodism ; the Lord helped 
 me, but I looked out for some severe rebukes this 
 morning. Shortly after we met Mr. Stamp moved 
 the thanks of the meeting in terms of most friendly 
 commendation, Peter M'Owan and Mr. Bedford fol- 
 lowed in the same line, and some of the younger 
 brethren to my great surprise heartily supported the 
 proposal, which Dr. Hannah in presenting enforced 
 in his own peculiar manner of kindness. I scarcely 
 need say I was thoroughly overwhelmed, surprised, 
 and humbled, humbled under a strong sense of the 
 Divine forbearance and goodness. Excuse this re- 
 ference to what is so personal. I could not report 
 such a matter to any one. I am on the walls to 
 attend a temperance meeting (the Mayor in the 
 chair), a new position.' 
 
 The following beautiful letter to one of his sons on 
 the first return, after his marriage, of his birthday, 
 cannot be omitted :
 
 MANCHESTER -IRWELL STREET. 103 
 
 ' Pendleton, Feb. \\th, 1867. 
 4 MY DEAR A , 
 
 'First thoughts went upward this morning in ear- 
 nest prayer that God may spare you long, and give 
 you many happy returns of the day. A review, no, 
 a brief glance at twenty-three years, crowds into the 
 memory so many mercies and blessings that I am 
 constrained to urge you to join us in renewed thank- 
 fulness to Almighty God for His goodness and care 
 to you. 
 
 ' We covenanted with the Lord at Southwark 
 Chapel, Wednesday, June 26th, 1844, to consecrate 
 you to His pleasure and service. At the Chapel 
 House, Southwark, you lay for many days at the point 
 of death, and I can at this moment vividly recall my 
 strong impression (at the time your case was utterly 
 hopeless), that you might live to serve God. How 
 readily my eye pictures your boyhood, your New 
 Kingswood days, with catch visits and partings that 
 oft wrung our hearts, and your Cheetham Hill ex- 
 perience, that so deeply gladdened our hearts ; your 
 Birmingham life tells of doubtful health and promises, 
 and your Bristol course in its commencement of 
 pleasant scenes, with character forming and usefulness 
 beginning. Yet all these things (and oh how they 
 awaken my soul to deeper thought and feeling !), yet 
 all these reminiscences appear comparatively feeble, 
 and bring forward matters of trivial moment (save 
 and except the great religious events noted), as com-
 
 104 MANCHESTER IRWELL STREET. 
 
 pared with the events of the past year. God's good 
 providence has secured you a good social position 
 in my native city, for which I have oft longed and 
 prayed ; " to have and to hold " enter into the cove- 
 nant ; and if you retain the commercial and social 
 advantages for the end and purpose for which they 
 were bestowed upon you, you will be to the end 
 of my days a great joy. Then the culminating 
 event of a young man's life you have reached in 
 gaining, by God's favour, a home, with what makes 
 a habitation a true home, a good loving wife. 
 Again I pray God may enable you to consider well 
 the source from whence these blessings flow. It is 
 not unfair to you to suppose, not unreasonable to 
 .think, that the past year or two has been a time of 
 some excitement, during which you may, naturally, 
 have thought a little too much, too entirely (if I 
 can bring out what I mean), of the events them- 
 selves, and too little of their future, and intended 
 bearings ; your partnership and marriage will indi- 
 cate what I mean. I don't for a moment suppose that 
 you were unconscious of these future bearings, but 
 that at the time immediate events somewhat absorbed 
 your thoughts and feelings. Now, however, you can, 
 and I trust will, ponder gravely the business of life ; 
 renew your vows, face manfully and prayerfully the 
 business of life ; make friends of the best men, men 
 high or low who love God and are favoured by 
 Him. Take stock, see to it that all you invest
 
 MANCHESTER IRWELL STREET. 105 
 
 brings a return you will be pleased with at the final 
 audit.' 
 
 At the Bristol Conference, 1867, Mr. Hall was the 
 guest of this son, to whom on returning to Man- 
 chester he wrote ; in the letter he refers to the indi- 
 cation given, at the Conference, of the place he would 
 occupy in the Conference of the following year : 
 
 ' Pendletoti, Aug. igth, 1867. 
 
 ' My DEAR A , 
 
 ' I must not let this day slip away without drop- 
 ping you a line to say how comfortable I was with 
 you at Bristol, and how gratified I am with the 
 effort you both made to please me. I have re- 
 turned from the late Conference with much deeper 
 impressions of the value of religious life, and of 
 the absolute necessity of an entire and constant 
 trust in God, than I have ever hitherto felt. Many 
 things in Bristol tended to increase this feeling. I 
 saw my children taking a position for which I thank 
 God ; I don't know that I ever dared to pray that 
 
 God would ever call you or J to the Christian 
 
 ministry, though how often I have desired it I 
 will not say. But I have often prayed that as the 
 second desire of my heart, if the first were not 
 granted, He would give you to Bristol Methodism. 
 So far I am more than happy and thankful. But 
 I am concerned that you and your brother com-
 
 106 MANCHESTER-IRWELL STREET. 
 
 prehend what is involved in the Divine providence 
 that attends you. Station, wealth, influence, are 
 Divine gifts, and the Giver watches to observe how 
 far the intent and purpose of His will, you recog- 
 nise and realize. " To- him that hath " (the intended 
 improvement) " shall be given." The Lord make 
 you faithful. 
 
 ' The late Conference also brought me into a 
 position ' (he was second in the vote for the Presi- 
 dent) 'I scarcely dared to anticipate. I am not 
 inclined too readily to listen to the suggestions of 
 friends, but I do not feel free to negative the 
 expressed opinions of comparative strangers who 
 tell me of the place I shall occupy at the next 
 Conference. I am quite aware of what humanly 
 speaking may be called the many contingencies in 
 the way, but if God will it, the thing is settled, and 
 independent of that will, I would not take a single 
 step to secure the supposed honour. I feel, how- 
 ever, .a greater need than ever of an abiding trust 
 in God, and a faithful waiting to know and do 
 the Divine pleasure. It is in this view of the pre- 
 sent year I feel I have not a minute to trifle with 
 or waste. How much more grace I need to qualify 
 for the position indicated no one knows so well 
 as I do. May the Lord help me, and you also 
 aid me by your prayers.' 
 
 A letter to a younger son, at Kingswood, just
 
 MANCHESTER IRWELL STREET. 
 
 thirteen, may be read with profit by boys now at 
 school : 
 
 ' Pendleton, Sept. i2th, 1867. 
 
 ' MY DEAR S - , 
 
 ' You are now in your teens / a great event this 
 for a boy. You have passed the turning-point 
 between a child and a young man, and although 
 you are neither a child nor a young man, yet being 
 a " boy " you are on the road to something greater 
 and of more consequence every day. As a matter 
 of course, such a state of things brings with it 
 many and grave responsibilities. It is not to be 
 expected that you can see this all at once, or very 
 readily ; but it is so, and every year, if God spare 
 you, indeed almost every day, will bring with it 
 fresh duties. What you are the next few years you 
 probably will be all your whole life through. Every 
 child now who earns his bread is to go to school, 
 the Parliament has just passed a law saying so. 
 You must expect therefore that all boys in future 
 will possess some book-knowledge, and you will 
 have to push ahead in the midst of boys who will 
 try to get ahead of you ; go at it in good heart, and 
 one difficulty after another will yield to courage 
 and perseverance. When yesterday I thought ot 
 your birthday, I prayed God to bless you. I hope 
 you will always keep in mind that you cannot be 
 truly happy unless God bless you. His will is our
 
 108 MANCHESTER IRWELL STREET. 
 
 law, if we refuse to obey Him, sooner or later we 
 shall perish. Seek, I implore you, to be guided by 
 a Divine providence, and to be pardoned and 
 changed in heart.'
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 , PRESIDENT YEAR OF OFFICE, ETCETERA. 
 
 r I ^HE highest ecclesiastical honour which Metho- 
 -L dism has to confer upon her ministers, and 
 which for the last twelve months, at least, seemed 
 likely to be the lot of the subject of this Memoir, 
 was now to be conferred. Allusion is made to this 
 in the following brief note written the week before 
 the Liverpool Conference, 1868. 
 
 To Mr. M'Aulay. 
 
 ' Beaumaris, Friday. 
 
 ' You see by the above where I am. I came 
 here a few days ago with my family to be quiet, 
 and out of sight. I leave Mrs. Hall and the 
 children here on Monday when I go to Liver- 
 pool, not knowing what a week may bring forth. 
 I dreaded Southport because of the stare and 
 exposure when out of doors. Here it is otherwise. 
 I seem to know nobody and nobody seems to 
 know me. I can walk where I like, and do what 
 I like, without fear or care. I wished to be alone
 
 I I O PRESIDENTIAL YEAR. 
 
 for a time with One only to commune with. Your 
 love of mountain scenery and of boating would 
 lead you, I guess, to like Beaumaris very much. 
 To-day, too tired to walk hard, I have sauntered 
 in the fields, and have felt a closer converse with 
 God. No human being knows as I do how much I 
 need Divine wisdom and strength. At times "the 
 horrors " come over me at the mere thought of 
 what friends tell me may happen next week ; 
 when, were it not that I run to God to hide me, 
 I know not what I should do.' 
 
 He was elected President of the Conference on 
 the following Wednesday. In the inaugural address, 
 after dwelling upon his long Methodist ancestry, 
 Methodist preferences and associations, the deaths 
 of various distinguished ministers in the ranks 
 during the past year, the progress of ritualism and 
 rationalism, our duty to pursue a middle way 
 between High Churchism and extreme dissent, the 
 temperance question, the President concluded in 
 these impressive words : 
 
 'Taking into consideration the very close con- 
 nection between our own personal holiness and 
 our ofncial faithfulness and the well-being of our 
 Societies, and the salvation of souls, oh ! what a 
 grave and solemn reality is a Wesleyan Conference. 
 And yet how little is everything human over- 
 shadowed by the Divine presence, and how tran-
 
 PRESIDENTIAL YEAR. Ill 
 
 sient and trivial are all our schemes and interests 
 save as they harmonise with the Divine will ! Allow 
 me to make my first official challenge to you. 
 Allow me to beseech you reverently to invoke the 
 presiding presence of the Divine Paraclete; and 
 with an energy unenfeebled and unchecked by a 
 solitary instance of indifference or unbelief, an 
 energy that might be reasonably impassioned when 
 the urgency of our own necessity is considered, 
 and an unanimity that is unbroken and absolute, 
 do I implore you join with me in calling to our 
 aid the guidance and blessing of the ever-present 
 and blessed Spirit. And oh ! may never a single 
 rash or foolish word dim the sense of that Divine 
 presence; and never may any littleness or self- 
 seeking on our part obstruct His official work ; and 
 never may His inimitable tenderness and ineffable 
 benignity be grieved by one act of unkindness on 
 our part one towards another, or by any slight or 
 neglect put upon Himself. May God bless you 
 all ! Amen.' 
 
 There have been but few former presidents who 
 displayed a more accurate and ready knowledge of 
 Methodist rule and polity. Standing orders and 
 byelaws, laws in vogue and obsolete, were forth- 
 coming when called for. But if there was one thing 
 which more than another distinguished Mr. Hall both 
 in the chair and throughout his Presidential year, it
 
 112 PRESIDENTIAL YEAR. 
 
 was a never-flagging effort to do all that a President 
 by God's help can do, to raise the tone of piety in 
 the Connexion, and to rouse ministers and people 
 alike to aggressive action upon the wastes of heathen- 
 ism, both at home and abroad. I cannot find any- 
 where Mr. Hall's presidential year so fully, truth- 
 fully, and lifemlly described as by an anonymous 
 writer in the Methodist. He says : 
 
 'In 1868 Mr. Hall was made President of the 
 Conference. He was then in the height of his 
 powers as a preacher and platform speaker, and a 
 man of business. In the latter branch of his presi- 
 dential duties he exhibited considerable capacity. 
 No one knew better the value of time, and the 
 paramount necessity of order and regularity ; and he 
 was firm in maintaining such regulations as con- 
 tributed to the despatch of public business. Metho- 
 dism had been to him a life-study, and as it had 
 made its impress on his own mind and character, 
 so he, in return, strove to perform every official 
 function with the hand and grace of a master ; of 
 necessity he gave many public addresses during 
 his year of office, and some of these were charac- 
 terized by effects that were not common. He had 
 caught in a marvellous degree the spirit and unction 
 of the old Methodist preachers. He had long loved 
 and reverenced them, and he seemed to think that 
 the mantle of at least some of them had fallen upon
 
 PRESIDENTIAL YEAR. 
 
 his shoulders. The old fire which burnt so brightly 
 in their hearts had, he felt, been kindled in his 
 also ; he had carefully studied their system of doc- 
 trine, discipline, and usage ; the more he knew of 
 it the stronger his attachment became. This same 
 Methodism he held up to the admiration of crowded 
 audiences in all parts of the land. Everywhere 
 the older Methodists hailed his visits with delight. 
 They loved the ring of his voice, and there was a 
 charm in his short, sharp, and vigorous sentences. 
 He called back their memories to the simplicity of 
 their younger days. The love-feast, the band meet- 
 ing, the early morning prayer-meeting, all of which 
 he wished to see revived, recalling their early Metho- 
 dist life, his whole spirit and demeanour reminded 
 them that the old Methodists were not yet quite 
 gone, the grand old fire was not yet burnt out. 
 Such were the tone and spirit in which he stirred 
 up the people to duty and to renewed exertions in 
 the cause of Christ.' 
 
 The following is an extract from a letter written to 
 the son who had so lately entered into his teens, 
 in the course of the official visit to Scotland : 
 
 ' Glasgow, Oct. I3//&, 1868. 
 
 MY DEAR S , 
 
 ' I arrived here yesterday. On Sunday I was in 
 Edinburgh. Both places are great and important 
 cities. The buildings in Edinburgh, especially the
 
 114 PRESIDENTIAL YEAR. 
 
 public ones, are exceedingly beautiful, and the 
 country parts around both cities very fine. Glasgow 
 is remarkable for its commerce, and the business 
 men are considered very shrewd and energetic. 
 The young men of Glasgow especially are said to 
 be far-seeing. Many of them go into other parts 
 of the world and prosper. Mr. M'Aulay was once 
 a Glasgow lad. He took me this morning into 
 one of the public streets and stood on the spot 
 where God many years ago converted him. I hope 
 you are getting on well at home ; I often think of 
 you when I am away, and I pray God to make 
 you a godly, a happy, a prosperous boy. Whatever 
 character you now gain will stick to you'. Mind 
 you earn a good character ; never be a party to 
 anything mean, or false, or sinful; always respect 
 yourself, don't 'do anything you would not like to 
 think of when you are alone or sick. Tenderly 
 avoid whatever tends to grieve your mother. When 
 you grow a little older few things will appear to you 
 so shameful as disobedience to your parents. Watch 
 to please your mother who loves you so dearly. 
 Above all seek to please and serve God. Every- 
 thing, however little, God sees and remembers. Ask 
 His forgiveness of your sins, and earnestly pray for 
 a new heart. You cannot be happy while God is 
 angry with you. He waits to bless you.' 
 
 A few passages from letters to Mr. M'Aulay allude
 
 PRESIDENTIAL YEAR. 1 15 
 
 to instances of usefulness, to the anniversary services 
 of May in London, and to the multitudinous duties 
 of a presidential year : 
 
 ' Pendleton, Jan. $tk, 1869. 
 
 ' I hesitate to accept your kind invitation. The fact 
 is I shall really feel the City Road House a great 
 convenience next week ; there is the public meeting 
 at City Road chapel on Tuesday; it will probably 
 be a late one ; then I am in for an evening meeting 
 to help Mr. Stephenson at the Lambeth baths : if souls 
 are being saved there, I shall not regret if that meet- 
 ing be a late one too. On Thursday I expect to be 
 at Richmond, and to catch the train the same evening 
 for Manchester ; I think you will admit that I have 
 
 a strong plea to be excused. The K Chapel 
 
 " humorous entertainment " is a pitiably humiliat- 
 ing thing ; thank God it did not come off, but where 
 there is a disposition and will towards such a thing, 
 one fears to ask what next. I have forced myself to 
 find time this week to read half of Thomas Collins' 
 Life. As a minister of Christ how dwarfish one 
 appears in presence of such a man. I like the book 
 because it brings me to my knees. I knew the man, 
 and admired and loved him. I have worked with 
 him. But Mr. Coley's image of his kinsman reveals 
 the secret of his power and success with a clearness 
 and fulness I scarcely expected. Oh that I had 
 more of the heart-holiness that made Collins a truly
 
 Il6 PRESIDENTIAL YEAR. 
 
 great man, a man of God ! On Sunday evening I 
 was at Irwell Street, and at the prayer-meeting we 
 had a blessed "breakdown ;" several penitents, men 
 and women, were in great distress, and some found 
 peace with God.' 
 
 ' Pendleton, May 8tt, 1869. 
 
 ' I am back from London, with my voice somewhat 
 broken. God graciously helped- me, miserable sinner 
 that I am; but the sympathy and prayers of God's 
 people prevail. The Mission House sermon (Thurs- 
 day) threw the critics off scent. I took the prayers 
 myself, concluding them in about twenty minutes, 
 reserving time for asking the Lord's help before 
 sermon. The Richmond students were at my right 
 hand in full force ; they rested on my heart and 
 conscience, so I went in for soul-saving work. Sun- 
 day a full and a good day ; morning, New North 
 Road, a young man, son of one of the friends there, 
 about eighteen, found peace during the sermon, and 
 the father mentioned the fact at the love-feast on 
 Monday night. Afternoon, Sunday-school addresses 
 to about eight hundred children, and some of the 
 little ones were converted in the prayer-meeting that 
 followed. City Road at night a crowd ; prayer-meet- 
 ing till after ten, lots of penitents, and some sinners 
 saved; praise the Lord. Monday, Exeter Hall, the 
 Lord helped me. Monday evening, love-feast at City 
 Road was a blessed and great success. I hope it
 
 PRESIDENTIAL YEAR. 
 
 117 
 
 will be held in future. Tuesday I attended six meet- 
 ings, and left very early on Wednesday morning to 
 open a chapel at Ashby. My review of my official 
 visit to London is not without cause of thankful- 
 ness and joy ; souls were saved, and that is my 
 joy.' 
 
 ' Pendleton, 
 
 'Friday evening. (No further date.) 
 ' I arrived here this evening. Amongst some notes 
 received to-day is one from a Wesleyan Missionary 
 in South Africa, asking advice and sending his love 
 and that of his wife, who he says was converted under 
 my ministry in Southwark chapel. Another is from 
 one of our candidates on my list of reserve, lately sent 
 by me as a supply, who tells me that some sermons 
 he heard me preach when I was in the Birmingham 
 circuit led to his conversion to God. Another from 
 
 the Rev. I. N. M , of Whalley View, requesting 
 
 my attention to a difficult and interesting case of a 
 respectable person given to "drink," who says I am 
 the only minister he cares for, " the only man who 
 can touch his conscience." What a marvel all 
 this ! Here I have been all this week in dry busi- 
 ness, very busy, and unexpectedly cases like these 
 crop up, throwing me back on God's great good- 
 ness, and making me feel what is the real and per- 
 manent joy of a Methodist preacher's life ! I ought 
 to be re-baptized for circuit work proper. The
 
 Il8 PRESIDENTIAL YEAR. 
 
 Lord help me, and you too help me by your 
 prayers.' 
 
 At the Hull Conference, 1869, as ex-President, 
 Mr. Hall gave the charge to the newly-ordained 
 ministers ; it was founded on St. John iv. 34-38, and 
 published at the request of the Conference. As is 
 not infrequent on such occasions, everything in the 
 deliverance did not meet with universal approval; 
 still it was an unusually memorable time of refreshing 
 from the presence of the Lord, and the impression 
 produced' by the deliverance most rousing and 
 salutary, not only to the newly-ordained, but to all 
 other ministers who were present. Two or three 
 among many striking and trenchant sentences may be 
 given : 
 
 ' What is the origin of Methodism ? If you trace 
 it back to a little rill trickling under the threshold 
 of a parsonage in Epworth ; or if you think you dis- 
 cover its spring-head at Oxford, you grievously err, 
 not knowing the ways of God. The mother of the 
 Wesleys, well informed as she was touching Church 
 creeds and articles, never pointed her son to a par- 
 doning God, and the theologians of Oxford rather 
 impeded than advanced him in the knowledge of 
 salvation.. And not till John Wesley broke away 
 from his Church training, and was content, to be 
 guided to the Saviour by the testimony of a few
 
 PRESIDENTIAL YEAR. 119 
 
 simple converted men, not till then did he become 
 possessed of a power the power of experimental reli- 
 gion whereby he spread Scriptural holiness through- 
 out the land. 
 
 'Some of John Wesley's biographers have raised 
 questions of doubt respecting his conversion : but 
 surely his own testimony is plain, and ought not to 
 be denied. Listen 1 In six lines you have the bio- 
 graphy of years : 
 
 ' " Long my imprisoned spirit lay 
 
 Fast bound in sin and nature's night ; " 
 
 there you have the experience of Epworth and 
 Oxford : 
 
 ' " Thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray, 
 
 I woke ; the dungeon flamed with light ; " 
 
 there you have the experience of Aldersgate Street, 
 London : 
 
 ' " My chains fell off, my heart was free. 
 I rose, went forth, and followed Thee ; " 
 
 there you have the experience of our Founder.' 
 
 ' Be not ashamed to take a full-faced look at the 
 Methodist preachers of a former day, as they pass in 
 review before you. They have no sacerdotal robes, 
 and their dress is always plain, often threadbare; 
 they are in rare instances adorned with University 
 honours : they lack even the simplest ecclesiastical 
 titles ; but there is a dignity ~in their bearing, and a
 
 I2O PRESIDENTIAL YEAR. 
 
 power in their word, and an unction in their spirit, 
 that won them a victory in this country when even 
 standard-bearers in the Church, both Established and 
 Nonconforming, were, with few exceptions, unfaithful 
 men.' 
 
 ' The earnestness of the early Methodist preachers 
 created in them a dominant desire to see results : they 
 laboured for souls. It has been insinuated that a 
 prayer-meeting at the close of an evening service, in 
 which the net has been drawn to land, and the result 
 of the sermon secured, is a modern innovation. Not 
 so. A finer specimen of a sober, dignified, thought- 
 ful man than Alexander Mather you will not find in 
 early Methodism. Some one, I suppose, had ob- 
 jected to his prayer-meetings at the close of the 
 service, and Mr. Mather had yielded the point. He 
 then writes to John Wesley : " I agreed to hold 
 no more prayer-meetings after preaching. Immedi- 
 ately the work began to decay, both in extent and 
 swiftness; and though I continued to insist as 
 strongly as ever upon the same points, yet was there 
 not the same effect for want of seconding by prayer- 
 meetings the blow which was given in preaching. " ' 
 
 ' Your Divine call, in substance, is to preach the 
 Gospel. Think of your first impressions to preach ; 
 remember how you felt that nothing in this world 
 stood second to this great work. Allow nothing to
 
 PRESIDENTIAL YEAR. 121 
 
 take the precedence of it ; but so long as God shall 
 lend you breath and give you opportunity, preach 
 the word.' 
 
 And resisting strong temptation to introduce other 
 quotations, such as the eloquent eulogy of the hymn- 
 book, the strong condemnation of the practice of 
 reading sermons, the duty of pastoral visitation and 
 diligent attention to the business of a circuit, temper- 
 ance and Sabbath observance, let this one in addition 
 suffice : 
 
 'Above all go about your work with an intense 
 desire to succeed. Your business is not to preach 
 so many sermons, and to get through your circuits 
 respectably, but to save as many souls as possible. I 
 hesitate to say to you don't talk against revivals ; 
 but I do say don't be indifferent to them, or inac- 
 tive when God blesses a society with a revival visita- 
 tion. Then put in the sickle. A passion for saving 
 souls will cure a great deal of squeamishness as to 
 modes of operation, and will give courage to the timid. 
 Everywhere a demand is being made for earnest and 
 soul-saving preachers ; and it is one of the most 
 hopeful signs of the time that the most intelligent of 
 our people give a strong preference for a ministry 
 that rouses their souls from a death- slumber and 
 converts their children. " Behold, lift up your eyes." 
 The country is open to us, the harvest field is indeed
 
 122 PRESIDENTIAL YEAR. 
 
 white ! And while some churches miserably trifle 
 with souls by a display of altar lights and fancy 
 millinery and deceptive symbols, and some Churches 
 waste their powers by undue attention to secular ob- 
 jects and secondary things, be it your holiest ambition 
 to save souls. Aim at this, live for this, and your 
 people will rally to your call for helpers, and the 
 Methodist Societies will rejoice, and a faithful God 
 will bless you; and yours will be a harvest unto 
 eternal life.'
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 GROSVENOR STREET, MANCHESTER DEATH OF HIS SON 
 CHARLES LETTERS RELATING THERETO PAS- 
 TORAL VISITATION. 
 
 REAT temporal prosperity and household com- 
 V_T fort have thus far been the lot of the sub- 
 ject of this Life. Death has not yet entered the 
 dwelling, nor for years has serious affliction visited 
 any member of the family circle. The three eldest 
 are settled happily in life with every prospect of 
 material success. And we have seen that the highest 
 honours which the Church of Mr. Hall's choice pos- 
 sessed in due time were given to him. But adversity 
 is near, and our friend will now have to drink deeply 
 of that bitter cup which sooner or later is placed in 
 the hands of all who people " the vale of tears." 
 
 At the Conference of 1869 Mr. Hall removed from 
 the Invell Street, to the Grosvenor Street, Manches- 
 ter, circuit, where his spirit was saddened, and his 
 heart wrung with anguish, by the long and fatal afflic- 
 tion of his son Charles. To this visitation frequent 
 and lengthened references are made in the letters 
 which follow :
 
 124 MANCHESTER GROSVSNOR STREET. 
 
 To Mr. JWAulay. 
 
 ' Portsmouth, Nov. isf, 1869. 
 
 ' I had been warned through a great portion of the 
 past year of the reaction I should experience, and 
 probable loss of health, as soon as my " year of 
 office" was over. I regarded the danger as an im- 
 aginary one ; I left the Conference, therefore, with a 
 strong purpose to go in for circuit work proper. I 
 began the first Sunday with ordinary duties, and have 
 been at work ever since. But the two months since 
 have been the most difficult and painful of my whole 
 life. I found a service conducted which would have 
 branded Methodism with high ritualism a few years 
 ago; organs and singers had silenced the worshippers, 
 and all the responses were intoned, etcetera. An 
 arrangement has been made, and the intoning is now 
 abandoned, thank God ! Then I lamed myself again 
 about a month ago. I have had a hard struggle to 
 do my work without a Sunday cab, but the Lord has 
 had pity upon me, and I can now get over the ground 
 slowly. But my poor boy ! I cannot very clearly 
 tell you what my trial is ; Charles has been so good a 
 youth, has been always at home, that my heart yearns 
 for him. I have awoke up, too, to a new emotion, 
 a sense of tender affection I never knew before. I 
 remember the hardness of my sorrow when my 
 mother died, and I could not shed a tear for a 
 long time afterwards, but my feelings now are alto-
 
 MANCHESTER GROSVENOR STREET. 125 
 
 gether different. I sit and watch, and pity, with 
 an unutterable desire to relieve my son, and have no 
 power to do so. I see the mark of death upon him, 
 the certain mark ; the struggle going on is against a 
 consciously over-mastering power ; and the attempt 
 to prolong life a little while is against great odds. I 
 see this, and do not complain, not for a moment, do 
 not wish it otherwise, dare not find fault ; so far I 
 feel my way ; but I am exercised as to his religious 
 state: he is quiet, almost passive, he has no joy in 
 the Lord. We talk very freely, he expresses hopeful 
 opinions of God the Saviour of men, but he lacks 
 the conscious enjoyment of those who pass suddenly 
 from darkness to light. This matter rightly settled, 
 and my own heart will be perfectly happy.' 
 
 The two letters that follow were written to Mrs. 
 Hall soon after his return from Bristol, where 
 Charles was buried in the family vault : 
 
 ' City Road, Dec. 2nd, 1869. 
 
 ' Now that I turn again to duty after having had 
 my heart and mind for some months preoccupied 
 with one great absorbing sorrow, I feel more than 
 ever the need of keeping St. Paul's purpose in view, 
 " This one thing I do." I never before compre- 
 hended as I now do the privileged obligation of 
 " serving the Lord ! " Probably you, even you, may 
 not quite understand the solemn pressure under
 
 126 MANCHESTER GROSyENOR STREET. 
 
 which I feel myself afresh placed not to waste time. 
 God's visit to our home and faarts, my dearest 
 
 A , is a call to both of us, such as we ought not 
 
 to trifle with, or need to have repeated, to close 
 in with Him as our loving Saviour. May the good 
 Spirit help us ! To-morrow I return to Manchester : 
 it will be a mournful thing to enter the house and 
 think of our dear Charles ; but he is better off, and 
 we must face the service to which God is pleased 
 to call us. Pray for me, I want to be faithful.' 
 
 'Manchester, Dec. $rd, 1869. 
 
 ' Once again I am where I think a gracious 
 Providence places me, and have pondered passing 
 events in the room, now a sacred spot, where my 
 beloved Charles passed away to a better land. I 
 long to spring to the footstool of the Saviour and 
 more fully ascertain what He would have me do : 
 we must all of us profit by the severely loving dis- 
 pensation we have received. Let us keep in view 
 our only sufficient Saviour, ours in life as in death : 
 "looking unto Jesus" as we walk toward the grave 
 and through it to heaven ! ' 
 
 A second bereavement almost immediately fol- 
 lowed, that of Mr. Hall's daughter-in-law, to whom 
 he was deeply attached, allusion to which is made 
 in the second of the letters to Mr. M'Aulay whiph 
 follow :
 
 MANCHESTER GROSVENOR STREET. 12"] 
 
 ' Manchester, Dec. "jth, 1869. 
 
 ' I am alone : all my family are in Bristol. It is 
 now midnight, and I have communings with the 
 dead. I often visit the room in which my beloved 
 Charles suffered so much and died : in deep thought 
 I pass to and fro between that room and the grave 
 at Baptist Mills, Bristol, to my heart the most 
 hallowed spot on earth. There lie the best of 
 mothers, the most sainted sister, and the most 
 beloved of children ; rny deep grief is not regret nor 
 repining ; I do not complain, nor would I recall 
 them to renew their sufferings, or to die again ; 
 but to my heart the reminiscences of the past are 
 overwhelmingly affecting. Some pastoral work this 
 afternoon has done me good, making me thankful 
 for my mercies and God's exuberant kindness to 
 me, when viewed in contrast with the lot of some 
 on whom I call.' 
 
 'Manchester, Dec. $ist, 1869. 
 ' I returned home yesterday with my family, 
 conscious of the absence of one who for so many 
 years as a resident at home made our hearts glad 
 at meeting. I know not how to estimate rightly the 
 providences of the past month. Yet I do not walk 
 in darkness. I see God, and I have not a thought 
 to whisper opposed to His infinite wisdom and love. 
 Charles's death bruised my heart very sorely ; 
 Annie's loss to us might have broken it, but the
 
 128 MANCHESTER GROSVENOR STREET 
 
 Lord was graciously, gloriously present, and there 
 was no real void. Yet I am very weak and foolish, 
 and have little concern now for anything but 
 memories of the departed, and immediate duty. 
 The last two Sundays I spent in Bristol, I preached 
 on the first Sunday morning what I suppose will 
 be called a funeral sermon, and visited at night the 
 place where Charles lies with the sainted dead. 
 Last Sunday I redeemed a pledge given to the 
 dying mother to baptize her babe. How I struggled 
 through I know not : so far as giving the name 
 " Annie Pethick " I desperately worked, and then 
 came to a dead stand, through a long pause strove 
 
 helplessly for a third word. J 's boy, a beautiful 
 
 boy, was in an adjoining pew, and broke the silence 
 with a loud musical call, " Dadda ! dadda ! " In the 
 evening I preached at King Street. I then found 
 that I was suffering from nervous exhaustion. I 
 never felt more thankful that I needed no stimu- 
 lants to keep me up. I soon got right again ; yet I 
 felt a sense of weariness.' 
 
 To Mr. M'Aulay. 
 
 1 Feb. 8fA, 1869. 
 
 ' My soul is in frequent communion with the 
 departed saints, and although I sometimes find it 
 difficult to believe that the bereavements of the 
 past few weeks are real, yet a something I cannot 
 define surrounds me continually, and tells me that
 
 MANCHESTER GROSVEXOR STREET. 129 
 
 heaven is very near. I thank God I am in the 
 midst of continuous work. Circuit duties come so 
 naturally and pleasantly, that I can scarcely believe 
 that it is only a few months since I was given up 
 to public service. How thankful I am that I am 
 back again to my own work. For the last month 
 or two I have worked at the rate of ten days a 
 week, having put down the names of the Grosvenor 
 Street society in street rows and visited every home 
 with the exception of a few distant ones. I rejoice 
 that we have signs of spiritual good; my children's 
 Saturday afternoon meeting is well attended, the 
 Band meeting recently commenced in good repute, 
 and the Word is preached with power.' 
 
 At the Burslem Conference, 1870, there were two 
 ordinations of young ministers ; it consequently de- 
 volved on Mr. Hall to deliver a second charge, 
 a playful allusion to which will be found in the 
 following letter to Mrs. Hall : 
 
 ' Newcastle-under-Lyme. 
 ' MY DEAREST A , 
 
 ' It seems so strange that the Conference is nearly 
 over. When anticipated it seemed such a long 
 time to spend here, and now the time has slipped 
 away I know not how. My fears are over as to 
 my charge. The Brethren were strong in com- 
 mendations and kindness. Mr. Arthur in seconding 
 
 9
 
 130 MANCHESTER-CROSVENOR STREET. 
 
 a vote of thanks said one thing which exceedingly 
 amused us. Mr. Rattenbury, in moving the thanks, 
 spoke approvingly but cautiously. I had told the 
 young men not to drink stimulants for their health's 
 sake. Mr. Rattenbury said that I had put the 
 case well and rightly, but that while I was speaking 
 he was afraid I might run on some rock or quick- 
 sand and founder. Mr. Arthur said he had had no 
 fear whatever, - for I sailed in fresh water, I should 
 like to go direct from the Conference to circuit 
 work. It is time to do something for my circuit. 
 The past year has been a very broken and unpro- 
 fitable one, and I long to be a more holy and 
 more useful Methodist preacher. Life is slipping 
 away very fast, and I seem as if I were always 
 about to begin to do something. I mean by the 
 help of God to stand by my own proper circuit 
 work, if spared, for the ensuing year.' 
 
 Well might he speak of 'life slipping away,' for 
 'the ensuing year' was to be the last completed year 
 of circuit work. 
 
 To Mr. M'Aulay. 
 
 ' Manchester, Aug. $oth, 1870. 
 ' I have returned to my circuit with strong im- 
 pressions touching the necessity of more personal 
 holiness (in the Wesleyan teaching sense), and an 
 earnest desire to promote its spread around me.
 
 MANCHESTER GROSVENOR STREET. 131 
 
 At the same time I regret to say my prospect of 
 a good and successful year is somewhat dimmed 
 by some peculiar difficulties. The Grosvenor Street 
 interest is a very heavy and might be a depressing 
 one. But enough : two new men will be on the 
 ground shortly, and that will give us a new start. 
 I begin the year with good purposes to stick to 
 circuit work; the two last years have been sadly 
 broken ones. I am now, thank God, free for my 
 proper service, and have not a single engagement 
 away from home. Do not tempt me into a line I 
 should like to follow if at liberty to do so ; bewitch 
 other hearts, I have work enough, and more than 
 enough, in hand.' 
 
 To his Son. 
 
 1 Manchester, Sept. igth, 1870. 
 
 ' MY DEAR A , 
 
 ' Memory is getting very busy with events that 
 made the heart so sad twelve months ago. This is 
 the anniversary of Charles's birthday, and just a 
 year ago this day he journeyed to Malvern in the 
 hope, the very last we ever had, of saving the 
 dear fellow's life. God was very gracious to us 
 all during the few months that followed. But how 
 keen the pang that cuts the heart still when I 
 recall, day by day, the passing events of the last 
 autumn, I cannot describe. Your mother feels 
 intensely as she reviews the past. The memory
 
 132 MANCHESTER GROSVENOR STREET. 
 
 of dear Charles is very precious, his gentleness, 
 his watchful and tender care to please ! Everything 
 indeed about his character and genial conduct we 
 now review with gratitude to God, and with a 
 mysterious and imperishable emotion. My dear 
 
 A , what about your class? have you begun 
 
 one yet? It is really time to put a strong mark 
 upon life. " By little and little " will do wonders 
 after a time. I would sooner begin with a blank 
 book and meet with one, then two, then more, and 
 so on, than have the class of another leader put into 
 my care, which might become less bit by bit ; make 
 a class, do so for the Lord's sake, and you will 
 find it the very best work in which you can be 
 engaged for time or eternity. Methodism has made 
 many local preachers and stewards, and given them 
 a position of respectability and influence ; but class- 
 leading has made Methodists, and saved the leaders 
 for a higher and a happier life in this world and 
 the next.' 
 
 To Mrs. Hall, on the anniversary of Charles's 
 death : % 
 
 'Manchester, Nov. 2oth and 22nd, 1870. 
 
 ' By a kind Providence I am at home this Sunday 
 
 evening. Mr. Whiteside of York has kindly taken 
 
 duty to-night and set me free, free to rest, for my 
 
 cold still holds me in its grip, and my cough is
 
 MANCHESTER GROSVENOR STREET. 133 
 
 troublesome, and free to commune with the dead 
 in Christ. I have reviewed my memoranda of 
 events that for some two or three months preceded 
 this date of last year. The review has revivified 
 events which at the time were painful and pre- 
 monitory, and has humbled me before God lest 
 events so telling have failed to produce in one all 
 the good, or even a large amount of the good, 
 God originally intended. I have also held this 
 evening my own religious service in the room 
 peculiarly sacred to the memory of the departed 
 one, and have read a blessed sermon by W. M. 
 Bunting, on " The Dead in Christ." How much 
 I need line upon line of instruction and comfort 
 on this subject I cannot tell you. Often my heart 
 fails to realize the feeling it perhaps wrongly craves 
 after, the feeling of grateful anticipation of the 
 great change I myself must undergo at last. I 
 need not attempt to describe this, but so it is. 
 The perfect satisfaction of the mind in respect to 
 the unfailing goodness and unfaltering truthfulness 
 of the blessed Saviour never fails me; but oh! 
 how sluggish and cold my heart. Probably we 
 are apt to forget that true religion, whether feebly 
 possessed, or however largely enjoyed, does not 
 absolve us from the ordinary law of life, that of 
 death. We all die; those who are in Christ are 
 subject to this obligation and necessity. But when 
 in Christ, the dread, the humiliation, the suffering
 
 134 MANCHESTER GROSVENOR STREET. 
 
 of death still remaining not revoked, there is 
 nevertheless a blessedness that more than balances 
 against death, the blessedness of a providence that 
 is pledged by our covenant with Christ, the blessed- 
 ness of spiritual strength and comfort when the 
 time of need arrives, not pledged before, and the 
 inexpressibly precious gifts of the Good Spirit, 
 ever present with His aid. Such have been my 
 thoughts this evening ; my solitary service has not 
 been an unprofitable one; therefore I say it is by 
 a kind providence that I am drawn to the sick 
 chamber as to the house of God. Well this 
 relates to the dead in Christ ! Thank God, it is 
 not by our own preparations that the security and 
 peace of the dying shall depend. In union with 
 Christ, one with Him by trusted pledges, death 
 does not break the covenant, or dissolve the union. 
 The union is between the spirit and God ; surely 
 it is in this sense that "death is gain." The foe 
 has conquered us ; so far death is victor ; but we 
 more than conquer when through death we obtain 
 a perpetual, a perfected, and a beatific union with 
 Christ in His own Home, the Paradise of God. 
 Such are some of my communings of the evening. 
 ' I am in Bristol on Sunday week, and if then asked 
 to preach, my preference will lead me to a sacred 
 spot, where the sanctified dead lie. And what can 
 it be that gives so great an interest to the grave ? 
 To its sacred dust? Surely you are right, it would
 
 MANCHESTER-GROSVENOR STREET. 135 
 
 be an unkindness to wish back to suffering and 
 to the conflict of death those we love, and who 
 are we believe and hope now better off. But 
 there is " the dust " (that is not death) ; it lies num- 
 bered by Christ, and is sacred and precious in His 
 sight, who will presently raise it to His glory. If 
 so, how incomparably more precious (and actually 
 happy and glorious) must the departed spirits be ! 
 When once death is truly noted, a temporary con- 
 flict that gives us the victory, a pause in life, 
 a little flutter and noise in uplifting the veil that 
 separates heaven from earth, and lets us into 
 heaven, how different the shrinking from it ! But 
 all this in Christ. Christ is our life, our all. Rest 
 on this.' 
 
 To Mr. M'Aulay. 
 
 'Manchester, Nov. 2ist, 1870. 
 ' I trust that you are satisfied with the arrange- 
 ment made with the Book-room. In reference to 
 " The Methodist Family " I should like to see my 
 way clear to promise you a little help. I have not 
 forgotten your first request made many weeks since, 
 and have thought that had I time I should like 
 to try my hand and heart at a few papers some- 
 what like those you sketched. A work of this 
 kind depends very much upon the thing striking 
 one. My twelve papers in the Christian Miscellany 
 on " John Wesley's Use of the Press " struck me
 
 136 MANCHESTER GROSVENOR STREET. 
 
 as in a moment, and took shape at once, whilst 
 pacing a room in converse with Gilchrist Wilson 
 on the question of aid for his Magazine. If I under- 
 stand you, you want a few papers on the conver- 
 sion or religious experience of the early Methodist 
 clergymen. Good. I think there is ample mate- 
 rial for a series of articles of the kind noted, but 
 the thing does not strike me. I do not know that 
 I need say more ; except to you, I do not hesitate 
 to say that I have no desire to look so exclusively 
 in the direction given. I am no Dissenter, have 
 never been one. In my dislike and dread of some 
 of the principles of Dissent, I have, I fear, been 
 now and then mistaken in what I have said touch- 
 ing John Wesley's "Views of the Church." But 
 from what is going on in the present day, I more 
 than ever desire that we as Wesleyans stand by our 
 own religious views and usages, and if needful stand 
 alone where God has placed us (Isaiah li. i, 2). 
 I fear greatly the tendency amongst us (preachers 
 and people) to lean toward the Church, and to 
 mimic its respectability, its Ritualism, its service of 
 song, its non- converting profession of the Christian 
 faith. I would rather, therefore, draw off attention 
 from the Church of England ; at least I would 
 advise (excuse this) that the Church of England 
 clergy be not looked at apart from other Christian 
 ministers, and that if they be taken as illustrations 
 of some general truth, they be classed with other
 
 MANCHESTER- GROSVENOR STREET. 137 
 
 men, however "common" or "unclean" in such 
 company these other men are called. 
 
 'But back again to your point. You wish to 
 bring into view Christian experience, to illustrate it 
 with special reference to its origin, conversion; here 
 I am with you. You wish, then, to illustrate your 
 point by cases drawn from clergymen of the Church 
 of England. I would overstep the boundary line 
 of your little circle, and I would suggest that the 
 nature of conversion be first stated, and that its 
 power as a divinely-appointed source of increase to 
 the Church of Christ be affirmed and largely illus- 
 trated. Church history, as well as Scripture, abounds 
 with illustrative instances. Luther and the monk 
 who nursed him, Bunyan and the three women 
 under the porch at Bedford, John Wesley and the 
 Moravian Brethren, Dr. Doddridge and his mother, 
 Whitefield, Hervey, Madan, the Countess of Hunt- 
 ingdon, Berridge, Grimshaw, and Cowper, are names 
 that suggest illustrations of the rule. Many others 
 there are, as Hedley Vicars, all showing that one 
 good man, when truly converted to God, knows how 
 to set about converting men, and possesses, whilst 
 he retains the love of God, the power to apply this 
 knowledge. 
 
 ' I was indoors last night (Sunday), and wor- 
 shipped God in my own room, where twelve months 
 since, exactly, my dear Charles was struck with 
 death. About ten o'clock p.m. the message came,
 
 138 MANCHESTER GROSVENOR STREET. 
 
 and at three the next morning he passed away. 
 Mrs. Hall is at Bristol, but I kept vigil, communing 
 with the departed ; and again at three, four, and five 
 o'clock this morning was in close sympathy with 
 spiritual and invisible realities. How rapidly the 
 future draweth near in thought and feeling I dare 
 not tell you. Still some beloved ones linger. My 
 father is in tolerable health. On this day week he 
 is eighty-one years old, and I go to Bristol to dine 
 with him. Three days after I am fifty- eight years 
 of age, a mystery to myself; my consciousness and 
 sympathies all juvenile ; no wrinkle on my brain ; 
 no idea of a right to associate with the aged, the 
 venerable ; and yet my whole soul is preoccupied 
 with thoughts of death and another world.' 
 
 To Mr. M'Aulay. 
 
 'Manchester, yan. 2ist, 1871. 
 ' Your letter this morning was very welcome and 
 serviceable. I had just received a rather depressing 
 one from Mr. Vasey, who says that spiritual life is 
 low in his circuit and district ; and for some weeks 
 I have been troubled with the state of things in this 
 circuit. What thoughts I have had of backing out 
 of positions of so much responsibility and care as 
 the one I now occupy I scarcely dare tell you. But 
 I have often been sad when no one knew it, because 
 the work of the Lord is feeble. We have had two 
 weeks of extra, I will not call them special, services
 
 MANCHESTER GROSVENOR STREET. 
 
 T 39 
 
 at Grosvenor Street Chapel. They were blessed 
 and precious seasons to a few, to my third son, I 
 trust ; but there was no revival power, no ingathering 
 of souls. Grosvenor Street is. however, the best part 
 of the circuit, and its numbers keep the circuit up. 
 I rejoice greatly in your success, and pray that your 
 health and strength may be equal to your duties.'
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 PENZANCE CORNISH METHODISM CORNISH REVIVAL 
 PARALYTIC SEIZURE RETIREMENT FROM CIR- 
 CUIT WORK, ETC. 
 
 ' I "HE five years of Manchester service, the most 
 -1- memorable period of Mr. Hall's life, have 
 closed. Though he had engaged to remain a third 
 year in the Grosvenor Street Circuit, yet to meet 
 the requirements of Cornwall, and in compliance 
 with the earnest request of his Brethren at the 
 Manchester Conference of 1871, he was appointed 
 to the Penzance Circuit, and elected Chairman of 
 the Cornwall District. In consenting to this 
 arrangement he certainly did not consult his own 
 inclinations. In reference to this appointment the 
 Rev. G. Follows, writing to Mrs. Hall after his 
 decease, says : 
 
 ' I much regretted the abrupt termination of 
 my association with Mr. Hall in the Grosvenor 
 Street Circuit by his removal to Cornwall, an 
 appointment which I have reason to know did 
 not thoroughly commend itself to his quick dis-
 
 CORNWALL. 141 
 
 cernment and judgment. But I shall never forget, 
 when I urged him to express his own convictions, 
 the expression of his strong sense of duty to 
 submit to the judgment of his brethren, and his 
 unselfish shall I say dogged ? determination to 
 do what he believed to be his duty.' 
 
 Yes, so it was. In going to Cornwall he only 
 gave one proof more, the last he would ever be 
 called to give, that he always accounted the request 
 of Conference as a declaration of the will of God 
 concerning him. Whatever the service he was asked 
 to fulfil, I have heard him say that he dare not 
 object; and he never did. No doubt this desig- 
 nation was not intended unkindly; yet, considering 
 Mr. Hall's years, the strain he had sustained through 
 his official year, the affliction of most painful and 
 very recent bereavements, the peculiar and pressing 
 claims of Cornish Methodism, together with his own 
 tremendous activities, it is not a cause for surprise 
 that in little more than half a year the silver cord 
 should begin so to loosen as never more to recover 
 its former tone. 
 
 The first Penzance letter is written to Mr. Wake, 
 a London friend of the great Queen Street Circuit, in 
 which it will be noted that without any qualification, 
 as though he had received a clear revelation from 
 Heaven, Mr. Hall states his belief that he had now 
 entered upon his last sphere of labour :
 
 142 CORNWALL. 
 
 1 Penzance, Sept. 6th, 1871. 
 
 ' Though near the Land's End I have not ceased 
 to feel an interest in friends who live in the heart 
 of the world. Here I am with my work cut out 
 for me, and a task it is ! 
 
 ' But I do not regret my appointment, or shrink 
 from my duty. A Divine Pointsman has turned 
 me into another line. I am diverged toward my 
 final terminus. If I can, by the blessing of God, 
 make anything out in Cornwall, */ will be my last 
 work on earth, before I go home to the better land. 
 I have not been here a week yet, and in domestic 
 affairs I am altogether unsettled, as we are looking 
 out for a new house ' (which was never taken : the 
 old one sufficed). ' The Penzance Chapel is a very 
 large and massive one. On Sunday evening I was 
 in it, and the place was full. On Monday some 
 eighty attended the prayer-meeting, and at the week- 
 night preaching on Tuesday the body of the chapel 
 was nicely covered, some hundreds of people being 
 present. The contrast between Penzance and the 
 London and Manchester week-night congregations 
 is very great. I trust the good Spirit may soon 
 give us a shower from on high : pray for us ! ' 
 
 To Mr. M'Aulay. 
 
 1 Penzance, Oct. 6th, 1871. 
 
 'On Wednesday last I was present in spirit 
 with you at the grave ' (the reference is to Mr.
 
 CORNWALL. 143 
 
 Vasey's funeral), 'and I thought of the widow and 
 the fatherless. My own inability to join you either 
 at Harrogate or Leeds I readily accept this as 
 one of many social disadvantages I foresaw when 
 I turned to this distant land. I dare not complain, 
 and do not regret my lot; yet I am the more 
 thankful to you for your kindness in reporting to 
 me information so painfully interesting. I am still 
 in the midst of the confusion of workmen, but begin 
 to see a little light as to the completion of the 
 work. I am increasingly attached to my circuit 
 and district duties, and am light of heart in hope 
 of prosperity. The Scilly Islands Circuit is a solitary 
 station : I visit it officially next week. The preacher 
 on the ground tells me that no such visit has been 
 paid within the memory of man ! I hope for calmer 
 weather next week.' 
 
 To Mr. ATAulay. 
 
 1 Penzance, Dec. i8t/t, 1871. 
 
 ' The showers of blessing that are falling in some 
 parts, as you say, are hopeful to one down here : 
 we have a few drops. I sometimes fear a Cornish 
 revival. I can scarcely explain why I do so. I 
 am shocked at the very idea that I do, or have an 
 impression that I do ; I wonder if the spring of my 
 youth is yielding to the wear of years (I am in my 
 sixtieth year) ; and yet I feel still strong to labour, 
 and I imagine I get through my work with as much
 
 CORNWALL. 
 
 vigour as many younger men, and then I tremble 
 lest my zeal for God is relaxing, and this sadly 
 grieves me. On the other hand, I try to reason 
 myself into the belief that I am engaged in pre- 
 paratory work for a revival, which, when the full 
 shower descends, will explain itself and produce 
 its reward. Yet I regard this reasoning with a deal 
 of suspicion lest it be a comforting apology for my 
 unbelief and unfaithfulness. I am at times troubled 
 on every hand, and never felt before so much of 
 pastoral anxiety and care. This is my first full 
 quarter at Cornish Methodism. I have as yet 
 held to my purpose to be cautious and reticent as 
 to changes, but to make haste slowly in the face of 
 many difficulties which greatly try my patience. I 
 have gone in for a knowledge of my Penzance 
 society, more than four hundred. I have all the 
 members down. I have been to all the homes 
 of the members, with the exception, I think, of 
 five, not to be visited. This has been con- 
 tinuous up-hill work, but it is done, and I have 
 two or three days tp spare before quarter-day. By 
 this service I have obtained facts and information 
 that will make my pastoral work comparatively easy 
 as long as I remain in the circuit. How my heart 
 mourns at what I discover in this town, a result, in- 
 part, of many great revivals of years long past, 
 revivals not duly improved and husbanded. Penzance 
 swarms with Methodist backsliders. Now and then
 
 CORNWALL. I4 
 
 I here feel as though I could dread a great revival. 
 Pray that I may receive wisdom from above to 
 guide me. Pray forgive all this. God is with us. 
 Our very large congregations cheer us. When shall 
 the shower fall, and the fitness to improve it come ? ' 
 
 The shower quickly followed, but before speaking 
 of that there are extracts from two letters written to 
 Rev. C. Garratt, which chronologically should be 
 given first : 
 
 ' Penzance, Sept, i6t/i, 1871. 
 
 ' By this time I have settled down into the most 
 perfect confusion that you can imagine. After a week 
 of hard work in an attempt to find a new' home 
 without a chance of success, we have determined to 
 abide by the old place; and this week all kinds of 
 workmen have been at work to put things straight 
 My luggage occupies the dining-room fully, and the 
 contents of some of the cases fill the drawing-room. 
 However, if spared by a kind Providence to occupy 
 and enjoy the house and garden, we shall not regret 
 the trouble or the cost after a few weeks. 
 
 ' I am trying my way quietly to my work. My 
 purpose is not to propose anything new for a long 
 time, except it be a baptism of the living fire. Al- 
 ready some things are strange. Ticket-giving money 
 never comes into sight, and is seldom mentioned. 
 The leaders appear to prefer to attend to finances 
 
 10
 
 146 CORNWALL. 
 
 themselves. One thing I greatly rejoice in, our 
 week-night services begin at an early hour, classes at 
 seven. The week-night congregations in most places 
 are large. The friends in Penzance are kind, and 
 apparently are ready to trust me.' 
 
 ' Penzance, Jan. i oth, 1872. 
 
 ' Pray don't think for a moment / make any sacri- 
 fice by coming to Cornwall. God is too good to 
 me in favouring me with His presence, and in per- 
 mitting me to bring a message of mercy to the people 
 here, to allow me to entertain, in any degree what- 
 ever, the idea of making a sacrifice ; nothing of the 
 kind. Our large congregations afford me an abun- 
 dant reward for any supposed loss I incurred by a 
 removal from Manchester to Penzance. And then I 
 begin to know the people and to love them ; and 
 have no doubt, if the Lord graciously grant to us the 
 revival power, I shall be very happy in my work. 
 May the good Spirit help us ! ' 
 
 The next letter was the last received by Mr. 
 M'Aulay ere the hand of God had touched His ser- 
 vant and laid him aside from active work, a very 
 fitting letter by which to close and crown epistolary 
 communications, running through many years, so 
 fraught, by the mercy of God, with details of minis- 
 terial toils and successes, inasmuch as it gives an 
 admirable sketch of a Cornish revival, including 
 some of its peculiar characteristics :
 
 CORNWALL. 147 
 
 ' Penzance, March ^f/i, 1872. 
 
 ' A blessed revival, which is just now down upon 
 the circuit, has fully occupied thought and heart for 
 a month or two, and allowed no time for anything 
 else. I write now after a long, rough walk to one 
 of my country places, that you may rejoice with us 
 and give thanks. About six weeks ago we held one 
 week of special services in Penzance, everything 
 giving way to a prayer-meeting each night. A quiet, 
 hallowing, growing influence set in, some good was 
 done, and we followed this up with two or three 
 weeks of prayer-meetings every night after the ordi- 
 nary services, classes, etc. These services, by the 
 blessing of God, told well upon the Town Society. 
 A few souls were converted most nights, and in. 
 private at home the unsaved sought and found 
 peace in many instances. All this went on with 
 great propriety and order, and the Society was 
 quickened and enriched. We then turned our atten- 
 tion to two of our country places Mousehole and 
 Newlyn. Almost immediately a glorious outburst 
 of marvellous power was given us. It began about 
 a fortnight since, and in about nine or ten days we 
 took down for classes one Sunday afternoon one 
 hundred and nineteen names of persons who pro- 
 fessed to be converted, not reckoning children. And 
 the work continues. 
 
 ' This outbreak of religious excitement puzzles 
 me. To the people at hand it is all natural and
 
 148 CORNWALL. 
 
 welcome. I have thrown myself into it with my 
 whole heart, not neglecting to exercise my best 
 judgment My colleagues are admirable men and 
 good workers. But I am now and then troubled as 
 well as perplexed. In the midst of wild, uproarious 
 tumult, I often ask myself, " Is this salvation ? Can 
 the God of order sanction this? " Then comes a glori- 
 ous case of conversion, and all my doubts go. What 
 I had sometimes seen as an exceptional case of noise 
 and passion in other places, here is the rule. Men, 
 women, and children, old and young, strong and 
 feeble, go in for a demonstrative conversion, and 
 the multitude come together for sight-seeing. Last 
 night I was at Newlyn for more than three hours, 
 and became hoarse through shouting to try to keep 
 other people quiet, and had to use something like 
 force to expel the crowd from the chapel at a late 
 hour. 
 
 ' Now and then the old Methodists come into 
 collision with me respecting the hour for closing the 
 meetings. At Mousehole I was on one occasion near 
 upon an hour and a half contending on the matter 
 of closing the service in the chapel. They tried to 
 put me down, but I held my ground, let them know 
 that I was captain, and would walk my own quarter- 
 deck. What was better, I kept my temper, by the 
 grace of God, and waited till the chapel was locked 
 up, getting home about midnight. But in the midst 
 of much that is overwhelming, there is too much
 
 CORNWALL. 149 
 
 manifestly genuine, as a work of salvation, to excuse 
 the least opposition to it. I pray God to give me 
 wisdom to guide the people aright ! I am gratefully 
 impressed with the strong purpose of the people not 
 to be lightly healed. They set about the work of 
 being converted very much with the kind of earnest- 
 ness with which a starving man would 'force his way 
 into a baker's shop for bread. " They go in " for a 
 blessing, and neither the penitents nor the observers 
 appear satisfied without a scene at the close of each 
 case. 
 
 ' Then a spice of strong Cornish obstinacy runs 
 through the whole, leading now and then to strange 
 manners. One evening last week, as I was about to 
 begin the meeting at Newlyn, four persons passed 
 into a pew with a kind of triumph ; the first, a strong 
 woman about forty years of age, swinging her arms 
 about and addressing me by name, aloud declared 
 that she had got the blessing, and took her place 
 shouting " Glory ! " in a very excited manner. The 
 last of the four, a younger woman, shouted out in 
 her consciousness of joy, "I am beautiful, I am 
 beautiful ; " then looking across the chapel she 
 called someone by name to come to the pew. J 
 stopped further talk by giving out a hymn. The 
 two intermediate persons were man and wife. The 
 husband had been converted the day before; his 
 wife, a really pretty-looking, quiet, superior kind of 
 body, was seeking the Lord. I spoke to her several
 
 CORNWALL. 
 
 times. The excited woman pressed her to go to the 
 communion rail ; but no, her little friend would not 
 budge till she went away home. The next night she 
 was there again, yet a penitent. She refused to go to 
 the communion rail, still declaring she could not feel 
 as she wished to feel because of the noise. All at 
 once she found peace with God in the pew, and then 
 rushed to the rail and began to sing aloud a lot of 
 revival hymns. Next Sunday morning I saw the 
 two women who were drunk with excitement when 
 I first saw them, and they were calm and happy 
 and good. A remarkable change had passed over 
 them for the better, satisfying me that what I had 
 first seen was, for them, all right. One strong sailor 
 I saw last night at the rail, who shook with fear and 
 perspired profusely with strong pleadings for mercy ; 
 for a long time he held to it that he was too great a 
 sinner to be saved. After a time he caught sight of 
 Christ, then he joyfully believed, and (as is usual 
 here in such cases) stood up, and turning round to 
 the congregation, began at the highest pitch of his 
 voice to shout, "Praise him, Praise him!" To stop 
 him was impossible, so I set the people to praise 
 God also ; but the man held out for some ten minutes 
 or more, and I could not get him to be quiet till I 
 set him to work to speak to a penitent. But it is 
 of no use to attempt to describe what I have seen 
 and heard and felt. I have now and then doubted 
 the good of such revivals, but then, I suppose, with a
 
 CORNWALL. 151 
 
 people having a revival history, the good must come 
 in this way or not at all. May we all have grace to 
 be workers with God, that the people receive not the 
 grace of God in vain. I earnestly implore you to 
 pray for us.' 
 
 It is not improbable that the extra excitement of 
 this revival hastened the crisis which closed the 
 term of service of one of the most unremittingly 
 diligent of Methodist preachers, who sometimes 
 doubled or even trebled the appointed measure of 
 toil, working an unusually robust bodily frame at 
 too high a pressure ; could he have worked it 
 more moderately, but this was not possible, he 
 might have continued in the vineyard until his lease 
 was out, and the threescore years and ten of human 
 life were completed. The next letter, addressed 
 to myself, gives a detailed account of the paralytic 
 seizure of which he was first made aware while 
 conducting a class meeting : 
 
 ' Penzarice, June 13^, 1872. 
 
 ' MY DEAR OLD FRIEND, God has touched me, 
 and I am laid aside. The seriousness of this visita- 
 tion arises to some extent from its uncertainty and 
 premonitory character. At present I am utterly 
 disabled ; my speech is incoherent, and my left leg 
 and hand are feeble. I have no acute pain, but 
 am wearied and helpless. My mind is not dark or
 
 152 CORNWALL. 
 
 untrue, but my mouth does not answer to the call 
 made upon it. You will guess at once what all this 
 means, and I am not insensible to the gravity of 
 the case : it may pass away gradually, or it may 
 at any moment become much more serious ; my 
 medical man requires entire rest, and I am laid 
 upon the shelf. Well, this is what we shall all come 
 to sooner or later. But I purpose to preach to the 
 very end, God helping me ; I have no disposition 
 to complain. If God block up my way to active 
 service, He will, I trust, enable me to preach more 
 effectively than otherwise, by a cheerful and 'ready 
 submission to His will. All this is a real disappoint- 
 ment to me. I expected to end my ministerial life 
 in Cornwall, and have been making observations 
 and acquiring information. I am sure I see things 
 that need to be corrected, but I am not as confident 
 how to effect the remedy. My own circuit is spring- 
 ing very nicely to a call to do better. A wise and 
 faithful conduct of a revival is of the greatest im- 
 portance down here. Our revival ceased its impres- 
 siveness three months ago : in Penzance we add one 
 hundred members with more than one hundred on 
 trial ; very hopeful cases, thank God, but much 
 anxiety and care are needed to gather these precious 
 souls. Excuse all this side- way talk. I am trans- 
 gressing orders, and snatching a few moments of 
 absence on the part of my watchful wife to write 
 this. My speech, I am thankful to say, is improving
 
 CORNWALL. 153 
 
 a little, and my mouth is all straight again ; but I 
 have bad and restless nights, and am a poor, weak, 
 and helpless sinner. But oh! how precious the 
 Saviour now to me ; and His evermore intercession, 
 how full of comfort and hope ! Pray for me. If I 
 can be restored to strength, pray that I may live 
 and preach on, not otherwise ; then only pray that 
 I may glorify God in silent waiting as well as in 
 a more public way.' 
 
 An extract from Mr. Hall's letter of resignation 
 of the care of his District to the President, Rev. 
 Dr. James, his old friend and fellow-student at 
 Hoxton, is the last of the Penzance correspond- 
 ence : 
 
 'Penzance, July I'jth, 1872. 
 
 ' MY DEAR MR. PRESIDENT, After an enforced 
 silence and a retreat in a very out-of-the-way place 
 in the north of Cornwall for a few weeks, I returned 
 last night somewhat improved in health, I trust, but 
 convinced that it is my duty to yield to the views 
 and requests of friends, and abandon the intention 
 of attending either the Stationing Committee or the 
 Conference this year. If you will, as President, 
 direct Mr. S. E. Rowe to act for me, the case will 
 be met, and I doubt not efficiently met. In the 
 Stationing Committee you will have to do something 
 with my name. I am ashamed that one so un-
 
 154 CORNWALL. 
 
 worthy of your attention should detain you for a 
 moment. It may assist you, however, if I say that 
 I have no preference whatever to state. I am in 
 God's hands : if He in love divine thinks proper to 
 lay me aside, let it be so. I have nothing to regret 
 in adopting the will of God ; however keenly I feel 
 the disappointment, I gratefully and lovingly approve. 
 I hesitate to suggest anything, I advise nothing, 
 only it may relieve the Stationing Committee to have 
 some course suggested. At the last quarterly meet- 
 ing I relieved the circuit of its invitation to me. A 
 readiness to accept my reappointment with a supply 
 was kindly expressed. One of three courses I 
 suggest : 
 
 ' i. Make me a supernumerary without hesitation if 
 you think it right and good to do so. I shall accept 
 your decision as of God. 
 
 ' 2. If you appoint someone in my place, let the 
 brother be deemed suitable for the district as well 
 as for the circuit, one who will enter upon the work 
 of the district cheerfully, and without begrudging 
 anything. 
 
 ' 3. Reappoint me to Penzance with a suitable 
 assistant. I dare not undertake the work in my 
 present state without one. 
 
 ' If I thought it would not prejudice my brethren 
 in deciding my case, I would advise the Stationing 
 Committee to adopt the second course. Bear with 
 me in saying so much aboutmyself : I am ashamed
 
 CORNWALL. 155 
 
 and humbled and pained. May the good Spirit 
 guide and greatly bless you all. 
 
 ' Yours respectfully and affectionately.' 
 
 Self depreciation, unwillingness to leave the work 
 which was the love and life of his heart, and yet 
 triumphant over all, the piety of a perfect resignation 
 to the will of God, are here strikingly and touchingly 
 manifested.
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 BRISTOL ONCE MORE ' SUFFERING AFFLICTION ' 
 
 THE LETTERS OF AN INVALIDED VETERAN 
 HEAVENWARD. 
 
 FOR the remainder of life's pilgrimage, nearly 
 four years, Mr. Hall lived at Redland, Bristol, 
 the third and final residence in his native city. And 
 what a contrast between those three periods of 
 sojourn there ! During the first we saw him the 
 anxious inquirer, wrestling and believing until he 
 received power to become a child of God ; then 
 his readiness to go and work in the vineyard as a 
 Sunday-school teacher, prayer, and class-leader ; his 
 impressions that God would set him apart to the 
 work of the ministry ; his first preaching essays, indoors 
 and out, followed in due time by the call of the 
 Church, and removal to the Theological Institution. 
 How otherwise his position and surroundings when 
 a second time a Bristol citizen ! In the zenith of 
 his days and usefulness, buoyant with life, and 
 absorbed with the enterprizes of his life ; at the head 
 of a large household which God had blessed ; the
 
 REDLAND AND HOME. 157 
 
 Superintendent of the circuit more cherished than any 
 other by John Wesley, except City Road; and the 
 Chairman of his district. And now that for the third 
 time ' the moving tent ' is pitched on the ground 
 of the old homestead, and so much nearer to the 
 eternal home, how changed the circumstances of his 
 position: health broken, the regular duties of the 
 preacher, the pastor, the ruling elder, of necessity 
 omitted. But his faith in the great verities of the 
 Gospel, his zeal for the Master's house, his love for 
 the souls of men, these characteristics which marked 
 him from earliest religious days were neither changed 
 nor enfeebled, but maintained in all their power to 
 the end ; characteristics now perfected, beatified, 
 eternized, in 'the continuing city.' In these days 
 of affliction how anxious Mr. Hall was that the 
 Conference then sitting should adequately provide 
 for Penzance is indicated in the first letter from 
 Bristol : 
 
 To Mr. AfAulay. 
 
 ' Redland, Aug. \2th, 1872. 
 
 ' The unwillingness of certain brethren to go to 
 Penzance greatly distresses me. I wrote at once to 
 Mr. Rowe, my representative, to say that if Conference 
 would put me down again for the circuit with a 
 suitable assistant I would go. I had just bought 
 a good house in the best part of Redland, which 
 will secure a home for my family, and an occasional
 
 158 RED LAND AND HOME. 
 
 one for myself. What the Conference will do I wait 
 with calmness to hear. If my offer is accepted, my 
 heart will feel free, and I hope in a few months to 
 be free for service. My voice is much improved, 
 but I am very much more lame and feeble. How- 
 ever, I am in the hands of God. His infinite 
 condescension in noting my case, and considering 
 with unfailing skill and love all my interests, deeply 
 affects me, and my right of continuous and reverent 
 and confiding access to this great and loving Being, 
 through the precious blood and ever-prevalent 
 intercession of my adorable Saviour and great High 
 Priest, affords me rest. All is right: happen what 
 may I am the Lord's unworthy servant, but I dare 
 not doubt His love, that is enough. I read very 
 little of Conference news : what I hear excites me 
 too much. May the good Spirit guide you all ! I 
 have been blessed during the last few days in reading 
 Goulburn's " Thoughts on Personal Religion," a 
 book with a sprinkling of High Church folly and 
 nonsense, but a book which has brought me much 
 nearer to the great God, so full of love and wisdom. 
 Mrs. Hall has arrived here with the children ; we have 
 bidden farewell to Penzance. How strange if, after all, 
 I am stationed there again. May the Lord decide ! ' 
 
 How impossible it was for the Conference to 
 decide otherwise than for entire rest, the next letter 
 to his friend, who had just been appointed to the
 
 RED LAND AND HOME. 159 
 
 chairmanship of the Liverpool District, will suffi- 
 ciently show : 
 
 ' Rosenstein, Redland, Sept. $th, 1872. 
 ' To quote yourself I say, " I now begin to pen 
 the first letter from my new home" not circuit, as you 
 say, and but for a bit of business which deserves 
 immediate attention I do not know that I should 
 write. I feel so oppressively fatigued and exhausted, 
 although I have only been in town to-day, and rode 
 in and back. But the fact is, the least exertion 
 overdoes me. I suffer continually from excessive 
 weakness, chiefly owing to nervous debility : well, 
 I am in God's hands, that is a mercy and my 
 comfort. The past few weeks have been weeks of 
 strange experience. I have begun a new life : have 
 secured a comfortable house, a few minutes' walk from 
 our chapel, and not far from my children. I have 
 taken a pew, and have settled down to a position 
 of apparent uselessness. The intense sense of 
 humiliation that marks my case, the coming down to 
 common things, makes me ashamed to face people, 
 and only the impression that this is my present 
 vocation could enable me to endure it. Providence 
 is very kind, and supplies are abundant, but I fear 
 for myself with great fear, lest I should be satisfied 
 with my lot and comforts. But how these present 
 concerns are to bear upon my increase of holiness, 
 and my preparation for future usefulness, I do not
 
 l6o RED LAND AND HOME. 
 
 see. I am trying to live nearer to God, and praying 
 for closer communion. The Lord help me ! I am 
 in my new study, but have none of my books and 
 papers yet sorted and arranged. In a little time 
 I hope to be straight. Should you need information 
 touching facts, which it may trouble you to search 
 for, or for which search you may have little time 
 (I know what that means), and will drop me an 
 inquiry, any help I can give you I shall be pleased 
 and thankful to give. I have before now spent days, 
 many days, in search after a date or a minute of 
 Conference, of no moment but to myself for a special 
 purpose. I rejoice to hear of your blessed first day, 
 but I can say no more except to thank you for your 
 invitation to Liverpool hopeless ! ' 
 
 The following letter is to Mr. Garrett, giving his 
 own views of ' Denominational Education,' which had 
 so largely engaged the attention of the recent Con- 
 ference : 
 
 ' Rosenstein, Pedland, Oct. isf, 1872. 
 ' Happy you to be settled in your new home and 
 at your old work : I rejoice that you are so com- 
 fortably settled, and have the prospect of hallowed 
 and successful service. All this and Heaven completes 
 and perfects the lot of a Methodist preacher. What 
 is to become of this educational difficulty in Metho- 
 dism I know not. I do not much care for the 
 squabble, though I wish there were a little less
 
 REDLAND AND HOME. l6l 
 
 dogmatism. But I am concerned to ascertain what 
 is right for us to do as a religious body : and I 
 confess the more I ponder the whole affair the more 
 troubled I feel to decide what to do. My religious 
 instincts draw me to denominational teaching: my 
 dread of the fearful errors heresy of a large portion 
 of the denominational teaching in this land, force 
 me back. I have a grave suspicion that the Esta- 
 blished Church principle creates the difficulty, and 
 that no way of relief will open until a fair field with 
 no favour gives religious people a proper chance 
 to promote religious teaching through the land. 
 Excuse this strange utterance. I am almost alone 
 as it regards direct and loving Christian talk with 
 Methodist preachers, and cannot tell yet what to 
 think of my position and duty. I remained to a 
 prayer-meeting on Sunday, but could take no part 
 in the service. I visited a sick woman in the after- 
 noon, and had hard work to pray with her. What 
 of the future, troubles me. A mere useless life, or 
 one of mere animal and social enjoyment, frightens 
 me. How happy should I be if I could but be 
 assured that my blessed Saviour smiles upon all I 
 do. The Bristol friends are delighted with your old 
 superintendent (Rev. W. T. Radcliffe).' 
 
 The following letter is to myself, and like the 
 above, touchingly dwells upon the specialities of 
 Mr. Hall's new position : 
 
 ii
 
 1 62 REDLAND AND HOME. 
 
 ' Rosenstein, Oct. nth, 1872. 
 
 ' My condition in some respects is very stationary. 
 My general health, indeed, is good, not robust, for I 
 am conscious of a state of weariness I cannot account 
 for, which unfits me for much exertion. Were it not 
 that I am often, when at all excited, always, con- 
 fused in my speech, and frequently find it difficult 
 to command my utterance or remember words, I 
 should feel all right again. Well, here I am, waiting 
 to know the will of God ; I am living apparently a 
 useless life, surrounded by many comforts, afraid of 
 becoming attached to luxuries, and in dread of a 
 life that rests satisfied with temporal blessings, yet 
 afraid also of not thankfully enjoying them. I am 
 perplexed, and at times troubled. I sometimes 
 imagine if God be pleased to restore to me a free 
 utterance I may be able next year to do at least 
 part duty in a circuit near at hand, and by this 
 means try my strength. I scarcely dare as yet to 
 give shape to my wishes or thoughts, yet I dream 
 as it were of the future. However, I wait and watch, 
 and, poor sinner as I am, pray a little about things 
 I cannot comprehend. But I must not write my 
 thoughts, I should like to talk them to you.' 
 
 To Mr. MAulay. 
 
 ' jRosenstein, Oct. z^th, 1872. 
 
 ' Best thanks for your kind letter ; the account 
 of your financial district-meeting and of the supple-
 
 REDLAND AND HOME. 163 
 
 mentary meeting did my heart good and gave me 
 hope. A year ago in Cornwall I had a similar 
 meeting in Redruth chapel, a kind of love-feast 
 meeting ; it inspired our people with an idea of better 
 days. I know not what to think of myself or of my 
 future. Everything around me appears so blank^ 
 and I feel myself such a wasted, useless thing, that 
 I shrink from writing of myself I am not worth 
 writing about. My general health is good, and my 
 strength is increased. I can now walk a mile or so 
 without difficulty, and the pain in my left leg has 
 gone ; still I am conscious of an unaccountable sense 
 of weariness at times, and my utterance is frequently 
 difficult, and to myself painful. I am very busy, 
 always busy ; my house is now furnished, and my 
 garden is getting into a state that gives promise for 
 spring ; so far a kind Providence gives me the means 
 of gratifying my tastes ; but, what shall be in the 
 end thereof? I am doing nothing for the Lord, or 
 for souls, and these surroundings must end : what 
 then ? Yet I am getting some new views of things. 
 I do not see that Methodism is effective as a mission 
 for the conversion of sinners ; and yet the preaching 
 I hear is wonderfully beautiful and able, so much so 
 that I feel as if I can never preach again ; I cannot 
 say or do anything of the kind ; what only is lacking 
 is that the power of the Holy Ghost should fall 
 upon the people. What you are doing in Liverpool 
 affords me hope : go on and prosper. I go to chapel*
 
 164 REDLAND AND HOME. 
 
 sneak in, slip away as soon as the service is closed 
 and haste home, afraid and ashamed to look any one 
 in the face.' 
 
 It is well known to many of his friends that Mr. 
 Hall had prepared for his own use, with long patience 
 and arduous toil, a digest of Methodist law, which 
 he found of immense service both during his official 
 year and as chairman of a district. It is to this 
 he refers in the letter to Mr. M'Aulay which 
 follows : 
 
 ' Rosenstein, Dec. <)th, 1872. 
 
 ' I forward you by this post some of my notes 
 respecting Methodist laws, minutes, and usages. 
 They are not posted up to the present time. For 
 some three years I have not added to the papers, 
 but such as they are you are more than welcome to 
 them for your own use. When you have done with 
 them, show them to Brother Garrett for his use with 
 my love and best wishes ; when you have both 
 satisfied yourselves the papers can be returned to 
 me. I am afraid the sight of these papers will 
 bewilder and disgust you. You will need much 
 patience to read even a few pages, but if you will 
 look down the pages, and note such particulars as 
 may be of use to you, you will find much time and 
 labour saved to you by taking down the dates and 
 references to the minutes of Conference given. There 
 are no secrets in these pages, few things that Metho-
 
 REDLAND AND HOME. 165 
 
 dist preachers of twenty years' standing are not familiar 
 with ; but few Methodist preachers can tell where such 
 rules or minutes are to be found ; you as a chairman 
 may be expected to give the information. The first 
 few pages you will see relate to district committee 
 work. I would suggest that you read again and well 
 consider the minutes of Conference for the year 1828, 
 Q. 23 1835, Q- 2 3> Q- 2 4> an d the resolutions 
 following Q. 24; 1850, Q. 36; and 1852, Q. 30. 
 Then go to a revival meeting and get the heart 
 relieved and blessed." 
 
 The next letter to myself will be read with deep 
 sympathizing interest by all who once revelled like 
 Mr. Hall in the blessed Master's service, and are now 
 all but laid aside. 
 
 ' Rosenstein^ J^an. \*]th, 1873. 
 ' I know not what to think or say of myself or my 
 future ; I joined in the Covenant Service, taking my 
 place in my family pew, and I expressed very honestly 
 my willingness to be laid aside for the Lord, but my 
 difficulty is in ascertaining what it means " for the 
 Lord." I am not discontented with my lot. I do 
 not complain of the Lord. I have no cause to do so. 
 His mercies, His tender mercies, close me round ; 
 but I do not see for what purpose I am living, living 
 at a poor dying rate ! I have every temporal com- 
 fort, am saved from acute pain, enjoy tolerable health, 
 and if I could only hear the Master say daily to me,
 
 1 66 REDLAND AND HOME. 
 
 "Well done," could only catch His smile, I might 
 be truly happy. But this is my care ; what right have 
 I to be happy in the enjoyment of earthly things, 
 whilst sinners abound on every hand and / do nothing 
 to serve Christ by saving them? Recently I have 
 been pleasing my fancy by picturing to myself a 
 scheme for next year, thinking of some small circuit 
 with a supply, to try what I am fit for, but during the 
 last few weeks I have felt so helpless on my feet, 
 and am so weak, that this imagination I fear will 
 be found vain. I have been busy (I am always busy 
 at something or other, trifles, and very tired) sorting 
 letters ; the accumulation of years is at hand, and 
 I am selecting many for preservation and destroying 
 more. The memory of years long gone to-night 
 touches me keenly; I have again communed with 
 Arthy, R. D. Griffiths, J. Jenkins, and lots of our 
 old friends, and the reality of life in its changes, 
 disappointments, and sorrows, has filled my soul with 
 strange thoughts. I awoke up rather gradually to 
 the idea that my life of service is over ! whilst second 
 thoughts follow on which I dare not venture to 
 describe ; but they are new to me, and make me 
 feel what a shadow the world is.' 
 
 To Mr. M'Aulay. 
 
 1 Rosenstein, March 27^, and May 2"jt/i, 1873. 
 ' I had not heard of your bereavement, and I sin- 
 cerely condole with Mrs. M'Aulay. How familiar
 
 REDLAND AND HOME. 167 
 
 one becomes with death and dying ; Cuthbert Bain- 
 bridge gone so unexpectedly ! What a loss to his 
 friends and what a gain to himself; one fancies his 
 meeting with Vasey, but this is only fancy : we shall 
 all soon meet around the Saviour, I trust ; what a 
 glorious company that will be, and what a meeting ! 
 I long to be better fitted for the place, and more, 
 much more meet for the company. I rejoice to hear 
 of your successful District Meeting \ do not be ambi- 
 tious to gerthrough the business of such meetings very 
 soon ; haste does damage, and leaves no time for 
 conversation and prayer respecting the work of God.' 
 
 Mr. Hall's old and intense love for the class- 
 meeting, and his firm belief that this is one of the 
 best possible means of grace whereby to promote 
 the union of at least Methodist Christians with Christ 
 and with one another, caused him to write to me 
 thus strongly at a period when he thought rightly or 
 wrongly that the class-meeting was somewhat in peril 
 of being slighted : 
 
 ' Rosenstdn, Aug. i6t/i, 1873. 
 
 ' High ecclesiasticism makes a man afraid of class- 
 meetings and forces him to regard baptism as the 
 condition of membership ; it is all fudge ! baptism 
 cannot give an infant any moral or spiritual claim 
 for fellowship with saints, nor even an adult apart 
 from faith; with us the class- meeting assumes sym-
 
 1 68 REDLAND AND HOME. 
 
 pathy with spiritual things and is one with the com- 
 munion of saints, without which I know of no Church 
 membership. If Baptism and the Lord's supper 
 secure Church membership, farewell to conversion, 
 and holiness, and Methodism ! We want a revival 
 of converting grace and increase of converts to make 
 us feel the need of class-meetings.' 
 
 Another letter, which I received at the Newcastle 
 Conference, contains an affecting allusion to his 
 ordination in that town in 1840. 
 
 ' Rosenstein, Aug. 1873. 
 
 ' A generation has passed since we together took 
 our vows to be faithful Methodist preachers; yes, 
 though the time gone seems brief as a dream, un- 
 faithful as I frequently have been to God, yet I have 
 tried to be true to the cause to which we became 
 pledged when first we met in Newcastle. Had I 
 to begin again to-morrow I should go in for the 
 same thing, only with a stronger resolve to be more 
 holy and more useful. Oh, how brief is the tenure 
 by which we hold to the opportunity of doing good, 
 and how uncertain the continuance of the oppor- 
 tunity ! I never felt freer to work, more willing 
 (though at times very tired} than I did the day I 
 was touched by the finger of God and laid aside. I 
 have not preached since, and my utterance is so 
 feeble and uncertain that I know not when I shall 
 be able to begin to do so. But I am in the Lord's
 
 REDLAND AND HOME. 169 
 
 hands, and He deals very gently with me, and very 
 kindly. I long to know more certainly the will of 
 God concerning me. You exhorted me some time 
 since to cheerful submission. I fear to be glad in 
 my present lot, lest I should take up with idols, and 
 be satisfied with trifles ; but enough, I had no thought 
 of writing about myself when I began. Mr. Perks, 
 (the President) is a godly man, and I trust God will 
 abundantly bless him.' 
 
 To Myself. 
 
 ' Rosenstein, Oct. 6th, 1873. 
 
 ' I am glad to hear from Mrs. N respecting 
 
 your Chelsea Chapel, though I have no great sym- 
 pathy with the modern demand to have debts upon 
 our chapels entirely paid oft I' see no reason why 
 we should pay everything for our successors. A 
 large question this. I have read Thomas Jackson's 
 " Recollections " with the greatest interest and some 
 regret ; the prejudices of the grand old man should 
 have been allowed to die with him ; yet the early 
 part of the book is inestimably beautiful and valuable, 
 
 especially the pictures given of T. J 's home life. 
 
 I know nothing to surpass the picture drawn of his 
 mother, and her domestic life. In John M'Owan's 
 Life of his Brother, Peter M'Owan is made to speak 
 for himself, and I am thankful for this record of godly 
 life. The book has done my soul good, and greatly 
 increased my respect for Peter. I have just finished
 
 170 RED LAND AND HOME. 
 
 the Memorials of F. A. West. F. A. W 's closing 
 
 scene deeply affected me; his slowly developed but 
 progressive paralysis seemed to exhibit home what 
 might be my own lot ; but I am in God's hands : He 
 is good and merciful to me, and I am blessedly 
 assured He is right and just. I am glad to hear of 
 the welfare of your good mother j may God bless 
 you by giving her lengthened days free from extreme 
 feebleness or pain.' 
 
 To Mr. M'Aulay. 
 
 ' Rosenstein, Oct. itf/i, 1873. 
 
 ' I am not sure that I comprehend my own posi- 
 tion yet. During most of the past year I had a vague 
 notion that possibly at the coming Conference I might 
 put the harness on again ; very vague the notion 
 was, but it enabled me to defer forming any definite 
 opinion or sentiment touching my condition or pros- 
 pect. With the closing of the Conference and 
 entering upon another year of inactivity, I awake 
 up more seriously to the reality of my present state 
 and blank future. I must not dwell upon this, the 
 " chain is on the leg," as you say, and the steel 
 has gone to the heart. But there are so many 
 balances, blessings, at hand that I dare not talk; 
 I try not to think of anything but abounding 
 mercy. I take it that endurance is a surer test of 
 character than activity ; and I am assured that I 
 need fear no trial so long as " grace " is declared to
 
 REDLAND AND HOME. 
 
 be sufficient for me. My general health is good, I 
 suffer no acute pain, and I have now only to watch 
 and wait to know the will of God. My physical 
 weakness and feeble utterance give no promise of 
 any return to the pulpit, yet I attend a weekly prayer- 
 meeting and engage in prayer, and I have taken to 
 a class of invalids, which affords me an excuse for 
 visiting some sick and aged people. I look abroad 
 now and then upon Methodist doings and ponder 
 Methodist sayings, not, I regret to say, with perfect 
 satisfaction or pleasure ; still all this helps me to see 
 and feel that a great change has come over my 
 dreams of life, Methodist life ; so much so that I 
 doubt with what sentiment I should return to former 
 scenes. I am entirely one with you in your views 
 of the music mania. I have never questioned but 
 that it is an offence to a holy God to hear His Name 
 taken in vain by mixed multitudes, and for the sake 
 of gain. I fear that many good people do not think 
 of this, and that Methodist preachers of musical 
 tastes, without due consideration, encourage the evil. 
 I trust that our boast of Connexional orthodoxy, and 
 security through it, will not bring us into trouble, 
 and that the Lord will not leave us to the pride and 
 vanity of our sound doctrine and learning.' 
 
 To Mr. M'Aulay. 
 
 (In reference to his son's election to the Bristol 
 School Board.)
 
 172 REDLAND AND HOME. 
 
 ' Redland, Jan. 2gt/i, 1874. 
 
 ' A is elected to the Bristol School Board ; he 
 
 differs in opinion from his companion Mr. W. H. 
 Budgett, who is ready to give Bible explanations 
 
 suitable to the capacity of the children. A 
 
 objects to go beyond Bible reading. I do not like 
 this restriction, yet confess the difficulty of saying to 
 what limit explanation shall be allowed ; the more I 
 ponder the question the more difficult it becomes, a 
 State Church creates the difficulty. I am glad, tell 
 
 Mr. , that he has thrown off his regalia ; he 
 
 is too grand a man to be disfigured by the trashy 
 emblem. We are just now in the thick of the 
 election agitation. I sincerely trust and pray this 
 temporary excitement may not lead good men to 
 grieve the Holy Spirit, or in any way disperse the 
 blessed revival influence that has recently visited so 
 many parts of this land.' 
 
 ' MY DEAR A- 
 
 To his Son. 
 1 Rosenstein, Aug. jt/i, 1874. 
 
 ' How surprised we were to receive a note from 
 you dated from " Penzance ! " If, without a rebel 
 spirit, I could have done so, how glad I should have 
 been to welcome you to the old house. But by the 
 will of God it is otherwise ; and I accept His will as 
 better for me and others than any contrary will of 
 my own could possibly be ; nevertheless the mystery
 
 REDLAND AND HOME. 173 
 
 of my present state is difficult to understand, not to 
 say hard to bear, much harder than I ever attempt 
 to explain, or suggest even to any one. I watch 
 and wait, I know not for what. Affairs are very flat 
 here at present, with the exception of the archaeo- 
 logical people : sight-seeing is the order of the day, 
 and first-class feasting makes the movement very 
 
 attractive and popular. J goes to a few dinners, 
 
 but otherwise is none the better for membership in 
 
 the association. A goes the " whole hog," and 
 
 appears greatly to enjoy the fun.' 
 
 To Mr. M'Aulay. 
 
 ' Rosenstein, Oct. 2yd, 1874. 
 
 ' I have thought of the " honour " to which you 
 refer a good deal of late, and should be sorry to 
 declare all that passes through my heart respecting 
 it. It is of itself a vain, a very empty, and unsatis- 
 factory thing. No man should be for his own sake 
 pusJied into the " chair," till it is by the will of God 
 vacant for him. Should you secure an Evangelistic 
 Mission for the black country you will be a happy 
 man. I never had a more glorious circuit than 
 Wolverhampton, nor one that I look back upon 
 with more pleasure and satisfaction. The friends I 
 made in the town and district have been true through 
 life. Many still remain : not a few have reached 
 heaven ; and the district continues to be fine ground 
 for sowing in. One man has just sent me ten
 
 174 REDLAND AND HOME. 
 
 pounds for a charitable object who when I was in 
 Wolverhampton was a poor man attending an engine 
 fire. I have had many conversations with him on 
 the best things : he is still bent on the higher life. 
 
 To Mr. ATAulay. 
 
 1 Rosenstein, Christmas Day, 1875. 
 
 ' MY VERY DEAR OLD FRIEND, 
 
 ' I was glad to hear from you after a long silence, 
 and thankful to find you are still well at work. It 
 has been difficult for me to take up pen to thank 
 you, for I have nothing to write about, and it is 
 too bad to take up your precious time to read trifles. 
 I am forced to silence and quietness ; my power 
 of utterance is almost gone : I find it difficult to 
 speak, and even to do duty at my own family altar. 
 There are many things doing in the Connexion I do 
 not much understand, but of which I doubt if it be 
 worth while to complain ; I have some trust in God, 
 that He will make things straight and plain in His 
 own time. And powerless as I am I feel it right 
 and best to say little or nothing about what I do 
 not like. I have been striving for some days to 
 write to you, but have shrunk from doing so till 
 to-night. It rejoices me to look forward to your 
 visit to Bath : mind you let me know particulars of 
 your visit, times and places of meetings, that I may 
 arrange to be in your way.'
 
 REDLAND AND HOME. 175 
 
 Thus closes a correspondence of twenty years with 
 his friend, and to which these pages are so largely 
 indebted. This also is Mr. Hall's last letter in my 
 possession. The slow but sure progress of the 
 disease which seized him in 1872 is indicated by 
 these letters. The mind at times would be depressed 
 because the body was brought so low : no doubt it 
 was this which caused his views, as expressed in 
 this last correspondence, of events and measures, 
 especially those which referred to Methodism, .to be 
 not very cheerful, but he was only the wreck of 
 former years, and those who only knew him in these 
 Redland days could form no adequate conception 
 of what he was when, robust in health and strong 
 in the strength of grace, he rejoiced to bear the 
 burden and heat of the day. To the faith, godli- 
 ness, strict conscientiousness, self-denial, courage, 
 brotherly kindness, manliness of those years this 
 record abundantly testifies. How much he loved to 
 preach Christ to his fellow-sinners, how obstinately 
 he cherished the hope hoping against hope of 
 returning to the work, those his latest expressed 
 experiences repeatedly declare. Again and again he 
 proposes to himself that he might yet resume the 
 work of a Methodist preacher, if not in full then in 
 part, if not single-handed then with an assistant ; 
 and when at last he is compelled to abandon all 
 hope, he writes with a pang the acuteness of 
 which those who knew him best could not fully
 
 176 REDLAND AND HOME. 
 
 measure. ' I awoke up rather gradually to the 
 idea that my life of service is over for ever.' And 
 even this was not all : not content with cherishing 
 the hope that some day he might again unfurl 
 ' a banner for the truth,' notwithstanding the prohi- 
 bitions of physicians and the remonstrances of those 
 of his own household, he would persist in taking 
 the pulpit whenever this was barely possible; which 
 was but seldom. His last attempt was at Shire- 
 hampton, about five months before his death, when 
 he was so thoroughly convinced of his physica 
 unfitness that on returning home he said to Mr. 
 Albrighton, who accompanied him, ' I must give it 
 up.' As beautiful as truthful are the words of the 
 official obituary concerning him : ' As the wounded 
 soldier stills hold fast to the sword broken in the 
 conflict, so he grasped in mortal weakness the arms 
 of truth he could no longer wield ! ' 
 
 And now we approach the closing scene. The river 
 had long been within sight, the very day of transition 
 came at last, somewhat unexpectedly. Mr. Hall 
 conducted his class and the weekly prayer-meeting 
 of his chapel in turn till within two or three weeks 
 of his death, and led the family in prayer on the 
 morning of the day which was to see ' the pilgrim's 
 journey end.' 
 
 'Towards the close of May 1876 Mr. Hall became
 
 REDLAND AND HOME. 177 
 
 much worse, but his usual activity predominated, 
 and he could not be prevailed upon to keep his bed, 
 though suffering much from extreme weakness. On 
 the evening of the 6th June he grew rapidly worse. 
 On the arrival of the medical attendant Mr. Hall 
 said, " Doctor, is this my dying struggle ? " The 
 reply was, " I fear it is, Mr. Hall." Then said he, 
 " I have nothing more to learn." He then began to 
 address those around him, urging his children and 
 all to be faithful, saying, " I have said and done very 
 little for Christ, but I have tried to be faithful." 
 On the verse 
 
 " 'Tis Jesus, the first and the last, 
 
 Whose Spirit shall guide us safe home, 
 We'll praise Him for all that is past, 
 And trust Him for all that's to come," 
 
 being repeated to him, he replied, very energetically, 
 "Ah, that's it." The word "fear" being named, 
 he quickly replied, " I have no fear." At one time 
 he raised himself in his chair, and it was thought 
 he wished to have a last look at his garden, in which 
 he had taken great delight ; the window curtain being 
 held back for him to look, he calmly said, " I am 
 going to a better home." He responded heartily 
 to a prayer offered by one of his sons. Several 
 times he referred to his brethren in the ministry, 
 naming some of them, and more than once said, 
 " Give my love to all the brethren." He continued 
 
 calm and peaceful to the end.' 
 
 12
 
 178 REDLAND AND HOME. 
 
 The above statement is given from particulars 
 furnished by Mrs. Hall. One of his sons has sent 
 me as follows his impressions of the solemn scene : 
 
 ' When I reached father's house on the evening he 
 died it was about six o'clock, and I did not expect 
 to find him worse than he had been in the morning ; 
 but I found that he had just been taken alarmingly 
 worse, and was suffering a good deal of pain. I 
 noticed his voice was thick and broken, though not 
 at all weak. Soon after I arrived he walked from 
 his chair to the mantlepiece, and stood there for 
 a minute, resting his elbow on the shelf. He then 
 walked to his arm-chair in the bay window, from 
 which he never rose again. Soon after the doctor 
 came in, and the conversation followed that mother 
 mentions. From this time till shortly before his 
 departure he was talking to us in broken sentences 
 and at intervals, as we stood around him. Calmness 
 and peacefulness there were within, but outwardly 
 there was a good deal of physical distress, laboured 
 breathing, and difficulty of utterance, although at 
 the last he fell asleep like an infant. Among other 
 last words were, " I have been a poor unfaithful 
 creature , but I meant well ; " and then, after a 
 pause, " When I reach yon blissful station." I thought 
 I could see here the workings of his mind, he seemed 
 to be contrasting the imperfect service of earth with 
 the perfect service and nobler worship of Heaven.
 
 REDLAND AND HOME. 179 
 
 His leading idea in death seemed to be the same 
 as in life, namely, faithful service. He constantly 
 used the word " faithful " in exhorting his children 
 and in speaking of friends in the ministry. The 
 end, as I have said before, was beautifully calm. 
 And then his four sons carried him from the chair 
 where he died and laid him on a bed in his library. 
 I have seen death when it was hard to believe it 
 was not annihilation, but when I saw my father die it 
 was impossible to believe that he had ceased to exist.' 
 
 Mr. Hall was interred in the family vault, Baptist 
 Mills, the Wesleyan Chapel burial ground, where 
 we have seen placed the mortal remains of parents 
 and sister and son, representatives of three gene- 
 rations of those who were dearest to him. One 
 tablet of the monument bears this inscription : 
 
 of 
 SAMUEL ROMILLY HALL, 
 
 WESLEYAN MINISTER; 
 
 PRESIDENT OF THE CONFERENCE 1868. 
 
 Died June 6//fc, 1876, 
 
 AGED 64 YEARS. 
 
 Mr. M'Aulay preached the funeral sermon at Old 
 King Street Chapel, taking Hebrews xi. i, 2 as the 
 text on which the discourse was founded. The chapel 
 was crowded, and the congregation at particular 
 points much affected.
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 fESTIMONY OF GOOD MEN CONCLUSION. 
 
 THE following letters, mostly addressed to Mrs. 
 Hall soon after her bereavement, will show how 
 highly, for his work's sake, her husband was estimated 
 by those who had so many opportunities of forming, 
 and who were so well able to form, a correct judgment. 
 Some of these testimonies are given by those who in 
 secondary matters differed from Mr. Hall entirely, 
 but who are not the less willing on that account to 
 volunteer their acknowledgment of the many things 
 in him which were excellent and praiseworthy : 
 
 To Mrs. Hall. 
 
 ' Liverpool, June iqtft, 1876. 
 
 'The intelligence of your dear husband's death 
 was both a surprise and grief to me ; his death is no 
 ordinary loss to the Church, and his memory will not 
 perish. I consider myself to have been specially for- 
 tunate in my association with my colleagues, but I 
 never had one for whom I entertained a higher regard 
 than your dear husband. Often I have thought, and
 
 TESTIMONY-CONCLUSION. l8l 
 
 sometimes I have said, what I will again repeat, 
 namely, that I am, and believe I shall be, a better 
 minister to the end of my life for my association with 
 the Rev. S. Romilly Hall. His steadfast zeaf, his 
 wonderful self-denial, and his habitual disinterested- 
 ness, have been a continual stimulus to me in minis- 
 terial toil. Had he thought more of himself and 
 less of his high calling, the sacred fire would not so 
 soon have consumed him; but if he lives long who 
 lives well, your dear husband has attained length of 
 days, even life for evermore. No doubt, as you 
 have been brought nigh the confines of the world 
 of souls, the truths of the Gospel have been increas- 
 ingly precious. I trust the consolations of Christ 
 may abound towards you more and more. 
 ' I am, 
 
 ' Yours very truly, 
 
 ' D. J. WALLER.' 
 
 To Mrs. Hall. 
 
 ( Manchester, June igt/i, 1876. 
 ' Allow me to unite with many brethren in offering 
 you sincere' condolence in the loss of your beloved 
 husband. After a life of arduous toil, and a season 
 of severe suffering, he has entered into rest, and to 
 you it must be a great consolation that your loss is 
 his eternal gain. Of his sincere devotion to Christ 
 and Methodism none who knew him can doubt 
 even those who did not always agree with him in
 
 1 8 2 TES TIMONYCONCL USIOIf. 
 
 matters of administration (of whom I was one) could 
 not fail to believe in his purity of intention, and his 
 fixed resolve to do what he honestly believed to be 
 right. And now that he has gone into the presence 
 of his Lord, we can desire for the Church on earth 
 few if any higher blessings than that it may please 
 God to raise up men of equal Christian fidelity and 
 ministerial power to do similar work for Christ and 
 for souls, and to transmit to future generations that 
 precious heritage of faith, and that Christian system 
 of discipline, which were so dear to him. 
 ' I remain, dear Mrs. Hall, 
 
 ' Yours very respectfully, 
 
 ' JOHN BEDFORD.' 
 
 To Mrs. Hall. 
 
 'July StA, 1876. 
 
 ' In common with all Methodists, and especially all 
 Methodist preachers, I have been much affected by 
 the intelligence of Mr. Hall's departure. Although 
 I only saw him at a distance, I had formed a very 
 high estimate of his character, and respected him 
 very deeply. Again and again have I heard concern- 
 ing him during the last few years from my old friend 
 Mr. Rouch in Bristol ; and I had hoped that rest, and 
 release from public anxieties especially, would have 
 tended to the prolongation of his life at least, if not 
 to the restoration of his full vigour. But such was 
 not the will of God. He has taken His servant to
 
 TES T I MO NY- CONCL US ION. 183 
 
 Himself, one of the most sincere, pure-minded, 
 and irreproachable among the many who have lately 
 gone. He worked hard while he could work, and 
 was faithful to duty, in my poor judgment a good 
 example of one il faithful in that which is least '' and 
 counted by a higher Judge " faithful in that which 
 is great." May you have every consolation of the 
 Divine hand, and find what, in your turn, you have 
 to seek for, the special blessing of the widow, 
 doubly special, I think, for the widow of a Methodist 
 preacher. Believe me to be, dear Mrs. Hall, 
 ' Your sincere though unknown friend, 
 
 'W. B. POPE.' 
 
 To Mrs. Hall. 
 
 ' Clapham Common, J^une 1876. 
 ' This week your invaluable husband was several 
 times in my thoughts, but not with any expectation 
 that I was so soon to learn that my well-beloved 
 friend had gone before. I seem to see him now 
 just as he was when I looked down from the chair 
 at the Bristol Conference after counting the votes, 
 and gave him a nod and a smile, as much as to say, 
 You are marked as the man to come up here next 
 year. I should then have given many years of life 
 in prospect to him beyond what I should have 
 given to myself. A year later in Liverpool, when 
 just after his election we spent some time together 
 in council and in prayer, he was markedly the
 
 184 TESTIMONY CONCLUSION. 
 
 stronger man of the two. Yet now he has entered 
 into his rest. And he comes back to me more espe- 
 cially as he was when we were both young, travelling 
 together on two successive Deputations in the Exeter 
 and Devonport Districts, till I learned to value him 
 in public, and to esteem and love him in private, in 
 a way that was only increased by the increased 
 knowledge of subsequent life. He was one of the 
 men I loved, not only as one loves all Methodist 
 preachers, and all good men with whom one works, 
 but as one loves only those who, in addition to 
 the general qualities which command our affection, 
 have the special ones which attach one by a personal 
 preference and interest. He was one of those whose 
 sympathies and aims seemed to be just those into 
 which I could enter, while his heartiness and sturdi- 
 ness, his perfect uprightness and his strong religious 
 emotions, made up a combination of unusual worth. 
 The loss of such a husband and such a father is no 
 common loss; but the memory of such a life is no 
 common consolation. I am sure that his blessing 
 will rest upon those whom he has left behind him. 
 His blessed Master, with whom he now is within 
 the veil, not far away, will pour into your heart, in 
 your loneliness, " strong consolation and good 
 hope through grace." Believe me, my dear Mrs. 
 Hall, 
 
 ' Yours with deep and affectionate sympathy, 
 
 ' WM. ARTHUR."
 
 TESTIMONY CONCLUSION. 185 
 
 To Mrs. Hall. 
 
 ' Chelsea, June 22nd, 1876. 
 
 ' I write to acknowledge the receipt of the affecting 
 memorial of the decease of your late beloved and 
 admirable husband. I cannot add anything to the 
 records of his talent and great Christian excellences 
 which you will have already received from so many 
 of his friends. What I personally ever found him 
 is soon told. He was always true, manly, and 
 independent, vigilantly and manifestly Christian, 
 a thorough Methodist preacher and pastor, candid 
 and calm, though firm, in our connexional discussions, 
 and a soundly Conservative supporter of the old 
 typical Methodism of our fathers, in a word, a man 
 whom I have now for many years carefully observed, 
 that, if possible, I might humbly imitate some of his 
 many distinguishing characteristics. I remember with 
 much pleasure my father's cordial appreciation of 
 Mr. Hall's great abilities ; his own tender and grateful 
 pastoral and friendly attentions to myself, when I 
 was brought low some seven years ago, and my 
 recent, but alas ! my last call upon him a very short 
 time ago. But we shall all meet again. Meanwhile 
 may God assuage the griefs of yourself and family, 
 and bless and keep you all, as He is wont to bless 
 and keep the widow and the fatherless of His own 
 elect saints. Believe me, my dear Mrs. Hall r 
 ' Very respectfully and faithfully yours, 
 
 T. PERCIVAL BUNTING.'
 
 1 86 TESTIMONY-CONCLUSION. 
 
 Another communication from Mr. Bunting, and of 
 recent date, expressive of his views of Mr. Hall's 
 character and life, is addressed to myself: 
 
 ' Chelsea, Feb. 2nd, 1879. 
 
 'It is not easy, in the compass I can venture to 
 take, to give you my own full and round impression 
 of the character and services of our late friend 
 Mr. S. Romilly Hall. I was not in any sense 
 intimate with him until the later years of his life, 
 though my father's very high estimate of his talents 
 and virtues had always prepossessed me in his favour, 
 and solved some enigmas which puzzled people who 
 looked coldly and superficially at him. I soon ac- 
 quired confidence in him as being a thoroughly godly 
 man, a devoted minister of Christ, and an intelligent 
 and thorough Methodist. We all noticed his absolute 
 independence both of act and speech. I watched 
 him very closely in public for many years, and I 
 never detected anything like self-sufficiency or a 
 morbid desire to be particular. He was particular : 
 but that was because, come or go what would, he 
 would indulge in the luxury of keeping a good 
 conscience. I think however that he sometimes 
 confounded matters of opinion with matters of 
 conscience. When I was in affliction, and though 
 I was not under his immediate pastoral charge, I 
 found him a very wise and tender friend. He often 
 lifted up and sustained a man that felt himself utterly
 
 TESTIMONY CONCLUSION. 187 
 
 broken down ; and had a pleasant faculty of turning 
 one's thoughts from personal ailments and fears to 
 the wide interests of the Methodism we each knew 
 the other loved so well. You remember how fondly 
 and reverently he dwelt on its past history and 
 achievements, and how jealously he watched its 
 newer developments. And he stuck to " repen- 
 tance, faith, and holiness," and a class-meeting 
 people. I saw him shortly before his death, and 
 found him genial and happy. What a constellation 
 of supernumeraries lit up that sky at Redland ! The 
 same morning I called on Lomas, Waddy, and Hall, 
 and heard kindly words from each which I shall 
 never forget. 
 
 ' Affectionately yours ; 
 
 ' T. PERCIVAL BUNTING.' 
 
 The next communication, which I have received 
 from one who knew Mr. Hall long and esteemed 
 him highly, will be read with much interest, and 
 may well conclude the testimony of witnesses to 
 what he was in His Master's service, by the grace 
 of God. 
 
 ' Tranby, April 1879. 
 
 ' My recollections of the late Mr. Hall date from 
 the time of his appointment to Hull, in the year 
 1838. He was then in the ardour of youth, and 
 laboured in season and out of season for the con-
 
 1 8 8 TES TIMONYCONCL US I ON. 
 
 version of souls. My own mind at that time had 
 been saddened and impressed by my mother's death, 
 and I had begun to think seriously about the things 
 of Eternity and God. It seems to me a special 
 providence that I should have been brought in con- 
 tact with a mind and heart like Mr. Hall's at that 
 particular season. His burning zeal, his single- 
 minded devotion to his one work ; his piety, rigid 
 but not morose, in its expressions winsome, though 
 in its practice almost verging on asceticism; the 
 earnestness which flashed forth in every glance, and 
 was embodied in every appeal ; the conscience, deal- 
 ing with which was the main feature of his rapid and 
 searching ministry, all these had a peculiar charm 
 for me, and when during the year he ruptured a 
 blood-vessel and was for some months absent in 
 search of health, there was the bond of a tender 
 sympathy created which prepared my heart to receive 
 his words as those of the messenger of God to me. 
 His ministry kept alive in me the convictions which 
 might otherwise have been suffered to die, and the 
 personal interest which he took in me, and the 
 warmth with which he pressed home upon me a living 
 and present faith, endeared him to me in all after 
 life. At that period of Mr. Hall's ministry he had 
 eminently but one aim, the conversion of sinners. 
 All his discourses were directed to this; morning, 
 noon, and night, this was ever in his heart and on 
 his tongue. I have rarely met with a more notable
 
 TESTIMONY-CONCLUSION. 189 
 
 illustration of steady and yet impassioned devotion 
 than Mr. Hall presented in these early years. As 
 he grew in years, the topics of his preaching became 
 more diversified, his knowledge of men advanced, 
 and his experience showed him the need of all the 
 many-sided teaching of Scripture -if the wants of 
 humanity are to be adequately supplied ; but in the 
 retrospect of the past I love to think of him as the 
 single-eyed and ceaseless evangelist, burdened with 
 but one message, and uttering it with all the fervour 
 of his soul. I well remember one occasion, when 
 three services were announced in Waltham Street 
 chapel on an Anniversary occasion, and Mr. Hall 
 was the afternoon preacher. Such a season is not 
 the most congenial, either for preacher or hearers, 
 and there were those in the congregation, probably, 
 who thought that there would be some subject taken 
 which would leave the conscience alone, or at least 
 suspend the bombardment to which it was commonly 
 exposed. But the minister used only the old artil- 
 lery, and many a one was disturbed and wakeful 
 that day, as the question was urged, with all the 
 vehemence of feeling, " What shall a man give in 
 exchange for his soul?" In after years, when I also 
 entered the ministry, the vicissitudes of the itinerancy 
 did not throw us much together, but the original tie 
 was never wholly loosened, and was drawn closer by 
 frequent correspondence on matters in which we had 
 a community of interests. He was an ardent Metho-
 
 1 9 O TS TIMONYCONCL US ION. 
 
 dist antiquarian, and was glad to gather by the way- 
 side or elsewhere any written memorial of the early 
 Methodist preachers, or of those who bore names of 
 weight and worth in other Churches, or in history. 
 This was perhaps the only recreation in which he 
 allowed himself to indulge, and he had a scrupulous 
 conscientiousness about its occupying too large a 
 portion of his time, and would often interject the 
 same counsel to me. " I hope you have sense and 
 grace enough to keep these comparative trifles in 
 their proper place. I sometimes fear lest they should 
 unduly occupy us, though I have lately got much 
 good to my soul through the reading of old letters." 
 This extract from one of his letters to me will show 
 the diligence with which he watched over his own 
 heart, and kept himself from what might be re- 
 garded as harmless "idols." 
 
 'As he grew in public influence and became a fre- 
 quent and practised debater in Conference, I watched 
 his course with unflagging interest. He was noted 
 always for a strong conscientiousness, for a deter- 
 mined will, for an unyielding, almost intolerant, per- 
 sistence in what he inwardly felt to be right, and 
 for a high sense of personal and ministerial honour. 
 He always felt, and sometimes spoke, strongly, and 
 was righteously angry when he found, or feared, any 
 defection from the utter right. This sprang from the 
 righteousness of his own motives, though it might 
 have been an added lustre of character (for who is
 
 TESTIMONY CONCLUSION. 191 
 
 perfect ?) if more of the oil of charity had been em- 
 ployed now and then " to make his face to shine." 
 
 ' Like all the truly good he mellowed with the years ; 
 the good hope sustained him in his decline, and his 
 last message was of love to all the brethren. He 
 was an eminently good and faithful man, and I revere 
 and bless his memory. 
 
 *W. MORLEY PUNSHON.' 
 
 A few more words and my task will be done. It 
 may be that something more definite should be said 
 as to the character of Mr. Hall's preaching. If this 
 brief memoir has not made it vividly clear how very 
 scriptural, evangelical, practical, and soul- con verting 
 his ministrations were, one of the chief objects for 
 which it has been written has failed to be accom 
 plished. He was a faithful and painstaking preacher 
 of the Word, an intensified Wesleyan preacher ; it 
 is not easy to say whether his discourses partook 
 most of the doctrinal or practical stamp of the 
 sermons of John Wesley : for while he not unfre- 
 quently selected such topics as ' The due observance 
 of the Lord's Day,' 'Self-denial' 'Dress,' 'Public 
 and private amusements,' etc., still no man more 
 delighted to make most prominent on all occa- 
 sions such doctrines as ' Salvation by Faith/ 
 ' Christ and Him crucified,' ' The witness of the 
 Spirit,' 'The new birth,' 'Christian perfection.' 
 The anonymous writer already quoted thus analyses
 
 192 TS TIMONYCONCL US ION. 
 
 with ability and truthfulness Mr. Hall's preaching, 
 when he was in the days of his strength : 
 
 ' His pulpit sermons were almost unique in their 
 kind. In the ordinary sense of the word he was not 
 an orator, but he was nevertheless a master in dis- 
 course. Matter, not manner, was his study. Fulness 
 of thought occupied his mind far more than style or 
 verbal expression. To get at the exact meaning of 
 the passage he discoursed upon, and to discover its 
 natural meaning, was his grand aim. These points 
 being secured, he studied thoroughly its surroundings, 
 and the best mode of applying truth to his own 
 heart and the hearts of his hearers. Occasionally 
 his introductions seemed halting and laboured ; but 
 these once got through, and at full swing in his 
 sermon, the art of a master soon became apparent. 
 Exposition was his forte. In this department few 
 men in Methodism surpassed him. His powers of 
 elaboration and amplification were very striking. In 
 this species of composition the ablest Scottish divines 
 have long been pre-eminent ; but in vigour of treat- 
 ment, in grasp of subject, and in appropriateness of 
 material, Mr. Hall was not unworthy to be placed 
 in the same category. His discourses always com- 
 manded marked attention ; and though his hearers 
 might sometimes differ from him in opinion, his 
 views were uniformly listened to with high respect, 
 and were generally received with deference.'
 
 TESTIMONY-CONCL USION. \ 93 
 
 This memoir will testify how Mr. Hall was formed 
 for friendship, how strong and tender the ties that 
 linked him to the several members of his own family, 
 how as a colleague he was not requiring, command- 
 ing, distant, not at all a 'martinet,' but accessible, 
 brotherly, helpful. On this point the testimonies of 
 Mr. Ingram and Mr. Waller have already been given. 
 The Rev. Samuel Lord writes : 
 
 ' I have felt it a privilege to have been under 
 Mr. Hall's superintendency during the year we were 
 associated in the Bristol King Street Circuit, and 
 I do not hesitate to say that I learnt more of the 
 practical working of Methodism and I may say 
 truly the duty of a Methodist preacher than during 
 any similar term of my life. I loved Mr. Hall for 
 his work's sake, I admired his manly and Christian 
 character, and I esteemed him for his uniform 
 kindness and consideration.' 
 
 Another minister, Rev. J. S. Simon, writes : 
 
 ' I have special reasons for sorrowing for Mr. 
 Hall's death. He proved himself to me a wonder- 
 fully kind and patient friend. He never would allow 
 me to express any gratitude to him for his care and 
 though tfulness. I can quite believe that none of 
 us, outside his own family circle, knew all his 
 tenderness of heart ; but I fancy that I, in common 
 with many whom he has helped, knew a little of it.
 
 104 TESTIMONY-CONCLUSION. 
 
 How often I have heard of his wonderful sympathy 
 with the sick, and of the value of his ministrations 
 to those who were dying. And all that I have heard 
 I could very easily believe.' 
 
 It is not necessary, but if it were, other written 
 testimonials are in hand and might be given, to show 
 that if a brother were cast down by discouragements 
 and failures, when others might lose sight of him and 
 pass him by on the other side, Mr. Hall would seek 
 him out, and speaking comforting and uplifting words, 
 would aim to leave him lightened of his burden and 
 better fortified for the battle of life. I have seen 
 the involuntary tear start and a womanly tenderness 
 manifested at the sight of affliction, for which those 
 who did not meet with him in the walks of private 
 life would not be prepared : and yet why not ? for 
 are not true manliness and sympathizing compassion 
 inseparable? If a case of pressing need arose, 
 requiring large and immediate relief, he would not 
 only render liberal aid himself, but also put forth 
 his immense energy to induce others to assist unti 
 the necessities of the case were met. 
 
 Mr. Hall's life-story is a striking illustration of how 
 far a man may succeed and how much he may 
 accomplish if with unremitting industry he give 
 himself wholly up to his vocation for life, whatever 
 that may be. 
 
 ' This one thing I do ' the work of a Methodist
 
 TESTIMONY -CONCLUSION. 195 
 
 preacher ; he was entirely consecrated to it from 
 first to last; therefore as a preacher, a pastor, a 
 disciplinarian, a counseller, above all as a winner of 
 souls, he came to the front, ranked among the larger 
 and brighter stars, and stood by the side of the 
 princes of our Israel. He never relaxed till the 
 Master's hand touched the sinew of his health and 
 vigour, and even then he stood not quite still, till 
 the Master's voice called him home, where only he 
 rests from his labours. To the glory of the God 
 of all grace be it repeated he was a labourer in the 
 vineyard, one of those labourers whom Jesus com- 
 mands that we pray the Lord of the harvest to send 
 forth into His harvest ; the labour of the harvest fields, 
 concentrating and exhausting his powers upon this one 
 thing, not scattering them over and in a great measure 
 wasting them upon fifty things. The motto verses 
 which he wrote on the first page of his diary when 
 only eighteen years of age were 
 
 ' Father, into Thy hands alone 
 
 I have my all restored, 
 
 My all Thy property I own, 
 
 The steward of the Lord. 
 
 ' Hereafter none can take away 
 
 My life, or goods, or fame, 
 Ready at Thy demand to lay 
 Them down I always am,' 
 
 and his life, rather than the words uttered in life's 
 closing hour, testified that he ' tried to be faithful.' 
 Yes, he was a thorough Wesleyan Methodist
 
 196 T ES TIMONYCONCL US ION. 
 
 preacher, here at any rate a Conservative, whatever 
 his views as a politician, views which he never 
 obtruded so as to interfere with his usefulness ; a 
 Wesleyan of the Wesleyans, as St. Paul was a 
 Hebrew of the Hebrews, but far above and beyond 
 this, like the apostle he was 'the servant of the 
 Lord Jesus Christ, separated unto the gospel of God.' 
 To use the words of one who was bound to Mr. 
 Hall by the closest ties of kinship, affection, and 
 veneration, 'The model on which he worked was 
 that of a Methodist preacher in ordinary circuit work. 
 This was his ideal, and he achieved his ideal in no 
 ordinary sense. This was the key to his whole 
 career. He had great administrative ability and 
 debating power ; he had an aptitude and liking for 
 business, as shown in the business meetings of 
 Methodism ; he had abundant qualifications for office : 
 but though he entered into these things with charac- 
 teristic thoroughness and zest, they had no charm 
 for him in comparison with the ordinary circuit life 
 of a Methodist preacher. In this he revelled, for here 
 it was that he saw that his toil was productive and 
 had the most direct bearing upon the highest objects 
 of life " entered into the account," as he was wont 
 to say. He knew of no higher dignity and coveted 
 no greater honour than to be simply a Methodist 
 preacher, and his constant endeavour was to do well 
 the work which his conception of that position 
 entailed upon him.
 
 TESTIMONY CONCLUSION. 197 
 
 'Honours came, but they were unsought, though by 
 no means unvalued, and were never allowed to divert 
 his attention from what was the business of his life.' 
 
 If Mr. Hall had faults, they have been sufficiently 
 indicated by these pages. I could not say anything 
 further here, not only because of a life-long friend- 
 ship, but when I see a man counting it his highest 
 joy and honour to be allowed from his first days 
 to place his all on the altar of the Master's service, 
 and then abridging his life by the extreme of self- 
 denial and the excess of labour, I have no heart to 
 ask for faults, and have no sympathy with those who 
 have. 
 
 Very pleasant has it been for the compier of these 
 memorials to have been brought by this labour of 
 love once more into close communion with his 
 friend ; and if this intercourse will not for the present 
 be so constant and life-like as it has been during 
 the last four or five months, still in a little while, 
 through the mercy that endures for ever, arid the 
 blood of the sin-atonement which is all-covering, 
 he lives in hope that the fellowship with him and 
 with others who are gone before will be immortalized 
 where the things remain which cannot be shaken. 
 ' Even now by faith we join our hands with those 
 that went before ; ' but ' then we shall see eye to eye, 
 and know as we are known.' 
 
 ' But ye are come to the general assembly and
 
 t 98 TES TIMONYCONCL US ION. 
 
 church of the first-born which are written in heaven, 
 and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of 
 just men made perfect, and to Jesus the Mediator 
 of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling 
 that speaketh better things than that of Abel.' 
 
 ' And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto 
 me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the 
 Lord from henceforth ; yea, saith the Spirit, that 
 they may rest from their labours, and their works 
 do follow them.' 
 
 Hazell, Watson, and Vmey, Printers, London and Aylesbury.
 
 ILLUSTRATED BOOKS 
 
 SUITABLE FOR 
 
 ktoK znb r, 
 
 Glimpses of India and of Mission Life. By Mrs. 
 
 HUTCHEON. Crown 8vo. Eight page Illustrations. Cloth, gilt edges. 
 Price 35. 
 
 ' This is no ordinary book, but contains a rare amount of information. 
 . . . We frankly confess that we have been held captive by her interesting 
 chapters.' Sword and Trowel. 
 
 ' Glimpses vigorously drawn and vividly coloured, but clearly with no 
 exaggeration in either respect, which will linger long in the reader's memory.' 
 Literary World, 
 
 Daniel Quorm and his Religious Notions. Second 
 
 Series. Seventh Thousand. By MARK Guv PEARSE. Crown 8vo. 
 Numerous Illustrations. Cloth extra, gilt edges. Price 2S. 6d. 
 
 *.* Uniform with the First Series, of which forty-six thousand copies have 
 been sold. 
 
 ' All his former readers will gratefully welcome his Second Series. ' 
 Dickinson's Theological Quarterly. 
 
 'The chief character is true, original, fresh, and simple-hearted ; and the 
 language put into his mouth is natural and striking, so that Daniel Quorm 
 is quite a real friend of ours. . . . We confess that we cannot read more than 
 one chapter at a time, for it sets us weeping and laughing at about equal rates. 
 Get Daniel Quorm at once. ' Sword and Trowel. 
 
 Wycliffe to Wesley ; Heroes and Martyrs of the 
 
 Church in Britain. Twenty-four Portraits and Forty other Illustrations. 
 
 Imperial i6mo. Price 35. 6d. 
 
 " We give a hearty welcome to this handsomely got-up and interesting 
 volume. ... It is absolutely necessary that our young people should know 
 the true spirit of the Vatican, as well as what devotion to truth and right 
 can make a man dare to do and suffer.' Literary World. 
 
 The Great Apostle ; or, Pictures from the Life of 
 
 St. Paul. By the Rev. JABEZ MARRAT. Foolscap 8vo. Twenty-eight 
 Illustrations and Map. Price 2s. 
 
 ' A charming little book. . . . Written in a style that must commend itself 
 to young people." Sunday School Times. 
 
 ' A book for old and young. . . full of information that might be welcomed 
 by Christians of every age.' Hastings and St. Leonards News. 
 
 ' A very useful book for young people, nicely illustrated, giving the life of 
 the Apostle in an attractive form.' The Friend. 
 
 LONDON: WESLEY AN CONFERENCE OFFICE, 
 
 2, CASTLE STREET, CITY ROAD, AND 66, PATERNOSTER ROW.
 
 ILLUSTRATED BOOKS. 
 
 The Father of Methodism : A Sketch of the Life and 
 
 Labours of the Rev. JOHN WESLEY, M.A. By Mrs. COSSLF.T (Edith 
 Waddy). Second Edition, enlarged. Foolscap 8vo. Forty-three full- 
 page Illustrations. Price is. 6d. 
 
 Presents a clear outline of the Life of the Founder of Methodism, and is 
 calculated to create a desire for extended reading upon the subject. The illus- 
 trations are numerous and effective, quite a pictorial history in themselves. 
 
 David Livingstone, Missionary and Discoverer. By 
 
 the Rev. JABEZ MARRAT. Foolscap 8vo, with fifteen whole-page 
 Illustrations. Price is. 6d. 
 
 ' Capital book for boys, full of thrilling pictures. . . . Quite a dainty little 
 book for the young folks.' Sword and Trowel. 
 
 ' The story of Livingstone's life is told in a way which is likely to interest 
 young people, and to quicken their sympathy with missionary work.' 
 Literary World. 
 
 In the Tropics ; or, Scenes and Incidents of 'West 
 
 Indian Life. By the Rev. JABEZ MARRAT. Crown 8vo, with Illustra- 
 tions and Map. Price 25. 6d. 
 
 ' A charmingly written work. ... It is an excellent contribution to the 
 literature of missions." Christian Age. 
 
 ' A very taking description of the West Indies. . . . Sunday-school libra- 
 rians should put it down upon their lists, for it is a lively missionary book.' 
 Sword and Trowel. 
 
 Northern Lights : Pen and Pencil Sketches of Nineteen 
 
 Modern Scottish Worthies. By the Rev. JABEZ MARRAT. Second 
 
 Edition, revised and enlarged, with Portraits and Illustrations. Crown 
 
 8vo. Price 45. 
 
 ' This book deserves a place among the best books of its class. . . . It is a 
 
 charming book in every sense.' Irish Evangelist. 
 
 Martin Luther, the Prophet of Germany. By the 
 
 Rev. J. SHAW BANKS. Foolscap 8vo. Thirteen Illustrations. Price zs. 
 
 'We heartily welcome this little sketch of that "man in Christ Jesus,'' 
 
 Martin Luther. . . . Mr. Banks has succeeded in packing a great deal of 
 
 matter into a small space, and yet has told his story in a very attractive style.' 
 
 London Quarterly Review. 
 
 Homes and Home-Life in Bible Lands. ByJ. R. S. 
 
 CLIFFOED, Author of 'Talks about Animals;' 'Animals of the Bible.' 
 Now ready, Foolscap 8vo. Eighty Illustrations. Price 25. 
 'A useful little volume respecting the manners and customs of Eastern 
 nations. It brings together, in a small compass, much that will be of service 
 to the young student of the Bible.' Watchman. 
 
 Waymarks : Placed by Royal Authority on the 
 
 King's Highway. Being 100 Scripture Proverbs -Enforced and Illus- 
 trated. By the Rev. BENJAMIN SMITH, Author of 'Climbing,' 'Sun- 
 shine in the Kitchen," etc. Crown 8vo. Eight full-page Engravings. 
 Price 35. 6d. 
 
 A good book. . . . The author's aim is praiseworthy, and his method of 
 attaining it is excellent.' Hastings and St. Leonards News. 
 
 LONDON : WESLEY AN CONFERENCE OFFICE. 
 
 2, CASTLE STREET, CITY ROAD, AND 66, PATERNOSTER ROW.
 
 PUBLISHED AT THE 
 
 WESLEYAN CONFERENCE OFFICE. 
 
 THEOLOGICAL. 
 
 Arthur (W.) The Tongue of Fire ; or, the True Power of 
 Christianity. By the Rev. W. ARTHUR, M.A. Royal 32010. Price is. ; 
 Gilt edges, is. +d. 
 
 Dunn (L. R.) The Mission of the Spirit ; or, the Office 
 
 and Work of the Comforter in Human Redemption. By the Rev. LEWIS R. 
 DUNN, Minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, U.S. Edited by the- 
 Rev. JOSEPH BUSH. Crown 8vo. Price 25. 
 
 Edmondson (J.) Sermons on Important Subjects; with 
 an Introduction by the Rev. T. JACKSON. Two Vols. Crown 8vo. Price 6s. 
 
 Fletcher (J.) An Appeal to Matter of Fact and Common 
 
 Sense ; or, a Rational Demonstration of Man's Corrupt and Lost Estate. 
 By the Rev. JOHN FLETCHER, izmo. Price 25. 
 
 Fletcher (J.) Five Checks to Antinomianism. By the Rev. 
 JOHN FLETCHER, izmo. Price 45. 6d. 
 
 Fletcher (J.) The Works of the Rev. John Fletcher ; with 
 his Life, by the Rev. JOSEPH BENSON. Complete in Nine Volumes. i2nio. 
 Price i us. 6d. 
 
 Geden (J. D.) Didsbury Sermons : Being Fifteen Dis- 
 courses preached in the Wesleyan College Chapel, Didsbury. By JOHN 
 DUKY GEUIC.N, Tutor iu Hebrew and Classics. 8vo. Price 75. 
 
 Gregory (B.) The Holy Catholic Church, the Communion 
 of Saints : Being the FERNLEY LECTURE for 1873. With Notes, and 
 Essays on The History of Christian Fellowship, and on the Origin of ' High 
 Church' and 'Broad Church "Theories. By the Rev. B. GREGORY. 8vo. 45. 6d. 
 
 Gregory (J. R.) An Examination of the Doctrines of Con- 
 ditional Immortality and Universalism. By the Rev. J. ROBINSON GREGORY. 
 Crown 8vo. Price 25. 6d. 
 1179
 
 PUBLICATIONS OF 
 
 Hannah (J.) Introductory Lectures on the Study of 
 Christian Theology : with Outlines of Lectures on the Doctrines of Chris- 
 tianity. By the late Rev. JOHN HANNAH, D.D. ; to which is prefixed a 
 Memoir of Dr. Hannah, by die Rev. W. B.PoPE.D.D. Crown 8vo. Price 35. 6d. 
 
 Horbery (M.) An Enquiry into the Scripture Doctrine 
 concerning the Duration of Future Punishment. By MATTHEW HORBERY, 
 B.D. Reprinted from the Edition of 1744. Crown 8vo. Price 35. 6d. 
 
 Jackson (T.) The Duties of Christianity; theoretically 
 
 and practically considered. By the Rev. THOMAS JACKSON. Second 
 
 Edition. Crown 8vo. Price 45. 
 Jackson (T.) The Institutions of Christianity, exhibited 
 
 in their Scriptural Character and Practical Bearing. By the Rev. THOMAS 
 
 JACKSON. Crown 8vo. Price 55. 
 
 Jackson (T.) The Providence of God, viewed in the Light 
 of Holy Scripture. By the Rev. THOMAS JACKSON. New Edition with 
 Improvements. Crown 8vo. Price 45. 
 
 M'Afee (D.) The Pillar and Ground of the Truth. Twelve 
 Sermons on the Fundamental Truths of Christianity. By the Rev. DANIEL 
 M'AFEE. With a Preface, by the Rev. WILLIAM ARTHUR, M.A. Crown 
 8vo. With Portrait. Price 6s. 
 
 Pope (W. B.) A Compendium of Theology : Biblical, 
 Dogmatic, Historical. By the Rev. WILLIAM B. POPE, p.D., Theological 
 Tutor, Didsbury College. Second Edition ; Revised and Enlarged, with 
 copious [General Index, Compiled by the Rev. G. A. BENNETTS, B.A. 
 3Vols., 8vo. Price ,i us. 6d. ; Half Morocco, cloth sides, Price a. 
 
 Pope (W. B.) Sermons, Addresses, and Charges delivered 
 during his year of office. By the Rev. W. B. POPE, D.D., late President of 
 the Wesleyan Methodist Conference. 8vo. Price 8s. 6d. 
 
 Pope (W. B..) The Person of Christ : Dogmatic, Scrip- 
 tural, Historical. The Fernley Lecture for 1871. With two additional 
 Essays on the Biblical and Ecclesiastical Development of the Doctrine, and 
 Illustrative Notes. By the Rev. W. B. POPE, D.D., Theological Tutor, 
 Didsbury College. 8vo. Price 75. 
 
 Pope (W! B.) The Prayers of St. Paul. Being an Analysis 
 
 and Exposition of the Devotional Portion of the Apostle's Writings. By the 
 Rev. W. B. POPE, D.D., Theological Tutor, Didsbury College. 8vo. Price 75. 
 
 Prest (C.) The Witness of the Holy Spirit. By the Rev. 
 CHARLES PREST. Third Edition. Crown 8vo., cloth, red edges. Price 35. 
 
 Randies (M.) For Ever! An Essay on Eternal Punish- 
 ment. By the Rev. MARSHALL RANDLES. Third Edition. Crown 8vo. 
 Price 55. 
 
 .Robinson (E. J.) How to Pray and What to Pray For. 
 An Exposition of the Lord's Prayer and Christ's Introductory Sayings. By 
 the Rev. EDWARD JEWITT ROBINSON. Crown 8vo. Price 55.
 
 THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE OFFICE. 
 
 Robinson (E.J.) The Caravan and the Temple, and Songs 
 of the Pilgrims. Psalms cxx. cxxxiv. By the Rev. E. J. ROBINSON. 
 Crown 8vo. Price 35. 6d. 
 
 Robinson (E. J.) The Mother of Jesus not the Papal 
 
 Mary. By the Rev. E. J. ROBJNSON. Crown 8vo. Price 6s. 
 
 Treffry (R.) Enquiry into the Doctrine of the Eternal 
 Sonship of our Lord Jesus Christ. By the Rev. RICHARD TREFFRY, Jun. 
 Crown 8vo. Price 6s. 
 
 Unsworth (W.) The Aggressive Character of Christianity. 
 
 By the Rev. WILLIAM UNSWORTH. Crown 8vo. Price 35. 6d. 
 Waddy (S. D.) Sermons. By the late Rev. SAMUEL D. 
 
 WADDV, D.D. Crown 8vo. Price 45. 
 
 Watson (R.) Sermons and Sketches of Sermons. By the 
 Rev. RICHARD WATSON. 
 
 Three Volumes, demy 8vo. Price i8s. 
 Three Volumes, post 8vo. Price los. 6d. 
 Watson (R.) Theological Institutes ; or, a View of the 
 
 Evidences, Doctrines, Morals, and Institutions of Christianity. By the 
 Rev. RICHARD WATSON. Four Volumes, royal iSmo. Price 145. 
 
 Watson (R.) The Works of the Rev. Richard Watson. 
 With his Memoirs, by the Rev. THOMAS JACKSON. 
 
 Thirteen Volumes, demy 8vo. Price 3 i8s. 
 Thirteen Volumes, post 8vo. Price 2 55. 6d. 
 
 Wesley (J.) Fifty-three Sermons by the Rev. John 
 WESLEY, M.A. Crown 8vo. Price 35. 6d. 
 
 These Sermons, and Mr. Wesley's Notes on the New Testament 
 constitute the Standard Doctrines of the Methodist Connexion. 
 Wesley (J.) Sermons on Several Occasions. By the Rev. 
 JOHN WESLEY, M.A. Complete edition, containing One Hundred and Forty- 
 one Sermons, and a Life of the Author by the Rev. JOHN BEECHAM, D.D. 
 Three Vols., crown 8vo. Price 75. 6d. 
 Fine Edition, three Vols., crown 8vo. Price IDS. 6d. 
 Library Edition, three Vols., demy 8vo. Price i8s. 
 
 Wesley (J.) The Prose Works of the Rev. John Wesley, 
 M.A. Edited by the Rev. THOMAS JACKSON. This Edition contains all 
 the Latest Corrections of the Author ; and includes the Life of Mr. Wesley 
 by the Rev. JOHN BEECHAM, D.D. 
 
 Library Edition, Fourteen Volumes, demy 8vo. Price 4 45. 
 Cheap Edition, Fourteen Volumes, post 8vo. Price 2 as. 
 
 Wiseman (L. H.) Christ in the Wilderness ; or, Prac- 
 tical Views of our Lord's Temptation. By the Rev. LUKE H. WISEMAN, 
 M.A. Crown 8vo. Price 35. 6d. 
 
 Wood (T.) The Doctrines of Annihilation and Uni- 
 versal ism viewed in the Light of Reason, Analogy, and Revelation. By the 
 Rev. THOMAS WOOD. Crown 8vo. Price 2s.
 
 PUBLICATIONS OF 
 
 COMMENTARIES, DICTIONARIES, &c., 
 
 ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. 
 
 Aids to Daily Meditation : being Practical Reflections, 
 and Observations on a Passage ef Scripture for each Day in the Year. 
 Crown 8vo., cloth. Price 35. 6d. 
 
 The Holy Bible : with Notes, Critical, Explanatory, and 
 Practical. By the Rev. JOSEPH BENSON. With Maps and a Portrait of the- 
 Author. Six Volumes, Imperial 8vo., cloth, red edges. Price 3 35. 
 
 A Biblical and Theological Dictionary : Illustrative of 
 the Old and New Testaments. By th* Rev. JOHN FARRAR. With Four 
 Maps and Ninety-six Engravings. Cloth, red edges. Crown 8vo. Price 35. 6d. 
 
 An Ecclesiastical Dictionary : Explanatory of the History, 
 Antiquities, Heresies, Sects, and Religious Denominations of the Christian 
 Church. By the Rev. JOHN FARRAR. Crown 8vo. Price 55. 
 
 Helps to the Study of the Bible, containing Analytical 
 
 Notes, and Summaries of the several books; Historical, Chronological, and 
 Geographical Tables ; List of Animals, Birds, Reptiles, Plants, &c., founct 1 
 in Scripture ; Tables of Weights, Measures, and Time ; Words Obsolete or 
 Ambiguous ; together with a new Index to the Bible, Cruden's Concordance, 
 a Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names, and a series of Maps. Foolscap- 
 8vo. Cloth, red edges. Price 25. 
 The Proper Names of the Bible ; their Orthography, 
 
 Pronunciation, and Signification. With a brief Account of the Principal 
 Persons, and a Description of the principal Places. By the Rev. JOHX 
 FARRAR. iSmo. Price is. 6d. 
 
 A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments ; contain- 
 ing copious Notes, Theological, Historical, and Critical ; with Improvements 
 and Reflections. By the Rev. JOSEPH SUTCLIFFB, M.A. Imperial 8vo. , 
 cloth, marbled edges. Price 123. 6d. 
 
 The Synoptical Dictionary of Scripture Parallels and 
 
 References ; being an Index of the Texts of Scripture Classified ; forming a 
 Methodical Summary of the Principles, Doctrines, Precepts, and Facts ot 
 Scripture. Svo. Price zs. 6d. 
 
 A Biblical and Theological Dictionary: Explanatory of 
 
 the History, Manners, and Customs of the Jews, and neighbouring Nations. 
 With an Account of the most remarkable Places mentioned in Sacred 
 Scripture ; an Exposition of the principal Doctrines of Christianity ; and 
 Notices of Jewish and Christian Sects and Heresies. By the Rev. RICHARD 
 WATSOK. Royal Svo.. cloth, red edges. Price 125. fid. 
 An Exposition of the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. 
 Mark, and of some other detached parts of Scripture. By the Rev. RICHARD 
 WATSON. Demy Svo., Price 6s.; izmo., Price 35. 6d.
 
 THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE OFFICE. 5 
 
 The New Testament, with Explanatory Notes. By the 
 Rev. JOHN WESLEY. With the Author's last Corrections. 
 Pocket Edition. i8mo. Price 25. 
 Large-Type Edition. 8vo. Price 45. 
 Library Edition, fine paper. Demy 8vo. Price 6s. 
 
 The Prophet of Sorrow ; or, the Life and Times of 
 
 Jeremiah. By the Rev. THORNLEY SMITH. Crown 8vo. Price 35. 6d. 
 The Holy Child Jesus ; or, the early Life of Christ : viewed 
 
 in connection with the History, Chronology, and Archaeology of the Times. 
 By the Rev. THORNLEY SMITH. Foolscap 8vo. Price is. 6d. 
 
 An Exposition of St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans. By 
 
 the Rev. HENRY W. WILLIAMS, D.D. Crown 8vo. Price 6s. 
 An Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews. By the 
 
 Rev. HENRY W. WILLIAMS, D.D. Crown Svo. Price 6s. 
 Scripture compared with Scripture. A Plan for Daily 
 
 Bible Reading throughout the Year. Arranged by E. G. C. Price 4d. 
 
 Limp cloth, gilt edges, 6d. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 -Asbury (Francis), The Pioneer Bishop : Life and Times of. 
 
 By W. P. STRICKLAND. Royal 32mo. Price is. ; Gilt edges, is. 4d. 
 Alpine Missionary (The) ; or, the Life of J. L. Rostan, 
 
 Missionary Pastor in France, Switzerland, and the Channel Isles. By the 
 Rev. MATTHEW LELIEVRE. Translated from the French Edition, by the 
 Rev. A. J. FRENCH, B.A. With a Portrait. Crown Svo. Price 35. 6d. 
 
 Bamford (J.) The Disciple among the Poor: Memorials 
 
 of Mr. John Bamford, of Shardlow. By his Son, the Rev. JOHN M. 
 BAMFORD. Crown Svo. Price 35. With Photographic Portrait, 35. 6d. 
 
 Bramwell (W.) The Christian Minister in Earnest. A 
 Memoir of the Rev. William Bramwell; containing Extracts from his Cor- 
 respondence, and a Delineation of his Personal and Ministerial Character. 
 By the Rev. THOMAS HARRIS. With a Portrait. Royal i8mo., gilt edges. 
 Price 35. 
 
 Cheap Edition. Royal 321110. Price is. 
 
 -Bumby (J. H.) The Life of the Rev. John H. Bumby. 
 
 With a brief History of the Progress of the Wesleyan Mission in New 
 Zealand. By the Rev. ALFRED BARRETT. With a Portrait. i2mo. 
 Price 35. 
 
 Bunting (William M.), Memorials of. Being Selections 
 from his Sermons, Letters, and Poems. Edited by the Rev. G. STRINGER 
 ROWE. With a Biographical Introduction by THOMAS PEKCIVAL BUNTING. 
 Crown Svo. Price 35. 6d.
 
 PUBLICATIONS OF 
 
 Carvosso (W.) Memoirs of William Carvosso. Written 
 by himself, and edited by his Son. With a Portrait. Royal i8mo. Gilt- 
 edges. Price as. 6d. Cheap Edition. Royal 32010. Price is. 
 
 Clarke (A.) The Life of Dr. Adam Clarke. By the Rev. 
 Dr. ETHERIDGK. With a Portrait. Post Svo. Price 35. 6d. 
 Cheap Edition. Royal 3imo. Price is. 6d. 
 
 Coke (T.) The Life of Thomas Coke. By the Rev. Dr. 
 ETHERIDGE. With a Portrait. Post Svo. Price 35. 6d. 
 Cheap Edition. Royal 32010. Price is. 6d. 
 
 Dixon (J.) The Life of James Dixon, D.D., Wesleyan 
 Minister. Written by his Son, RICHARD WATSON Dixotf, M.A., Minor- 
 Canon in, Carlisle Cathedral Church. With three Portraits of Dr. DIXON, 
 and a Vignette of his Birthplace. Crown Svo. Price 7s. 6d. 
 
 Dixon (T.) The Earnest Methodist. A Memoir of the late 
 Mr. Thomas Dixon, of Grantham. By his Nephew, the Rev. JOSEPH 
 DIXON. Foolscap Svo. With Portrait. Price as. 
 
 Entwisle (J.) Memoir of the Rev. Joseph Entwisle : 
 
 with copious Extracts from his Journals and Correspondence, and Occasional 
 Notices of Contemporary Events in the History of Methodism. By his Sou. 
 With a Portrait. Crown Svo. Price 35. 
 
 Father Reeves, the Methodist Class Leader. By EDWARI> 
 
 CORDKROY. iSmo. Price is. 
 
 Fletcher (J.) The Life of the Rev. John Fletcher. By 
 the Rev. JOSEPH BENSON. With a Portrait. i2mo. Price 35. 6d. 
 Cheap Edition. Royal 321110. Price is. 
 
 Fletcher (Mrs.) The Life of Mrs. Fletcher. By the- Rev. 
 HENRY MOORE. With a Portrait. Crown Svo. Price 35. 6d. 
 Cheap Edition. Royal 32mo. Price is. 
 
 George (E.) Memoirs of Elizabeth George. By the Rev. 
 HENRY J. PIGGOTT, B.A. With a Portrait. Crown Svo. Price as. 6d. 
 
 Grimshaw (W.), Incumbent of Haworth. By the Rev. R. 
 SPENCE HARDY. With a Portrait. Crown Svo. Price 35. 
 
 Hessel (Eliza.) True Womanhood; or, Memorials of 
 
 Miss Eliza Hessel. By the Rev. JOSHUA PRIESTLEY. Crown Svo. With 
 
 Portrait. Price as. 6d. ; gilt edges, 35. 
 Hunt (J.) The Life of John Hunt, Missionary to the 
 
 Cannibals in Fiji. By the Rev. GEORGE STRINGER Rows. Foolscap 8vr. 
 
 With Portrait and other Illustrations. Price 2s. 6d. : limp cloth, is. f>d. 
 
 Jackson (T.) Lives of Early Methodist Preachers. Chiefly 
 written by themselves. Edited, with an Introductory Essay, by the Rev. 
 THOMAS JACKSON. Library Edition, Six Vols. Crown Svo. Price 155. 
 Cheap Edition, Six Vols. Foolscap Svo. Price 95.
 
 THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE OFFICE. 
 
 Jackson (T.) Recollections of My Own Life and Times. 
 
 By THOMAS JACKSON. Edited by the Rev. 13. FRANKLAND, B.A. With 
 
 an Introduction and Postscript by G. OSBORN, D.D. With a Portrait. 
 
 Crown 8vo. Price 55. 
 M'Owan (P.) A Man of God; or, Providence and Grace 
 
 Exemplified in a Memoir of the Rev. Peter M'Owan. By the Rev. JOHN 
 
 M'OwAN. Crown 8vo. Price 55. 
 
 Maxwell (Lady). The Life of Darcy Lady Maxwell. By 
 the Rev. WILLIAM ATHERTON. With Selections from her Diary and 
 Correspondence. Crown 8vo. Price 35. 6d. 
 
 Miller (W. E.) Life of the Rev. W. E. Miller. By the 
 Rev. Dr. DIXON. Foolscap 8vo. Price 25. ; limp cloth, is. 6d. 
 
 Nelson (J.) The Journal of Mr. John Nelson. Roya) 
 
 i8mo. Price is. 6d. Cheap Edition. Royal 321110. Price lod. 
 
 Newton (R.) The Life of the Rev. Robert Newton, D.D. 
 By the Rev. THOMAS JACKSON. With a Portrait. Crown 8vo. Price zs.6d. 
 Cheap Edition. Royal 32mo. Price is. 6d. 
 
 Ouseley (Gideon.) The Life of Gideon Ouseley. By the 
 Rev. WILLIAM ARTHUR, M.A. Seventh thousand. Crown 8vo., with 
 Portrait. Price 35. 6d. Tree-marbled calf, gilt edges. Price IDS. 6d. 
 
 Powell (Walter.) The Thorough Business Man. Memoir 
 of Walter Powell, Merchant, London and Melbourne. By the Rev. B. 
 GREGORY. Crown 8vo., with Portrait. Price 35. 6d. 
 
 Priestley (M. A.) Memorials of Mary Anne Priestley,. 
 Wife of the Rev. JOSHUA PRIESTLEY. By her Husband. Foolscap 8vo. 
 With Portrait. Limp cloth, Price is. 3d.; cloth, gilt-lettered, Price is. 6d. 
 
 Richardson (C.) The Peasant Preacher : Memoir of Mr. 
 Charles Richardson. By the Rev. J. E. COULSON. Royal 32010. Price is.; 
 Gilt edges, is. 4d. 
 
 Rogers (Mrs.) The Experience and Spiritual Letters of 
 
 Mrs. Hester Ann Rogers. i8mo. Gilt edges. Price is. 6d. 
 Cheap Edition. Royal 32mo. Price lod. 
 
 Rogers (Mrs.) The Experience, Letters, and Journal of 
 
 Mrs. Hester Ann Rogers. Royal i8mo. Gilt edges. Price 35. 6d. 
 
 Shaw (Barnabas.) The Story of his Life and Labours in 
 South Africa. By the Rev. WILLIAM MOISTER. Crown 8vo. Portrait and 
 Illustrations. Price 35. 6d. 
 
 Shaw (W.) Memorials of the Life and Labours of the 
 Rev. WILLIAM SHAW, late General Superintendent of the Wesleyan 
 Missions in South Africa. By his oldest surviving Friend. Crown 8vo. 
 With Portrait. Price 6s. 6d. Cheap Edition. Crown 8vo. Price 25. 6d.
 
 PUBLICATIONS OF 
 
 Shaw (Mrs.) Long Life and Peace : Memorials of Mrs. 
 ELIZABETH SHAW, of St. Austell. By the Rev. ROBERT C. BARRATT 
 Foolscap 8vo. Price 35. 
 
 Shillington (T. A.) Christian Thoroughness : A Memorial 
 Sketch of THOMAS AVERELL SHILLINGTON, J.P., of Portadown. By the 
 Rev. JOHN DWYER, Author of ' Christian Work for Gentle Hands,' &c. 
 Crown 8vo. Price 35. 
 
 Shrewsbury (J. B.) Christ Glorified in the Life, Experi- 
 ence, and Character of Joseph B. Shrewsbury (late Medical Student, and 
 VVesleyan Local Preacher, of Bradford, Yorkshire). Written by his Father. 
 Royal 32mo. Price is. ; Gilt edges, is. 4d. 
 
 Smith (J.) Memoirs of the Life, Character, and Labours 
 of the Rev. John Smith. By the Rev. R. TREFPRV, Jun. With an Intro- 
 ductory Essay by the Rev. Dr. DIXON. Royal i8mo. Gilt edges. Price 35. 
 Cheap Edition, without the Introductory Essay. Price is. 
 
 Stoner (D.) Memoirs of the Rev. David Stoner. By the Rev. 
 Dr. HANNAH and Mr. WILLIAM DAWSON. With a Portrait. Royal i8mo. 
 Gilt edges. Price as. fid. Cheap Edition. Royal 32mo. Price is. 
 
 Taylor (M. C.) Memoir of the Rev. Michael C. Taylor. 
 With Extracts from his Correspondence. By the Rev. B. HELLIER. Crown 
 8vo. Price 35. fid. 
 
 Threlfall (W.) Memorials of the Rev. W. Threlfall. By 
 the Rev. SAMUEL BROADBENT. i3mo. With Portrait. Price is. fid. 
 
 Toase (W.) Memorials of the Rev. William Toase. 
 Compiled by a Friend. With an Introduction by the Rev. WILLIAM 
 ARTHUR, M.A. Crown 8vo. Price 35. fid. 
 
 Treffry (R.) Memoirs of the Rev. R. Treffry, Jun. 
 
 With Select Remains, consisting of Sketches of Sermons, Essays, and 
 Poetry. By his Father, the Rev. RICHARD TREFFRY. With a Portrait, 
 izmo. Price 45. fid. 
 
 Tucker (Mrs. J.) Memoir of Mrs. Jane Tucker, wife of 
 
 the Rev. Charles Tucker, some time Missionary to Haabai and Tonga. By 
 Mrs. G. F. WHITE. Edited by the Rev. H. W. WILLIAMS, D.D. Crown 
 8vo. Price 2s. fid. 
 
 Turner, James ; or, How to Reach the Masses. By E. 
 
 M'HARDIE. Crown 8vo. Price 35. 
 
 Vasey (T.) The Life of the Rev. Thomas Vasey. By his 
 
 Widow. Crown 8vo. With Portrait. Price 2S. fid. 
 
 Waddy (S. D.) The Life of the Rev. Samuel D. Waddy, 
 D.D, By his Youngest Daughter. Crown 8vo., with Two Portraits. Price 55.
 
 THE WESLEY AN CONFERENCE OFFICE. 9 
 
 Watson (R.) Memoirs of the Life and Writings of the 
 Rev. Richard Watson. By the Rev. THOMAS JACKSON. With a Portrait. 
 Royal iSmo. Price 35. 6d. 8vo. Price 6s. 
 
 Wesley (C.) The Life of the Rev. Charles Wesley. 
 
 Comprising a Review of his Poetry ; Sketches of the Rise and Progress of 
 Methodism ; with Notices of Contemporary Events and Characters. By the 
 Rev. THOMAS JACKSON. With a Portrait. Crown 8vo. Price 35. 6d. 
 
 Wesley (C.) The Journal of the Rev. Charles Wesley. 
 
 With Selections from his Correspondence and Poetry, and an Introduction 
 by the Rev. THOMAS JACKSON. Two Vols. Royal i8mo. Price 75. 
 
 Wesley (J.) The Life of the Rev. John Wesley. By the 
 
 Rev. RICHARD WATSON. With a Portrait. Crown 8vo. Price 35. 6d. 
 Cheap Edition. Royal 321110. Price is. 4d. 
 
 Wesley (J.) His Life and his Work. By the Rev. M. 
 LELIEVRE. Translated by the Rev. A. J. FRENCH. With a Portrait Crown 
 Svo. Price 33. 
 
 Wesley (J.) The Living Wesley, as he was in his Youth 
 and in his Prime. By the Rev. JAMES H. RIGG, D.D., Principal of the 
 Wesleyan Training College, Westminster. Crown Svo. Price 35. 
 
 Wesley (J.) The Father of Methodism : A Life of the 
 Rev. JOHN WESLEY, A.M. By Mrs. COSSLETT. Second Edition, 
 enlarged. Foolscap Svo. Forty-five Illustrations. Price is. 6d. 
 
 Wesley (J.) The Journals of the Rev. John Wesley. 
 Four Vols. Crown Svo. Price los. 
 
 West (F. A.) Memorials of the Rev. Francis A. West. 
 
 Being a Selection from his Sermons and Lectures. With a Biographical 
 Sketch by one of his Sons, and Personal Recollections by the Rev. B. 
 GREGORY. Crown Svo. Price 45. 
 
 Wharton (H.) The Story of the Life and Missionary 
 
 Labours of the Rev. Henry Wharton in the West Indies, the Gold Coast, 
 and Ashanti. By the Rev. W. MOISTER. Crown Svo. With Portrait and 
 Illustrations. Price 35. 6d. 
 
 Wood (J.) The Life of the Rev. Joseph Wood. With 
 Extracts from his Diary. By the Rev. H. W. WILLIAMS. With a Portrait. 
 Crown Svo. Price 35. 
 
 Wesley's (Rev. John and Charles) Poetical Works : A 
 
 New and Complete Edition. Reprinted from the Originals, with the last 
 corrections of the Authors ; together with the Poems of CHARLES 
 WESLEY not before published. Collected and Arranged by the Rev. 
 GEORGE OSBORN, D.D. Thirteen Volumes. Crown Svo, Half Morocco, 
 gilt edges. Price 3 iSs.
 
 PUBLICATIONS OF 
 
 ROMAN CATHOLICISM. 
 
 Elliott (C.) Delineation of Roman Catholicism, drawn from 
 
 the Authentic and Acknowledged Standards of the Church of Rome ; in which 
 her peculiar Doctrines, Morals, and Usages are Stated, Treated at La'ge, and 
 Confuted. By the Rev. CHARLES ELLIOTT, D.D. New Edition, with a 
 Supplement ; being an Exposition of certain changes which the Papacy has. 
 undergone during the Pontificate of Pius IX. By WILLIAM HARRIS RULE> 
 D.D. Price las. 6d. ; Half-bound in Morocco, 173. 6d. 
 
 The Supplement is sold separately. Price zs. 6d. 
 
 Rule (W. H.) History of the Inquisition, from its Establish- 
 ment in the Twelfth to its Extinction in the Nineteenth Century. By 
 the Rev. W. H. RULE, D.D. With Illustrations. Two Vols. 8vo. Price 155. 
 
 Rule (W. H.) Martyrs of the Reformation: a History of 
 
 Martyrdoms, Confessions, and Sufferings, from the Dawn of the Reformation 
 to the Nineteenth Century. By the Rev.W. H. RULE, D.D. 8vo. Price 8s. 
 
 Robinson (E. J.) The Mother of Jesus not the Papal 
 Mary. By the Rev. E. J. ROBINSON. Crown 8vo. Price 6s. 
 
 Authentic Report of the Discussion held in Rome on the 
 
 Evenings of February gth and loth, 1872, between Catholic Priests and 
 Evangelical Ministers, concerning the Coming of St. Peter to Rome. Trans- 
 lated by the Rev. WILLIAM ARTHUR, M.A. Paper covers, Crown 8ro., 
 Price 6d. ; Cloth, Price is. 
 
 METHODISM. 
 
 Pierce (Wm.) Ecclesiastical Principles and Polity of the 
 
 Wesleyan Methodists. Comprising a Complete Compendium of their Laws 
 and Regulations, from 1774 to 1872. Revised by the Rev. Dr. JOBSON. 
 Royal 8vo., Price 153. ; Half Morocco, Price zos. 
 
 Christophers (S. W.) Class Meetings in relation to the 
 Design and Success of Methodism. By the Rev. S. W. CHRISTOPHERS. 
 Crown 8vo. Price 35. 
 
 Rigg (J. H.) The Connexional Economy of Wesleyan 
 Methodism in its Ecclesiastical and Spiritual Aspects. By JAMES H. RIGG, 
 D.D. Crown 8vo. Price 35. 6d. 
 
 Rigg (J- H.) The Churchmanship of John Wesley, and 
 
 the Relations of Wesleyan Methodism to the Church of England. By JAMES 
 H. RIGG, D.D. Crown 8vo. Price 2s. 6d. 
 
 Stevens (A.) The History of Methodism from its Origin 
 to the Centenary Year. By ABEL STEVENS, LL.D. 'ihree Volumes. 
 Crown 8vo. With Portraits. Price 155. 
 
 The Methodist Family Library of Standard Biographical 
 
 and other Works, designed to promote Spiritual Life. Twenty Volumes. 
 Royal 32mo. Price a is.; or in Handsome Box, 285. Gilt edges, 275. 6d. ; 
 or in Handsome Box, 355.
 
 THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE OFFICE. 
 
 PRICE FIVE SHILLINGS. 
 
 The History of Methodism, from its Origin to the Cente- 
 nary Year. By ABEL STEVENS, LL.D. Three Volumes, Crown Svo.*. 
 with Portraits. Price 55. each. 
 
 Romance without Fiction ; or, Sketches from the Portfolio 
 of an Old Missionary. By the Rev. HENRY BLEBV, Author of the 
 ' Death Struggles of Slavery." &c., &c. Crown 8vo. Eight Page Illustrations. 
 
 PRICE FOUR SHILLINGS. 
 
 Zoology of the Bible. By HARLAND COULTAS. Preface 
 by the Rev. W. F. MOULTON, D.D. Imperial i6mo. 126 Illustrations. 
 
 Missionary Anecdotes, Sketches, Facts, and Incidents, 
 Relating to the state of the Heathen and the Effects of the Gospel in 
 various parts of the World. By the Rev. WILLIAM MOISTER. Crown 
 8vo. Eight Page Illustrations. 
 
 Northern Lights; or, Pen and Pencil Sketches of Nineteen 
 Modern Scottish Worthies. By the Rev. J. MARRAT. Crown 8 vo. Portraits 
 and Illustrations. 
 
 PRICE THREE SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE. 
 
 'Land of the Mountain and the Flood': Scottish Scenes, 
 and Scenery delineated. By the Rev. JABE^ MARRAT. Imperial i6mo. 
 Map and Seventy-six Illustrations. 
 
 Wycliffe to Wesley : Heroes and Martyrs of the Church in 
 
 Britain. Imperial i6mo. Twenty-four Portraits and Forty other Illustrations. 
 
 Chronicles of Capstan Cabin ; or, the Children's Hour. By 
 J. JACKSON WRAY. Imperial i6mo. Twenty-eight Illustrations. 
 
 The Life of Gideon Ouseley. By the Rev. WILLIAM 
 ABTHUR, M.A. Seventh Thousand. Crown 8vo. With Portrait. 
 
 Missionary Stories, Narratives, Scenes, and Incidents, 
 
 Illustrative of the Providence and Grace of God in Connection with the 
 Propagation of the Gospel in Heathen Lands. By the Rev. W. MOISTER. 
 Crown 8vo. Eight Page Illustrations. 
 
 Sunshine in the Kitchen ; or, Chapters for Maid Servants. 
 By the Rev. B. SMITH, Author of ' Climbing,' etc. Fourth Thousand. 
 Crown 8vo. Numerous Illustrations. 
 
 BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 Way-Marks : Placed by Royal Authority on the King's 
 
 Highway. Being One Hundred Scripture Proverbs, Enforced and Illustrated. 
 Crown 8vo. Eight Page Engravings. 
 
 Gems Reset ; or, the Wesleyan Catechisms Illustrated by 
 
 Imagery and Narrative. Crown 8vo. 
 Vice-Royalty; or, A Royal Domain held for the King, and 
 
 enriched by the King. Crown 8vo. Twelve page Illustrations.
 
 PUBLICATIONS OF 
 
 PRICE THREE SHILLINGS. 
 Glimpses of India and Mission Life. By Mrs. HUTCHEON. 
 
 Crown 8vo. Eight Page Illustrations. Cloth, gilt edges. 
 
 PRICE TWO SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE. 
 A Pledge that Redeemed Itself. By SARSON, Author 
 
 ' Blind Olive.' etc. Crown 8vo. Numerous Illustrations. Cloth, gilt edges. 
 The Story of a Peninsular Veteran : Sergeant in the 43rd 
 Light Infantry during the Peninsular War. Crown 8vo. Numerous Illus- 
 trations. 
 
 Rays from the Sun of Righteousness. By the Rev. 
 RICHARD NEWTON, D.D. Crown 8vo. Eleven page Illustrations. Cloth 
 extra. Gilt edges. 
 
 In the Tropics ; or, Scenes and Incidents of West Indian 
 Life. By the Rev. JABEZ MARRAT. Crown 8vo., with Illustrations, &c. 
 
 Climbing : A Manual for the Young who Desire to Rise in 
 Both Worlds. By the Rev. BENJAMIN SMITH. Crown 8vo. Sixth Edition. 
 Revised and Enlarged. 
 
 Our Visit to Rome, with Notes by the Way. By the Rev. 
 
 JOHN RHODES. Royal i6mo. Forty-five Illustrations. 
 Gems of Piety in Humble Life. By the Rev. T. H. WALKER. 
 
 Royal iSmo. Eight Page Illustrations. 
 
 MARK GUY PEARSE'S WORKS. 
 Six Volumes, Crown Sz'O., Cloth, Gilt Edges. Price is . dd. each. 
 
 I. Daniel Quorm, and his Religious Notions. FIRST 
 
 SERIES. Forty-ninth Thousand. 
 
 2. Daniel Quorm, and his Religious Notions. SECOND 
 
 SERIES. Eighth Thousand. 
 
 3. Sermons for Children. Thirteenth Thousand. 
 4. Mister Horn and His Friends ; or, Givers and Giving. 
 
 Fifteenth Thousand. 
 
 5. Short Stories: and other Papers. Third Thousand. 
 "6. 'Good Will': a Collection of Christmas Stories. 
 
 Fourth Thousand. 
 
 PRICE TWO SHILLINGS. 
 
 Homes and Home Life in Eminent Christian Phil- 
 
 Bible Lands. By J . R. S. CLIFFORD. 
 Foolscap 8vo. Eighty Illustrations. 
 
 'Hid Treasures, and the 
 
 Search for Them : being Lectures to 
 Bible Classes. By the Rev. JOHN 
 
 anthropists. Brief Biographical 
 Sketches, designed especially as 
 Studies for the Young. By the 
 Rev. GEORGE MAUNDER. Fcap. 
 8vo. Nine Illustrations. 
 
 HARTLEY. Foolscap 8vo. "With The Tower, the Temple, and 
 Frontispiece. the Minster : Historical and Bio- 
 
 The Great Apostle ; or, | graphical Associations of the Tower 
 
 Pictures from the Life of St. Paul. 
 By Rev. JABEZ MARRAT. Foolscap 
 8vo. Twenty-eight Illustrations 
 
 of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, 
 and Westminster Abbey. By the 
 Rev. J. W. THOMAS. Foolscap 8vo. 
 
 and Map. Illustrations. 
 
 Martin Luther, the Prophet : Youthful Obligations. Illus- 
 
 of Germany. By the Rev. J. SHAW ' trated by a large number of Appro- 
 
 BANKS. Foolscap 8vo. Thirteen priate Facts and Anecdotes. Fcap. 
 
 -Illustrations. 8vo. With Illustrations.
 
 THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE OFFICE. 
 
 PRICE TWO SHILLINGS continued. 
 
 Peter Pengelly; or, 'True 
 as the Clock.' By J. JACKSON 
 WRAY. Crown 8vo. Forty Illus- 
 trations. 
 
 The Stolen Children : A 
 
 Narrative compiled from Authentic 
 Sources, by the Rev. HENRY BLKBY, 
 Author of 'Death Struggles of 
 Slavery.' Foolscap 8vo., gilt edges, 
 with. Illustrations. 
 
 PRICE EIGHTEENPENCE. 
 ' Little Ray' Series. Royal i6/0. 
 
 My Coloured Schoolmaster,. 
 
 and other Stories. By the Rev. 
 HENRY BLKBY. Foolscap 8vo. Five 
 Illustrations. 
 
 Female Heroism and Tales 
 
 of the Western World. By the Rev. 
 HENRY BLEBY. Foolscap 8vo. Four 
 Illustrations. 
 
 Capture of the Pirates : with 
 
 other Stories of the Western Seas. 
 By the R-:v. HENRY BLEBY. Fcap.. 
 8vo. Four Illustrations. 
 
 Little Ray and Her Friends. 
 By RUTH ELLIOTT. Five Page Illus- 
 trations. 
 
 The Royal Road to Riches. 
 By E. H. MILLER. Fifteen Illustra- 
 tions. 
 
 The Breakfast Half-Hour. 
 
 Addresses on Religious and Moral 
 Topics. By the Rev. H. R. BURTON. 
 Twenty-five Illustrations. 
 
 Gleanings in Natural His- 
 tory for Young People. Profusely 
 Illustrated. 
 
 Broken Purposes; or, the 
 Good Time Coming. By LILLIE 
 MONTFORT. Five page Illustrations. 
 
 The History of the Tea-Cup ; 
 with a Descriptive Account of the 
 Potter's Art. By the Rev. G. K. 
 WEDGWOOD. Profusely Illustrated. 
 
 The Cliftcms, and their Play- 
 Hours. By Mrs. COSSLETT. Sevea 
 Page Illustrations. 
 
 Ned's Motto; or, Little by 
 Little. By the author of ' Faithful 
 and True,' ' Tony Starr's Legacy.' 
 Six Page Illustrations. 
 
 The Bears' Den. By E. H. 
 
 MILLER. Six Page Illustrations. 
 A Year at Riverside Farm.. 
 
 By E. H. MILLER. Royal i6mo. 
 
 SBC Page Illustrations. 
 
 The Lilyvale Club and its 
 Doings. By EDWIN A. JOHNSON, 
 D.D. Royal i6mo. Seven Page- 
 
 other Sketches from Daily Life. 
 
 The Stony Road : A Tale of 
 
 Humble Life. 
 Stories for Willing Ears. 
 
 For Boys. By T. S. E. 
 
 Illustrations. 
 ' Wee Donald' Series. 
 
 An Old Sailor's Yarn : and Stories for Willing Ears. 
 
 For Girls. By T. S. E. 
 Thirty Thousand Pounds: 
 and other Sketches from Daily Life. 
 
 ' Wee Donald ' : Sequel to 
 
 ' Stony Road.' 
 Foolscap Zvo. Series. 
 
 Three Indian Heroes : the Missionary ; the Soldier ; the 
 Statesman. By the Rev. J. SHAW BANKS. Second Edition. Numerous 
 Illustrations. 
 
 David Livingstone, Missionary and Discoverer. By the 
 Rev. J. MARRAT. Fifteen Page Illustrations. 
 
 Columbus; or, The Discovery of America. By GEORGE 
 
 CUBITT. Seventeen Illustrations. 
 
 Cortes; or, The Discovery and Conquest of Mexico. By 
 GEORGE CUBITT. Nine Illustrations.
 
 PUBLICATIONS OF 
 
 PRICE EIGHTEENPENCE. Foolscap Zvo. Series. 
 
 Pizarro ; or, The Discovery and Conquest of Peru. By GEORGE 
 
 CUBITT. Nine Illustrations. 
 Granada; or, The Expulsion of the Moors from Spain. By 
 
 GEORGE CUBITT. Seven Illustrations. 
 James Montgomery, Christian Poet and Philanthropist. 
 
 By the Rev. J. MARRAT. Eleven Illustrations. 
 The Father of Methodism. A Sketch of the Life and Labours 
 
 of the Rev. John Wesley, A.M. For Young People. By Mrs. COSSLETT. 
 
 Second Edition, enlarged. Forty-five Illustrations. 
 Old Truths in New Lights. Illustrations of Scripture Truth 
 
 for the Young. By W. H. S. Numerous Illustrations. 
 
 Chequer Alley : A Story of Successful Christian Work. 
 
 By the Rev. FREDERICK W. BRIGGS, M.A. Eleventh Edition. 
 The Englishman's Bible : How he Got it, and Why he 
 
 Keeps it. By Rev. JAMES BOYES. With Thirteen Illustrations. 
 Homes : and the Way to Make Home Happy. By the Rev. 
 
 DAVID HAY. Foolscap 8vo. With Frontispiece. 
 Helen Leslie ; or, Truth and Error. By ADELINE. Foolscap 
 
 8vo. With Frontispiece. 
 
 PRICE ONE SHILLING AND FOURPENCE. 
 
 The Boatman's Daughter. A Narrative for the Learned 
 and the Unlearned. By the Rev. ALFRED BARRETT. iSmo. With 
 Frontispiece. 
 
 PRICE ONE SHILLING. 
 
 Royal i6mo. Cloth, gilt lettered. 
 
 Ancient Egypt : Its Monu- 
 ments, Worship, and People. By 
 the Rev. EDWARD LIGHTWOOD. 
 Twenty-six Illustrations. 
 
 Vignettes from English His- 
 tory. By the Rev. JAMES YEAMES. 
 First Series. From the Norman 
 Conqueror to Henry IV. Twenty- 
 three Illustrations. 
 
 Lessons from Noble Lives, 
 and other Stories. Thirty-one Illus- 
 trations. 
 
 Margery's Christmas Box. 
 By RUTH ELLIOTT. Seven Illus- 
 trations. 
 
 Stories of Love and Duty. 
 
 For Boys and Girls. 
 Illustrations. 
 
 Thirty-one 
 
 No Gains without Pains: A 
 True Life for the Boys. By H. C. 
 KNIGHT. Six Illustrations. 
 
 Peeps into the Far North : 
 
 Chapters on Iceland, Lapland, and 
 Greenland. By S. E. SCHOLES. 
 Twenty-four Illustrations. 
 
 The Railway Pioneers ; or, 
 
 The Story of the Stephensons, 
 Father and" Son. By H. C. KNIGHT. 
 Fifteen Illustrations. 
 
 The Royal Disciple : Louisa, 
 Queen of Prussia. By C. R. HURST. 
 Six Illustrations. 
 
 Tiny Tim : A Story of Lon- 
 don Life. Founded on Fact. By 
 FRANCIS HORNER. Twenty - two 
 Illustrations. 
 
 John Tregenoweth; His 
 Mark. By MARK GUY PEARSB. 
 Twenty-five Illustrations. 
 
 ' I'll Try ' ; or, How the 
 Farmer's Son became a Captain. 
 Ten Illustrations.
 
 THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE OFFICE. 
 
 PRICE ONE 
 
 The Giants, and How to 
 Fight Them. By Dr. RICHARD 
 NEWTON. Fifteen Illustrations. 
 
 The Meadow Daisy. By 
 LILLIE MONTFORT. Numerous Illus- 
 trations. 
 
 Robert Dawson ; or, The 
 
 Brave Spirit. Four Page Illus- 
 trations. 
 
 The Tarnside Evangel. 
 
 By M. A. H. Eight Illustrations. 
 Rob Rat ; A Story of Barge 
 Life. By MARK GUY PEARSE. 
 Numerous Illustrations. 
 
 The Unwelcome Baby, 
 
 and what Became of Him ; with 
 other Stories of noble Lives Early 
 Consecrated. By S. ELLEN GRE- 
 GORY. Nine Illustrations. 
 
 Jane Hudson, the American 
 GirL Four Page Illustrations. 
 
 The Babes in the Basket ; 
 or, Daph and her Charge. Four 
 Page Illustrations. 
 
 Insect Lights and Sounds. 
 By J. R. S. CLIFFORD, author of 
 ' Animals of the Bible,' etc., etc. 
 Profusely Illustrated. 
 
 "William the Silent, Prince of Orange. A Biographical 
 Sketch. By the Rev. J. W. THOMAS. Foolscap 8vo. With Portrait. 
 
 Life on the Waves ; or, Memorials of Captain George 
 LEONARD. By the Rev. A. LANGLEY. With Illustrations. iSmo. 
 
 PRICE NINEPENCE. 
 
 Cloth, Illuminated. 
 
 10. Passages from the Life of 
 
 Heinrich Stilling. Five Page 
 Illustrations. 
 
 11. Little and Wise : The Ants, 
 
 The Conies, The Locusts, and 
 The Spiders. By the Rev. W. W. 
 NEWTON. Twelve Illustrations. 
 
 12. Spoiling the Vines, and For- 
 
 tune Telling. By the Rev. W. 
 W. NEWTON, tight Illustrations. 
 
 13. The Kingly Breaker, Concern- 
 
 ing Play, and Sowing the Seed. 
 By the Rev. W. W. NEWTON. 
 Six Illustrations. 
 
 14. The Fatherly Guide, Rhoda, 
 
 and Fire in the Soul. By the Rev. 
 W.W. NEWTON. Twelve Illustra- 
 tions. 
 
 15. Short Sermons for Little Peo- 
 
 ple. By the Rev. T. CHAMPNESS. 
 Twenty Illustrations. 
 
 16. Sketches from my Schoolroom. 
 
 By the Daughter of a Wesleyan 
 Minister. Four Illustrations. 
 
 17. Mary Ashton ; a True Story 
 
 of Eighty Years Ago. By the 
 author of ' The Lancasters and 
 their Friends.' Four Illustrations. 
 
 Imperial 32 
 
 1. The 'Wonderful Lamp; and 
 
 other Stories. By RUTH ELLIOTT, 
 Five Illustrations. 
 
 2. Dick's Troubles ; and How He 
 
 Met Them. By RUTH ELLIOTT. 
 Six Illustrations. 
 
 3. The Chat in the Meadow: and 
 
 other Stories. By LILLIE MONT- 
 FORT. Six Illustrations. 
 
 4. John's Teachers : and other 
 
 Stories. By LILLIE MONTFORT. 
 Six Illustrations. 
 
 5. Nora Grayson's Dream ; and 
 
 other Stories. By LILLIE MONT- 
 FORT. Seven Illustrations. 
 
 6. Rosa's Christmas Invitations ; 
 
 and other Stories. By LILLIE 
 MONTFORT. Six Illustrations. 
 
 7. Ragged Jim's Last Song; and 
 
 other Ballads. By EDWARD 
 BAILEY. Eight Illustrations. 
 
 8. Pictures from Memory. By 
 
 ADELINE. Nine Illustrations. 
 
 9. The Story of the Wreck of the 
 
 * Maria ' Mail Boat : with a 
 Memoir of Mrs. Hincksman, the 
 only Survivor. Illustrated. 
 
 The above are sold in Limp Cloth at EIGHTPENCE.
 
 16 WESLEYAN CONFERENCE OFFICE PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 PRICE EIGHTPENCE. 
 
 The whole of the Seventeen Ninepenny books (set page 15) are sold in 
 Limp Cloth at Eightpence each. 
 
 Precious Seed, and Little Sowers. 181110. Four Illus- 
 trations. Gilt edges. 
 Janie : A Flower from South Africa. By Rev. R. LAMPLOUGH. 
 
 i8mo. With Portrait. 
 
 Freddie Cleminson : The Brief Story of a Blessed Life. 
 
 By the Rev. T. M'CuLLAGH. 181110. With Portrait, etc. 
 
 Soon and Safe : A Word to the Young Folks. By Rev. 
 
 SIMPSON CRUMP. i8mo. Illustrations. 
 Christianity Compared with Popery : A Lecture. 
 Death of the Eldest Son. By CAESAR MALAN. 
 
 Emily's Lessons ; or, Chapters in the Life of a Young 
 
 Christian. 
 
 Fragments for Young People. 
 History of Joseph. By AGNES BULMER. 
 Jonathan Saville's Life. By the Rev. F. A. WEST. 
 The Sunday Scholar's Guide. By the Rev. J. T. BARR. 
 
 PRICE SIXPENCE. 
 
 Cloth, Illuminated, and Coloured Frontispiece. 
 
 1. A Kiss for a Blow: Stories I 13. The Little Black Hen. 
 
 about Peace and War. | 14. Martha's Hymn. 
 
 2. Louis Henrie; or, The Sister's | 15. Nettie Mathieson. 
 
 Promise. j 16. The Prince in Disguise. 
 
 3. The Giants, and How to Fight 17. The Children on the Plains. 
 
 Them. By Dr. RICHARD 
 NEWTON. 
 4. Robert Dawson; or, the Brave 
 
 The Babes in the Basket. 
 19. Richard Harvey; or, Taking 
 a Stand. 
 
 Spirit. | 20. Kitty King: Lessons for Little 
 
 5. Jane Hudson, the American j Girls. 
 
 Girl. 
 
 6. The Jewish Twins. By AUNT 
 
 FRIENDLY. 
 
 7. The Book of Beasts. Thirty- 
 
 five Illustrations. 
 
 8. The Book of Birds. Forty Illus- 
 
 trations. 
 
 9. Proud in Spirit. 
 10. Althea Norton. 
 
 xi. Gertrude's Bible Lesson. 
 12. The Rose in the Desert. 
 
 21. Nettie's Mission. 
 
 22. Little Margery. 
 
 23. Margery's City Home. 
 
 24. The Crossing Sweeper. 
 
 25. Rosy Conroy's Lessons. 
 
 26. Ned Dolan's Garret. 
 
 ,. Little Henry and his Bearer. 
 . Little Woodman and his 
 
 Dog Caesar. 
 
 29. Johnny : Lessons for Little 
 Boys. 
 
 II: 
 
 The above are sold in Ornamental Stiff Covers at FOURPENCE each. 
 
 Hattie and Nancy; or, The Everlasting Love. With 
 Illustrations. i8mo. Cloth, gilt-lettered, 6d. (A BOOK FOR GIRLS.) 
 
 Michael Faraday. By W. R. BURGESS. With Portrait and 
 Illustrations. i8mo. Cloth, gilt-lettered, 6d. (A BOOK FOR BOYS.) 
 
 WESLEYAN CONFERENCE OFFICE, 
 2, CASTLE-STKEET, CiTY-EOAU; AKD 66, PATEBNOSTER-KOW.