:;;''i". ;

YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

THE
METHODIST MEMORIAL;
BEING AN IMPARTIAL SKETCH
OF THE
LIVES AND CHARACTERS,
OF THE
PREACHERS,
'WHO HAVE DEPARTED THIS LIFE SINCE THE COMMENCEMENT
OF THE -WORK OF GOD, AMONG THE PEOPLE CALLED
METHODISTS,
1.ATE IN CONNECTION WITH THE *
REV. JOHN WESLEY, DECEASED.
Diawn from the most authenticSources, and disposed in alphabetical Order.
Introduced with a brief Account of the
STATE OF RELIGION FROM THE EARLIEST AGES,
AND A CONCISE
HISTORY OF METHODISM.
^ To which is added,
A CHRONOLOGICAL LIST of the PREACHERS,
Who aie now engaged in the same Work, ,

By CHARLES AT MO RE.

Whose FaithfoUmi, considering the End of their Conversation, Jesus Christ, the
same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever. St. Paul.
According to this Time, it shall he said of Jacob and of Israel, What halh God
wrought? Moses.

PRINTED BY RICHARD EDWARDS, BROAD-STREET.
SOID BY C. WHITFIELD, CITY-ROAD; KENT AND SON, HOLEORNJ
AND W. BAYNES, PAT E R-NOSTE R-ROW, LONDON ; AND AT THB
MEtHODIST CHATELS IN TOWN AND COUNTRY.
1801.

YALE

C-nfrnn at Stationer^' j^aU.

TO ,
MY VENERABLE AND RESPECTED
FATHERS AND BRETHREN,
THE
PREACHERS
LATE IN CONNECTION WITH THE
REV. JOHN WESLEY, DECEASED,
THIS WORK IS,
WITH THE GREATEST DEFERENCE,
MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED,
BY THEIR AFFECTIONATE BROTHER
AND COMPANION,
IN THE KINGDOM AND PATIENCE OF
JESUS CHRIST,
CHARLES ATMORE.

PREFACE,

XT is an awful reflection, that the /far greater
part of mankind has either, passed silently off
the stage of this world, or has misemployed the
talents which the great Lord ofthe Universe had '
intrusted to their care ; so that their names have
been either iburied in oblivion, or stigmatised by
reason of /their vices; and thus rendered odiou§
to posterity. And w-itfe -respect to- those who
have made a figure while living, and ; have
•gained the plaudit of the crowd when dead ;
many of them are indebted more to the stock
which bore them, or to some outward helps and
advantages, than to any intiinsic worth -that was
found in -themselves", or any real benefit the
world derived from them. ,
But, on the other hand, there have in every
age of theworld, existed those who have been dis
tinguished by the peculiar endowments of their
minds, their genuine piety, and their extensive
usefulness among men ; which ' have given a,
lustre to their names ia the records of timp.
Yea, the God whom they "served in the Gospel
of his Sppj" has given them a name, within his
A3

vi PREFACE.
house, and within his walls ; a name better ihan
of spns and of daughters, even an everlasting name,
that shall not he cut off.
The Psalmist observes, that the " memory of
the just is blessed ;" and that " the righteous
shall be in everlasting remembrance." This un
doubtedly, should be the case with righteous
persons in genial, but particularly with those
who have been the "Messengers of the Churches,
and the Glory of Christ." The men who have
not " counted their own lives dear unto them
selves ;" who have sacrificed all that the world
calls good or great ; in order that they might be
instrumental in promoting the honour of the
^Redeemer : and the present and eternal happiness
of mankind.
These, while they ministered to the Church
below, and " served their generation by the will
of God," were dear to thousands ; and now
when they rest from their labours, shall they be
forgotten ? Surely they ought not. The names
of such men ought to be transmitted to pos
terity, that generations to come may call them
blessed. ,
In the scriptures, honourable mention is made
of the most distinguished characters, tjiat God
has raised up at different periods of time, to
promote his glory ; and they are exhibited to us
as patterns for our faith and practice. The
great Apoflle exhorts us to be followers of ihem,
ns they were of Christ : and he particularly en-

PREFACE. vii
forces the necessity of our remembering them
WHO have HAD THE RULE OVER US, AND WHO
HAVE SPOKEN TO US THE WORD OP GOD.
Christians of a^l denominations have esteemed
the biographical accounts of holy men, next to the
" li'vely oracles," to be the most valuable books
in their libraries ; having witnessed the blessed
effects of them, both in themselves and otheis.
" There is a great advantage," says Dr. Bates,
" in looking on examples ; they are more in
structive than naked precepts, and more clearly
convey the knowledge of our duty. A work
done in our sight by another, directs better in
the practice of it, is more accepta,ble, and of
more powerful efficacy to reform us, than coun
sel and admonition by words. In difficult pre
cepts no arguments are more effectual than ex
amples ; for the possibility of being conformed
to them is confirmed by instances in others, and
the pretence of infirmity is taken away.
" The command binds us to our duty, exam
ple encourages to performance. Yet the pat
tern of angels, who are pure spirits, is not so
influential upon us as the pattern of good men.
This is more correspondent and proportionate
to our present state. The light of the stars is
not so useful to us, as the light of a candle that
is near us. Good men, now removed by death,
were nearly allied to us, they were cloathed with
the same frail garment of flesh ; they had like
passions ; they w-ere in the same contagious
A 4

viii PREFACE.
world : yet they were holy and heavenly in their
affections and actions ; they lived in civil- con
versation with men, and at the same time in
spiritual communion with God."
I thought these judicious observations of that
great man, peculiarly applicable to the subject
ofthe following pages.
I had the honour of being united to the peo
ple called Methodists, in the year 1779; from
which time I reverenced the Preachers as men
of God ; particularly those w^ho had " borne the
burden and heat of the day :" who with grie
vous sufferings paved the way for those " who
haye entered into their labours." Their per
sons and characters while living, were sacred to,
me ; and now their memory, is precious : and I
trust will remain so while life and reflection
last. I have often regretted, that no proper account
bas been given to the world, of those great and
good men, to whom, under God, we are in
debted for the religious privileges which we
now enjoy : and that the present generation,
even of Methodists themselves, knows but little
of these men, except their names.
It must manifest an unpardonable supineness,
or neglect, in the opinion of those who may in
future ages succeed us, should there be no record
of those men, who were among the first in
struments God was first pleased to use, in the
revival of pure and undefiled religion in these

PREFACE. ix
lands. If no notice be taken of them now, their
remembrance will cease, and they must inevi
tably be buried in oblivion : their names will
be heard of no more, till the " book of life" be
opened, and they are called to shine forth in the
kingdom of their Father, as the '^ brightness of
the firmament, and as the stars for ever and
ever!" The design of these Memoirs, is to rescue
some of these excellent characters from that ob
scurity into which they have fallen ; and to pre
sent these striking examples of the power and
prevalency of divine truth before our eyes ; that
we may be animated and encouraged in our spi
ritual warfare ; and may imitate their humble
faith, their fervent love, and their holy zeal, in
the salvation of souls.
I should have been happy if some more able
hand had undertaken this work ; one who had
a more perfect knowledge of the men, and
whose talents might enable him to do them
greater justice. But as, I believe, nothing of
the kind has as yet been attempted ; and having
mentioned my design to several judicious friends,
who have expressed their intire approbation of
it, and have urged and encouraged me to pub
lish this work, I presume thus to step forward.
Ifthe outlines I shall give, excite a more mas
terly hand, to come with a finer pencil, to perfect
the portrait, I shall have my reward.
I hope the persons into whose hands this little

X PREFACE.
work may fall, will do me the justice to believe,
that though I take notice of those Preachers
only who have been employed among the Me
thodists late in connection with the Rev. John
Wesley, that I do not therefore exclude all other
Ministers from having had any part in this bles*-
sed work. No, that thought is far from my
heart. I have long been taught to discriminate
between religion and the various appendages
thereof. The former I hold to be of infinite,
the latter of but small importance ; as the Spi
rit of True Religion, I am well persuaded may,
and does exist among those who differ in these
smaller points. I therefore say, with my Divine
Master, " Whosoever doth the will of my hea
venly Father, the same is my brother, and sister,
and mother."
I have the honour of being acquainted with
many pious and respectable Ministers, who dif
fer from me in some opinions, and also in modes
of worship ; whom, nevertheless, 1 embrace (as
I believe they do me) in the arms of Christian
affection. My heart is sweetly united to all
such in the bonds of the Gospel, and I most
cordially wish them good luck in the name of
the Lord !
I regret that the materials I have as yet been
enabled to collect, have not furnished me vvith
more ample matter relative to some of the per
sons mentioned in this work : but the candid

PREFACE. xi
reader will observe, this is intended but as a
sketch of their lives and charadters.
It may be objected by some, that these ac
counts have been already published in the annual
Minutes of the Conference, and in the Metho
dist Magazine. I answer, some of them have ;
but others have not: besides, those publicati
ons are in the hands of very few. There was
no notice taken in the Minutes of the Preachers
who died in the work, till the year 177/ ; and
even then, and for many years after, they were
not published to the world. But if they had all
been published in that way, it would not, I
presume, preclude the necessity, or utility, of
this work : which is designed to be a perpetual
memorial of those men among the Methodists,
who have been the grand instruments in this
great work which the Lord has wrought in the
earth. It may also assist and encourage the
younger Preachers, and those who may succeed
them to the end of time, when they behold how
their fathers lived, and also how they died.
I have derived peculiar advantages to my own
mind from collecting these Memorials : I have
beem encouraged, and confirmed in the impor
fant truths of Christianity, by observing their
sacred influence upon those vi^ho thus propa
gated them ; and I have been thereby led more
abundantly to hope, that I also shall be honoured
by the God of my fathers and brethren, to " do
the work of an Evangelist, and to make full

xii PREFACE.
proof of my ministry." I am also led to pr^y,
that the same Spirit which rested so powerfully
upon our departed Elijahs, may come down in a
double portion upon us who remain ! May the
present Methodist Preachers be all men of God,
—full of faith and of the Holy Ghost ! May we
spend and be spent in our divine employment !
And when we also rest from our labours, may
we be succeeded in our work by those who shall
be owned of God in a more abundant manner !
May the privileges we enjoy as Methodists, be
sacredly preserved, and transmitted to faithful
men ; and may this great work of God spread
and prevail, till the kingdoms of ihis world shall
become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ!
In respect to the Chronological Table annexed
to this work, it will, it is presumed, be pleasing
and profitable to both Preachers and People. I
have taken considerable pains in order to render
it as perfect as possible ; nevertheless, it is pro
bable that some errors, respecting the time of
the Preachers going out to travel, may yet re
main, as the Minutes themselves are ih that
respect very imperfedl : but it will be easy to
correct such mistakes with the pen.
Such an account as this was taken in hand a "
few years ago,' by my venerable friend Mr. Paw-
son, but that work, a few copies excepted, was
never circulated through the connection.
Since that time, a great number of Preachers
have been admitted, and I concluded, it \^•ould

PREF AC Fi xiii
be highly gratifying tb those whb wished to have
the Memorial, to be informed who have thus
succeeded their departed fathers and brethren^
in this great and importdnl work.
The Chronological Table will tend to keep up
an affectionate remembrance in the people to
wards the Preachers, and in the Preachers to
wards each other : and above all, to evince the
• . . .
spreading of that glorious work, which in its
beginning was only as a grain of mustard seed>
but is now become d. goodly tree ; extending its
branches, hot only over Great Britain and Ire
land ; but reaching to the vast continent of
America, and to the West India islands.
When we consider its beginning in 173g;
when a few young Clergymen began to preach
the doctrine of Salvation by Faith ; and now
look around us, and see more than Seven Hun
dred Men, (including the brethren in America)
" running to and fro," that the knowledge of
this divine truth may be increased: together
with some thousands of Local Preachers, (and
other eminent Ministers in the Establishment,
and amongst the Dissenters, who, though they
worship not with us, are strenuous maintainers
of the same doctrines,) we may well exclaim,
in the language of inspiration. What hath God
wrought !
But what encouragement have we from the
.consideration of these things to " rejoice in
hope." Our " eyes shall see greater things than

xiv PREFACE.
these I" These are but the beginning of good
days ! They are the drops before the shower !
The Lord's house shall be established upon the top
ofthe mountains, and all nations shall flow unto it !
The Lord will give his Son, Jesus, the Heathen
for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the
earth for his possession! Ethiopia shall soon
stretch forth her hands unto God! The chosen peo
ple, to whom pertained the glory, and the covenants,
and the giving, of the law — the Seed of Abraham,
shall return, with the fvi,n ess of the Gentiles;
and there shall be one fold under one Shep
herd ! A gracious shower of spiritual blessings
shall come down upon every nation, and
KINDRED, flM^ people, tf«J TONGUE ! The zeal
of the Lord of Hosts shall perfomi this ! Even so.
Amen. Come Lord Jesus come quickly 1

CHARLES ATMORE.

Wednesb'ury,
August 17, 1801.

POSTSCRIPT.

VV HEN I first entered upon this work, X
intended to notice those Ministers only, who had
been an honour to their profession ; and whose
happy deaths were the consequent issue of their
holy and useful lives ; but maturely considering
the subject, I concluded that by wholly omitting
others, I might be justly charged with that par-
fiality, which ought ever to be sacredly avoided
by Biographers and Historians. 1. I observed,
that the sacred Biographers had faithfully re
corded the vices, as well as the virtues ; the
failings as well as the excellencies, of those cha
racters they have delineated ; nay, that they even
particularly noticed those who had been a scandal
to their holy profession, andwhos§ end, there is too
much reason to fear, was destruction : the same
divine pen which records the zeal of Saint Paul,
and the love of Saint John ; remarks the worldly-
mindedness of Demas, the fall of Saint Peter, and
the miserable end of Judas Iscariot. 3. I inferred
that these awful circumstances, being thus faith
fully set before us, raight tend to stir up the

xvi POSTSCRIPT.
minds of those who are now, or who may be
hereafter, employed in the Same work, to
greater diligence in their high and holy calling*
These things (saith the Apostle) happened unto them
for ensamples : and they are written for our admo
nition upon wihorn the ends ofthe world are come.
Wherefore let him that thinketh he
STANDETH take HEED LEST HE FALL.
I once intended giving the names of the
persons, and the books whence I had re
ceived information respecting these Lives and
Charadlers, in marginal references : but I
concluded, that doing this would waste a
deal of paper, and also might tend to di
vert the mind of the Reader from paying due
attention to the Life or Character he was
perusing. The principal books I have consulted, are the
Annual Minutes of ihe Conferences, the Rev. Mr.
Wesley s Journals, His Life, as published by Dr.
Coke and Mr. Moore, and that by Dr. Whitehead ;
and the Methodist Magazine.
I also embrace the opportunity of acknow
ledging the kindness and attention of my bre
thren, and other persons, for the information
they have afforded me : but especially my
friend Mr. Parson ; to whom I am greatly in
debted for much information respecting several
of the first race of Preachers ; whose names,
but for him, would probably have been totally
buried in oblivion.

POSTSCRIPT. xvii
1 would also here . observe^ that when I first
engaged in this undertaking, I had not the most
distant idea of the work exceeding a small pam
phlet. The materials, however, which I have
met with, have so much increased, and the
matter they contained appeared to me so im
portant and interesting, that I could uot think
myself justified in omitting it. These things
have tended to increase the work to its present
size, and had I not considerably abridged many
of the accounts, it would have been much
larger. I have taken uncommon pains to pre
vent mistakes, yet it is probable, after all,
many may remain, particularly with respect to
dates. But, as to the more important part, the
candid Reader will, I trust, give me credit, that
to the best of my knowledge and information, I
have not misrepresented, or given a false co
louring to one single character in the whole
work. But if any mistakes appear, or any fur
ther illustration of certain characters be neces
sary, and the person who discovers them, will
jbave candour enough to point them out ; should
a second edition be called for by the public, I
hereby engage to rectify the mistakes, and to
add what may appear of importance. Truth is
all I wish to represent, or to contend for.
In respect to the arrangement of the names
of the Preachers ; I would gladly have placed
them in the order of their being called to their
E

xvtn POSTSCRIPT.
reward, : but I found this to be impracticable ;
as it was impossible to ascertain, .with precision,
the tiriae in which many of the first iPreacheiB
died. This /bqing the case, I iConcluded ithe
alphabetical plan jwould be the most eligible^
and would also prosze a considerable help to the
Reader, arid assist him instantly to find any
particular character ^he Wanted.

INTRO DUCTION.

X HERE is no subject that can come under
the consideration of man, or tbat has any claim
to his attention equal to that: of Religion. . It
concerns eviery man, fi'om ;the Monaa:ch^to the
peasant : it is of the highest importance foDeach
to understand, io iexperienc£, and to practice it. .
As all men, in all ages, have fbeen interested in
this subject, it has pleased Him, who is tlie -.grand
object of all reli^us worship, knd to whose glory
ultimately ali true religion must tend, to. revlbal his
mind to man, and clearly to discover his will coti-^
cerning him.
That such a revelation was necessary, will be
doubted by none who has any Tcnowledge of him^
self, or of man in his fallen state. The world, by
its own wisdom, knew not God : this truth is not
only attested by tbe Spirit of Truth, but corrobo
rated by Ae experience and declarations of the
wisest and best men in the heathen world ! God,
therefOTe, displayed his mercy, and manifested his
lov^, in affording man the means of understanding
B 2

XK INTRODUCTION.
his will, by giving him his word, to be a light unto
his feet, and a lamp in all his paths.
For a series of ages, the revelation of God was
limited to a very inconsiderable part of the inha
bitants of the earth : and it does not become us to
inquire, why it was so ?" Even so Father, for so
it seemed good in thy sight." Suffice it that we
know by the most indubitable evidence, that the
mind of God has been made known to holy men of
old, from the foundation of the world ; and that
He revealed his will to them, that they might
make it known to others.
- ; Honorable mention is made of Enoch, the " se
venth fcoiri Adam," as a Prophet of the Lord ;
and.of Noah, an eminent Preacher of Righteous
ness to the old world. Abraham, the father ofthe
faithful^ was certainly a Teacher of the Divine
Will : for Jehovah himself says, " I know Abra-
harh, that he will command his children and
ho'iisehold after him, and they shall keep the way
of'the.Lord." It is well known, that the heads of
the patriarchal families were both Priests and
Teachers. And undoubtedly in this way the peo
ple were instructed in the will of God, till the
institution of the Mosaic ceconomy ; when the
. teachers became more numerous, and public wor
ship was established by the express law ofGod.
In the Jewish Church there were Prophets and
Priests ; the latter were chosen from the Levites.
The naraes of the most eminent among them are
fftithfully registered in the sacred annals, and
through these they are handed down to us. Moses,

INTRODUCTION. ' xxi
Aaron, Samuel, Nathan, David, Solomon, Elijah,
Elisha, Isaiah, Jetemiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and the
minor Prophets, down to Malachi, (who closes the
canon of the Old Testament) are all noticed, men
eniinently distinguised in their day, as the acknow
ledged servants of God.
Malachi is supposed to have delivered his pro
phecy near four hundred years before Christ ; and
after him there appeared no Prophet of note in the
Jewish Church, till the harbinger of the Messiah,
John the Baptist, the son of Zacharias the Priest,
¦was sent to usher in the Morning Star, and to pro
claim the rising of the Sun of Righteousness upon
this benighted globe.
The providence of God, had by .almost imper
ceptible degrees, been making way for this impor
tant event : the light, which at its first approach
was like the dawn of the morning, had shone
brighter and brighter to this perfect day ; and now
the darkness, which had long enveloped the earth,
fled away before this Light of the Workl ! To use
the language of an elegant writer, " The East was
reddened with his rising radiance, the Western
hills were gilded with his streaming splendors ;
the chilly regions of the North were nourished
with his genial warmth, and the Southern tracts
glovired with his fire." Or rather, to use the
strong language of inspiration, "Thepeople who
walked in darkness saw a Great Light ; they that
dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon
them hath the Light shined." B 3

xxii INTRODUCTION.
For the three lafl: years of the Redeemer's so
journing upon earth, he appeared on the public
stage ofthe world.-^He preached his own Gospel,
and thus exhibited eternal truthsf to men ! And
" He spake as one having authority." His very,
enemies, who sought occasion i against him, felt
constrained to acknowledge, " Never man spake
like this man !" He also ordained twelve AposT
tleSi whom he sent to preach the kingdom ofGod;
and to heal the sick. He appointed seventy others
also, and sent them forth two and two, into every
city and place whither he himself would come ;
and having so done, he addressed himself unto
them, and said, " The harvest truly is great, but
the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord
ofthe harvest, that he would send fprth labourers
jnto his harvest."
. Having thus provided for a standing ministry in
the world, and having, promised his presence to be
with his Apostles, and their successors to the end
of the world ; and having finished the work on
earth which, as the High Priest of our profession,
was given him to do ; he ascended in the presence
of chosen witnesses, to his Father and our Father,,-
to hjs God and our God. He ascended on high,
that he might fulfil the residue of his High
Priestly office in hea,ven— mal^e intercession for
us-hprepare mansions fpr his pepple, and obtain
(or all the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Previous to the ascension of our Divine Master
he requested his disciples tp tarry at Jerusalem till

r N T R O D U C T IO Ni xxiii
he should send unto them the " pronrise of the
Father," and they -uiere " endued with power
from on high." In obedience to this cohimand
they did so ; " and when the day of Pentecost was
fully come, they were all with one accord in One
place; and suddenly there came a sotmd ftlom
heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled
all the house where they were sitting — and they
Were all filled with the Holy- Ghost, and be^n to
speak with other tongues,- as the Spirit gave them
utterance." This was the- most important event
that attended the introduction of our holy religion
into theworldj' This was that divine act which
put the seal of heaven to every action of Jesus
Christ, as the MediatPr ofthe new covenant ; and
he was thus defclared to be the Son of God'with
pdwer I
The Apostles being filled with the Holy Ghostj
imhiediately began to speak to the wondering
crt)wd ; and Peter, who was generally tbe spokes-
rrian fhr the rest, addressed them in a vefy pointed
and pathetic discourse ; and such a Divine
Unction accompanied the word, that three
thousand souls were " pricied in their hearts/'
ahd from the view they then had of their
state, they exclaimed, as in the greatest agohy.
Men ahd brethren what shall we do ? — /'. e,
to be saved front that guilt which they felt, and
irovathaf Wrath which they feared. Our Lord had
informed Peter and his brethren, who were fishers
by occupatiori, that "he would make them fishers
B4

xxiv INTRODUCTION.
of men ;" and now the word of the Lord Jesus
was verified ; for on the first casting the Gospel
net, this vast multitude of souls were caught
therein, and were added to the number of those
who believed to the saving of their souls.
The Apostles and brethren went forth every
where preaching the word, and signs and wonders
were daily wrought irt the narae of the holy child
Jesus. They were inspired with such holy zeal^
and were so indefatigable in their labours, that
in the space of forty years, they carried the glad tid
ings of salvation into almost every part ofthe then
known world. " Their sound went into all the
earth, and their words tothe end of the world !"
It would far exceed my limits to enter fully, or
minutely, into the state of the Church of Christ,
from that period to the commencement of the
revival of religion, begun and carried on by the
subjects of these memoirs. Suffice it to say, that
even in the most corrupt and dark ages of the
world, God had his chosen witnesses (though
sometimes few in number), and a succession of
men " endued with pow^er from on high," have
been raised up to bear His name before the peo
ple, and to proclaim " peace on earth, and good
will to men."
Our own countryman, WickUffe, was a burning
and shining light in his day, and may be consi
dered as the morning star of the Reformation.
John Huss, and Jerome of Prague, who were en
lightened by the writings of WickUffe, were bold
defenders of the " truth as it is in Jesus ;" and

INTRODUCTION. xxv
were crowned with martyrdom for the word of
God, and the testimony which they held. Their
successors on the continent, Luther, Melancthon,
Calvin, Zuinglius, &c. were the blessed means of
opposing the errors of Popery, and of propagating
Divine Truth ; and through them, many in this
kingdom received the same grace, and became
zealous for the same precious faith.
Our worthy and venerable Reformers, Cranmer^
Latimer, Ridley, and a cloud of holy witnesses,
were raised up of God in this land, to testify his
truth to mankind. After these blessed men were
called to seal the truth with their blood, there
vvas a general decay in Religion, arid the love
of many waxed cold : till it pleased God again to
revive it by the ministry of the Quakers and Pu
ritans, in what is generally called, the Puritanic
Age ; because the most pious people in the land
were termed Puritans. It is certain, at that pe
riod, " pure and undefiled religion" was under
stood, experienced, and practised by thousands in
this nation ; for when theday of trial came, ther&
was found no less than two thousand Ministers in
the Establishment, who submitted to fines and
imprisonments, rather than injure their consci
ences, and sin against God ! If there were so
many faithful shepherds, surely the numbers of
their fiocksj and of the true sheep of Christ among
them, must have been very great.
From this time, till the happy period recorded
in the foUowing pages. Religion hid her beau-
B 5

xxvi INTRODUCTION.
teous face, and was confined to a few poor, desti
tute followers of Christ, (Quakers and Puritans)
who met on the mountains, or in cellars, and
were even there pursued' by those human beasts>
or devils^ the abettors of persecution.
It is an undeniable fact, that from that black
Bartholoriiew's-day, in l662y to the commence
ment of the eighteenth century. Religion in this
country was at a very low ebb. The power ofit,
except in a very few instancesj was denied, and
even the form but little attended to; The impor
tant doctrines of the Gospel were almost wholly
lost sight of, and a system of heathen morality
substituted in the room of the doctrine of justifi
cation by faith, and regeneration' by the Spirit 1
"The godly man had ceased,, and 'the faithful
failed from among the children of men." There
was indeed a Beveridge^ a Henry, a Watts, and a
Doddridge, and a few others, both in the Estab
lished Church, and among the Dissenters, Who
were men of God, and whose praise is in all the
Churches. But, nevertheless, ignorance^ profane
ness, and infidelity generally prevailed,, and wick
edness overspread the land like a flood. Scepti
cism and infidelity were so prevalent,; andthe ene
mies of the Christiari Revelation, and friends of
Deism, so greatly increased, and' were become so
bold and daring in their attempts to propagate
their principles in the University, that they roused
the attention of the Vice-Chancellor, and the
heads of Hpuses !

INTRODUCTION. xxvii
That eminently holy and blessed man Dr.
Watts, justly and feelingly laraented the decay of
piety in his day. He says, in the preface to the
first volume of his Sermons, " Our fathers- talked
much of pious experience, and have left their
writings of the same strain behind them : they
were surrounded with converts, and helped to fill
heaven apace, for God was with them. — But as to
the savour of piety and inward religion ; as to
spiritual mindedness, and zeal- for God, and the
good of souls ; as to the spirit and power of evau'-
gelical ministrations, we may all complain, tbe
glory is .departed from our Israel."
It has often been pbserved, that the- darkest
part of the' night immediately precedes- the break
ing forth of tfie light of the morning ; and as in
the natural, so it has frequently been in the spi
ritual world. In this time of darkness ahd gloomi-r
ness; in- this day of clouds and thick darkness,
did God remember this nation in mercy, and raised
up that great Luminaiy of the Christian world,
the Rev. John Wesley, whoji under God, was
the father and founder of M^Sthodism.
This great man was the son of the Rev. Samuel
Wesley, Rector of Epworfhy in Lincolnshire. A
gentleman, though < very respectable for learning,
and conspicuous for piety, yet not of large fortune,
or powerful connections. Mr. John Wesley was
born June 17th, O. S. 1703 ; and in the year
1720, he entered a Studehtin Christ-Church Col
lege, Oxf ordi Hewas spon noticed' in the Uni-

xxviii INTRODUCTION.
versity as a man of extraordinary abilities. He
took his degree of Bachelor of Arts, at an early
age ; and having been ordained Deacon in 1 725,
was elected Fellow 'of Lincoln College' iri 1726.
In the follp#ihg year he tPokhis degree of Master
of Arts; arid on September 22, 1728, was or
dained Priest.
But what rendered Mr. Wesley more conspicu
ous in the University, was his uncommon serious- ¦'
ness, and exerriplary conduct. In 1720, Mr.
Wesley himself says, " My brother and Treading
the Bible, saw inward and outward holiness there
in ; followed after it, and incited others so to do."
Their labours were not in 'vain ; for a few young
gentlemen soon united With thera, and they fre
quently met together in order to help each other
to " work out their salvation with fear and trem
bling." Their assembling together after this
- manner, their receiving the sacrament every Lord's
day, and their method of spending time, procured
them the appellation oi Methodists. Mr. Wesley
being the senior brother, he was supposed to be
the best qualified, and therefore the whole ma
nagement of the society (which consisted at first
oi four, then of six, and afterwards of eight per
sons) devolved upon him ; and to him they looked
up as to a father, for direction in their studies
and in the things which belonged to their ever
lasting peace. :
In November 1729, the society at O.v/or^ con
sisted of the following gentlemen : Mr. John and

INTRO DUCT I ONi xxix
Charles Wfisky, Mr. Richard ^Mdrgan, .and Mr.
Kir'kman. In 1733, they were joined, by Mr.
Benjamin Ingham, and Mr. 'Broughton ; and also
in April, the same year,, by Mr. Clayton, and two
or three of his pupils : about the same time Mr.
James Her'Qey, pupil to Mr. John Wesley, joined
them ; ^nd shortly after Mr. George Whitefield.
These gentlemen were all Collegians, and are to
be considered as \he, first Methodists.
In the year 1 735, Mr. WesUyi for ih,e first timCj
preached extempore, in All-hallows' Church, Lom
bard-street, London : but it was not, till the year
1737, that he saw, " holiness comes by faith, and
that men are justified before they are sanctified."
'Mr. Wesley was so filled with; zeal for the ho
nour of God, and the good of souls, :that he ha
zarded the dangers of the ocean, and. voluntarily-
sustained the hardships pf a fpreign , climate in
order to save souls from eternal death : as did also
his brpther Charles Wesley, and their coadjutor
in this blessed cause, the Rev. George Whitefield,
whose labours in the vineyard were abundant.
In 1735, ; Mr. Wesley vvent to Georgia, where
he formed a small society. Here also, as well as
on his passage, he became acquainted ; with the
Moravian brethren, who taught him the way of
faith more perfectly.
He returned tp England in Feb. 1738, and in
stantly repaired to his beloved Oxford, where he had
then seripus thoughts of spending the residue ofhis
' .days ! But God designed him for a larger sphere

xxx I N T R O D UX3 T I O N.
of usefulness below, and for a brighter crown of
glory above !
May 1st, 1738, Mr. Wesley, and some Mora
vians, formed themselves into a society, whieh
met in Fetter-lane, London. In the month of June
he paid a visit to tbe Brethren at Hemhutb, in
Germany ; and returned to England again in 'Sep*
tember followi'Hg.
Mr. Wesley had hitherto preached only in the
Churdies, and rigidly observed all the rites and
ceremonies ofthe Church ; even the very Rubrick
of the Common-prayer was sacred to him, and
he observed it with the utmost firmness and punc-*
tuality. He was so extremely tenacious of eveiy
point, relating tP decfency and order, that he says
himself, " I should have thought the saving of
souls almost a sin, if it had not been done in a
Church !" What less than Almighty p6wer could
conquer prejudices like these !
Mr. Wesley had strenuously maintained the new
doctrine (as it was then called) of Salvation by
Faith, wherever he preached ; but though this
divine truth was so well suited to the state of
fallen man, and though mahy did embrace it,
folding it to be the " power of God unto salva
tion ;" yet many others, especially among the
higher orders of society, were offended, and Mr.
Wesley was soon told at most of the churches,
" Sir, you must preach here no more."
Early in the year 1739, Mr. Whitefield went
down to Bristol, and iri that city first began to

INTRODUCTION. xxxi
preach in the open air ! Mr. #^j% continued his
labours in Lmdon and 'Oxford alternately, and oc^
casionally in the neighbouring .places, without
any intention of alteririgJjis usual manner of pro«-
ceeding. Butiin the month df March he received
a letter-from Mr. Jf^itefi^dd, pressirighim to come
to ^rif^o/ without delay, and to share with him in
his labqitur and in rhis joy, Mr. iWes'ky was ,not at
all forward :to comply with (this request. He apr
peared at a fuH stand : helkncw not what to , do 3
A dispensation of the Gospel was .committed to
him ; the churches were shut agai^nst hini ; he
saw the people perishing for lack of knowledge ;
the regular shepherds ih general, dared not for the
flock ; the word of the Lord was with him as a
fire in his bones ; and therefore at last, though he
was wOTmly opposed by his brother Charles, and
others, he resolutely broke through all his pre
judices and prepossessions, and freely gave him
self up to do the work in that way, which he be
lieved the Lord required at his hands.
Ori April 2, 1739, he first went out into the
highways -and hedges to compel sinners to come
to the marriage supper of the Lamb l
This new method of preaching, as raight bfe
expected, exposed Mr. Wesley, and aii his bre
thren, who foHowed his example, to the scoffs
and ridicule ofthe giddy multitude : and an enor
mous load of calumny and reproach were poured
upon them from every quarter. They had to en
counter the very" beasts of the people," and their

xxxii INTRODUCTION.
lives were frequently in imminent dagger from
lawless mobs. They saw, they felt, however, that
God was with them : the word which they thus
preached was attended with power. Many of the
most profligate and abandoned of mankind be
came reformed, and were *' renewed in the spirit
of their minds." The effects which were pro
duced by their preaching, were to them, incon
trovertible evidences of the approbation of God:
they therefore j/oo^ in the midst of all assaults;
 " as an iron pillar strong,
" And stedfast as a wall of brass !"
They pressed into every open door ; and when the
churches were denied them, or could not. contain
the multitudes that attended, they went out and
preached that men should repent, in Moorfields,
on Kennington Common, and wherever an oppor
tunity presented itself of holding forth the word
of life!
The souls that were deeply affected under their
ministry, came, as might be expected, to them
for advice. In the latter end of the year 1 7 39, Mr.
Wesley says, " Eight or ten persons came to me
in London, who appeared to be deeply convinced
of sin, and groaning for redemption." This may
be considered as the riseoi the Methodist Society.
As their .numbers increased daily, Mr. Wesley
found it impossible tp give them advice separately,
and therefore desired them to come together on
a Thursday evening. But he soon fpund hiraself

INTRODUCTION. xxxiii
inadequate to the task alone, and some circumstan
ces o£ a temporal nature occurring at Bristol, gave
rise to the division of the Society into classes,
which consisted of twelve or fifteen persons : one
of whom was called the Leader, and appointed to
watch over the rest.
As the winter approached, the weather would
not permit them any longer to meet in the open
air.' A convenient building, therefore, near Moor
fields, in London, being proposed to Mr. Wesley,
he gladly embraced it. It had been a Foundery
for the King's Cannon ; and it was soon fitted up
with benches, &c. for the accommodation of the
hearers. The men and women sat apart as in the
primitive churches. In Bristol^ Mr. Wesley erec
ted a Preaching-house, which was the first Chapel
the Methodists ¦ ever built. The first stone was
laid May 12, 1739 ; and in order to avoid the
appearance of dissenting from the Church of Eng
land, -it was called the New-Room. About two
yf ars after, he erected a building in Newcastle-
upon-Tyne, which he called the Orphan-House, be
cause he originally designed to support orphans
and widows therein ; and for some years his design
was fully carried into execution.
Mr. Wesley, and his brother Charles, who was
also zealously affected in this good cause, pro
secuted their labours in the midst of the, greatest
hardships, and most grievous sufferings. They
visited various parts of the kingdom, and whercr-
ever they preached, the word was owned of God,

scxxiv INTRODUCTION.
and Societies wet^iformedi The harvest was truly
.'gr§at, but the labourers were very few ; they
therefore prayed the Xiord of the harvest, that ihe
would iSend forth mpre labourers into the hafvest.
Ih this they were heard and anSW<sred ; not indeed
as they expected, or desired ; but ih a way that
tended to destrt^ the wisdom of the wise, .0id to
ihring tb noting the understanding of the prudent.
Some of those who had tasted of the good wOrd
ofGod, and felt the powers Of the world to cpnie,
were constrained by the love of Chr^t, which they
happily experienced, to care for those oftheir own
household, and also for their neighbours ; whom
they saw thronging the downward road, and pe
rishing for lack of .knowledge. This iriduced
them, without any previous design> to ^esk. to
these lost siririers of their dreadful state; of the
gracious intentions of God in <i;hri5t Je^us con
cerning them ; and of the happiness resulting from
the possession of true rehgion. Many pf -their
neighbours also, noticing the ^reat change in
their conduct and conversation, were incited from
curiosity, to inquire of therti cdhcernuig this sect,
which, at that time, was every where spoken
against. This induced these persons simply to
declare the things which they 'had seen and felt;
and their word was in the deihonstration of the
Spirit, and with power. Thus, without any pre
meditated plan, or design of their own, the*
men became Exhorters in the -Church of God.
MU Wesley, 'nxid his brothdr, with many .others]

INTRODUCTION. xxxv
knew not what to think of this : it was ^ " new
thing in the earth," and according tp their views*
at that time, subversive of all order and decorum.
It does not clearly appear, in what month of
the year I740i the JLay-preachers assisted Mr.
Wesley, as Itinerants, (indeed he mentions a Joseph
Humphreys, who gave him some assistance in 1738)
but the first regular Lay-preacher was Th.nf(i5
Maxfield; and it is probable, that he first preached
in the beginning of the year 1740. Mr. Wesley
being necessitated to leave London on some iippor-
tant business, and having no Clergyman to watch
over the flock in his absence, he appointed Mr.'
Maefield to pray with the people, and to give
them such advice as he judged to be needfu|.
It is certain, however, that Mr. Wesley had not
the most distant idea, of his attehiptiug to preach,
nor does it appear that Mr. Mas^eld had any such
i-ntention hiraself: but being fervent in spirit, and
Aighty in the scriptures, he was led on further
than he designed, and at last began to preach !
The Lord also bore testimony to the word of his
servant, and confirmed it by awakening and; fion-
yertang isouls by his ministry.
How;ever, his having thus, as they thought,
usurped the ^sacred office without a regular call,
gave ^eat offence to many, and Mr. Wesley was
JEcquested to repair to town without "delay, in order
to stc^ the evil.
Mr. Weshyh mother was a woman of deep pie
ty, strong sense^ and sound judgment in the
C2

xxxvi INTRODUCTION.
things ofGod : she had heard Mr. Maxfield preach,
and was fully persuaded that he was called of
God to the work of the ministry.
When Mr. Wesley came to towrn, she observed
that his countenance expressed great dissatisfac
tion ; and she inquired into the cause ; he warmly
replied, " Thomas Maxfield has tumed preacher I
find." Mrs. Wesley looked attentively at him, and
replied, "John, you know what my sentiments
have been ; you cannot suspect me of favouring
readily any thing of this kind. But take care
what you do with respect to that young man ;
for he is as surely called of God to preach as you
are." This deterged Mr. Wesley from the execu-
J;ion of his purpose ; and finding upon inquiry,
that good was done tothe souls ofthe peoplej the
practicfe was suffered to "continue.
Tl)is, however,- is an incontestible proof, that
,Mr. Weslef.^ had no desVgn, nor, at that time, the
least idea, of having Preachers under him as sofis
in* the Gospel, as some of his enemies have insi
nuated. Indeed the more the life of this great
man is developed, the more clearly it will appear,
that he was influenced by the purest motives ;
that every step which he took was in the, order of
God, and that one circumstance njade way for
anpther, till the plan designed by Him, who had
called him to this " office and ministry," was so
far completed, as to answer the most iraportant
ends ; even the conversion of thousands and tens
jof thousands to the knowledge of thq truth !

INTRODUCTION. xxxvii
Inthe mohthof May, 1742, Mr. Wesley Visited
Yorkshire: at Birstal,. near Leeds, he met with
John Nelson, who had also begun to .cxhprt his
neighbours to ** flee from the wrath to come :"
and his word was made the power of God tp the
salvation of many souls. The manner; in which
he began to preach, is thus related by Mr. Wesley. ,
"John Nelson had full employment in, Lpndpn,
and large wages ; but he found a constant incli
nation to return to his native place. He did so,
and his relations and acquaintance soon began to
inquire what he thought of this new faith, (vvhich
by means of Mr. Ingham, had occasioned much
noise and talk in Yorkshire). , John Nelson told
them plain, blank, that this new faith, , as, they
called it, was. the old faith pf the Gospel;; and
related, to thein bis own experience. Thisi was
soon noised abroad, and more and more came to
inquire concerning thes^e ^^trange things. Some
put him upon proving these great truths,/ and thus
he was brought unawares, tp quote, explain, com
pare, and enforce several parts of scripture. This
he did at first, sitting, in his house, till the corppany
increased so,, that the house could, not contain
them. He then stood at the door, which he was.
commonly obliged to do every evening as spon as
he came from work." In different parts, of the
kingdom, several others were raided up in, a similar
manner ; and their labours were abur\diantly blest
to many souls. ,
For some time, these Lay-preachers e3i;ercise4
C3 .

xxxviii introduction:
their talents only in the neighbourhctod where they
lived, while their own hands ministered to their
necessities : and even after they Wertt forth to
preach, and had wholly devoted themselves to the
work df God, there was no regular- provision mad©
for them ; but their wants were supplied, as they
occurred, by the Stewards of the di^rent Socie
ties. At the Conference in 1752, it was agreed,
that each Preacher should receive the sum oi twelve
pounds per annuih, to provide himself with clothes,
books, &c. This small sum, though very inade
quate, " considering the time in which it was
fixedi the depreciation oi money, and the enor
mous advance of every ' artifcle of consuthption,"
is> with a few exceptions, continued to this day.
All the Lay-preachers looked up to Mr. Weslty
as the father of the fariiily, and "xkeie directed
by him in the work. He appointed each Piieacher
his place from tihie to tiriie, as eisdgehces re
quired. As the number of Societiesiahd Preachers
increased, it became necessary for the preserva
tion of order, and tb prevent thfeir obtruding upon
each pther in their labPurs, to appoint each
Preacher his proper station, and to fix its bounds ;
these limits were first called ^oakds, then Or-
cuits ', and the number of Preachers in them werfr
according to the existing circumstances.
As it was impossible- for. Mr. Wesley to super
intend all the Societies hiraself, he saw it expe
dient Jo appoint one P];eacher in each circuit tb'
assist him in this work, and that Preacher was.

INTRODUCTION. .xxxix
in consequence of his office, called the As-
siitant. The work continuing to increase on Mr. Wesley's
hands, and believing that in a multitude of coun
sellors there is safety, he saw it necessary to con
verse with certain of the Preachers respecting the
work in which they were engaged. He accord
ingly desired the Preachers to rrieet him ; which
meeting was afterward called t'ne Conference. The
first meeting was held in London, June 25, 1 744.
Most of the priraitive Methodist Preachers, like
their predecessors, the first Ministers of the Gos-
pelyjwere plain men, called of God, from their
difierent secular avocations, to take upon them
this office and ministry. Some of them were evi
dently men of strong parts, possessed of sound
judgment, and of a quick understanding in the
fdar-of the Jjord. Few of them had enjoyed the
advantages of a-liberal education ; but being satis- ;
fied of their call from God, and burning with holy
zeal for his ^ory, they went forth, in his strength,
making mention ofhis righteousness, and his only.
They siraply and affectionately related to their
congregations the iraportant truths which they had
been taught from the scriptures, and which they had
happily experienced in their own souls — "not in the
wisdom which this world teacheth, but in the de
monstration of the Spirit and with power." And the
Lord bore testimony to the word ofhis servants,-
and wherever they preached> signs and wonders were
•wrought in the name of tie holy Jesus. Thus did
04

xl INTRODUCTION.
this great work begin, and thus did it mightily
grow and prevail, till it has spread through and
covered every part of this land r - .
Before I conclude, I, would beg leave to observe,
thatit is impossible for these Preachers to have
been influenced by any other motive than the
glory ofGod, and the advancement ofhis kingdom
araong men. Mr. ^gj/ey gefierally told thena,
before they engaged in the work : : "To be a Me
thodist Preacher, is not the Way to Ease, Honor,
Pleasure, dr Profit ; it is a life of much labour
and reproach. They often fare hard, often are in
want. They are liable to be stoned, beaten, and
abused in various ways. Consider this before
you engage in so uncomfortable away of life."
Most of the Preachers, at ihat time, found Mr..
Wesley s words true. Their labours were intense ;
their accommodations and provisions jn general
mean ; and they had frequently to contend with the
outcasts of men ; arid were sometimes abused in a
manner too shocking to relate ! They cheerfully,
however, sacrificed ease, honor, and worldly gain ;
and with the Apostle, counted not their own lives
dear unto themselves, so that they might but firash-
their course with joy, andthe ministry which they had
received. My reasPns for introducing these Memoirs, with
this brief sketch of the State of Religion, and the
honored instruments the Lord has made use of in
promoting his glory in the world; are first, to
shew the peculiar care of God over his Church

INTRODUCTION. xli
and Peopk, in thus raising up a succession of men
frohi time to time, to preserve his truth inviolate,
and to perpetuate it to posterity. Secondly, To
convince the infidels (if these pages should be pe
rused by sudi) that: in the darkest and most dege- '
nerate'ages which the world has known, God has
had his witnesses, (though sometimes very incon
siderable in number) who have faithfully, and in
variably testified, that the deeds ofthe men of this
world are evil. Thirdly, To make the people
called Methodists, especially, sensible of their pri
vileges ; and to afford them the means of knowing
the rock whence they were hewn, and the hole of the
pit whence they were digged. That they also may
remember the honored instrument first called of
God, and see how the Lord hlessed him, and
increased him. And that they may discover the
different steps by which he was led to adopt those
various plans which have so wonderfully conduced
to their prosperity, both as individuals and as a
people. '; .
The history of Methodism is but little known,
even to the present generation of Methodists them
selves. I am happy to find such a history has been
recently published, by Mr. William Myles. But as
I had written the Introduction some time before I
saw his, and as mine is only a sketch of what he
enters raore fully into ; I concluded that what I had
written, might still be pleasing and useful to those
into whose hands these Memorials might fall.
I have aimed at brevity, and perspicuity,

xlii INTRODUCTION.
throughout the whole. If the people I have the
honor to be connected with (as it is principally for
them I write) are pleased and profited;, and the
great Head of the ,C.^ttre*5'' glorified and exalted,
ttiy highest ambition will be gratified ; and all that
is within me shall say. Not unto me, not unto
ME, BUT UNTO TttY NAMEi O GoD, BE ALL THE
PR.AISE FOR EVER AND EVER. AmEN.

43

THE

METHOBIST MEMOMAi,

WILLIAM BAINES.

JrlE was for some time master of .Kingswood
School, near Bristol : but he afterwards probured
ordination from the late friendly Bishop of Bath
and Wells ; and for several years he preached at
two or three churches in the neighbourhood of
Bristol. Mr. Wesley then invited him to London,
to assist him as a Curate in his Chapels there, In
this office he continued for some time : his minis
terial talents were not great^ but he was gerierally
esteemed a very sensible and pious man. In the
time of the late American war, he suffered his
mind to be too-iriuch occupied with the polities of
the day ; but the days of his pilgrimage were soon'
ended, for on Dec. 27, 1 777, the, Lord was pleased,
by a violent fever, to take him to that world, where
"No horrid alarm of war«»»
ShaU break his eternal repose."

44 METHODIST
JAMES* BARRY.

He was for many years a faithful labourer in his
Lord's vineyard ; and as he laboured much, so he
suffered much, but with unwearied patience. In
his death , he suffered nothing,, stealing quietly
,away. But his end was peace, quietness, and assu
rance for ever .'-He died at Gainsborough, in Lin
colnshire, in the year 1783.

BENJAMIN BE A NLA ND. •
He was raised up as a Preacher among the
Methodists when the work was in its infancy ; and
consequently, he was called to endure grievous
sufferings for the truth's sake. He had many nar
row escapes for |iis life, and many woriderfvil deli
verances ; but he had at that time, such firm
confidence in God, that the wicked were never
perraitted to do hini any harra. He was a very-
sensible man, and possessed of uncoriraion minis
terial gifts, so that he was a raost delightful
Preacher ; both acceptable and useful. He conti
nued for some time a Local-preacher, ahd at last,
being strongly solicited to give hiipself up wholly
to the work of the rninistry, he yielded, and com
menced an itinerant.
In those days there was no settled provision
made for the Preachers,, but when they wanted
any Jhing, they mad^ application to the Stewards

memorial. 45
•of the Circuit for a supply of their wants. This
method was not pleasing to Mr. Beanland, and
consequently, when he had nearly worn out the
clothes with which he set out, he would not con
descend to ask for more, and made this a pretext
for leaving the worb ; he therefore returned home
again, saying, " sooner than he would be damped
for debt, he would workhard, and thus provide him
self with what he wanted." It ceftainly was wrori^
fdr the people, among whom he laboured, te per
mit this man of God (for such he then was), to fall
into suph a temptation ; as the people ought at all
times to anticipate the necessities of those'who are
thus labouring for their good! Reason dictates,
that the labourer is worthy ofhisl^re, and the Lord
of the vineyard hath ordained, that they who"
preaFh the gospel shoulddive of the' gospel. Ifthe
Ministers of. the sanctuary minister to the people
spiritual things, it surely becbmes them to whom
they thus minister, to give them what is necessary
of their carnal things. • Though the consideration
qi these things 'may ten^ greatly to extenuate the'
fault of Mr. Beanland in leaving the work, yet it
does not altogether free him from the guilt ; he
.ought to have recollected fhat the God whom he
was serving in the Gospel o^ his Son, had said, '
Trust in the Lord and do good, dwell in the land,
and verily, thou shalt be fed. It is evident, however,
from the sequel, that the thing which he had done
.greatly, displeased the Lord, and that which he so
much feared, and which by-huraan prudence-he

46 METHODIST
endeavoured to prevent, came awfully upon him :
for after all his industry, and economy,, he was
actually cast into prison for debt! He lived for
many years afterwards, in a state of extreme po
verty and distress ; and what is still worse, there
is too much reason to fear that he also became
vain in his imagination, measured back again his
steps to earth ; and lost that sweet savour of reli
gion which he had once so happily enjoyed.* It is
reraarkable, that he frequently attempted to rife,
and shake himself from the dust; that he often
endeavoured to recover his ministerial gi^s ; but,
that God, whom he had so greatly dishonoured,
and whose Spirit he had so deeply grieved, would
not permit this ; and he ended his days, very sud
denly, in great obscurity : a monument of the just
displeasure of Almighty God against those,* who,
for want of confidence in Him, desert the path of
duty, and wander out ofthe way of understanding.

THOMAS BEARD.
He was among the first Lay-preachers. Mr.
Wesley gives the following brief account of him;
and though it is all I can collect, it is certainly
worthy of note. He was a quiet and peaceable
man, who was torn from his wi-fe and children,
and sent for a soldier : that is, banished- from all
that was near and dear to him, and constrained to
dwell araong lions, for no other crime, real or pre-

M E M O R I,A L. 47
tended, than that of calling sinners to repentance.
But his soul was in nothing terrified by his adver
saries. Yet the body after a while sunk under its
burden. He was lodged in the hospital at New
castle-upon-Tyne, where he praised God continu
ally. His fever increasing, he was let blood ; his
arm festered, mortified, and in the end was am
putated. Ta^O' or three days after this, God gra
ciously signed his dischargcj and called him up to
his eternal throne, in the year 1774.
" Servant of God well done! "Well has thou fought
*' The better fight ; -who single hast maintain'd
" Against revolted mnkitddes the cause
" Of God, in v/ord, rtightier than -they in arms."
Mr. Hopper in a letter to me, dated Sept. %, -
ISOO, makes honorable mention of Mr. Beard,
and says, " he died a martyr, &.t~Newcasfle-upon-
Tyne." The following lineis were written by the Rev.
Charles Wesley,^ as a poetic tribute to his memory.
1. SOLDIER of Christ, adieu.!
Thy conflicts here arepast,
Thy Lord hath brought thee through.
And giv'n the crown at last ;
Rejoice to wear the glorious prize.
Rejoice with God in paradise.
e. There all thy sufFerings'cease,
There all thy griefs art o'6r,
IBkie. prisoner is at peace,
The mourner v^eeps no more ;
From man's oppressive tyranny
Thou liv'st, tbou liv'st for ever free.

48 METHODIST
g. Torn from thy friends Ijelow,
In banishment severe,
A man of strife and wo.
No more thou wander'st here,
Join'd to thy better friends above.
At rest in thy Redeemer's love.
4. No longer now constrain'd
With human fiends to dwell.
To see their evil, pain'd,
> Their blasphemies to feel ;
Angels and Sainls thy comrades are.
And all adore the Saviour there.

5.,,Thou .canst not there bemoan,
Thy friends or country's loss.
Through sore oppression groan,
Or faint beneath the cross.
The joy 'hath swallow'd up the pain,
, And death is thy eternal gain.
6. What hath their malice done,
Who hurried hence thy joul !
When half thy race was run.
They push'd thee to the goal,
Sent to the souls supremely blest.
And drove thee to thy earlier rest.
7. Thoa out of great distress.
To thy reward art past,
Triumphant happiness,
And joys that always last ;
Thanks be to God, who set tllee free,
And* gave the final victory.

MEMORIAL. 49
8. Thy victory we share,
Thy glorious joy we feel.
Parted in flesh we are.
But join'd in spirit still :
And still we on our brethren call,
To praise the common Lord of all.
g. Not for your needless aid.
Not for your useful pray'rs,
(Jesus for us hath pray'd.
And all our burthens bears)
Yet still on you we call and cry,
Extol the Lord of earth and sky.
10. Then let us still maintain
Our fellowship divine.
And till we meet again
In Jesu's praises join ;
Thus, till we all your raptures know,
SingjyoM above, and wt below.

JOHN BENNET.
He began his itinerant labours in theGospelj in
the year 1747. He possessed considerable minis
terial abilities ; and was a raost indefatigable and
successful labourer in the vineyard, especially in
Derbyshire, Lancashire, and Cheshire, for several
years. By the following letter we may form some
judgment of what his labours were about the year
1750 ; "Many doors," sayS he, " are opened for
preaching in these parts, but cannot be supplied
for want of Preachers.— My circuit is one hundred
D

50 METHODIST
and fifty miles in two weeks ; during which time,
I preach publicly thirty-four times, besides meeting
the Societies, and visiting the sick, &c." Mr.
Bennefs extraordinary labours were attended with
an uncommon blessing, and he was instrumental
in raising several Societies in Lancashire, before
Mr. Wesley had visited that part of the kingdom.
By the postscript of a letter, which he wrote to
Mr. Wesley, in March, 1747, I presume that he
had been wavering in his mind respecting the con
troverted points : for he says, " I must confess,
that I lately looked upon man as a mere machine :
and whoever considers man as such, cannot possir
bly escape falling into the doctrine of Reprobation
and Election. I looked upon man in this light from
reading some authors ; which has caused me many
an uneasy hour: I wish all my young brethren
may escape this place of torment. Unguarded ex
pressions which we have used in our exhortations,
have given rise to the Calvinistic doctrine, as also
to Antinomianism."
In a few years after this, Mr. Bennet, however,
embraced this very system which he at the above
period, so much deprecated. - So mutable a crea
ture is man \ On the 26th of December, 1752,
he separated from Mr. Wesley s connection, and
took a considerable part of the Society at Bolton-le-
moors, in Lancashire, along with him. He called
Mr. Wesley a Pope, and charged him with -pxeach^
in^ Popery! He also charged him with denying
the perseverance ofthe saints, and teaching sinless

MEMORIAL. 61
perfection. The two former charges were utterly
false ; the two latter misrepresented. Mr. Wesley
taught, that a believer might, though he need nof,
fall from grace : hie also exhorted believers to go
on to perfection-^^^at is, aS he explained it, to
love God with all their heart ; but this he terrhed
Christian, not sinless perfection.
Mr. Bennet was Pastor of an Independent con-'
gregation at Bolton, for several years. I am in
formed he suffered much previous to his death,
by a painful disorder, which by some was termed
the leprosy. I am not in possession of the circum
stances which accompanied the close of his life ;
but there was, I learn, reason to conclude, that he
died in peaces and was united to the Church of the
first born, whose names are written in heaven.

ABRAHAM BISHOP.
He was a native ofthe Isle of Jersey. He began'
his itinerant labours in the province of Nova Scotia,
and New Brunswick ; and at the Conference 1703,
was appointed for Grenada, in the West Indies ;
where he concluded his labours, and finished his
course. He was deeply devoted to God : and in
the judgment of most who knew him, was sup*-
posed to be one of the holiest yoUhg men on earth.
He lived continually within the vail, and his soul
uninterruptedly longed for the salvation of sinners.
He was instant in season, and out of season ; an use-'
D2

t
62, METHODIST
fill Preacher all thp day' long, without the least
breach of modesty or decorum. He preached well,
both in French and English. In the same letter,
of which two-thirds were written with his own
hand, in the most lively and animating manner,
an account was transmitted of his death, by the
Rev. Mr. Dent, Rector of St. George s, Grenada,
who loved him as his own child. He fell a sacri
fice to the yellow fever, which at that time pre
vailed in the "West India islands.
The following are the particular circurastances
that attended his happy and triumphant exit.
" On the llth of June, 1793, Mr. Bishop was
so well as to be able to read prayers for the Rev.
Mr. Dent, but complained when he went home of
a pain in his head, and ate very little that day.
In the evening he had a fever, which was appre
hended to be of a malignant nature. Mr. Bishop,
though not conscious of the violence of his dis
order, said to one of his friends, " I am ready to
go to heaven." He earnestly exhorted all who
came near him ; appeared entirely dead to the
world, and had a glorious prospect of a blessed
eternity. His disorder continuing to increase, it
was thought expedient to have a consultation of
physicians ; accordingly two more ofthe most emi
nent of the faculty were called in, but it was not
in the power of medicines to afford him any relief.
His work was finished on earth, and on the 16th
of June, the Lord was pleased to receive his de
parting spirit.

MEMORIAL. 53
RICHARD BLACKWELL.
This excellent man, began his public labours
about the year 1766. He possessed considerable
talents for the ministr}', and was wise above
his years. He was wholly devoted to God,
and an example to the flock. He was serious,
spiritual, and heavenly in all his conversation ;
preaching in season and out of season ; out of the
pulpit, as well as in it. But that Divine Being,
whose ways are past finding out, was pleased to
call him away to a better country, in the very
flower of his years — ^before he had reached the
noon of life.
After travelling two or three years, he caught a
iever at Aberdeen ; and though in a kind of deli
rium, he rose from his bed, and preached a very
useful sermon in the chapel, to the admiration of
all present. This was undoubtedly an imprudent
step, and ought to have been prevented, if possi
ble, by his friends ; for it increased the fever to
such a degree, that he died in a iew days \ But his
end was glorious ! He went to God full of failh
and the Holy Ghost Many of the Ministers, and
Gentlemen of the city oi Aberdeen, conferred great
honour upon this young man at his death, and at
tended his funeral ; while one of thera, a gentle
man of considerable respectability, requested that
his remains might be interred in his family vault.
The following are the particular circumstances
of Mr. BlackweWs death.
d3

54 METHODIST
Mr. Richard Blackwell weht to the joy of his
Lord, Deceraber 27th, 1767. He was only con
fined to his room one week. On Sunday the 13th
he preached at five in the evening, to a crowded
audience, from the words oi David to his son Solo
mon : Arise and be doing, and the Lord be with you :
and indeed it was a farewell sermon ; and will be
reraerabered by many for their good. He was not
able to meet the Society ; but, nevertheless, as he
had caught cold, his indisposition was but little
thought of. He continued very poorly till Thurs
day, when he had great distress, both of body and,
mind, occasioned by the buffetings of Satan. On
Friday, he was afraid he should lose the use of
his reason ; and early on Saturday morning, he
was seized with a delirium, which continued till
three o'clock on Monday morning ;' during which
time he never closed his eyes till a little before he
expired. At intervals he spoke, of the glory and
majesty of Jehovah, and of the things of God in
general, with great delight; and died happy in
the Lord.

ANDREW BLAIR.
This erainently useful raan, was born in the
North oi Ireland, about the year 1748. In early
life he discovered a strong inclination to reading
and study : he preferred conversing with books to
all other gratifications ; and thought nothing too

memorial. 55
much that he could do to procure a variety of
them. His early thirst for, and acquisition of
knowledge, enabled him, on his becoming religi
ous, to be soon capable of administering tbe word
of life.
Those who knew him from the beginning ofhis
Christian course, esteemed and loved him much
for his close walking with God, and his great
faithfulness in the work of the ministry. It is said
that he never lost the affection of his first friends,
which was a strong proof of the consistency of his
conduct. In the year 1 76s, he first heard the Methodists
preach ; and in 1771, he was brought to a saving
acquaintance with God, and received the truth as
it is in Jesus. He soon began to tell of the loving
kindness of the Lord ; and to declare tbose truths
to others, which he had found to be the power of
God to the salvation of his own soul. In this
work he met with considerable encouragement,
and his labours were abundantly blest.
He was received upon trial, at the Conference
in 1778, and was every where received by the
people with the warmest affection, and regarded
as an eminent messenger of the living God. He
had a more than ordinary knowledge of men and
things, and could trace the human heart in its
various turnings and windings ; and therefore was
well calculated to detect those who had not the
root of the matter in them.
In conversation, he was a pattern of ease, mo-
D 4

56 METHODIST
desty, and good sense ; and all his conversations
were directed to the glory of God, and to the edi
fication of souls. His public discourses were well
digested, solid, and lively; and were generally
attended with a divine unction. Many in diffe
rent parts of Great Britain and Ireland, felt the
power of his word, and acknowledged hira as
their father in the Gospel.
He was raighty in prayer i it was evident to all
who heard him^ that he possessed the spirit of this
duty in an uncoraraon degree, and that he dwelt
as in the secret of the divine presence.
The last Conference he attended, was at Lon
don, in 17Q2 ; and on his return frora thence to
his native country, he enjoyed a good state of
health ; and there was a prospect of his being con
tinued a blessing to the Church for many years.
But in a few weeks his health began to decline,
and there appeared evident symptoras of a dropsy.
The physician advised a trial of the Bath waters ;
and for that purpose he carae into England : but
after an unsuccessful trial of several weeks, he re
turned to Dublin, in the middle of December,
where he was affectionately received by Mr. Arthur
J^eene, who treated him as his own son.
After his return to Ireland, there appeared some
pleasing syraptoras of his recovery, but he soon
relapsed, and his sufferings became very great.
Patience, however, had its perfect work, and all
his conversation was such as became a messenger
of God on the brink of eternity. With all the .'^o-

MEMORIAL. 57
leranity of a dying man, he said, " I entered upon
the ministry under a conviction that it was my
duty to do all the good 1 could. I had a zeal for
the glory of God ; but neither on this, nor on any
other thing I have done do I rely, but solely on the
merits of Jesus !" He then lifted up his voice and
said, " How long Lord do thy chariot wheels de
lay — come quickly to ray waiting soul." At ano
ther tirae he said, " It appears mysterious to me,
that I should be cut off in the midst of my days,
especially, when I think of my dear wife and four
helpless babes ; but God knows why it is so, and
that is enough for me. I know he stands in np
need of me : I should be vain if I thought he did.
I believe he made some use of me, but he can
raise up thousands, and make them more useful
than I have been."
He lay in one position for about ten weeks, with
all the meekness of a man whose heart was in hea
ven. His last night was a very restless one : in the
morning, he said^ his left leg was pained as if in
a fire, but added, " It will soon be over." And
so it proved, for at twelve o'clock on Monday,
April Sth, 1793, he breathed forth his happy
spirit into His hands, who had redeemed him unto
himself with his own blood. His last words were,
*' Let THE NAME OF THE LoRD BE MAGNIFIED-^
PLORY BE TO GoD. AmEN."

58 METHODIST
RICHARD BOARDMAN.
He was a man of great piety, of an amiable dis
position, and possessed of a strong understanding.
He was one of the first regular Methodist Preach
ers, who went to preach the Gospel on the con
tinent of Araerica. He went thither with Mr.
Pilmore, in the year 1779- M^"- Boardman was
greatly beloved, and universally respected by the
people wherever his lot was cast. His ministerial
labours were much owned of God, both in Europe
and America. He finished his course, by an apo
plectic fit, at Cork, in Ireland. The following
are the circumstances which attended the death
of this man of God.
Sunday, Sept. 29, 1782, Mr. Boardman having
been eleven days in Cork, was going out to dinner;
as he was walking, he was suddenly struck blind,
so that he could not find his way, till one of our
friends met him, and took him by the hand. Soon
after he seemed to recover himself, and sat down
to dinner. But quickly after he had a fit which
deprived him both of his speech and understand
ing. A physician was called in, who apprehended
there was no iraraediate danger. Monday he
seemed to be perfectly well, and preached both
that and the following evenings. His mind was
calm and serene, and no way anxious about either
life or death. On Friday morning he was present
at the Intercession, and was observed to pray with
an uncoraraon degree of freedom and power.

MEMORIAL. 59
At three o'clock, he went out to dine, but as
soon as he came into the house, he sunk down
insensible. He was then conducted back in a car
riage to his own house, and about nine o'clock in
the evening, he expired in the arms of two of his
brethren, and in the presence of many of his
friends, who commended him to God with sorrow
ful hearts, and strearaing eyes.
The Sunday before his death, he preached from.
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him. It was
a very solemn meeting; and a reverential awe filled
the hearts of the congregation. In his last prayer,
at the Intercession on Friday, he prayed fervently
for the people, and begged, that if this was to be
their last meeting on earth, they might have a
happy meeting in the realms of light. It is re
markable, that when he was leaving Limerick, he
told Mrs. Boardman, that he should die in Cork !
But this was no concern to hira, as he knew for
him to live was Christ, and to die eternal gain. To
him sudden death, was sudden glory ! But how
necessary for us to have our loins girded, and our
lamps burning, that, if the Bridegroom should
come at midnight, or at cock-crowing, we may be
found ready I
The following remarkable interposition of Di
vine Providence in favour of this raan of God, is
certainly worthy a place in these memoirs. It
comes from a person of respectability and veracity,
and was related to him by Mr. Boardman him
self.

60 METHODIST
I preached (says Mr. Boardman) one evening at
Mould, in Flintshire, and next morning set out for
Park-Gate. After riding some miles, I asked a
man if I was on my road to that place : he answer
ed, " Yes, but you will have some sands to go over,
and unless you ride very fast, you will be in dan
ger of being enclosed by the tide." It then began
to snow to such a degree that I could scarcely see
a step of my way,' and my mare being with foal,
prevented my riding so fast as I otherwise should
have done. I got to the sands, and pursued my
journey over them for some time ; but the tide
then came in and surrounded rae on every side, so
that I could neither proceed nor return back ; and
to ascend the perpendicular rocks was impossible.
In this situation I comraended my soul to God,
not having the least expectation of escaping death.
In a little time I perceived two men running down
a hill on the other side of the water, and by sorae
means they got a boat, and came to ray relief, just
as the sea had reached ray knees as I sat on the
saddle. They took me into the boat, the raare
swimming by our side till we reached the land.
While we were in the boat, one of the men said,
" Surely, Sir, God is with you !" I answered,
" I trust he is :" the man replied, " / know he is ;"
and then related, the following circumstance.
" Last night I dreamed that I must go to the top
of such a hill. When I awoke, the dream made
so deep an impression on iriy mind, that I could
not rest. I therefore went and called upon this

memorial. 6i
my friend to accompany me. When we came to
the place, we saw nothing more than usual.
However, I begged of him to go with me to ano
ther hill at a small distance, and then we saw your
distressing situation." When we got ashore, I went
with my two friends to a public-house, not far
from the place where we landed, and as we were
relating the wonderful providence, the landlady
said, " This day month, we saw a gentleman just
in your situation, but before we could hasten to
his relief, he plunged into the sea, supposing (as
we conjectured) that his horse would swim with
him to the shore ; but they both sunk and were
drowned together 1"
I gave my deliverers all the money I had, which
I think was eighteen-pence, and tarried all night at
the public-house. Next morning I was not a little
embarrassed how to pay my reckoning. I therefore
apologized to the landlord for the want of cash,
and begged he would keep a pair of silver spurs,
till I should send to redeem them. But he an
swered, " The Lord bless you. Sir, I would not
take a farthing from you for the world." After
some serious conversation with the friendly people
of the, house, I bid them farewell, and recom
menced my journey, rejoicing in the Lord, and
praising him for his great salvation."

63 METHODIST

CHARLES BOONE.

He ivas a man of an excellent spirit, greatly be
loved by the people, and an able, faithful, zealous
Minister of the Lord Jesus. He was engaged as
an Itinerant in the work of the Lord about tw&nty-
four years, and was the happy instrument in the
hand of God of turning many to righteousness.
There appeared to be sweetly blended in him, the
softness of moderation, with the inflexibility of
truth ; the meekness of wisdom with the ardour of
piety ; and the desire of unity and peace, with
strict attention to order and discipline.
His last circuit was Plymouth-Dock, where he
labohred faithfully as long as he was able. He
left Dock in the latter end of July, J 795, and came
near the city of Exeter, where he intended to re
side a few months for the benefit of the air. He
met with a very agreeable situation ; but, alas ! it
was all in vain ! The revolution of one day pro
duced a considerable change in him for the worse,
and he found that the disorder he had long been
struggling with, had now gained the ascendancy
over him. His feeble frarae began to sink under
its power ; and, sensible that the time of his dis
solution was drawing near, he informed Mrs.
Boone, that it was probable he should not continue
long with her. The physician considered his case
a lost one — that his disorder was gone so far as to
baffle the power of medicine. On the Monday,
after a very restless night, he said to Mrs. Boone,

M E M O R I a I,. 63
with his usual composure of mind, " I have often
-dwelt oUi and enforced upon the minds ofthe
people. In such an hour as ye think not, the Son of
Man cometh ! She replied, " Yes ; and you have
also urged. Be ye also ready ;" and asked him, if
he knew that God was making him ready for him
self ? He said, " Yes." His extreme weakness
rendered him incapable of saying much, but no
way discomposed his mind, which was staid on
God ; and his will perfectly resigned to the divine
disposal. Not a murmuring word passed his lips,
his consolations abounded, and he was all serenity
and peace.' When asked, " If Jesus was preci
ous ?" He replied, " Very precious."
To a person who was standing by the side of
the bed, a little before he expired, he said, " It is
a serious thing to die." From which time his
breath failed him so much, that he could hardly
articulate a word ; and after lying a few hours,
without any kind of emotion or struggle, he fell
asleep in Jesus, about half past five o'clock, Mon
day afternoon, July 20th, 1795.
Thus died this excellent man, in the full enjoy
ment of that lively and blooming hope, which the
righteous possess at their death. He knew in
whom he had believed, even in Christ, the resur
rection and the life. He felt the sublime pleasures
of true religion ; and faith realized to his enrap
tured view, the opening, the boundless prospects
of a happy eternity. He was neither deceived nor
deserted in his latest moments ; but in passing

64 METHODIST
through the valley of the shadow of death, he
feared no evil, because God was with him. His
warfare is now accomplished, and the days of his
mourning are ended for ever ! He fell a prey to a
rapid atrophy ; but death is his eternal gain. He
is gathered home to the spirits of just raen raade
perfect, to the innuraerable company on raount
Zion, who rejoice in the victory obtained. Having
fought the good fight, he is now crowned with
glory, honour, and immortality.

WILLIAM BRAMMAH.
He was a plain, honest man, of deep piety and
great zeal for the cause and interest of the Redeem
er's kingdom. His talents for the ministry were
remarkably small, so that it was almost proverbial,
" Hear Mr. Brammah once, and you will hear all
he has to say, let his text be what it will." But
God has some times chosen the weak things of tbe
world to confound the mighty, and things which are
not, to bring to nought things which are : in order
that he that glorieth may glory in the Lord. Thus
it was with this good man. He was rauch owned
of God, and his labours were universally blest.
He had sorae hundreds of seals to his ministry in
Yorkshire and Lancashire; whom he hath found
amongst the blest, and who will be the crown of
his rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus. After
having been exercised for sorae time with much

memorial. 65
weakness and pairi, which he bore with patience
and resignation, he finished his course about the
year 1780.

JOHN BRETTELL.
He was born at Stourbridge, in Worcestershire,
in the year 1742. The Spirit of God began to
work on his mind at an early period, and he
felt he wanted something to make him happy ;
but he was not properly awakened, till he was
near twenty years of age. Under the ministry of a
Mr. Brettell, a Local-preacher, God was pleased
deeply to affect his mind ; and from that day he
began to flee fi-om the wrath to come. Hemet
with much opposition from his parents, and some
times was locked out of doors. In the midst of
these heavy trials, the distress ofhis soul was great.
However, he continued instant in prayer, and
sought the Lord with his whole heart. He becarae
a raeraber of the Spciety at Birmingham ; and in a
class-meeting, the Lord manifested himself to his
soul, and gave him a comfortable evidence of his
favour. In about four years after he was justified,
he began to preach ; and his labours were a bles
sing to many of his own kindred and neighbours.
When he had laboured as a Local-preacher about
four years, his sphere was enlarged, and he came
out as an Itinerant Preacher, at the Conference
1771. He travelled about twenty-six years, with

§Q METHODIST
the short interriaission of about three years, ocea^-
oned chiefly by a state of illness. He was a man
of great plainness and simplicity of manners ; of
great sincerity and integrity of heart, and his mi
nisterial labours were blest to many.
The sickness whiph tprpiinated in his removal
hence, was a slow fever, attended with an entire
loss of appetite. When he was first taken ill, he
had a strong presentiment that his sickriess would
be unto death ; but he was remarkably happy in
God. After which Satan very powerfully attacked
him ; and he was greatly distressed with depres
sing views of his own unworthiness and ingrati
tude. This led him io pray much for purity of
heart ; and he was remarkably blest. He said to
his brother, " I Bless God, I was never more re
signed to his will ; I have no pain, nor have I had
any doubt of my acceptance with God since niy
affliction began."
To two of his brethren he said, " Blessed be
God, I have not served hira for nought ; but I am
very conscious, that though I am
^' Pnworthy of the c^-i^mbs tl^at fall,
« Yet rais'd by him who died for all,
" I eat the children's bread."
A little before he departed this life, not being
able to speak, he was desired to raise his fingers
if J esus Was precious: he instantly lifted up his
hand with great emotion. He then opened his
eyes, and looked with his usual ease and plea-

MEMORIAL. 67
santness, and in a few moments breathed his last.
Thus died a flaefek and humble follower of Jesus,
having just entered the 55th year of his age.

THOMAS BRISCOE.
He was an Itinerant Preacher among the Me
thodists for about thirty years. He was a man of
mahy afflictions, being subject to extrerae nervous
debility, so that for many years he could not take
a circuit. His disorder was first occasioned by ly
ing in a damp bed, and by poor accommodations
in the country parts of Ireland. He was a sensi
ble, well-read man, and by no means a weak
Preacher; but owing to his great feebleness of
body, he wanted that energy which would have
rendered his discourses more acceptable and use
ful. After spending a few years as a Supernume
rary in the city of Chester, he died happy in the
enjoyment of God, and with a hope full of a glo
rious immortality, in the year 1797. He vvas uni-,
formly steady in his attachment to the Methodist
doctrine and discipline.

S2

68 METHODIST
JOHN BROADBENT.
He was born near Leeds, in Yorkshire, and was
brought to a saving acquaintance with God when
Very young. It is probable he was received upon trial
as an Itinerant Preacher in 1772, for I find he was
adraitted into full Connection at th6 subsequent
Conference. He was a man possessed of a strong
and clear Understanding, and had considerable
gifts for the Work of the ministry. He was very
sensible ahd pious, and universally respected by
the people Vvliere he laboured, for twenty-two
years. He was fervent, lively, and zealous in the
pulpit ; and, having naturally a weak constitution,
he frequently so exhausted himself in preaching,-
that he was ready to drop down when he con
cluded his sermOn. He continued to travel as long
as he was able, but was constrained to yield at last.
A short time before his death he settled at Frome,
in Somersetshire, where his path to eternity was
smoothed by the affectionate treatment he received
from those steady friends to the cause of God,
Mr. and Mrs. Blunt. Finding that he had sunk
into an irrecoverable decline, he laid out himself
to the uttermost, in the honourable cause in which
he had been for many years engaged, and he
preached to the very last. God was with him in
the furnace of affliction, and he possessed great
peace and Strong confidence in Him, who had
redeemed him uhto himself by his own blood. He

M E M O R I A I/. 69
(Observed to a friend, just before he expired, " that
God had very much blest his soul!"
The following lines were inscribed on his tomb
stone : ^ere lies
The Body of.
The Rev. JOHN BROADBENT, '
(23 Years a Preacher of tlie Gospel
In Connection with the People called Methodists,)
Who fell asleep in Jesus,
Nov. loth, 1794, '
Aged 43 Years.
His. fervent zeal, \yith heav'nly Knowledge, join'd,
Display'dhis Piety and Strength of.Mind,^
And prov'd what can by God tp Man be given ;
Yet those who knew him best, knew but in part
'The Goodness and the Greatness of hii Heart,
L.'Would'st thouknbw all his worth-^iiieet him in heaven;
The preceding lines were comppsed by his par
ticular friend Mr. Bradburn; who also preached
his funeral sermon at Frome, from 2 Cor. v. 4.

DANIEL BUMSTEAD.
He was a native of Colchester, in Essex, and was
brought to an acquaintance with divine things in
the days ofhis youth. In the year 1 762, he began
his public labours in the vineyard of the Lord, and
for many years was remarkably successful. He
was a man of deep piety, and of great inte
grity ; "he was very zealous and active in the
work of the ministry, and was highly acceptable
E 3

70 METHODIST
wherever his lot was: cast. Had becontintied<i<n
the work to the end ofhis days, he would doubt
less have proved a blessing to thousands more than
he did: but he was tempted to reHnquisb -the
itinerant life, on account of his family connec
tions, and was prevailed upon to engage in secular
things, and to settle in Londpri.
It is no little rnatter to give up that call to man,
which we have received frpnti; God: — to leave
that sacred work, and again to, entangle ourselves
with the things of this world J This step which
Mr. Bumstead took, was an unguarded one, aind
proved very unsuccessful. It cost him much
pain ; and he lamented it even in his last mo
ments, He continued, however, united to the
people, and occasionally preached. He retained a
measure of piety, and after weathering out a, Jew
years in much affliction, both, in body and mmd,
he departed this life in peace, arid went to Grod iii
the year 1797.

EDWARD BURBECK.
Frpm his childhood he was eminent for up-r
tightness, indqstryi and the fear. of God. He was
converted to God at an early period of his life ;
and was soon called to bear a public testimpny for
him in the world. He was admitted on trial as. an
Itinerant Preacher, at the Conference in 1783.
and finished his course in the North of St^otland,

MEM O.R I A J.i 71
in the year 1788. His last circuit was Inverness,
where he obtained a good report of all men. He
was remarkably serious, eminently devoted to God,
and zealous in promoting the best of causes. He
was qualified for great service in the Chiirch, but
it pleased God to take him away apparently iri the
dawn of his hsefulness.

BJCHARD BURKE.
He was a man of great piety, uprightness,
faith and patience. His Lord chose him in the
furnace of affliction : and he was made perfect
through sufiir&ig^i" He uthtdd the wiMom and
calmness of age, with the simplicity of childhood.
If e -(va's recetved upon thti' list bf Itindi'ants in
1765, arid eoncluded his lif^ arid labours 'iri' I/;/ 8-.
"Mr. Wesley We^kxks iri his- jourrial, " ^ttHdaf
Feb. 15, r7;r8',:f buried the remains oi' Richard
Burke', a faidifttl' labouret iri our Lord's vineyard ;
a'mor6 uttblaffieatie charactei: I have hardly kridwn.
tn all the y;ear§ he has "iah^'tM with uff, IdW* hot
rettietttbei? that he ever gaVe me occasiori to fiVid
fatrft with Mhi iri atty thirig. He was a mari of
unwearied diligence and patience, and his worM
do follow him" '*

E4

72 ME TH O D I S T
JOHN BURNET.
He was a very pious, devoted, useful young
man. He came out to travel at the Conference
1787, and in a short time finished his course, in
Ireland. He continued through a long illness; in
a triuinphant state of mind, and his end was glo
rious. He was enabled to meet the last enemy,
not only with courage, but with extraordinary
triumph : he saw to the other side of the valley,
and rejoiced in hope ofthe glory of God !

WILLIAM BUTTERFIELD.
^^ was hornnear Halifax, in Yorkshire', and in-
early life was m^de a partaker ofthe grace qf God
in tr,uth. -He soon after began tq warn sinners rto
flee from the wrath to epme, and was for some time,-
an acceptable, useful, ,Lo,cal-preacher. In 1784,
he became an Itinerant , Preacher, and laboured,
faithfully for eleven years ; when it pleased God tp
visit him with a very painful disorder (an inflam
mation in thp brain), ^(vhich deprived him of the
power of reason ; l^ut at intervals, God gave him
the use of his understanding, and he then testified
of the goodness of God. He died in peace, at
Darlington, in Yorkshire, in 1794,

MEMORIAL. 73
JOHN CATERMOLE.
He began to travel as a Preacher in the Metho
dist connection, about the year* 1763. He was a.
deeply serious, pious, upright man ; but was natu
rally of a gloomy disposition, bordering upon me
lancholy. This rendered the itinerant life a trial
to himself, and his labours were not so acceptable
to the people as they otherwise would have been :
he therefore continued as a Travelling Preacher
but one year. He settled at Portsmouth-Common,
where he opened a school ; and preached occasi
onally, as long as he was able. He retained his
piety and integrity, and was very useful in his
Une of life to the last. He published several use
ful Tracts, and died in peace about the year 1799.

JONATHAN CATLOW.
He began his labours in the ministry when he'
was only sixteen years of age : yet notwithstanding
his youth, he was blest with a considerable degree
of heavenly, wisdom, and fervent zeal for the
honour of God, and the salvation of souls.
In those days it required no small degree of cou
rage, and deadness to the present world, to be a
Methodist Preacher. This good man had fre
quently to contend with the beasts of the people.
In one place where he preached, the mob contri-
vied to dig a deep pit in the middle of the road, in

74 METHODIST
which he had to return home. They had filled
the pit with water, and iritended tP have plunged
Mr. Cathiso into it. ¦, When be casme near the
place, he perceived their;. design, and, withput
taking any notice of , it Jo them (who were not far
off), he quietly turned aside, and thus^ escaped the
danger. The foreraost of the mob supposing Mr-
Caijow to have fallen into,th€ pit, came rushing
forward and plunged in themselves ; while their
companions came after them and fell,, in, also, be
fore they perceived their mistake. In the mean
time Mf , Catlow walked quietly home, and thus
escaped out of their merciless handsr
After 'travelling for sevjeral years be settled' at
KeigMey,,, in Yorkshire ; where, hy: atteading the
funeral of a person who died of a malignant fever,
he caught the same disorder ; and after suffering
much, he died, in theflowefof his age, very hap
py, and rejofping, in l^pp^ pf the glpry of God.
He requested tliat a sermon might be preached at
his funeral, ; firom 1 Jahn.yi^'ii. And it; is worthy
of remark, that from :that time, there was suck a
revival of the work of God in fhat neighbduichood,
as had never been known before. Thus did God
own the death ofthis good man,, whose life had
been a pattern of piety to all who knew him. He
died about the year 17 63.;

memorial. 75
THOMAS CHERRY.
He entered upon the work ofthe ministry in the
year 1767. He was a very pious, steady, useful
young man. He laboured faithfully, and with
success for a few years, and then it pleased the
Lord to take him to ah early rest. He finished his
course with joy about the year 1 773,

JAMES CLOUGH.
He came from Rochdale, in Lancashire ; and be
gan to travel as a Methodist Preacher in the year
1760. He laboured as an Itineraint about ten or
twelve years, and then desisted, and settled at
Leicester, where he acted as a Locarl-preacher to
the last. For several years before his death, he
was much quickened in his soul, which caused
him to be more abundantly zealous, and active in
the work; till about the year 1795* When it pleased
the LPrd to take him 'to his reward in a better
worlds • . • - '

ALEXANDER COATES.
He was a native oi North Britain, and being
made a partaker of the grace of God when very
young, he entered upon the iraportant work of the
ministry at an early period. He was an eminently

76 METHODIST
holy man, and was qualified for extensive useful
ness in the Cbuirch S his ministerial abilities were
very greatj so tha,the was a very popular Preacher;
and his mipstry was not only pleasing, but pro
fitable. , He was a scribe well instructed in the
things of the ; kingdom. He was mighty in the
scriptures, and was remarkable for his pertinent
quotations from that sacred treasury. ,,
His conversation out of the pulpit corresponded
wi'Cn his abilities in it.- This rendered him an
agreeable compapion to the pious, and gave
energy to his public ministrations. After a life
spent in holy coramunion iwith God, an^ of exten
sive usefulness, to men, he, -finished his course with
joy, and triumph, ^t Newcastlerupofi-Tyne, Oct. 6,
1766, and went to take possession of his great
and eternal, reward, ;, ;.
, ;The account which vsras tvansmitted to Mf.
Wesley, oi the death of this ;, good man,' by one
who was in the house where he died^ is as fol
lows. "I had the opportunity the last evening,
of seeing our dear, aged brother Co^^e^ ; (he was
at that tirae the oldest Preacher in the connection.)
A few days before, he was sorely tempted by the
enemy, but near the' close he had perfect peace.
His faith was .clear, and he found Christ precious,
his portion, arid his eterhal all. I asked him a
httle before he expired, " If he had followed, cun
ningly devised fables?" He answered, "No, no,
no." I then asked hira, " Whether he saw land ?"
He said, " Yes I do." And after wailing a few

M E M O A I A H 77:
minutes at anchor, he put into the. quiet harbour
of everlasting repose.

RICHARD COATES.
He came out as an Itinerant Methodist Preacher,
at the Conference in 1764; and was appointed to
labour in what was then called, the Staffordshire
Circuit. He was a deeply pious, lively, and zea
lous young man ; he was much beloved by the
people among whom he laboured, and was very
useful. He was appointed a second year for the
same circuit; but it pleased the Lord in a few
months, by a rapid decline, to take him to his
everlasting rest. His disorder was supposed to be
brought on by the severity of the winter, and his
excessive labours in the circuit. He was very
happy in his soul during his affliction ; and though
he suffered much, he was perfectly resigned to the
will- of his heavenly Father, continually saying,
" Not my will, but thine be done." The Lord
made all his bed in his sickness ; and enabled him
to triuraph over the last enemy. His soul was
preserved in perfect peace ; and in joyful hope of
a blessed immortality, he left this vale of tears, at
Wednisbury, in Staffordshire, in the year 1765, in
the 28th year of his age. His body was interred
in the church-yard at Wednesbury, and his funeral
sermon was preached by Mr. Mather.

7g M E T H O B I S T
BENJAMIN COLLEY.
He was a native of Tollerton, near Easingwood,
in Yorkshire, He united himself to the Methodists
in the year 1761, and having received Episcopal
ordination, he was invited by Mr. Wesley to Lon
don, where he ofl[iciated as a Clergymani in
the Methodist Chapels. He was a man of
deep piety, and uprightness; and earnestly
aspired after the heights and depths of Chris-
tran holiness. In the year 1762, not being
sufficiently upon his guard, he was carried away
by the enthusiasm of George Bell, and Thomas
Maxfield. He, however, was soon convinced of
his error, and being tenderly dealt with by Mr.
John Mannus, (who had been the honoured instru
ment of his conversion to God) he was in a short
time recovered from that dangerous snare, into
which he had fallen : and was restored again to
Mr. Wesley and the connection. In July 1763,
he was employed in the work of God at New
castle-upon-Tyne, where he was made a blessing to
many. From thence he wrote to Mr. Wesley, as
follows. " The bar which Satan thrust in, God
has burst asunder. You are near unto me ; I can
sympathise with you in your various afHictions.
To reflect upon my former conduct, that added ta
the weight you endured, now pains me. Though
you haye forgiven me, I cannot forgive -myself. I
cannot bring into words, how I loath and abhor
myself. O that you and I may abhor this spirit]

MEMORIAL. 79
I think if ever I had scriptural experience itis now.
I have continued to preach mprning and evening,
thoiigh ofteri tempted to give over, througjh the
cloudiness of . my understanding, and my various,
horrible conflicts within. Though I did' not then
see it, the Lord was witii me in the; fire j and
though it was as much as I could bear, yet there
was a way for my escape. His hand sustained me,
and I am now (O for gratitude !) brought into the
wealthy place. I keep off from the contention a»
much as possible, both in preaching and conver
sation ; and enforce Repentance, Faith, and Holi
ness, both of heart and practice. This is the only
way that I can find to pull down the strong holds
of Satan."
This letter fully proves^ that he was deeply sen
sible of his fall, and tbat he was restored, npt only
to the favour of God, but to his former usefulness
in the Church. He continued to labour faithfully,
and with a degree of success, fisr several years;
and though, at times, subject to evil reasonings,
and exercised with strong temptations, yet he
drank very deeply int& the spirit of holiness, and
-enjoyed great peace and divine consolation. He
witnessed a good confession before many witnesses
in his last moraents, and died full of faith and the
love of God, rejoicing in hope of the glory that
shall be revealed at the resurrection of th« jjust.
Mr. Wesley, in his printed journal, says, "Sunday
November 8'th, 1767, I buried the remains of that
excellent young man, Ber^amin Colley. He did

80 METHODIST
rejoice evermore, and pray without ceasing ; but I be
lieve his backsliding-cost him his life. From the
time he missed his way, by means of Mr. Maxfield,
he went heavily all his days. God indeed restored
his peace, but left him to be buffetted of Satan in
an uncommon manner : and his trials did not end
but with his life. However, some ofhis last words
were, " tell all the Society, tell all the world, I
die without doubt or fear."

LAWRENCE COUGHLAN.
He was a native of Ireland, and at an early pe
riod of Methodism, was called to preach the ever
lasting Gospel. He was a deeply pious man, and
a very lively, zealous preacher. His ministerial
labours were much owned of God, especially at
Colchester ; wherethe Lord put great honour upon
him, and gave him many seals to his ministry.
In the year 1762, he wrote to Mr. Wesley as
follows : " I bless God, I do hold fast whereunto
I have attained : Christ is all and in all to ray soul.
In all his works " my God I see the object of my
love." I am often so filled with gratitude and love,
that I can only let silence speak his praise. Some
times my soul is drawn out in sweet, holy moum
ing for those who are as sheep without a shepherd.
At other times God shews me what a poor, helpless
creature I am : and the sense of this always abides
"^ith me, so that I am often amazed at my own

MEMORIAL. 61
"ignorance ; and whatever good I feel, or do, I can
truly say it is the Lord." In, another letter written
in the same year, he says, " I find Christ to be
exceedingly precious to my soul, and it is my one
desire to do his will. My soul is as a well- watered
garden.: niy life is hid with Christ in God: and, I
believe, when Christ, who is my life shall appear, I
shall appear with him in glory." These .extracts
prove him to have been a man experimentally ac
quainted with the things of God, and that he was
fully devoted to his service. , In the year 1764 he
was ordained, with some other Methodist Preach
ers, by a Greek Bishop, whp was then in this
country ; on which account, I am informed, he
was put away frora the Methodist connection. He
afterwards, about the year 1768, procured ordina
tion frora the then Bishop of London, and was
sent as a Missionary to Newfoundland; where,
though he raet with much opposition for three
years, he laboured faithfully, and, for the last four
years, with a considerable degree of success.
The following letter, which he wrote to Mr.
Wesley, in. the year 1772, will afford us some in
formation respecting his labours, and the success
which attended them in that dreary region.
" I bless. God, my poor labours in this land have
been attended with some little success : sorae pre
cious souls are gone to glory, and a few more are
walking in the fear ofthe Lord, and in ipercomforts
ofthe Holy Ghost. I ara now in the seventh year
of my servitude as a Missionary ; at the end of

82 MfitltOniST
which, I hope to retrirn to England. Could I
travel up and down in this land so* as to be useful
ariy longer, I would gladly stay ; but as I cannot,
except by water ih small boats j I ahi not able to
starid it.
" I ara, and do confess myself, a Methodist.
The natne I love, and hope I ever shall. The plan
xvhitih you first taught me, as to doctrine and dis
cipline, I have followed. In the winter I go from
house to house, and expound some part of God's
word : tbis has given great offerice, biit " God is
above men, devils and sin." We have the sacra
ment once a month, and have about two himdred
communiCattts. T^his is more than all the other
Missionaries in the land have ; nor do I know of
any who attend otif^ sacrament, who have not the
fear of God ; and sortie are happy in his love.
There are some also whose mouths the Lord hath
opened to give a word of exhortation : and I hope
he will raise up more.
" About this tirae twelve nionthS, I hope to be on
my passage to England. If I come by the way of
Ireland, I should like to see my old friends there :
I shall be glad to know if it will be agreeable to
you, for me to speak ih your Societies.
" I beg to ask you one thing more : having
served the Society [for propagating Christian
Knowledge] seven years as a Missionary; upon
my return to England, with a strong testirhonial
from my parish, is the Society obliged to find me
a living? And if I could get a place in the Chuirch,

MEMORIAL. 83
would you advise me to accept of it ? If I know
my own heart, I would be where I could be most
useful. To be shut up in a litde parish-church,
and to conform in every little thing for sixty or a
hundred pounds a year, I would not ; no, nor even
for a thousand.
" My talents, you very well know. Sir, are but
small ; so that to be shut up any longer here will
not do. I am sure it is high time I should Ije re
moved. Who God will provide for this people I
know not : but. He opens and none can shut."
This letter manifests a spirit of real piety, of
genuine humility, and a heart entirely devoted to
the best of services.
He returned to England at the expiration
of the seven years ; and, was for a short time
Minister of the Chapel at Holy-well-mount,
London; but not finding himself comfortable
in his situation ; and, probably, wishing for a
more extensive sphere of usefulness, he solicited
Mr. Wesley to receive him again into his con
nection. But the days of his usefulness were near a close ;
and a short time after, while he was engaged in
conversation with Mr. Wesley in his study, he was
seized with a paralytic stroke, and was thus sudden
ly taken to the paradise of God.

F 2

84 METHODIST

JOHN COOK.

At the Conference in I7g4, he was appoint^S'
to labouf in the island of Dominica in the West
Indies. He was recommended in the strongest
manner, by all the Preachers, Stewards and Leaders
of the Circuit to which he belonged. On his arri
val at Tortola, he was seized with the putrid fever,
then raging in that part of the world. A lodging'
was prepared for him on a hill where the air was
particularly salubrious, and two physicians at
tended him ; but in vain ! After an illness of only
five days, he was taken' to his reward, in the priihe
of his life, and in the triuraph of faith. " Hov^
unsearchable are thy judgrricnts O God I and thy
ways past finding Put." But he was taken away
from the evil tocome-^nd, what we' know not'nov^,
we shall know hereafter.

THOMAS CORBETT.
HE'was a native oi Leicestershire, and>liv6d for
several years without God in theworld; but he at
last yielded to the influences ofgrace, and found the
Gospel to be the power ofGod unto sahationi After
which he began to warn sinners to flee from the
wrath to come : this he did first in his own neigh
bourhood ; and his labours being blest, he vvas
called forth into the vineyard, and gave himself
wholly to the work of the ministry. He laboured

'MEMORIAL. S5
with success for several years. He was a plain,
honest, pious man, and though his ministerial
gifts were not gifeat, he was generally acceptable
to the people in the circuits where he laboured.
He endured. much inhis last illness, but was won
derfully supported by the grace of Gpd. He ma
nifested great fpjrtitude, and departed this life, not
only in peace, but in the full triuraph of faith ;
and thus went to take possession of his heavenly
iinheritance. He died in the year 1789.

WILLIAM M'GORNOCK.
'. i".r.
He was a native oi Ireland, .^d was boxn. in
1746. His [latliier,, perceiving he had a tolerable
genius for learning, purposed to have '^qualified
him for the Church ; but having an aversion from
seriousness, and his master resigning the school,
where he was to have been educated, this design
was laid aside. He received, however, a tolerable
education, but soon became exceedingly vain and
wielded. He fell into drunkenness, and many
other grievous sins, though he had often deep con
victions of his state, and often implored mercy at
the hands of God : yet evil company soon des
troyed these first fruits of the Spirit ; and he per
sisted in a course of sin and rebellion against God,
for several years.
In the year 1 772, he began to attend upon the
ministry of the Methodists. At Clones, he heard
F 3

80 M ti T H O h I S T
Mr. James Perfect pteach his farewell sermon, and
the word reached his heart with power ; his soul
was deeply humbled before God, he had a cleair
discovery of his sin and misery, and also of the
riches of divine grace in Christ Jesus. He began
from that hour to mourn after a godly sort, and
his distress became so great, that be even envied
the happiness of the brutes. But in the end, the
Lord manifested himself in mercy to his soul : he
received the Lord Jesus Christ as his cornpUte and
only Saviour, and iramediately all his distress was
reraoved ; the power of the Most High oversha
dowed him, and the. glory of the Lord shone into
his soul : he had a divine consciousness of the
pardon of sin through the blood of Atonement,
and he rejoiced with joy unspeakable and fufl of
glory. Speaking himself, of the state of his mind
at that period, he says, " If I had had the tongues
pf men and of angels, I could not have expressed
^11 the joy that I felt. From this hour I began to
live, and found the sanctifying influence of God's
Spirit spirituaUzing my nature. I had also a vehe
ment desire to spend and be spent in the service
of God. I was willing to go to and fro to call my
fellpw-creatures to repentance ; and thought no
thing too hard to undergo for the sake of God,
and those for whom Christ died."
On the 25th of October, three days after he was
get at liberty, he set out to warn his neighbours
to flee from the wrath to come. He was for some
time, in the place where he resided, like a spW

ME M OR I A L. 87
row on the kom^ topi for thirty miles on one side,
and for about ten on the other, i there were none
(whom he knew), who were acquainted with God :
so that his soul was pressed down with grief. He
had frequent , and sore temptations, even from his
own father, tp his former sins ; but he fqundthe
grace of God,tp be sufficient for him. His father
sometimes threatened to disinherit him, if he per
sisted in ibis methodistical w^ys ; at other tiraes,
he changed his voice, and promised tOrgivehim
a freehold estate, if he would relinquish his reli
gion ; but he was deaf to all his threats and his
promises, and he determined to follow the Lord
at all events. He was remarkably courageous for
God, and valiant for; the truth : he reproved sin
wherever he met with it, and ;in this work his
•word was remarkably blest ; and he was instru
mental in turning many from the error of their
ways. This encouraged hira to proceed fuither ;
he soon began to preach publicly, andhis labours
were attended with a general blessing.
He continued thus to work for God for several
years, and was instrumental in informing some of
the most ignorant, and of reclaiming some of the
most wicked men in that part of the country.
In the year 1779, his sphere of usefulness was
enlarged ; Mr. Wesley called him forth into the
vineyard, and he engaged as an Itinerant Preacher,
in the Immhillen, and Sligo circuits.
In the year 1 782, in the month of October, he
took a tour of about one hundred and thirty miles
P 4

es METHODIST-
into the country, in order to raise some new Socie
ties. He met with considerable difficulties : once
he had to swim his horse over two arms ofthe sea :
he was another time benighted on a mountain,
where he could not meet with a house for many
miles: at length he heard a dog bark, and, fol-'
lowing the sound, he was conducted to a house
where he was corafortably entertained.
After travelling a short tirae in his native land,
he willingly devoted himself to the work of a
Missionary, and went over to the West Indies, that
he raight be instrumental in converting the poor
Negroes to the knowledge of the truth. He was
appointed to labour in the island oi Dominica';
but it pleased the Lord to cut short his life, and
soon to conclude his labours. The following are
the circurastances of his death, comraunicated by
a gentleman in the above island, dated August 12,
1789. "Shortly after Mr. M'Cornock's arrival, I met
him about a mile from my house ; I urged him to
go home with me ; but having promised to preach
at Mr. C  's, he went thither directly. Some
time after this he came to see me, and exhorted
the slaves, which seemed to have a good effect
upon them. He was a sensible, agreeable com
panion, and was much respected by the genteel
people in this island ; especially those who are in
clined to that which is good. He went two or
three times to Prince Rupert's Head, about thirty
miles from hpnce, but, alas ! his last visit thither

MEMORIAI,. 89;
proved fatal to him. He bought a horse, that he
might stop and preach to the inhabitants on his
way thither ;• this was a most severe and fatiguing
journey ; especially to one not inured to the cli
mate. He caught a severe bilious fever by the
way, and when he got to the end of his journey,
he continued preaching and exhorting the people
for three days : he then took to his bed, where he
lay for two days delirious ; when his gracious
Master. was pleased to take this blessed man to the
everlasting enjoyment of himself.

JOHN COWMEADOW.
He was a deeply pious young man, of an ex
cellent spirit, and unblameable in conversation.
He was admitted on trial at the Conference, in
1783, and as a Preacher, was acceptable and use
ful. He laboured in the vineyard, though with
rauch weakness of body, till the j'car 1786, when
the Lord removed him from his work and labour,
and received him to his eternal reward. — Mr. Wes
ley says, "Sunday Nov. Sth, 1786, I -buried the
remains of John Cowmeadow, another martyr to
loud and long preaching. To save his live, if
possible, when he was half dead, I took him to
travel with me : but it was too late. He revived a
little, but soon relapsed, and after a few months,
died in peace. He had the ornament of a meek
and quiet spirit, and was of an exemplary beha
viour."

go METHODIST

JOSEPH COWNLEY.

This venerable man was born June 26th, 1723,
at Leominster, in Herefordshire. From his very
childhood, the divine Spirit attracted his at
tention, and led his mind to reflect on eternity,
and its awful concerns* He became early ac
quainted with the corruption of his nature, but
knew not the remedy provided. He conversci
with all the serious people he could meet with ;
but it does not appear that he was clearly con
vinced of the way of salvation by faith in Jesus
Christ, till several years after. He first heard the
Methodists in the city of Bath, and under some
discourses he heard from Mr. Wesley, he was fully
enlightened^' He now sought the Lord with grfeat
earnestness^ and rested not till he found Mm in the
joy ofhis soul.
In the year 1744, he began to exercise fhe mi
nisterial talents God had given him in the place
of his nativity, and his first attempts werfe received
with approbation, and crowned with success.
In 1746, Mr. Wesley sent for him to Bristol, and
from that time, he gave himself up to the work
of the ministry, and commenced an Itinerant
Preacher. He was very eminently qualified for
this important work, and his labours were abun
dantly blest and owned of God, both in this king
dom and in Ireland. He continued his itinerant
labours with uncommon assiduity, till the year
1755; when he was visited with a severe fever,

MEMORIAL. 91
which so relaxed his nerves, that his laborirs were
considerably interrupted. A pain settled in his
head, which no medicine could ever remove. He
told me himself, in the year 179O, that he had
never been free from this pain, either night or day,
for more than thirty years !
In the month of October, 1750, he arrived at
the Orphan House, in Newcastle-upoH'^Tyne,
where we are now to view him in his more con
fined and local situation. His disorder rendering
him incapable of fulfilling the duties of an itine
rant life, his labours were from this time, princi
pally confined to the North of England. But he
laboured feithfiilly, and put forth all his strength
in the work of God, to the very last period of his
life. Wherever he came he was received as a
servant of God, and the Lord gave him many
seals to his ministry, who will be the crown ofhis
rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Atthe Conference in 1788, Mr. Cownley was
appointed to superintend the Societies in Edin
burgh and Glasgow. He continued his labours
there as long as he was able, but at last was con
strained to yield ; and in the month of October,
1789, he returned to Newcastle, and resumed his
former station.
In the former part of 1792, it was evident to
many of his friends, that he was ripening for eter
nity. The concerns of his everlasting state ab
sorbed all his soul. In prayer with his family and
friends, th& tears flowed from his eyes, and his

92 METHODIST
approaches to the throne of grace indicated the
closest union with God. In the month of Sep
tember,- being in the country, he caught cold.
which brought on a complaint in his stomach, by
which he was often affiicted. , His last sermon was
from Psalm cv. 3. Let the heart of them rejoice who
seek the Lord,/ And with this, on the Lord's day,
September 23, he concluded the labours of near;
half a century.
On his return to Newcastle, he had -. all the me
dical assistance which could be 'procured ; but,.
alas, all in vain ! He said, " My heavenly Father
is the best physician. He. is my only physician."
On one saying, " The blood of the Redeemer is
precious in .^our dying moments." He replied,
" O precious ! O. precious ! What should I do
but ior that .'" Poctor Clarke, seeing him in ex
treme pain, said, " Don't be afraid." Mr. Cown
ley replied, "¦ The fear of death. Sir, has long since
been removed; I am not afraid to die, but I am
afraid least I should become. impatient under this
afiliction." When the physician withdrew, while
the sweat fell in large drops from his face, he
cried out, with remarkable fervor, " Jes.us, I am
THI NE — Thou art my only physician ; but if it is thy
will, and I have finished the work thou hast commits
ted to me, then take me to thyself." He afterwards
repeated, " Lord, how little have I done fo5
thee !" The Lord's day before his decease,, the
consolations of God were so sweet, that his cup of
joy ran over, « I feel," says he, « such love in

MEMORIAL* 93
my heart, that if I Were carried to the, chapel, I
could sit and preach to thepeople." But his la
bours were ended ; angels were ready to tune their
harps, and the everlasting gates to lift up their
heads,; and admit his redeemed spirit into the regi
ons of delight and happiness. Monday, Oct. 8th,
1792, a few minutes after eight o'clock, he sat
down to supper. His daughter Mary had. with
drawn into an- adjoining room-^she soon heard a
noise and return^, but he was speechless !
" Death broke at once the mortal chain,
" And forced the soul the nearest way."
He reclined his head on the chair, and without a
struggle' or a groan expired !
He was a mah of eminent piety, strong sense,
and remarkable seriousness. His abilities for the
ministry were very uncoraraon : he was a man of
great reading, and was possessed of a fund of di
vine knowledge, so that there was a rich variety
in all his discourses. After preaching several
thousands of sermons in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in
the course of near forty years ; it was generally
reraarked, Mr. Cownley has always something new.
Indeed the pulpit was his element, and there he
shone 1 I had the happiness of hearing many ex
cellent sennons frbrii him, in the course of the
two years I was stationed in Newcastle. I always
heard him with pleasure and profit, and frequently
with admiratiori ! His abilities as a public speaker
have been appreciated by an unsuspected arid com-

04 METHODIST
petent judge. Mr. Wesley did not hesitate to say,
« He is one of the best Preachers in England."
His discourses though gerierally plain, were dis
tinct and atguiheritative ; he pleaded more by the
gravity and force of his sentiments, than by the
elegance or graces of his style. But what is far
better, the unction from the Holy One generally
accompanied his word, and he reached the hearts
of his auditors. From a disposition naturally re
served, he conversed but little in company ; but
when he did, he generally spoke to some good
purpose : he united the solemn with the famihar,
and was at once cheerful and serious. His end
was the consequent issue of his life. Death had
lost its terrors. He loved that which is the dread
of the impious. He said, " It is better for me to
be dissolved, that I may be with Jesus :" and
without a struggle or a groan, he committied his^
soul into the hands of a faithful Creator. In him
the Church lost a faithful Pastor, and tbe world a
burning and shining light. O may my life and
death be like his !

WILLIAM CRABB.
He was possessed of an amiable disposition, was
deeply piouSj and much devoted to God. But he
was of a very nervous habi^ and was mudi afflic
ted in body. Satan taking the advantage of his
infirmities, he was frequently in great heaviness.

MEMORIAL. 95
and was sometimes distressed beyond measure:
this prevented him from enjoying the comforts and
consolatioriS, commonly resulting from the posses
sion of genuine religion. But his end was peace,
and he left behind him a noble testimony of the
love and faithfulness of that God, who never did
forsake those who put their trust in him ; how
ever he might permit them to be exercised for a
season, with grievous temptations. He was taken
to his everlasting rest about the year 1764.

ANDREW COLEMAN.
He was bom in Coleratn, in the North ef Ire
land, of very respectable parents. As he ap
peared to have a raore than ordinary taste for
learning, be was put to school at an early age,
and soon made great progress in reading and mer
chant's acGompts. He was afterward.'! removed to
a grammar>schoolj where he profited beyond all
his fellows. None of his own standing, could keep
pace with him ; and he outstripped many who had
begun their classical course long before him. He
soon became master of the Latin and Greek lan
guages, and made considerable progress in He
brew. To these studies he joined geometry,
astronomy, chronology, history; and most branches
of the mathematics. As he was remarkably blest
with an amazingly cPmprehensive mind, and vi
gorous retentive memory, he fathomed the depth

qQ METHODIST
of every study, and could not be contented with i
superficial knowledge of any subject., The ac
quisition of useful knowledge was more to him
than his necessary food ; and he neglectedino
opportunity of cultivating his mind. Whatevei
he read he made his own ; and whatever he learn
ed, he retained; so that his stock of knowledge
was continually increasing.
Owing to the straitened circumstances of his
parents, (who had been reduced to great want,
from a state of considerable affluence,) he was,
in general, unable to procure those books which
were necessary in his particular studies ; so that
in raany caSes he was obliged to explore his way
in the regions of science without any other light
or guide than that which the Father of Lights
•had kindled in his own mind. But notwithstand
ing this disadvantage, to which might be added,
his very delicate constitution ; and his being often
obliged to vs^ork hard to purchase time to attend
his school, he attained to such a pitch of mental
cultivation before his 17th year, as few have been
able to acquire in the course of a long life.
Having finished his classical studies, he was
obliged to take up a little school in order to pro
cure hiraself the necessaries of life ; as the ira
paired state of his parents' circurastances did not
perrait hira to hope for any assistance from that
quarter. What he acquired by his labours^ in
this way, he gave for the support of his family,
and often went whole days without food that he

M E M O R I A L. QJ
might help to support those from whom he re
ceived his being. This he considered as one of
his first duties ; and he discharged it to the utter
most of his power.
About the year 1 778, it pleased God to awaken
and bring to the knowledge of the truth, one of
his schoolrfellows, Mr. A. C. now one of our tra
velling Preachers. As a very tender friendship
subsisted between those two, they often spoke to
gether of the things of God, and attended the
ministry of Mr. Thomas . Barbor, who was acting
as a Missionary at his own cost, and emphatically
performing the work of an Evangelist through an
extensive tract of country near the sea-coasts ofthe
county of Antrim. His raind was soon found to be
very susceptible of divine irapressions — it becarae
gradually enlightejied : and having earnestly sought
rederaption in the blood of the crPss, he received
it, to the unspeakable joy of his soul.
After some time he was employed as a class*
leader, and at the entreaties of several, began to
exhort in different country places in the vicinity
of Colerain. Being naturally very timid, it was
some time before he could be prevailed on to take
a text : and when he at last submitted his own
judgment to that of his friends, and began to
preach ; his word met with universal acceptance.
In July 1785, he was wellrecPmraended to the
Dublin Conference as a fit person to travel. He
was accordingly received on trial, and sent to the
Sligo Circuit. He was now in the i Sth year of his

^8 METHODIST
age, and nearly six feet high, the rapid growth of
his body appearing to keep pace with that of his.
mind. But it was soon found, he had passed the
meridian of his life. The circuit to which he was
sent, was a severe one — ^he laboured to the utter
most of his power, and in about nine months he
fulfilled his course, having fallen into a rapid con
sumption. He returned to his raother's house
a short time before the ensuing Conference ; and
though every assistance was afforded him by the
amiable Society of Colerain, and the affectionate
family in which he received his education ; he sunk
apace, and having suffered awhile with the utmost
patience and resignation, he fell asleep in Jesus,June
1 8th, 1 786, aged 18 years and two raonths, and soon
gained the blessed region where the inhabitant
shall no more say, / am sick. He had the happi
ness of seeing his mother and grandmother brought
to an acquaintance with the truth, before his de
parture ; and his last words to them, as his holy
soul prepared to take its flight into the etemal
world, were, Fellow me ! Mr. Wm. West preached
his funeral sermon out of doors, to an audience
that no house could contain : and the high estima
tion in which he was heid, was evinced by the
many thousands who attended his remains to the
grave. The funeral procession extended more
than half a mile I The evening before he died, he
desired to be carried out in his chair to see the set
ting sun ; his desire was complied with ; and hav
ing beheld it a while with pleasing emotion, till it

MEMORIAL. gg
sunk under the horizon, he obseJrved, " This sun
has hitherto been partially obscured to me, but it
shall be no more so for ever !" And about the time
it began to re-enlighten that part of the earth, his
happy soul soared away to the regions of glory.
To many it might appear that this araiable young
man was taken away in the midst of his useful
ness. But a little reflection will shew us that
God's ways are all equal. He never removes any
of his servants till they have accomplished the work
he has given them to do. Extraordinary talents
are not given merely in reference to this world.-^—
They refer also to eternity ; and shall there have
their consummation, and plenitude of eraploy. Far
be it from God to light up such tapers to burn only
for a moment in the dark night of life, and then
to extinguish them for ever in the damps of death.
Heaven is the region where the spirits of just men
made perfect live, thrive, and eternally expand
their powers in the service, andto the glory oihim
irom whom they have derived their being.
The extensive learning of Mr. Coleman, was his
least excellence. This indeed, he accounted but
dross and dung in comparison of the excellence of
the knowledge of Jesus Christ crucified. Through
this, the world and all its enjoyments were Cruci
fied to him. It was this, that opened the king
dom of heaven to his soul, supported him iri his
sufferings, and caused him to triumph over death.
His very retentive memory has already been no
ted : when he was about fourteen years of age, he
g2

100 .METHODrST
had the whole oi the Common-Prayer, by heart;
could repeat a\\ the 'rn\es in Lilly s Latin Gram
mar,, ^ .those oi the Westminster Greek Grammar '^
with all the verbs,. active, passive, and middle, in
the same work. He had made himself such a
master of the JEneid oi Virgil, and the Paradise
Lost oi Milton,' atthe sarae age, that on the raen
tion of any line in either of those poems, he could
immediately tell the book in which it occurred,
and the number of the line! His natural disposi
tion :was uncommonly amiable. — His own excel
lencies were so deeply hidden frora hiraself, that the
foot :of . pride never appeared to come against him.
He was a steady friend, and a most affectionate and
dutiful child. His manner, both in preaching
and conversation, was plain and artless. He hum
bled himself at the, feet of all : and the invariable
lan;g.uage of his heart, both to God and raan, was^
what I know not, that teach thou me.*

WILLIAM DA RNE Y.
He was a native oi Scotland, and was among the
first Itinerant Methodist Preachers. He travelled
for many years, and waa instrumental in raising
several Societies in the North of England ; whieh
for some time went by the name of William Dar-
* The above account I hive received from my friend Mr.
A. C — , whc, as has already been noted, was Mr. Caleiiian's
school-fellow for several years.

MEMORIAL. 101
hey's Societies. He was intimately acquainted with
the Rev. Mr. Grimshaw, of Haworth, and was
rendered peculiarly useful to him, in the, begin
ning of his Christian course. Mr. Darney
published a volume of hyrans, and a small vo
lurae of sennons, on the leading doctrines ofthe
Gospel. He was rather an eccentric character,
but was generally esteemed as a pious, good man;
and was useful to many. For some years previous
to his death, he desisted frora the itinerant. life,
and settled near Colne, in Lancashire ; but he was
not idle ; he preached, as he was able, to the
very last ; and he was blest in raising a small So^
ciety in that country, a little before he finished his
course. He died in peace about the year 1 780.

PETER DEAN.
He was a native of London; but for several
years he resided with the Rector oi Berwick, in
Yorkshire : where he appeared to be deeply serious
and devoted to God. There, also he began to
preach, and was greatly esteeraed by many of the
people. He was admitted upon trial, as an Itinerant
Preacher, in the Methodist connection, at the Con
ference 1777 ; and was appointed for the Norwich
Circuit : but he only continued in the work for
one year. He then married a person of considera
ble property, and settled in business in Londpu.

102 METHODIST
But this plan not answering his expectations, he
soon relinquished business, and retired to Newing
ton Butts ; where, in a short time he was taken illj
and removed to another world.
There were (as I am informed by a gentleman
pf great respectability, and undoubted veracity)
some awful circumstances attending his latter end ;
which I would not relate, but from a hope that
they may prove an everlasting warning to others,
who may be engaged in the same work, and ex
posed to similar temptations.
These circumstances, I am aware, may appear
to a certain plass of readers, strange, and may be
imputed to a heated imagination, or to the influence
of enthusiasm ; I, however, venture to record them
just as they have been transraitted to me — cleaving
every pne at liberty to forra his own judgraent,
and to draw his own inferences frora thera.
When this poor unhappy man thought himself
pn the verge of eternity, and Death, the king of
terrors, stared him in the face, he confessed that
he had been influenced by no other motive, nor
had he any other end in view, in comraencing an
Itinerant Preacher, than to obtain a rich wife !
And he added. The lord has given me my desire,
and his curse with it — and now Iam ruined for ever !!
Frora that tirae he refused to be comforted, would
take neither food nor medicine ; abandoned him
self to black despair, and seemed resolved to die !
For some time before his death, his countenance
would suddenly change, and be very horrid t<j

MEMORIAL. 103
look upon : he, himself vvas conscious of it, and
sometimes would go to the glass, and would then
turn and say to his wife, " Now look at me—tiow
will you believe ?" In a short tirae he was con
fined to his bed, and was visited by several minis
ters and others, (and araong the rest, by the gen
tleman to whora I am indebted for this awful me
moir ; therefore he was himself an eye and ear
witness) ; but their admonitions, remonstrances,
and prayers seemed to be all fruitless !
A few days before he died, his wife and a deeply
pious person, were sitting with him in his room»
when they heard something beat him violently on
his breast ; they heard the Wows, but saw no
thing ! He immediately cried put as in great
agony, and upon examination they found his
breast quite black with ,tbe sti^okes h.e ihad re
ceived !
After this he one day feigned himself asleep,
and Mrs. D. and her companion, that he might
not be disturbed, left the room. Perceiving that
they were gone, he put forth all his strength, ahd
rolled himself headlong on the floor : — on hearing
the noise, they instantly returned, and, (awful to
relate) found him dead ! Mr. Wesley is allowed by
all who knew him, to have been possessed of as
much candour and Christian charity as most men
who ever lived ; yet, from these dreadful circum
stances of Mr. D.'s death, I am inforraed, thathe
refused to read the furieral service over his body !
O how necessary both for Ministers and people
g4

104 METHODIST
to watch over the raotives and int-entions of their
hearts 1 Surely these, (as the Apostle observes];
1 Cor. x. 6.) were our 'examples, to the intent we
should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
If thine eye [thy intention] be evil, thy whole body
shall be full of darkness : if therefore the light thatis
in thee be darkness, how great is thdt darkness. But
let us reraember, God is not, cannot he mocked;
whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Motives, as well as actions, are known to Him,
with whom we have to do, with the utmost pre
cision. He searcheth the heart — he trieth the
reins: He is a God of knowledge, andby Him acti
ons are weighed. While, therefore, we are very
cautious of judging one another, let us, with the
greatest scrupulosity and impartiality, judge our-
selvesj that we be not judged of the Lord : and as
there is so much danger of deception, and that
deception will be attended with dreadful conse
quences, let us call upon God that he may assist
us in this important and arduous work : let us say
with the Psalmist, Search me, 0 God,' and know my
heart i try me and know my thoughts ; and see ifthere
be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way
everlasting.

WILLIAM DENTON.
He was admitted as an Itinerant Preacher in tbe
year J 7 90, and was a truly serious, watchful, ex-

MEMORIAL. 105
eraplary Christian ; of great huraility, meekness,
and patience.
He was an acceptable and edifying Preacher,
greatly respected and beloved by the people in all
the Circuits where he travelled. He was admitted
into full connection at the Conference 1795, but
was obliged iramediately to desist from travelling,
through a painful and distressing disorder, which
arose from a hurt he had received in the work.
This affliction, which continued and increased
upon him for many months, he supported with
great resignation to the divine will, and though
frequently exercised with sore temptations and
much heaviness, he went off the stage of life, in
great peace and triumph, at Leeds, in Yorkshire,
some tirae in the year 1796.

JOHN DILLON.
He was born in the array, and received his
Majesty's pay at fourteen years of age. In the
year 1 746 he was called abroad, and was in the
faraous battle of Dettingen. He was likewise in
the battle oi Fount enoy, where thousands fell on
the right hand and on the left. He was there
taken prisoner, but received not one wound ;
which very deeply affected his raind, and he re
solved to lead a new life. But this, as he says,
was in his own strength, and in a few weeks he
was the same man as before. The Lord continued

100 METHODIST
lo strive with him mightily, yet he went on in sin.
He often wished there was no God, or that he had
no soul, for he was frequently in such distress, that
he knew not what to do. It pleased God to visit
him with three severe fits of sickness, in the last
of which, his mind was so deeply affected with
his state, that it was the continual cry of his heart,
What shall I do to be saved f As soon as he got
better, he went to church every day, and his dis
tress continued and increased, till on Friday, Oct.
11, 1757} in the afternoon, while the Curate was
reading the second lesson (Luke xv.) and especi
ally in the reading of the parable of the prodigal
son, he felt great encouragement frora God, tbat
he should be received also ; and when those words
were read, This my son was dead and is alive again ;
he was hst and is found, his soul was fully set at
liberty. His heart rejoiced in God his Saviour,
and his mouth broke out in holy praise. At this
time he had never heard the Methodists, nor had
he the least acquaintance with them. Afterwards,
however, he was prevailed upon to hear therti
preach. He Ijeard Mr. Trembath, who at that
time was a famous Preacher among the Metho
dists, though he afterwards fell from God, and
greatly reproached the cause of truth. Mr. Dillori
was wonderfully pleased to hear him preach with
out a book, and the word was rendered profitable
to his soul. He soon after became a member of
the Society, and in the year 17 62, he was made a
happy partaker of the perfect love ofGod.

MEMORIAL. i07
He frequently preached whilst in the army ; but
in the year 1765, he came forth to labour in the
vineyard of the Loi'd. He laboured principally in
Ireland, where he endured great hardships, and
passed through grievous sufferings ; which the fol-
Jowing letter will fully evince. It is dated Augher,
Feb. 14, 1768, and addressed to the Rev. Mr.
Wesley :
« Rev. Sir,
*' When I first came into this Circuit, the want
of health, the exceeding bad beds, damp rooms,
and hardly food to support my body, was a trial
to me. But O how can the Lord make hard
things easy I For I had not been there long, be
fore I was quite willing to spend and be spent for
the sake of the people. Indeed I have long
thought that poverty, with real simplicity, and
the love of God, is much safer than the greatest
affluence without it. I am given to see clearly,
that the business of a Preacher of the Gospel, is
not to mind (though he cannot do without them)
what he shall eat or drink, or how he shall lie, 8cc.
but how he shall save souls, and for that end,
become all things to all men, so he may gain some,
" I find a great desire to go to new places, where
the Gospel has not been preached ; but am almost
continually afraid of having my brains beat out ;
so that I frequently labour in great heaviness. O
that God would deliver me from needless fears ;
and help me to add to my faith, courage ! What a
sharae is it, that I who have been preserved amidst

¦08 METHODIST
ohowers of cannon-balls and bomb-shells, should
now fear.
" Some time ago I was brought before the Pro-
" ^ost of Inniskillen, by a Clergyman, for preaching.
was nearly three hours with hira, and one or two
Clergymen raore, and a room full of ladies, he.
The Clergyman took rae by the hand ; wished me
Tood luck ; bid rae God speed ; and desired me to
preach hell and damnation every where : and
said, " If you are the real servants ofGod, sent
forth to convert the world, I wish myself, with
all my brethren who oppose you, seven feet under
ground." This letter proves . that he suffered rauch per
secution ; that he bore it with Christian forti
tude and patience ; and that his holy soul burned
with zeal for the glory of God, and the salvation
of souls.
He was greatly afflicted in his body, and for
many raonths was exercised with strong pain ; but
be bore all without a raurmuring thought, with
out the least shadow of discontent. He grew
weaker in February, March and April, 1769.
May 10th, his wife would fain have sat up with
him ; but he would not suffer it. About seven in
the morning. May 11, he changed; but still lay
quiet and coraposed, till about ten o'clock, he
moved his head a little, and without any struggle
or groan, fell asleep in Jesus.

MEMORIAL. 109
JOHN DOWNS.
He was a Preacher among the Methodists for
many years :¦ a man of sincere, unaffected piety,
of great affliction, and possessed of an uncoraraon
genius. Mr. Wesley was of the opinion, that his
mind was equal to the great Sir Isaac Newton s !
Mr. Charles Wesley gives the following account of
his death. " John Downs has lived and died the
death of the righteous. For several months past,
he has been greatly alive to God, walked closely
with him, and was visibly growing in grace.
Ever since the time he was resolved to preach
again, he has preached as often as he really could,
and with great success. On Friday raorning he
rose full of faith, and love, and joy : he declared
it was the happiest day of his life, and that he had
not been so well in body for several years. He
expressed his joy in showers of tears. He was led
to pray for the people so as never before. Going
out to the chapel at West-street, he said, " I used
to go trembling, and with reluctance ; but now I
go in triumph." His text was. Come unto me all
ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest. His words were unusually weighty, and
with power, but iew. He perceived he could not
finish his discourse, and gave out this verse of the
hymn, ' '
" Father I lift my heart to thfee,
" No other help I know."

110 METHODIST
His voice failing, he fell upon his knees, as mean
ing to pray, but he could not be heard. The
Preacher ran and lifted him from his knees, for he
could not raise himself. They carried him to bed,
where he lay quiet and speechless till eight o'clock
on Saturday morning (Nov. 6, 1774), and. then
fell asleep. O for an end like his ! It is the most
enviable, the most desirable I ever heard of I I
visited his widow yesterday afternoon : she sur
prised me, and all who saw her. So supported,
so calm, so resigned ! A faithful friend received
her into his house. She had one six-pence in the
world, and no more ! But her Maker is her hus
band! We all agreed, // is the Lord's doing, and
marvellous in our eyes.

JOSEPH EASTERBROOK.
This deeply pious and very useful man, was a
Clergyman of the Church of England, and Vicar
of the parish of Temple, in the city oi Bristol
Though he was not an Itinerant Methodist
Preacher, yet he greatly reverenced Mr. Wesley,
and highly esteemed the Preachers in his connec
tion, as his brethren in the ministry. He was an
able Preacher, and a bold defender of the same
iraportant truths of Christianity, and was instrur
raental in increasing the number of members in
the Methodist Society ; for it was with him an
invariable rule, to send those who were awakened

MEMORIAL. HI
under his ministry, and who carae to him for
advice, to raeet in class, and advised thera to unite
themselves to the Society, that they might be built
up in faith and love. He considered the Metho
dists, as they consider themselves, not as a distinct
body from, but as auxiliaries tothe Church of Eng
land ; and, therefore, he gave thera the right hand
of fellowship, and wished them good luck in the
name of the Lord. This is my apology for re
cording his excellent narae in these raeraoirs. The
following concise account of this good man, is
taken from a sermon that was preached on account
of his death, in the Methodist Chapel, Bristol, by
Mr. Henry Moore.
" The Rev. Mr. Easterbrook was," says Mr.
Moore, " a righteous man [referring to, his text,
which was Isaiah Ivii. 1,2.]. He had put off the
old man, which is corrupt after the deceitful lusts.
And he had put on the new man, which is created
after God in righteousness and true lioliness. He
was not content with making clean the outside of the
cup. Though he was, as all his friends testify,
of a very unblameable behaviour from his youth,
yet this satisfied him not. He felt that corruption
of nature, whereby man is gone from original right e-.
ousness, and is of his own nature inclined to evil, so
that the flesh lusteth always contrary to the Spirit.
And, therefore, he pressed after those great and
precious promises, by which we are made partakers of
the Divine Nature. He was renewed in the spirit
of his mind; a child ofGod by faith : the Spirit-

112 METHODIST
itself bearing witness with his spirit that he was a
child of God.
" And his conversation was as becometh the
Gospel of Christ. He adorned the Gospel of God his
Saviour. — Even keen-eyed jealousy could fix no
blot upon hira, either as a Christian, or in his mi
nisterial character : but, nevertheless, in this he
gloried not. The language ofhis heart was,
" Whate'er in me seems wise, or good,
Or just, I here disclaim,
I wash my garments in the blood
Of the atoning Lamb."
The righteous, says Solomon, is bold as a lion.
Such was Mr. Easterbrook. He added to his faith
courage. God had not given to him the spirit of
fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
His faith was that which overcometh the world.
He could say, when tempted to fear or sharae,
•' To him I turn my steady face,
Wanti ps'n ^^^Yt 6nj°y disgrace,
Glory in dissolution near !"
As a fruit of this, a noble ingenuousness was
manifest in him. Ashe renounced the hidden things
of darkness, so he walked not in cunning craftiness.
Even a superficial observer might see that he was
a man that had a window in his breast. He spake
the truth from his heart : Guile, as a wise and
good man has observed, is good for nothing but
sin, and cannot be needed while we have a single
eye. His whole behaviour was a comment on this.

MEMORIAL. 113
By manifeslatiori of the truth, he comraended hira
self to every raan's conscience in the sight of God.
As he was not dShamed of the Gospel of Christ :
not even where it was attended with raost of its
priginal reproach. His spirit also was truly catho
lic : he remembered the words ofhis blessed Mas
ter, Whosoever doeth the will of my Father who is in
heaven, the same is tny mother, my sitter, and brother.
And he was truly a merciful man. This was the
distinguishing part of his character. He also,
like his Master, delighted in mercy, and judgment ;
any severity, was his strange work. His ministe
rial office seeraed to him (what it really is) pnly a
means of more effectually dispensing that mercy,
¦which belongs to the Christian character : and of
which the souls and bodies of men so greatly stand
in need, while in this vale of misery and woe.
" He accordingly thus exercised it. The merci
ful God, previous to his call to the ministry, had
opened his eyes, to see the world lying in the wicked
one. He therefore laboured to pluck them as
brands out of the burning : to snatch them from
the verge of hell. And as he saw the worth of
souls, so he was npt satisfied with the usual, stated
minigtrations, hnt from house to house, taught, re"
proved ^nd esfhorted with all long-suffering. Even
this did not satisfy his enlarged heart. He under
took a work of mercy which surprised even the
most religious of his friends. Boasting, in him,
juas eufcluded: but it should not be hid, that he
aftually preacM a sermon in every house in hit large
H

114 meThodisT
parish J This work took him about two years :
but it shall never be forgotten. It shall be found
unto praise, and honour, and glory, at the appear
ance of Jesus Christ.
" But he felt the misery of the body too. He
was, in this respect also, a raerciful raan. He
was a dispenser of the goods, as well as of the
faith of Christ. The sorrowful sighing of the prison
ers, (who were also his charge) came up before him.
In this also he shewed himself a member ofChrist.
Indeed his whole life was one continued act of
mercy to the souls and bodies of men. Like
Joseph to the famishing Egyptians, the miserable
found him a ready friend, and an able advocate.
He counted not his substance, or his life dear to
hiraself. The language of his heart was,
" Thy mind throughout my life be shewn,
While list'ning to the wretch's cry ;
The widow's aiid. the orphari's groan,
On mercy's wings I swiftly fly,
The poor and helpless to relieve.
My hfe, my all, for them I give."
It is well known that he abridged himself in all
his necessary expences ; and denied himself many
ofthe lawful comforts of fife, that he might relieve
the destitute. And when all the worldly goods
which his station in the Church put him in pos
session of had failed ; the merciful Lord, whose
Spirit had excited him, stirred up many to assist
him in this labour of love. He saw, like Elijah,
the meal continue, and the oil failed tiot. And as

MEMORIAL. 115
the. bread, blessed by his Master, grew in the
hands of the disciples, who distributed to the fa
mishing multitude ; so his mite, given to God in
the poor, continually increased, and the thanks
giving of many redounded to the honour and
praise of God.
But this burning and shining light was given to
the world only for a short time. His great and
continual labours, with too great a neglect of hira
self, brought on a general weakness, which in
creased raore and raore, notwithstanding the best
medical assistance ; and at last took him out of
this world to his eternal reward, on the 21st day
of January, 1791, in the fortieth year ofhis age.
In his affliction he was always the sarae, inva
riably patient, resigned, and thankful. His con
stant language was, " The Lord is wise. The
Lord is good. The Lord will do all things well."
When his weakness became extrerae, he thought
much of death. Yet if ever he seemed recalled to
any expectation of life, it seeraed, like the great
Apostle, to be excited by his unspeakable love to
his flock at large, and especially to the children of
his faith and prayer. With what tenderness would
he soraetiraes say, " My flock ! My flock ! I would
live for thera 1 But thy will be done ! O that the
Lord would send them a Pastor after his own
heart ! To Hira I coramend them !" He grew at
last so very weak that he could not converse : some
of his last words were, " God does all things well.
His will be done, I have no fear, I fear not death :
h2

Ii6 METHODIST
I fear not judgraent ;" and then, after a pause^
added those remarkable words, " I delight in the
thought of judgment ! I know my interest in the
Judge ; and I know I shall stand before him with
joy!

WILLIAM EELS.
He was a native oi North-Shields, near Newcastle-
icpon-Tyne, and was converted to God when young.
He came out to travel in the Methodist connection in
the year 1772. Hewas a man of piety, of good
sense, and of considerable talents for the work of
the ministry. He was generally esteemed, and
greatly beloved by the people where he laboured.
About the year 1782, he married a pious woman
of considerable property, at Boltoru-le-moors, in
Lancashire ; this, as was supposed by some of his
friends, tended rather to puff up his mind ; and
Mr. Wesley having left his name out of the deed
of declaration, in the year 1 784, he was grievously
offended. He continued, however, to travel tiH
the Conference 1/88, when, by mistake, his name
was left out of the Minutes, he not being present
at the Conference, and this gave him the finishing
stroke. He therefore imraediately left the con
nection, and united hiraself with John Atlay, who
at this Conference, had espoused the cause ofthe
Trustees at Dewsbury, and North-Shields, in oppo
sition to Mr. Wesley and the Conference. Mr.

MEMORIAL. 117
Eels continued in union with Mr. Atlay till the
year 1793, when, finding himself uncomfortable
in his situation, he had intended to have returned
to the Methodist connection again. But it pleased
God to frustrate his design ; for, I believe, while
the Conference was sitting, he was taken suddenly
ill, and departed this life in peace, at Dewsbury,
in Yorkshire.

JOHN EDWARDS.
He was a native oi Ireland, and at an early pe
riod of his life was brought to a saving acquaintance
with the things of God ; and the Lord who had
thus called hira by his grace, counted him faith
ful and put him into the ministry when he was
very young. I am not able to ascertain the precise
time of his coramencing an Itinerant Preacher, in
the Methodist connection ; but it was in the be
ginning of the present revival of pure and unde
filed religion, in these lands. He was a very
pious man, and was possessed of considerable abi
lities for the ministry, which rendered him gene
rally acceptable, and useful to the people among
whom he laboured. About the year 1753, having
changed his views of the controverted points, and
embraced the Calvinistic doctrines, he left the
connection of Mr. Wesley, and settled at Leeds, in
Yorkshire. He there gathered a very considerable
and respectable congregation, who erected him a
H 3

118 METHODIST
very large and commodious chapel. He conti
nued to labour faithfully among his people there
for many years ; was very useful, and universally
respected ; and at his death, which happened
about the year 1784, was greatly laraented by his
flock. He departed this life in great peace, and
in joyful expectation of everlasting glory.

THOMAS ELLIOTT.
He was a native of Ireland, and was brought to
the knowledge ofthe truth when very young, and
soon began to call sinners to repentance. He was
admitted on trial at the Conference in 179O ; but
was only able, through weakness of body, to con
tinue in the work as an Itinerant for four years :
he still, however, preached a little as a supernu
merary for two years, and he put forth all the
remainder of his strength, and thus continued to
preach as long as he was able. He was a deeply
pious, zealous young man, of a strong under
standing, and of good gifts for the ministry. His
complaint was a consuraption, brought on, as was
supposed, through excessive labour.

JOHN ELLIS.
He carae from Liverpool, and began his public
ministry as an Itinerant in 1762. He was a very

MEMORIAL. 119
plain, upright, honest raan. His sermons were
siraple and plain ; but generally accompanied with
a divine power to the hearts of the people. He
walked closely with God, and was greatly respec
ted by the people among whom he laboured.
His death was very sudden, for while engaged in
reading, he fell frora his chair and expired without
the porap of dying, in the city of Worcester, in the
'year 1772. But his loins were girded, and his
lamp burning, and therefore he was ready to enter
into the marriage chamber ! O that we who read
may attend to that divine admonition. Be ye also
READY. It is remarkable that Mr. Ellis's father
lived to the great age of one hundred and three.
I received the following inforraation respecting
Mr. Ellis, from Mr. Lewty, (now of Birmingham)
at whose house he died.
Mr. Ellis was a man mighty in prayer ; but his
chief excellency was in the gift of exhortation ;
many stout-hearted sinners, while he was exhort
ing them to flee from the wrath to come, felt the
power of the word from his mouth, and were con
strained to leave the error of their ways, and to
turn to God with all their heart. On Christmas-
day 1771, he opened the (then) new chapel in the
city of Worcester. ¦ In his serraon, he spoke much
of the uncertainty of life ; and particularly obser
ved respecting hiraself, that he never lay down to
sleep, but he expected to awake in the eternal
world ! His death happened on Saturday January
5th, 1772. He had a very violent cough, but he
H4

*-'20 METHOfilST
went out to tea with a friend on the Friday even
ing. He was observed to be very powerful in
prayer with the family. He returned to Mr.
Lewty s about seven o'clock, and seemed as usual.
On the Saturday he was to have gone to Tewksbuty,
and to have held a love-feast thefe on the Sunday.
After breakfast on the Saturday morning, he prayed
with the family, and then retired into his rooffl.
He had been but a short time in retirement before
he was heard to fall on the floor. Mr. Lewty im
mediately went into the room, and found hint
breathing his last ! Medical help was without de
lay procured, but in vain. The spirit of this holy
man had " Clapp'd its glad wings and tower'd aw^y
" To mingle with the blaze of day."
It is remarkable that he had minutely settled all
his accounts, and a few days before, had made his
will, and had valued and bequeathed every thing
he had. The people in Worcester were deeply
affected at his death ; they greatly lamented him,
and to shew their respect to his memory, most of
them went into mourning. He was a faithful
labourer in his Lord's vineyard, and is now reap
ing the fruit of his happy toil.

ROBERT EMPRINGHAM.
He was received as an Itinerant Preacher, in the
year 1 770, or 1 77 1 . He was a plain, honest man,

MEMeitlAL. 121
and laboufed faithfully in varipus parts of the
kingdora for about twenty-two years, and then died
in peace, ih the year 1792.

JOHN EVANS.
He was converted to God in the array, and was
there raised up to preach the everlasting Gospel.
The following letter will afford sorae inforraa
tion concerning his conversion and his triumphant
end. Itis dated Ghent, Nov. 12, 1744, and ad
dressed to the Rev. Mr. Wesley.
" Dear Sir,
" I am a stranger to you in the flesh. I know
not if I have seen you above once, when 1 saw yoii
preaching on Kennington Common : and then I hated
you as much as (by the grace of God) 1 now love
you. The Lord pursued me with convictions
from my infancy, and I often m.ade good resoluti
ons : but finding as often that I could not keep
them (being made wholly in my own strength), I
at length left off all striving, and gave mySelf over
to all raanner of lewdness and profaneness. So I
continued for some years, till the battle of Dettin
gen. The balls carae thick around me, and my
comrades fell on every side : yet I was preserved
unhurt. A few days after this, the Lord was
pleased to visit rae again : the pains of hell gat
hold upon me ; the snares of death encompassed
me. I durst no longer commit any outward sin,

122 METHODIST
and I prayed God to be raerciful to my soul.
Now I was at a loss for books ; but God took care
for this also. One day as I was at work, I found
an old Bible in one of the train waggons. To
read this I soon forsook my old companions ; all
but one, who was still a thorn in my side. But
not long after he sickened and died. My Bible
was now my only companion, and I believed my
self a good Christian, till I met with John Haime,
who robbed me of all my treasure : he stole away
my gods, telling me, " I and my works were go
ing to hell together." This was strange doctrine
to me ; for being wholly ignorant of the righte
ousness of Christ, I sought only to establish my
own. When the Lord had at length opened my
eyes, and shewn me that by grace we are saved
through faith ; I began imraediately to declareit
to others, though I had not as yet experienced it
myself. But Odlober 23, as William Clements was
at prayer, I felt, on a sudden, a great alteration
in my soul : my eyes overflowed with tears of love.
I knew that I was reconciled to God, which in
flaraed my heart with fervent love to Him, whom
I now saw to be my coraplete Redeemer."
Mr. Wesley adds, " He continued both to live
and to preach the Gospel till the battle of Founte-
noy. One of his companions saw him there laid
across a cannon, both his legs having been shot
off with a chain-shot ! He was praising God, and
exhorting all around him, till his spirit returned
to paradise."

MEMORIAL. 133
JOHN FENWICK.
He was a Preacher in the Methodist connection
for many years ; being a person of property, he
was very useful before he commenced an Itine
rant. His ministerial gifts were but sraall, yet he had
a considerable degree .of zeal, but this was not
always terapered with Christian knowledge. He
died in the year 1787. His end was not glorious,
or triumphant, but there was reason to conclude
he died in peace.

MICHAEL FENWICK.
He was a very eccentric character ; he had a
weak head, but his most intimate friends generally
supposed him to possess a good heart. He tra
velled sorae time with Mr. Wesley, but his eccen
tricities were so great that he was dismissed from
that post. He alraost idolized Mr. Wesley, and
iraitated him, as far as he was able, in his raanner
of speaking, praying, preaching, and writing :
and it was generally acknowledged, that he mi
micked the latter so well, that it was difficult,
without strict scrutiny, to discrirainate between
thera.' His courage in the defence of Methodism
and the cause of God, was undaunted, but his
zeal soraetimes led hira into imprudencies. He
was not permitted to travel in a circuit, nor was

124 METHODIST
he acknowledged as a Preacher, for several years
before his death : yet he always attended the place
where the annual Conference was held, and con
tinued there during its sitting ; though he was
never permitted to be present in the Conference
after the year 1784. But his preaching occasion
ally was connived at, and a small pittance was
allowed him annually by the Conference, to pre'.
serve hira from want and distress. He also met
with various friends in different parts of the king
dom, who kindly and generously entertained him,
while he occasionally preached in their neighbour
hood. A gentleraan of considerable respectability
near Bridlington, in Yorkshire, hospitably received
him into his house for some years previous to his
death. In that neighbourhood he finished his
pilgrimage. It pleased God to take him hence in
a violent storm of thunder and lightning, in the
year 1797. But he was observed for some time
before, to have drank very deep into the spirit of
holiness. His conversation was in heaven, and he
frequently expressed his earnest desire to' depart
and to be with Christ. The day before, or the
day on which he died, he spoke of sudden death
as very desirable, and also observed) " if the Lord
called him suddenly he was ready to go !" So that
there was good reason to believe that to him, sud
den death was sudden glory I It is perhaps not
unworthy of reraark, that a pious woman in that
neighbourhood, dreamed the night before Mr.
Fenwick was killed by the lightning, that slie was

MEMORIAL. 125
Standing at her own door, and looking up, she
saw the heavens open, and two angels descended
to the very place (the mill, where he and his cora
panion had fled for refuge from the storm) and in
a short tirae she saw thera ascend towards heaven
again with a glorified spirit accompanying thera ;
and as they ascended, she distinctly heard their
voices singing hallelujah, and she exclaimed, " it
is the voice of Mr. Fenwick, which I hear !" This
dream she related to several persons previous to
the awful circumstance occurring ; so that this
puts it beyond the possibility of being fictitious.

JOHN FLETCHER.
He was a native of Nyon, in Switzerland, and
was born September l2th, 1729, of an ancient
and honorable family. He feared the Lord greatly
from his very childhood, and about the year 1755,
he was brought to a saving acquaintance with
God. Having tasted the powers of the world to
come, he was prest in spirit to exhort others to
partake of the same blessing. This he began to
do a considerable time before he entered into holy
orders. In the year 1757, he was ordained at Whitehall,
and on that very day assisted Mr- Wesley at West-
street Chapel. He was now doubly diligent in
preaching wherever the providence ofGod opened
a door for him to proclaim the everlasting Gospel.

126 METHODIST
In the year 1760, he settled at Madeley, in Shrop"
shire, as Vtcar of the parish, and frora the begin
ning, he was a laborious workman in his Lord's
vineyard : he literally preached in season, and out
of season to all persons, in all places, and at all
times ; publicly and frora house to house, did he
warn every man, and teach every man, in all wisdom
and love, that he might present every man perfect in
Christ Jesus.
But though he faithfully discharged every part
of his parochial duties, yet he always considered
himself honored in being united to the Metho
dists. He embraced and defended their doctrines,
received the Preachers into his own house, erected
a chapel for them in his parish : he attended their
annual Conferences, and had his name in their
Minutes to the last period of his life !
But that which rendered this venerable man a
prodigy in his day, was his unexampled and al
most unparalleled piety, and devotedness to God.
He was supposed by most who knew him, to be
one of the most holy men who ever lived upon
earth. He lived continually within the vail, and
his conversation was always in heaven. His death
was occasioned by a putrid fever, which he caught
in the faithful discharge of the iraportant duties
of his station, so that he may be considered as dy
ing a martyr for Christ. It was on Sunday, Aug.
14th, 1/84, that his precious soul entered into the
joy ofhis Lord, in the 56th year ofhis age; and
in the 25tli ofhis ministry at Madeley.

MEMORIAL. 127
Mr. Wesley, at the conclusion of his account of
this extraordinary man, says, " I was intimately
acquainted with him for thirty years. I conversed
with hira mormng, noon, and night ; without the
least reserve, during a journey of raany hundred
miles. And in all that time, I never heard him
speak an improper word, or saw him do an impro
per action ! Within fourscore years I have known
many excellent men, holy in heart and life : but
one equal to him I have not known ! One so
uniformly devoted to God : so unblameable a
raan in every respect I have not found, either in
Europe or America ! Nor do I expect to find ano
ther such on this side of eternity."
I cannot conclude this sketch ofthis truly apos
tolic man, without introducing a few circura
stances of the concluding scene of his invaluable
life ; taken from the character given of him, in
that excellent work of his, " The Portrait of Saint
Paul," written in French, and translated by the
Rev. Mr. Gilpin.
" Equally prepared for every event, he met his
Jast'great trial with all that composure and steadi
ness, which liad invariably distinguished him upon
every former occasion of suffering.' He entered
the valley of the shadow of death, as one who
feared no evil. He considered it as the high road
to that incorruptible inheritance which is reserved
for the saints ; and looking forward with a hope
full of iraraortality, he saw beyond its limited
gloom, those everlasting hills of delight and glory
to which his soul aspired.

J28 METHODIS X
A few days before his dissolution, he appeared
to have reached that desirable point, where the
last rapturous discoveries are made to the souls pf
dying saints. Roused, as it were, with the shoiits
of angels, and kindled into rapture with visions of
glory, he broke into a song of holy triumph, which
began and ended with the praises of God's unfa
thomable love. He laboured to declare the secret
manifestations he enjoyed, but his sensations vvere
too powerful fpr utterance ; and after Ipoking in
expressible things, he contented himself with call
ing uppn all around hira, to celebrate and shout
out that adorable love, which can never bp fully
coraprehended, or adequately expressed.
This triumphant frame of mind was not a tran
sient feeling, bht a state that he continued to en
joy, with little or no discernible intermission, to
the moment of his death. While he possessed the
power of speech, he spake as one whose lip^ ha4
been touched with a Uve cotfl from ihe altar ; and
when deprived of that power, his countenaqq?
discovered that he was sweetly engaged in the con
templation of eternal things.
On the day of his departure, as I was preparing
to attend my pwn church, which was at the dis
tance of nine miles from Madeley, I received ^
hasty message from Mrs. Fletcher, requesting my
attendance at the Vicarage. I instantly followed
the messenger, and fpund Mr, Fletcher, with every
symptom of approaching dissolution upon hip).
I had ever lopked up to this man of God, with ai

MEMORIAL, 1 29
extraordinary degree of affection and reverence ;
and, on this afflicting occasion, my heart was un
commonly affected and depressed. It was now in
vain to recollect that public duty required my pre
sence in another place : unfitted for every duty,
except that of watching the bed of death, I found
it impossible to withdraw myself from the solemn
scene to which I had been sumraoned. I had
received from this evangelical teacher in days that
were past, many excellent precepts with respect
to holy living ; and now I desired to receive from
him the last important lesson with respect to holy
dying. And truly this concluding lesson was of
inestiraable worth ; since so much patience and
resignation, so much peace and composure, were
scarcely ever discovered in the same circumstances
before. — Let me die the death of the righteous, and
let my last end be like his.
While their Pastor was breathing out his soul
into the hands of a faithful Creator, his people
were offering up their joint supplications on his
behalf in the house of God. Little, however, was
seen among them on this trying occasion, but
affliction and tears. Indeed it was a day much to
be remembered, for the raany affecting testimo
nies which appeared on every side. The whole
village wore an air of consternation and sadness :
and not one joyful song was heard among all its
inhabitants. — Hasty messengers were passing to
and fro, with anxious inquiries and confused re-
portSi And the members of every family sat toge-f

130 METHODIST
ther in silence that day, awaiting with trembling
expectation the issue of every hour.
After the conclusion of evening service, several
ofthe poor, who came from distant parts, and who
were usually entertained under Mr. Fletchers roof,
still lingered about the house, and seemed unable
to bear theraselves away frora the place, without
a sight of their expiring Pastor. Secretly informed
of their desire, I obtained for thera the permission
they wished. Andthe door ofthe chamber being
set open, immediately before which Mr. Fletcher
was sitting upright in his bed, with the curtains
undrawn, unaltered in his usual venerable appear
ance ; they slowly moved one by one along the
gallery, severally pausing as they passed by the
door, and casting in a look of mingled supplica
tion and anguish. It was indeed an affecting
sight, to behold these unfeigned mourners suc
cessively presenting theraselves before the bed of
their dying benefactor, with an inexpressible ea
gerness in their looks ; and then dragging them
selves away from his presence, with a distressing
consciousness, that they should see his face no more. '
And now the hour speedily approached that was
to put a solemn termination to our hopes and fears*
His weakness very perceptibly increased, but his
countenance continued unaltered to the last. If
there was any visible change in his feelings, he
appeared to be more at ease, and more sweedy
composed, as the moment of his disraission drew
near. Our eyes were riveted upon him in awful

MEMORIAL. 131
expectation. But whatever we had felt before, no
murmuring thought was suffered, at this interest
ing period to darken the glories of so illustrious a
scene. All was silence — when the last angelic
messenger suddenly arrived, and perforraed his
iraportant commission with so much stillness and
secrecy, that it was irapossible to deterraine the
exact moment of its completion. Mrs. Fletcher
was kneeling by the side ofher departing husband ;
one who attended him with uncommon assiduity
during the last stages of his disorder, sat at his
head ; while I sorrowfully waited near his feet.
Uncertain whether or not he was totally separated
from us, we pressed nearer, and hung over his
bed in the attitude of listening attention — his lips
ceased to move, and his head was gently sinking
on his bosom — we stretched out our hands ; but
his warfare was accomplished, and the happy spi
rit had taken its everlasting flight."
HIS CHARACTER.
(by the rev. MR. JOSHUA GILPIN.) ' ' •
He passed the earlier part of his life at Nyon,
where he soon discovered an elevated turn of
mind, accorapanied with an unusual degree of vi
vacity. After having made a good proficiency in
school learning, he was removed with his two bro
thers to Geneva, where he was distinguished equally
by his superior abilities, and his uncommon appli
cation. The two first prizes, for which he stood
12

133 METHOrilsT
a candidate, iie carried away from a number of
competitors, several of whom were nearly related
to the professors : ahd on these occasions he was
complimented by his superiors in a veiy flattering
manner. During his residence at Geneva, he al
lowed himself but litde tirae, either for recreatiPH,
refreshment, or rest. After confining hiraself
closely to his studies all day, he would frequently
consume the greater part of the night in nptiftg
down whatever had occurred, in the course ofhis
reading, worthy of observation. Here he acquired
that true classical taste, which was so frequently
and justly admired by his intimate friends, and
which all his studied plainness could never con
ceal. Here also he laid the fouhdation of that ex
tensive and accurate knowledge, for which he was
afterwards distinguished, both in philosophical
and theological researches. After quitting Geneva,
he was sent by his father to Lentzbourg, a small
town in the Swiss Cantons, where he not only ac
quired the German language, but diligently prose
cuted his other studies, to which he ever disco
vered a passionate attachment. On his retum
from this place, he continued some time at home,
studying the Hebrew language, and perfecting his
acquaintance with matheraatical learning.
His early piety was equally remarkable with
earthly attainraents. From his childhood he was
irapressed with a deep sense ofthe Majesty of Godj
and a constant fear of offending him. His ac
quaintance with the Holy Scriptures guarded him.

MEMORIAL. 133
on one hand, from the snares of infidelity, and
preserved him, on the other, frora many of the
vices peculiar to youth. His conversation was
modest, and his whole conduct marked with a
degree of rectitude, not usually to be found in
early life. He manifested an extraordinary turn
for religious meditation ; and those little produc
tions which gained him the greatest applause, at
this period, were chiefly of a serious tendency.
His filial obedience and brotherly affection were
exemplary ; nor is it reraerabered, that he ever
uttered one unbecoming expression in eitfief of
those characters. He was a constant reprover of
sin ; and his raodest freedom in this respect is said
once to have offended a mother, whom hp ten
derly loved. While she was, Ph some occasion,
expressing herself in too warm a manner to one of
the family, he turned his eye upon her with a gen
tle reproof. She was displea§ed with the modept
reprehension, and repaid it with some severity,
which he received with the utmo.^t submission,
making only the following reply ; " When I am
gmitten on one cheek, and especially by a band I
love so well, I ara taught to turn the other also."
This expression was npt eraplpyed with an air Pf
bravado, but with a look of so much tender affec
tion, that the indignation of his mother was iri-
jitantly turned into a look of pleasing admiration.
Persons who are designed by the Almighty for
emirient services in his Church, are ffequently
distinguished, in tfieir youth, by striking peculia-
I 3

134 METHODIST
rities, which awaken in those around them an ex
pectation of something extraordinary in their future
character. Of this kind was the following circum
stance. During Mr. Fletcher's residence at Gent-
va, his sister, Madarae de Botens, who had taken
a house in that city for the convenience ofher bro
thers, was visited by a widow lady frora Nyon.
This lady was accorapanied by her three sons, who
were not the most happily disposed, and whose
improper conduct, at this tirae, provoked her to
so uncommon a degree, as to extort from her a,
hasty imprecation. Mr. Fletcher was present uppn
this occasion ; he was so struck with the unnatural
carriage of this exasperated mother, that instantly
starting from his chair, he addressed her in a very
powerful remonstrance. He reasoned with her in
an affecting and pointed manner. He observed
and laraented the difficulties ofher situation ; but
intreated her to struggle against thera with discre
tion, and not with irapatience. He exhorted her
to educate her children in the fear of God, and to
second such education by her own pious exaraple*
After assuring her, that her conduct, on the pre
sent occasion, had filled him with the utraost hor
ror, and that he could not but tremble for the
consequences of it ; he concluded his address by
alarming her fears, lest the imprecation she had
uttered should be followed by some unexpected
faraily affliction. The same day the widow, in
her return to Nyon, embarked upon the lake, where
she was overtaken with a tremendous storm, and

MEMORIAL. 135
brought to the very point of perishing. In the
midst ofher danger, the words of her young pro
phet, as she afterwards termed Mr. Fletcher, were
deeply impressed upon her mind. But they shortly
returned upon her in a more forcible manner, with
themelancholy intelligence, that two of her sons
were lost upon the lake, and the third crushed to
death at one of the gates of Geneva. At this time
Mr. Fletcher was not more than fourteen years of
age- Notwithstanding the early piety of Mr. Fletcher,
it appears that he continued, for a lorig course of
time, a perfect stranger to the true nature of
Christianity. He was naturally of a high and am
bitious turn, though his anibition was sufficiently
refined for religiPus as well as scientific pursuits.
He aspired after rectitude, and was anxious to
possess every raoral perfection. He counted much
upon the dignity of huraan nature, and was ambi
tious to act in a manner becoraing his exalted
ideas of that dignity. And here he outstripped
the multitude in; an uncommon degree. He was
rigidly just in his dealings, arid inflexibly true to
his word ; he was a strict observer of his several
duties in every relation of life; his sentiments were
liberal, and his charity profuse ; he was prudent
in his conduct, and courteous in his deportment ;
he was a diligent inquirer after truth, and a stre
nuous advocate for virtue; he was frequent in
sacred meditations, and was a regular attendant at
public worship. Possessed of so many .moral acr
I4

136 METHODIST
Gomplishments, while he was adraired by his
friends, it is no wonder, that he should cast a
look of self-complacency upon his character, and
consider himself, with respect to his attainments
in virtue, abundantly superior to the common herd
of mankind. But while he was taken up in con
gratulating himself upon his own fancied emi
nence in piety, he was an absolute stranger to that
unfeigned sorrow for sin, which is the first step
toward the kingdom of God. It was not till after
he had resided some tirae in England, that he be
carae experiraentally acquainted with the natwe
of true repentance. By what particular providence
he was led to a minute investigation of his own
heart, or at what particular time, cannot be easily
ascertained ; but we have ample testimony, that in
his twenty-sixth year, his knowledge of himself
was as solid, as it had been formerly superficial.
From this time his hopes and fears, his desires
and pursuits, were totally changed. From the
heights of self-exaltation, he sunk into the depths
of self-abhorrence : and from shining in the fore
most ranks ofthe virtuous, he placed himself on
a level with the very chief of sinners. Conviction.
made way fo^ unfeigned repentance, and repen-r
tance laid a solid foundation for Christian piety.
His sorrow for sin was succeeded by a conscious
ness of the Almighty's favor, and the pangs of
remorse gave way to the joys of remission. Be
lieving on Jesus, as the scripture hath said, he
found in him a well of consolation springing up into

MEMORIAL. 137
everlasting life. All his wanderings were at once,
happily terrainated, his doubts were removed, his
tears were dried up, and he began to rejoice in
hppe of the glory of God. ¦ His conversion was not
imaginary, but real. It not only influenced his
sentiments, but extended to his conduct. Whom
he had found a Saviour, he deterrained to follow as
a guide : and so unalterable was this determinar
tion, that from the very hour in which it was
formed, it is not known that he ever cast a wishful
look behind him. A cloud of witnesses are ready
to testify, that from his earliest acquaintance with
the truths of the Gospel, he continued to walk
worthy of his high vocation, growing in grace, and
adorning the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
From this period of his life, be became truly ex
emplary for Christian piety. But this piety was of
too eicalted a nature to admit of any adequate de
scription. They who saw hira only at a distance,
revered him as a man of God ; while they who
enjoyed a nearer acquaintance with him, vi^ere held
in a state of constant admiration at hjs attainments
in the divine life. He appeared to enjoy an unin-'
terrupted fellowship with the Father, and with his
Son Jesus Christ. Every day was with him a day
fif solemn self-dedication, and every hour an hour
of praise or prayer.
Mr. Fletcher was formed for pre-eminence, no
comraon degrees of grace were sufiicient to satisfy
his unbounded desires. He towered above the
generality of Christians, earnestly desiring the best

138 METHODIST
gifts, and anxious to walk in the most excellent way.
While others are content to taste the living stream,
he traced that streara to its source, and lived at the
fountain-head of blessedness. He was farailiar
with invisible objects, and constantly walked as in
the presence of God. To those who were much
conversant with hira, he appeared as an inhabi
tant of a better world ; so perfectly dead was he
to the enjoyraents ofthe present life, and so wholly
detached from its anxious cares. Wherever he
was called by the providence of God, he was ac
knowledged as a burning and shining light. The
common lights of Christians were eclipsed before
bim ; and even his spiritual friends could never
stand in his presence, without being overwhelmed
Tvith. a consciousness of their own inferiority and
tmprofitableness. While they have seen, him
losing, as it were, upon the wings of an eagle,
they have been confounded at their inability to
pursue his flight ; and while he has given way to
the emotions of his fervent lovcj they have blushed
at their own ingratitude and lukewarmness. The
candle of the Lord eminently shone upon his head,
and the secret of God was upon his tabernacle. When
he went out through the city, or took his seat in the
corapany of the righteous, he was saluted with
unusual reverence., as an angel of God. The young
men saw him and hid themselves ; and the aged arose
and stood up. Even those who were honored as
Princes among the people of God, refrained talk
ing, a'nd laid their hand upon their mouth. When

MEMORIAL. 139
the ear heard him, then it blessed him ; and when the
eye saw him, it gave witness to him. His character
was free from those inconsistencies, which are too
generally observable among the professors of Chris
tianity. Whether he sat in the house, or whether
he walked by the way ; in his hours of retirement,
and in his public labours, he was constantly actua
ted by the sarae spirit. When he ^oke, — his con
versation was in heaven : and the hearts of his
intiraate friends still burn within them, on every
recollection of the gracious words that proceeded
out of his mouth. When he was silent, — his very
air and countenance bespoke an angelic mind ab
sorbed in the conteraplation of God. When he
was engaged in the ordinary actions of life, he
perforraed thera with such a becoming seriousness,
that they assumed a striking and important appear
ance. In all the changing circumstances of life,
he looked and acted like a man, whose treasure
was laid up in heaven. There his affections were
iraraoveably fixed, and thitherward he was conti
nually tending with all the powers of his soul : he
spoke of it as the subject ofhis constant meditation;
and looked to it as travellers to their appointed
horae. At times, when the pious breathings of
bis soul were too forcible to be repressed, he would
break forth into expressions of adoration among
his spiritual associates, and cry out, while tears of
joy were bursting from his eyes, — My God ! My
Saviour ! Thou art mine ! A wretch unworthy of thy
notice ! Yet thou hast visited me with thy mercy, and

140 METHODIST
honored me with thy favor ! I adore thine unfathoint^^
ble love ! Ye, who have tasted of his grace, assist
me to magnify his name. He was an instrument al
ways in tune : and none can tell, but those who
have heard, how sweetly it would answer to the
touch of him that strung it.. He was an instnjr
ment of uncommon compass, and wonderoqply
adapted to every occasion. Every breath that
swept over the chords of this living lyre, drew from
it some according sound : if from man, it produced
strains of affection and sympathy ; if from God, it
called forth higher sounds of gratitude and devo-?
tion. His piety suffered no event to pass by unim
proved. Every object led him into the presence
of God, and every occurrence gave rise to a train
of serious reflections.
The following anecdote will illustrate this paft
of his character. Travelling some years ago with
a friend, through part of Italy, as they approached
the Appian- way, he directed the driver to stop be
fore he entered upon it. He then ordered th?
chaise-door to be opened, assuring his fellow-
traveller, that his heart would not suffer him to
ride over that ground, upon which the apostle
Paul had forraerly walked chained to a soldier, on
account of preaching the everlasting Gospel. As
goon as he set his foot upon this Roman road, he
took off his hat ; and walked on, with his eyes
lifted up to heaven, returning thanks to God, ih
a most fervent prayer, for that light, those truths,
and that influence of the Hply Spirit, which were

MEMORIAL. 141
continued to the present day. He rejoiced that
England Was favoured with the Gospel in its pu
rity ; and devPutly implored, that Rome might
again have the truths of that Gospel declared in
those churches, which were disgraced with a wor
ship little superior to that of ancient Athens. He
then took a view of the exemplary life, the exten
sive travels, arid astonishing labours, of the great
apostle. He recounted his sufferings when a pri
soner, and bis trials when at liberty ; his rigid
self-denial, and his voluntary poverty for the fur
therance of the Gospel. He spoke ofhis painful
ministry, and his violent persecutions, enlarging,
with peculiar energy, upon his last journey from
Jerusalem to Rome. He then ran over his experi
ence ; — ^his faith, his love, his abundant revelati
ons, and his constant communion with the Lord
Jesus Christ : demonstrating, that, without such
communion, he could never have supported the
sharp conflicts and repeated sufferings, to which
he was daily exposed. Here he adverted to his
own situation, with a degree of gratitude that sur
passes all description. What a miracle of mercy,
said he, that a Christian, hated and despised as he
is by all men, is yet suffered to live : and that we,
who desire to be such, can travel at this day un
molested among those, who abhor the truth as it
is in Jesus. Their ancestors were stained with the
blood of the innocent ; and was the Gospel to be
proposed, in its purity, to the present generation,
they would rush upon the preacher of it, as so

142 METHODIST
many beasts of prey ; if He, who restrained the
lions from devouring Daniel, were not present to
eontroul their destructive zeal. These remarks
were continued for a long time together, sweetly
intermixed with occasional prayer and praise.
The following EPITAPH is taken from
Mr. FLETCHER'S Tomb-stone, verbatim.
Here lies the Body of
The Rev. JOHN WILLIAM DE LA FLECHERE,
Vicar of Madeley:
He was born at Nyon, in Switzerland, •
September 12th, 1729,
And finished his Course in this Village,
August 14th, 1785: where his
unexampled Labours -v/'ill be long remembered.
He exercised his Ministry for the space of twenty-five years in
this Parish, with uncommon zeal and ability.
Many believed his Report, and became his Joy and Crown
of rejoicing :
While others constrained him to take up the lamentation of the
Prophet,
" All the day long have I stretched out my hands unto a
disobedient and gainsaying people : yet surely myj udgment
is with the Lord, and my Work with my God."
(He being dead yet speaketh.)

JOHN FLOYDE,
He was admitted as a Preacher among the Me
thodists in the year 1770. He was a sensible, pi
ous raan ; and was possessed of considerable abili
ties for the work of the ministry. He was a very

MEMORIAL. 143
acceptable and useful Preacher for several years ;
but instead of devoting his tirae unreservedly to
the service of the sanctuary, he gave hiraself up to
the study oi physic, and possessing a ready raind,
he made considerable proficiency in that science.
He continued, however, an Itinerent Preacher
till the Conference, in 1782, when he desisted
from the public work, and settled as a Surgeon
and Apothecary, first at Halifax, and afterwards
at Leeds, in Yorkshire. He was very successful in
his profession ; and he also officiated as a minister
at a kind of episcopal chapel at Stainland, near
Halifax ; and after his reraoval to Leeds, at ano
ther chapel in that neighbourhood ; and occasion
ally as a Local Preacher araong the Methodists.
He continued thus for several years ; but his most
intiraate firiends obviously perceived in hira a de
clension in religion. They observed, with pain,
that he measured back his steps to earth again,
and, by imperceptible degrees, had again imbibed
the spirit of the world ! In the year 1798, the
Lord was pleased (no doubt to bring him back
unto himself) to visit him with severe trials. His
wife was afflicted with a very painful disorder,
which baffled the power of medicine, and the
art of the most skilful and eminent of the fa
culty. He was considerably embarrassed in his
circurastances ; and after living in credit and afflu
ence for a series of years, he found hiraself in a
short time, reduced to a state of indigence and
distress ! In a few months he sunk beneath the

144 METHODIST
weight of these severe trials, and having retired
to a friend's at Exley, near Halifax, he there ended
his days, in the month of July, 1798.
In his last sickness he had some severe conflicts
with the enemy of his soul, and he deeply mourned
on account pf his backslidings from God. He
was indeed in heaviness through manifold tempta
tions. But the Lord regarded the cry of his soul,
and a little before he departed. He lifted up upon
him the light of his countenance, and restored
unto him the joy of his salvation : so that he left
the world with a sure and stedfast hope of eternal
glory. I remeraber it is written, judge nothing before the
time ; yet may we not infer from these circum
stances, that in leaving his particular calling, he
wandered out ofthe way of understanding f And it is
not improbable, but had he continued in the work
ofthe ministry, he might have been living at this
day, an ornament and blessing to the Church, and
to the world !

HENRY FOSTER.
This holy man was a native oi Lesfingham, a
village near Pickering, in Yorkshire ; but I regret
that I am not able to furnish my readers with
a circumstantial account of the manner of his
conversion to God, and of the early part of bis
Christian course. Suffice it to say, that for seve-

MEMORIAL. 145
rai years he was a burning and shining Ught: and as
he acknowledged God by a holy life, so the Lord
honored him with a happy and triuraphant death.
He was admitted upon trial as an Itinerant Preach
er, at the Conference in 1780, and continued in
the work for nearly seven years. He had a weak
body, but a strPng mind ; he was well beloved by
the people, both as a Christian and Minister ; and
was calculated for great usefulness in the Church.
But it pleased the Lord to take him to his eternal
rest in the midst of his days. In his last sickness
he often talked of eternity in transports of joy,
and seemed to have a pleasure in it, that was
much better understood from his expressive looks
than firora his words. Once, after hearing a ser
mon on the near connection between us and the
invisible world, he came into the house in an ex-
tacy unutterable, and said, "I fear my desire to
depart is too great." At a love-feast at Malton, in
Yorkshire, he was so filled with the power of God,
that he cried out, " Lord stay thine hand, or the
vessel will burst." That he was delivered from
the fear of death, and could look upon the ap
proach of eternity with delight, appeared froin the
whole bf his conversation, and will be fully evin
ced by the following letter, which he wrote to an
intimate friend, a little before his death.
" My life is far spent, and I am drawing near
to the confines of eternity ! But my life is hid witb
Christ in God. When I lose all, I shall gain all.
If I had any choice in such things, I should like

140 METHODIST
to be interred at Le.Uir^ham, but the will of the
blessed Lord be dbnb : for these bodies of ours,
wherbver iaidi will soon be callfed frcaja their na^-
tive drist ! Then shall ive meet in >the air^ and shdU
befor ever with the Lotd ! O my full heart ! I have
much to siy, but nature fails 1 I am hot able to
write-^but if God should app©i«t (meaning aftet
death) my fifef d ^irit to do you lany kind officBi,
O how fewiftly would I fly on the wings of love I "
As he dreVv neir his end, he wais so weak, that
his friends were fenced to be vfery carieful in laying
the bed-dothes, Upori him^ least the Wind of theafi
shpuld take away his breath. Yet a night or two
befoife he died^ he awofee^ and looking upward%
he said with a loud voice, and a countenance fuM
of hdaven and ofGod, " The curtain is fallen ! I
see Jibsus I I see . his hands and his feet> artd the
print of the nails I I see the Pro^shets and Apos
ties, and .the mother of Jesus! But our friends
V/ho were presehtti weife so agitated, and at the
same time ddlighted with his words and IieaVenly
s^|)earance, that they could remtember UP more of
what he uttered, thdt^h he continued to sp«ak in
this heavenly manner fPr above half an hour I
•After this he sunk into a calm, and hardly noticed
any thing more, till his triumphant spirit ascended
ito the regions of everlastihg delight and Iglocy, oii
the 12th of April; 1787.

MEMORIAL. 147
MAN CIS FRAZIER,
He was admitted upon trial as an Itinerant Me
thodist Preadjer at the Conferenee in Ir,eland (his
native Ppuritry) in the year 1786. He was a pious.
good young raan, and an acceptable Preacher;
but it pleased the Lord sPon to remove him from*
a state of labour and solflfering, to a state of rest
and glory. After spencMng about three years in
the work of calling sSnners to repentanccj hei died
in great peace, in the year 3789. »

WILLIAM FUGILL.
He was a native of Rothwell, near Leeds, in
Yorkshire; and be_^a to travel as a Methodist
Preacher at an early period of the work. He was
endowed by the great Head of the Church with
very ^considemble ministerial .a,bilities ; and for
sonie years was exceedirigly usefiffl, arid highly
acoeptable to ihe people among whom helafcoureS.
But alas I he afterwards, by little and little, fell
from his stedfestoess ': the foot of pride prevailed
against 'him, and foiling iritb some grievous sins,
he was excluded from the Methodist connection in
tbe year 17*64.' Some tirti^ after he jpetitiaaed the
Conference to bfe restored, but he Was' uhani-
mou^y reject«d. However, at the Conference in
1767, he Was tried again for a shOrt time, fcut it ¦
too ^3ooH appeared that sin had the dominion oyer
k2

148 METHODIS If
him, and consequently he was again put away
frora the connection. He then returned to Roth
well, where he spent the residue of his days, in a
state of poverty and disgrace, and departed this life,
in the year 1800. O that such awful circum
stances may lead us, whether Ministers or people,
to fear lest a promise being left us of entering
into His rest, any of us should seem to come short of
it. May we abstain from all appearance of evil:
and give all diligence to make our calling and election
sure ; for if we do tbese things we shall never fall.
For so an entrance shall he ministered unto us abun
dantly ^ into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ. : " , >

JOHN FURZE.
Hz -was horn at Wilton, near Sarum, in the year
1717. When- only ten years of age the Lord very
powerfully afiected his mind with everlasting
things: he was afraid, of death and' hell, and
prayed God to have mercy upon his soul. At
fifteen he became a constant comraunicant at the
Church; but still there was something continually
speaking within him and saying, « One thing is
wanting." He afterwards fell into great horror
and distress of mind y which continued for along
time ; he sought rest, but found none.. The Lord,
however, at last, manifefited himself. to his soul,
and he was enabled to rejoice in him as the God

MEMORIAL. 149
of his salvation. This was before he knew any
thing of the Methodists, nor had he one compa
nion in the way: at last he ventured to speak of
the things of God to a young man whom he
thought was more serious than the rest. It pleased
Grod to awaken and convert him also, and their
souls cleaved to each other, like the souls oi David
and Jonathan. They met together every evening
to pray, and to pour out their souls in thanks«
givings to God for all his mercies.
After a time, Mr. Furze ^and his companion,
having heard of a company of Dissenters, who met
at a private house on a Sunday evening, they went
thither, but were sadly disappointed. The Lord,
however, brought great good out of it, and the
next Sunday evening, a great number of people
assembled together at the house, and Mr. Furze
began to exhort them to flee from the wrath to
come. This was the beginning of his exercising as
a public character, and he continued to preach in
this house, and also in his own, and it pleased the
Lord to bless the word to raany souls. About
fourteen were convinced of sin , and united toge
ther to help each other forward in the way to the
kingdom. '
He now met with great opposition from various
quarters, and he particularly found our Lord's
words verified, A man's foes shall be those of his
own household. His wife very violently opposed
him, and once struck him on the face, arid beat
out one ofhis teeth ! This severe trial hewas ejia-
K 3

150 METHODIST
bled to htax, and ih meekness and patience; he
possessed his soUl ; he stepped up to her, put his
tooth in her lap, and initatntly retired to hisi chaERi-
ber, without speaking a word ! But it was a spiT-
rowful day to her ! She fell into great distress oti
account of her sins ; she sohght thri I»ord with
^reat earnestnesfl, and the following day found
him in the joy of her soul. She npw cheerfully
united with him in family duty, and was an help'^
meet to him in the way to heaven I She willingly
submitted to his going out as a travelling Preacher,
though he left her with several children. In all
her letters to him, &he said, " I find difficulties,
but let not that distress you. I am content. Go
strait forward in the work God hath called you to."
I am hot able tp ascertain the precise time o£his
going out lo travel, but I conjecture from the Mi
nutes, it was about the year 1765* His abilities
for the ministry, were not very great, but he
was deeply pious, and a bold defender of the
doctrines of Methodism. He was, therefore, ren
dered a peculiar blessing to many in different parts
of the kingdom, particularly in Lancashire and
Cheshire. There was a great revival of the work
of God in Manchester when Mr. Furze was stati
oned there, and the following remarkable circum
stance is worthy of record.
A poor woman that lived about ten miles iroxn
Manchester, hearing sorae say, " We have been
there, and have found the Lord,'' told it to a
neighbour, and said, « I wish I could go to M^'

WLH M O R I AL. • J^l
cMster aad find the Lord." Her neighbour §iaid,
*^ Then why do ypu pot go ]" She replied, ?' I
have got no shoes." Her neighbour ^nswerpdj " f
will lend you mine." She said, " Thgu } will go."
She accordingly went to Manchester^, bpjt knisw ri9t
where to go. Seeing a gentleman in the market
place, she asked bim, " Where is it that people
go to find the Lord ?" He gajfj, '^ Among tb?
Methodists, as fap as I knpw.." Sh§ as^ed,
" Where are they ?" He answered, ^ ' CgmPj &nd
I will shew you." He bi^eoaght her to the pas^g^
which led to the chapel, a®d said, " Qq in tliere."
A person came to her, and asked, Wi^at slie
wamted ? She said, " Is this the place whef§ ^e
people find the Lord ?" One ofthe Jjcaders Ijiefj
came, (John Morris) and ha?yjj]g hearcl h^p si.igpjie
relation of the cause of her cpmijDg, Jie took Jje^
into the chapel, and placed her jjjgr the mjd^le of
the room, and advised her to look at none bjst the
Preacher. She took his advice, .and about the
middle of the .sermon, she exclaim^di " GJpry h&
to God I have found the Lord J" Which shf re
peated pver and over, being iilkd wjjihjpy upgpf^J^r
able. Another instance ofthe goodness of Gpd aj jQ»h.-
gleton, in Cheshire, which Mr. Furze has jrecprded
in his life, deserves particular notice. Two m/en
were tbere, pot-companion.Sj Dav'u} and Sflmi^^el.
David made it his business to stand in the street
fiear the time of preaching, and swear at the peo
ple 5S they were going to it. , Ab.out this tjme
-k4

152 METHODIST
there were several remarkable conversions. At
this David seemed much perplexed : and asked
Samuel, " What can this be ? What is it that they
do to the people to, con vert them ? I have a good
mind to go and see." Accordingly they both went
to hear Mr. Furze preach ; but after they had sat
about a quarter of an hour, David started up and
Said, " I will stay here no longer." He attempted
to run, but quickly dropped dpwn : however he
rose, and with some difficulty got horae. He
Went strait to his chamber, and got to bed : he
tumed himself a few times, and then leaped up
andsaid, " I will lie here no longer." He ran
into the fields, and there wandered all the night.
In the morning he carae horae, went into his
shop, and thought he would go to work. He
heated his iron in the forge, and lifted up his haih-
mer over his head ; but he imagined Satan was
just behind him, and ready to carry him away.
He immediately let fall his hammer, ran out ofthe
shop, and wandered in the fields all the day. In
the evening a farmer saw hira, and said, " David,
why are you not at your work ?" He answered,
*' I think I shall work no more." The farmer
asked, " Why so ?" He said, " I am afraid I shall
be converted." It quickly spread through the
town, that David was going to be converted. But
David protested be would not ! And in order to
prevent it, he would go and get druak directly !
He accordingly went, and drank two quarts oi ale,
and half a pint pf brandy I He was now raging

MEMORIAL. 153
mad, and afler knocking down several persons,
and destroying the furniture in the public-house,
he went home ; but he now thought Satan would
surely have him ; he therefore took to his heels,
and ran into the fields, where he spent the day.
At last he went to Samuel, and said, " Ever since
I heard that old man preach I can neither eat nor
sleep." Then said Samuel, " Take it for a warn
ing, or I will keep thy corapany no more." David
said, " What shall we do ?" Samuel answered,
"Whatever tbou dost, I will join the Society."
David ieW a weeping, and said, " li thou dost, so
will /, if they will have me." As soon as their
design was known, several persons went to Mr.
Furze, and desired he would not receive them. A
little before the time of preaching they came, and
Samuel said to Mr. Furze, " We are two desperate
wicked men ; but we want to be better. And we
beg you, for Christ's sake, to receive us into your!
Society." He replied, "Yes, for Christ's sake,.l.
will receive you." They looked one at another,
with tears flowing from their eyes, and said, " For
Christ's sake receive us now, and let us go to the
love-feast." Mr. Furze answered, " I do receive
you now for Christ's sake." After preaching, Da
vid was observed to be in great distress ; his cries
and groans were such as struck terror into all who
were near him. Mr. Furze kneeled down and
prayed for him, and while he was praying, David
started up, and cried aloud, " Glory be to God,
my sins are forgiven I" Atthe sarae time, Samuel

154. METHODIST
said, " O precious Lamb of God ! all in a gore of
blood for me I" David then broke through the
people, and caught Samuel in his arras^ saying,
'•' Come let us sing the Virgin Mary's song toge
ther :" I could never sing it before ; but now, '^ My
soul dPth magriify the Lord, and my spirit doth
rejoice in God my Saviour 1"
Mr. Furze continued to labour in the vineyard
as an Itinerant as long as he was able ; but the in-
firniities of old age coming upon hira, he was con
strained tp yield, and from the Conference 1782,
he ^cted as a Supernumerary ; and thus continued
to put forth all the remainder of his strength, in
promoting the interest of the Redeemer's kingdom.
For some years previous to his death, he resided
chiefly in the Salisbury circuit ; and often visited
Frome, where he was entertained in the most affec
tionate manner, in the family of Mr. Blunt : but, at
last, his mental powers were so decayed, th^t he
seemed sunk into a state oi second childhood. He,
however, retained his piety, and closed his life in
holy triumph, in the year 1800.

JAMES GAFF NEY.
He was admitted as an Itinerant Preacher in the
Methodist connection-, at the Conference 1776.
He was ppssessed of genuine piety, and had con
siderable abilities for the work of the ministry.
He was wise above his years.: and was universally

MEMORIAL. 155
*
acceptable and useful in the circuits where he la
boured. But his labours were soon ended ; for it
pleased the Lord to take him away, in the midst
of his days and usefulness, by a gallppjng con
sumption, in the year 1779. l^ut he was fully
delivered from the fear of death : he wa§ to him,
no King of Terrors, but the Messenger of Peace.
He was unspeakably happy iri God, though irj.
violent pain, till his triumphant spirit entered the
regions of eternal felicity.

ROBERT GAMBLE.
He was a native of the West Riding of the
county of York, and was brought to a saving ac
quaintance with divine things, at an early period
of his life. For some time he resided at Sowerby,
in the Halifax circuit, where he officiated as a Lo
cal Preacher, and was in general acceptable and
useful. At the Conference 1785, he was admitted
upon trial as an Itinerant Preacher ; and after la
bouring three years in Great Britain, at the Confe^
rence 1788, he was sent over, with Mr. Matthew
Lumb, as a, Missionary to the West Indies. He
laboured in tbose islands fpr three years ; but in
February 1791, in the island oi Saint Vincent's, he .
was seized with a putrid fever ; and after an' iU
ness of sixteen days, he entered into the joy of his
Lord.

156 METHODIST
JOSEPH GARNETT.
He was a native of Barnard Castle, and was a
truly serious, pious man. He entered upon the
work of the ministry as an Itinerant, in the year
1768, and concluded his labours in the year 1773.
His death was occasioned by sleeping in a damp
bed! "But though his death was a loss to the Church,
yet it was gain to him : for as he walked with God
in life, he was not deserted in his last moments.
He was enabled to triumph over the last enemy,
and his end was peace, quietness, and assurance
for ever !

NICHOLAS GILBERT.
He was a raan of deep piety, and possessed a
sound and clear understanding in the things of
God. A raan of genuine simplicity, of great seri
ousness and integrity. He had considerable talents
for the ministry, and was, as Mr. Wesley hiraself
says, " an excellent Preacher." He was greatly
beloved by the people in the circuits where he la
boured, and was a general blessing to them. He
was likely to have been of great use in the Church ;
but God saw it best, to snatch him herice by a fe
ver, in the dawn of his usefulness. He died iri
the month of April, in the year 1763i in the city
of Bristol,

memorial. 157

DAVID GORDON.

He was bom in Ballymena, in the North of Ire
land, in the year 1757- His parents were pioUs mem
bers of the Methodist Society, and his father a Lo
cal Preacher. A circumstance which Mr. Gordon
used to relate respecting his father, may not be
unacceptable. " My father," said he, " was forty
years a loving husband, thirty-nine an indulgent
parent, thirty -nine a lover of Jesus Christ, and
twenty-eight a Preacher of Righteousness. When
he found that the messenger Death was approach
ing to remove him to another world, like good old
Jacob, he called his famUy together and bade them
all farewell : first his dear wife, then his children,
and blessed them ; and then with perfect compo
sure, full of divine consolation, he committed his
happy spirit into the hands of his gracious Re
deemer, in the sixty-third year of his age."
David Gordon, the subject of this meraoir, was of
ten under divine impressions ; but he neverthe
less continued a stranger to the knowledge of sal
vation bythe reraission ofhis sins, till the twenty-
fifth year of his age. At that period, being con
scious of the depravity of his nature, the spiritu
ality of God's law, and the offences he had cora
mitted against it, he implored raercy at the hand'
of God, and obtained a sense of pardon through
faith in the blood of Jesus Christ, in the raonth of
October, 1782. Eighteen months after, the work
ofGod was deepened in his soul, and he was ena-

158 METHODIST
ble^ to rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and
in every thing give thanks i
Ina short time after he was called by tiie Su
preme Head of the Church, the Shepherd aud
Bishop of souls> to proclauB the glad tidings of
salvation to perishing sinners. He bej|ati bis mi
nisterial labours in 1784, and was appointed an
Itinerant Preacher in die Londonderry ckcuit, iu
the month of December, 1785. He was deeply
devoted to God, and his whole soul was eng^^ed
in promoting the best of causes : being possesse4
of good sense, and a pleasing address, he wasa
very acceptacle Preacher wherever he went.
He continued his labours till the year lygg,
when he was taken ill. Previous to hiis last sick
ness, he had some presentiment of his approaching
dissolution ; and from the time he was seized with
the first symptoms of his disorder, he entertained
scarcely any hope of life. During of his sickness
his inind was preserved in perfect peace, and he
was remarkably happy in God. He said to Mt;.
Dowling, his fellow- labourer, " My soul enjoys*
constant peace ,; let us be eraployed in prayer and
praise." At another time, he told hira the text
which he desired to have his funeral sermon
preached from, viz. I havf fought a good fi^ht, I
have finished my course, I have kept thefaith, &fi.
He then said, " Brothei-, tell the people, that the
Lord raised me up to be a fteacher of the ever-
las.ting Gospel, and made jne a prince and a ki«i|
among his people. I have cause to pra^e ,him>

MEMORIAL. 159
above thousands ; for though I have often been
unfaithful to him, his Chiirfeb, and cause, since I
first set out to serve him ; yet he has sprinklecimy
most holy things with his precious bhjpd.--^) that
J had a thousand tongues to speak of his goodness.
to a poor unworthy worm. I do experience his
love every moraent unchangeable." ., -
On the Werdnesday before his death, he longed:
to be dissolved, that he might "be with Christ.
After supplicating for supporting grace in the try
ing horir, he offered up his wife and chfldren to
the Lord, and prayed for the Church, and all the
afflicted children of God. Then, in an extacy of
joy, he said, *' He is corain'g, he is coming,- skip
ping over the mountains to bring me to gloryC I
am waiting every moraent for the Lord's coraing ;
andl think every raoment will be the "last,, andi'
then the scene, will be closed. Jesus i§ corae 1' It
is a glorious thing tP die triti'mphing irt the Lord I
I long to be dissolved, and to bfe with Christ."
On -Thursday, he said, " Christ is near; Pleis
unchangeable : you have -no cause to doubt con-
caning me ; for I am built upon Christ, the iRpck
of eternal ages." At aMother time he Said, "Itis
finished ! Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.
Friday, he saiid,, " God will be glorified in my
death : when the people are assembled at myfu-
neTal, tbe Lord wiii pour out his Spirit upon
them," (virbioh indeed was the Case) " I a^m ^oihg
to change the Gh^irch militant, for the 'Church
triumipbant."

l60 METHODIST
On Saturday, December 6th, the day ort which
he died, he said, " I have heard a glorious song •
and glory was the substance and subject of it."
About ten o'clock, while some of his friends were
engaged in prayer, he raised his hartds, and, with
a smile, said, " Sing that hymn,
" I'JI praise my Maker while I've breath."
Soon after he suddenly opened his eyes, and raising
his hands, broke forth in an extasy of joy, saying,
" To him that beiieveth, all things are possible :
Jesus is mine and I am his." And then, without
a sigh or groan, he fell asleep in the Lord, in the
forty-third year of his age, and in the fourteenth
year of his itinerant ministry.

JAMES GORE.
He began his public labours in the ministry, at
the Conference 1786. He was a young man of
good understanding, great sweetness of teraper,
and eminent piety. He was very acceptable as a
Preacher, but his tirae in the work was short ; for
in the year 1790, he was called away, iri the very
flower of his age, to partake of the glory and hap
piness of that heaven, which he had long made
the object of his constant pursuit. And as he had
honored God by the holiness of his life, so the
Lord honored hira in his last moments. He was
enabled, through grace, to triumph over the last

MEMORIAL. l6l
enemy, and in a glorious manner, he entered the
havpn of everlasting repose.

DANIEL GRAHAM.
He was a young raan of great piety, and emi
nently devoted to God. He was reraarkably cru
cified to the world, and appeared by all his
deportraent, to be truly alive to God, and living
for eternity. When very young, he was called to
the important work of the ministry ; and at the
Irish Conference in 1788, he was received as an
Itinerartt Preacher. His abilities for this work
were such as rendered him highly acceptable, and
a universal blessing to the circuits where he la
boured. After spending four years in Ireland, his
holy soul burning with zeal for the divine glory ;
he left his native land, to carry the everlasting
Gospel to the poor Negroes in the West Indies.
Here he put forth all his strength, and exerted
himself to the utmost in the work in which he had
engaged. He was truly possessed of a missionary
spirit; and his labours were not in vain. But it
pleased that God, who is too wise to err, to take
this erainently holy young raan to his great reward
in the prirae of his life and usefulness. In a few
months after he had begun his labours among the
heathen, in the island of Barbadoes, he caught the
yellow fever ; (which at that time raged horribly in

i§2 METHODIST
that island) by which he was taken to an early
rest in the paradise of God.

ROBERT GREEN,
He came into the vineyard, as an Itinerant
Preacher, in 17 93, and continued his labouirs till
the Conference 1799, when it pleased the Lord to
visit him with an affliction which baffled all the
skill and efforts of the gentiemen of the faculty.
He was therefore necessitated to desist from that
•work in which his whole soul was engaged ; and
in which he had faithfully employed his talents,
and had cheerfiilly' spent all his strength. In the
mbnth of October, 17 99, he went to the city of
Bath, for the benefit of the waters ; but, alas ! it
was too late. On the Sth of November he took to
his bed, and was intirely confined to it from that
time to the day of his death. His disorder being
principally in his head, he was frequentiy deliri
ous ; but even then, no expression escaped him
unbecoming a Christian minister; and often in
the midst ofhis wanderings, the mention of Godj
and the things of God, brought him to hiraself.
His mind turned to the subject of religion, as to
that with which he was well acquainted, and in
which his heart delighted.
But his delirium was not constant. God gave
him frequent opportunities of declaring his confi
dence in him, and resignation to his will, in clear

M E M O R I A L, 163
and strottg terms, to the great profit of all who
heard him. At one of these tiraes he said, " I
do'nt feel a murmuring thought at the dispensa
tion of the Lord. I know he cannot err : he does
all things well." At another time he said, "Poor
creatures that we are, how intirely dependant we
are upon God I It is a mercy that it is so. It
would greatly dishonor him to substitute any thing
in the place ofJesus Christ as a Saviour."
Just as he awoke on Wednesday morning, Nov.
20th, hc' said, " He hath made us, and redeemed
us." Mrs, Green said, " Yes, and raakes interces
sion for us." He answered, " Blessed be God,"
" Not a cloud doth arise
" To darken the skies,
" Or hide, for a moment, my God from my eyes."
Mr^.Greai then said, "My dear, you are listen
ing to eternal bliss." He replied, "Yes; blessed
be God :"— -and continued for some time repeat
ing, « Eternal bUss !" Soon after Mr. /^'a/^ar Gn/-
fith, who writes this account of him, came into' tbe
room, and reminded him of the words of the
Psalmist, When my flesb and my heart faileth, <&?<:.
He said, " He is the strength oimy heart,, and my
everlasting portion ."
He now grew weaker and weaker every hour,
so that, thou^ recollected a good part of Thurs
day night, he was not able to speak much. To-
\<rards morning, he said, " Ishall praise Him for
jjVEB^  FOR EVER,  AND EVER. YeSj.I KNOW
.l2

]64 METHODIST
I SHALL." One then said, " God is love." He
answered, *' I know he is." These were his last
words, and he soon after fell asleep in Jesus, Nov.
20, 1799.
Thus died this amiable young man, not quite
thirty-three years of age 1 He was one whose un
derstandings study, diligence in the work of the
ministry, and close walking with God^ promised
great usefulness in the Church of Christ. But it
pleased God to call him to his eternal reward, in
the flower of his days, and in the dawrt ofhis use-
fulness. How unsearchable are the ways of God !

PAUL GREENWOOD.
He was a primitive Christian, whose soul was
engaged with God, arid in the success of his work.
He excelled in deep seriousness, heavenly mind
edness, and in close walking with God^ He was
a man of gi'eat siraplicity and uprightness of heart.
He was an acceptable, useful Preacher, and la
boured faithfully in the vineyard for twenty years.
Ih March 17 67, he was taken ill of a fever at
Warrington^ and though he was in general deliri
ous during his sickness, all his conversation was
heavenly and spiritual. The first tirae, the gen
tleman at whose house he lodged, perceived him
to be in a delirium, was upon asking him how he
did ? Mr. Greenwood replied, " They tell me, that
the heavens and the earth are fled away." Mr.

memorial. 165
Gaskill answered, " Well, if they are, we shall
have new heaverts and a new earth." " That is
true," said Mr. Greenwood, and was out of bed in
a moment. When he got to the window, he
observed, " The Lord hath spared this corner
where we live, what a mercy that is ?" He then
said, " Artother sun shall arise, Christ the Sun of
Kighteousness, with healing in his wings !" He
preached and prayed the last night of his life, till
day-light appeared in the morning : and having
made the above remark, he immediately fell asleep
in Jesus !
It is somewhat remarkable that his aged mother,
a woman of deep experience in the things of God,
died very happy the same morning, at Keighley,
in Yorkshire. What a joyful meeting would these
kindred spirits have in paradise !

WILLIAM GRIMSHAW.
This very extraordinary man was a Clergyman
of the Church of England, Pie was born at Brin-
dle, near Preston, in Lancashire, in September,
17O8. In 173 J, he was ordained Deacon : he was
then deeply impressed with the iraportance of the
ministerial office ; but afterwards, while Minister
of Todmorden, he lost all seriousness. He becarae
vain and trifling, and contented hiraself with doing
his duty (as it is termed) on Sundays. In 1734,
his mind was again deeply affected, and he became
l3

l66 METHODIST
very serious; andin l742j he was sayingly con
verted to God, and became a bold defender of the
truth as it is in Jesus.
He was for many years Minister of the parish of
Haworth, in Yorkshire, where he was exceedin^y
beloved ; and his labours were crowned with suc
cess. Many of his parishioners, for a long time
after his death, could not bear to have his name
mentioned without shedding tears !
After his conversion to God, he was so filled
with holy zeal for the honor of his Master, and
the salvation of sinners, that he not only faithfully
discharged the duties of his Local situation in his
parish, but he went out into the highways and
hedges ; into the streets and lanes of the city, to
compel sinners to come to the marriage supper of
the Lamb I His labours in the vineyard were
abundant, yea almost unparalleled : for he travel
led through the wild uncultivated parts of York
shire and Lancashire, in the most incleraent season
of the year ; sometimes at the hazard of his life, in
pursuit ofthe poor lost sheep in the wilderness.
He is said frequently to have preached thirty, and
soraetimes near forty serraons in a week ; beside?
attending to his parochial duties !
He united himself to the people called Metho;-
dists in 1745, and for some years was Mr. Wesley'rS
Assistant, of what was then called the Haworth
Circuit. Many of the first Methodist Spcieties in
that part of the kingdom were ofhis raising : and
his name is still precious to those who remember

memorial. 167
bis faithful labours among them. He received the
Itinerant Preachers into his own house, and erec
ted a chapel for them, in Haworth, where they
regularly preached during his life, and for many
years after his death. He was of a truly catholic
spirit, and all who preached the truth as it is int
Jesus, he esteemed as his brethren in Christ and
in the rainistry. Mr. Wesley, Mr. Whitfield, Mr.
Romaine, and whoever preached Jesus as the foun
dation of the sinner's hope, in the Establishment,
found easy access to his pulpit ; and as to all others,
who preached the same doctrines, he bade them
God- speed; and wished them good luck in the
name of the Lord.
Mr. Grimshaw continued his labours for above
fifteen years ; and then it pleased the all-wise God
to take his servant to his reward, in the midst of
his vigour and usefulness.
The parish of Haworth was visited with a ma
lignant fever, of which many died. Mr. Grimshaw
caught the disorder, by visiting his flock ; and it is
remarkable, that previous to his catching the fever,
he had a strong presentiment that one of his faraily
would certainly die in a short time. He repeatedly
exhorted all to get ready, as, he said, he did not
know which of them it might be.
He was wonderfully supported by the presence
of God in his affliction, yea his consolations
abounded. When the Rev. Mr. Venn, inquired
into the state of his mind, he cheerfully replied,
" As happy as I can be on earth, and as sure of
J. 4

l68 METHODIST
glory as if I was in it." At another tirae he said,
" I have suffered all night what the blessed mar
tyrs did ; my fiesh has been, as it were, wasting in
the fire ; but I have nothing to do but to step out
ofthis bed into heaven ! I have my foot upon the
threshold already." An old friend of his, Mr.
Jeremiah Robertshaw, called to see him ; when
they parted, Mr. Grimshaw took hold of his hand,
and very familiarly said, "The Lord bless you
Jerry ; I will pray for you as long as I live, and if
there is such a thing as praying in heaven, I will
pray for you there also."
From the first attack of the fever, he welcomed
the approach of death. His intimate, experimen--
tal knowledge of Christ abolished all the reluc
tance, which nature usually feels to dissolution ;
and triuraphing in Him, who is the Resurrection
and the Life, he departed this life, April 7, 1763,
in the fifty-fifth year of his age, and in the twenty-
first of his eminent usefulness in the Church of
Christ. His body was interred at Ludde?tden, near
Halifax, with what is more ennobling than all the
pomp of solemn dirges : for he was followed to
the grave by an imraense raultitude of souls, with
the most affectionate sighs and tears.
It is reraarkable, that the pious people in that
country were in general quite discouraged when
they lost Mr. Grimshaw. The whole neighbour
hood presented one general scene of mourning and
distress, and the greater part of them thought all
was over then. But God's thoughts are not as our

MEMORIAL. 16Q
thoughts, nor his ways as our ways. For under the
ministry of Mr. John Pawson, Mr. Daniel Bum-
sted, and Mr. Paul Greenwood, who were appointed
for that circuit the Conference after Mr. Grim-
shaw's death, it pleased the Lord in a very remark
able manner to revive his work, all over that part
of the country ; so that more sinners were con
verted to God in one year, than in the seven pre
ceding years ! This was intended, doubtless, to
convince the people, that the good that is done upon
the earth, it is the Lord that doeth it. That it is
neither by huraan raight or power, but by the
Spirit op the Lord alone, that souls are brought
horae to God. And also to increase the confi
dence of his servants in Him, that though they
die- — He will still raise up others to supply their
places, and to carry on his own gracious designs
in the world.

JOSEPH GUILFORD.
He had been in the army for several years : and
after his conversion to God, he truly possessed the
spirit of an hero ; for he feared no man : where the
cause of God and truth were concerned he w^as as
bold as a lion, and in nothing terrified because of
his adversaries. In his preaching he was a Boaner
ges ¦, his serraons were generally very alarming;
and his zeal and fervor of spirit were very remark
able. His wife was an eminentiy holy woman.

170 METHODIST
and was in every sense an help-meet for him ; she
strengthened his hands in the Lord, and proved a
very great blessing to him in his work. When it
therefore pleased the Lord to take her to himself,
her husband sustained an unspeakable loss. A loss
that to him was irreparable ; for sorae disagreea
ble circumstances attending his second raarriage,,
it was judged expedient (especially considering his
age) that he should give up the itinerant life, and,
become a Local Preacher. He settled in London,.
where he finished his course with joy, in the year
177^. — Mr. Wesley, in his Journal for that year:
remarks. Whit-Sunday, May the 1 8th, I buried
the body of Joseph Guilford, a holy man, and an
useful Preacher. Surely never before did a man
of so weak talents do so much gppd ! He died as
he lived, in the full triumph of faith, vehemently
rejoicing and praising God.
The following are the particular circurastances
of Mr. Guilford's death.
On the Saturday before he died, he got out of
bed, and desired his wife to join with hira in
prayer : when he prayed in a most fervent raan
ner ; particularly for the prosperity of Zion. His;
wife, being fearful that through the extrerae weak-,
ness of his body, he would exhaust hiraself too
muchj requested him to desist for a time ; but he^
replied, " Let me alone ; for I never had such
sweet communion with Jesus before — I see the
heavens opened, and I shall soon join that glori
ous company above." When he lay down in bed,.

memorial.. l/l
he sung an anthem, wherein are these words.
In tby presence is life : heaviness may endure for a
night, but joy cometh in the moming. His soul was
so swallowed up in God, that he got no sleep the
whole night. In the morning he arose, and was
remarkably cheerful ; he eat his breakfast with a
good appetite, and repeated several verses of a
hymn. He then, with eyes lifted up to heaven,
leaning on his wife's shoulder, walked across the
room ; and said. As tbe Lord liveth, and as thy
soul liveth, there is but a step between me and deaih :
and instantly, without sigh or groan, he resigned
his happy spirit into the arms of his b^^oved
Saviour. The following anecdote is well authenticated,
and clairas particular attention.
While Mr. Guilford was in the army, the Duke
of Cumberland, who was then Commander in Chief;
was desired, by some of the enemies of religion,
to put a stop to the meetings of the praying soldi
ers. One day the Duke was passing by where a
number of them were gathered together praying.
Mr. Guilford, (if I am rightly informed) was then
engaged in that divine exercise ; and, while the
Duke was listening at the door, he was earnestly
enfreating God in behalf of his Majesty King
George, and all the Royal family. The Duke, whp
heard him with deep attention, seemed rauch affec
ted; and said, to those who were with him, " I
would, to God that all the soldiers in the British
army were lil;e these men,"

172 METHODIST
JOHN HAIME,
He was an eminently holy, useful man, especi
ally in the army, for a series of years ; and though
not a regular Itinerant Preacher, (except for a
very short tirae) his name is worthy of record in
these meraoirs.
He was a native of Shaftsbury, in Dorsetshife,
and was born in 1710. The Lord began to work
powerfully upon his mind when he was very young.
He was frequently brought into great distress by
reason of his sins ; nevertheless he contmued in
the practice of iniquity, and lived without God in
the world for a number of years. In 1739, he
enlisted in the array, in the Queen's regiraent of
dragoons. His convictions for sin frequently re
turned upon hira, and strong desires were incited
in his soul after God. But he was dreadfully ha
rassed with blaspheraous thoughts, and was often
terapted to think that he had comraitted the sin
against the Holy Ghost. The deep waters of dis
tress seemed to overflow him, and despair closed
him in on every side. He still, however, kept
crying lo God for mercy. He read, and fasted,
and went to church, and prayed seven times a day—
and his prayer was not in vain. The Lord listened
to his cry, and made hira partaker of his hope.
He took away all his sorrow and fear, and filled
hira with peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. This
was some time before he became acquainted with
the Methodists.

MEMORIAL. 173
Irt June 1742, he went with the regiment into
Flanders, where the Lord prpved hira and tried
him, to shew him what was in his heart. He was
present at the battle of Dettingen, and Stood the
fire of the enemy full seven hours ! But, he says
himself, " My heart ivas filled with love, peace and
joy, more tban tongue can express."
In the winter of 1743, the Lord gave him a com-
paniort or two in the way, and they forraed thera
selves into a Society, to help each other to work
out their salvation with fear and trembling. Their
number soon increased to twelve, and in a short
time after to twenty ; several of whom had already
found peace with God. Mr. Haime was their
Leader, and in a littie time he began to preach,
and his word was attended with the power of God.
He usually, in the summer of 1744, had a thou
sand hearers, officers, coramon soldiers and others.
He frequently preached four or five tiraes a day,
besides taking care of the Society, and attending
to his military duties. He was remarkably cou
rageous for God, and in the defence of the truth
was as bold as a lion. His labours were attended
with an uncoramon blessing, and the Society in
the army soon amounted to three hundred ; and six
Preachers also were raised up among them I So
astonishingly did the word of the Lord grow and
prevail, even in the army !
Mr. Haime himself says, " I frequently walked
between twenty and thirty miles a day ; and
preached flve and thirty times in the space of a

174 METHODIST
week. So great was my love to God, and lo the*
souls which he had purchased with his own blood ;
that I have many times forgotten to take any re
freshment for ten hours together."
From this it appears, that the zeal of the Lord's
house had eaten him up ; and that it was his meat and
his drink to do the will of bis heavenly Father, and
to finish his work.
About the year 1746, or 1747, he was dis
charged from the army, and Mr. Wesley permitted
him to go into a circuit: though previous to this
he had been grievously, tempted by Satan, had
fallen from his stedfastness, and was not atthat
period recovered. He continued to travel as a
Preacher for some time ; and twice went over into
Ireland, to preach the everiasting Gospel in that
country. In January 1767, he, was preaching in the East
cf Cornwall, and there the Lord filled him again
with love, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost ;
which, I believe, he continued to enjoy without
interruption, till his spirit returned to>God.
The following are the particulars of his trium
phant end, as related by Mr. George Story.
On the 18th of August, 1784, died John Haime,
in the seventy-eighth year of his age. For more,
than a twelvemonth past, his health was visibly
upon the decline : but although ahectic fever waS
continually increasing, and wearing him to skin
and bone, yet his zeal for God, and concern fbr
the salvation of souls, abated not in the least. He

MEMORIAL. 175
preached as long as hewas able^ to. speak, and
ionger than he could stapd without support !
The Sunday before; his death he requested the
Society to attend hrm in his o\*n room : and for
several minutes powerfaily and affectionately ex-
hoBted them to persevere to the end, in that faith
which worketh by love, -and purifieth the heart.
The morning before he died, in attempting 't©
get out of bed, he fell down, and was much hurt ;
which occasioned violent pain. In about two
hours after, the pain being a little abated, he de
sired to be raised up in bed ; and after shaking
hands with five or Six friends, who were with him,
he prayed for the divine blessing upon, them sepa
rately : next for the Church in general, and lastly
for the little flock over which he had long been
Overseer. He then leaned back in bed ; and al
though the pain was not so intense, yet there
were evident tokens of approaching dissolution.
His istrertgth gradually decreased, and his sight
and speech in a great measure failed. Yet he fre
quently broke out in prayer, in these and such
like sentences : " O Lord in thee have I trusted,
and have not been confounded. In thee do I now
trust, let me never be confounded. Salvation is of
ihe Lord. I have nothing to bring, nothing to offer
unto tbe Lord, but God be merciful io me a sinner !
When my soul departs this body, a convoy of angels
will corduct me to the paradise of God." His last
prayer tbat could be understood, was to this effect,
" 0 Almighty God, wbo dwelleth in light which no

176 METHODIST
mortal eye can approach, and where no unclean thing
can enter ; cleanse the thoughts of our hearts : grant
us continually, sweet peace, quietness, and assurance
for ever." About an hour before his death he was
heard to say, " Tbis is a good way ! 0 tbat all may
tread this path in the important hour!" He then
departed so quietly, that it was scarcely perceivable
when he drew his last breath.

JOHN HA MPS ON.
He was born near Cbowbent, in Lancashire ;
and in his youth was a member of the Church of
Protestant Dissenters in that place : who at that
time had the famous Doctor Taylor (afterwards of
Norwich) for their minister. Early in life the
Lord called hira by his grace, and he united hira
self to the people called Methodists ; and in a
short time after, in^the seventeenth year of, his
age, , he began to hold forth the word of life to
others. He was in his person, strong, tall, and comely,
and was favoured with a reraarkable pleasing voice
in delivering his public discourses. His soul waa
filled with zeal for the Divine honor, and in the
defence of truth he feared the face of no man. His
courage was proverbial, and sometimes betrayed
him into what might be construed imprudencies.
He travelled as a Preacher in troublesome
times ; when the propagators of divine truth fre-

MEMORIAL. 177
quently carried their lives in their hands. They
had often to contend with wicked and unreasona
ble men. Mr. Hampson was once preaching in the
city of Norwich, and a fellow ofthe baser sort, dis
turbing the congregation, Mr. Hampson told him
plainly, if he did not desist, he would exert his
power and oblige him. The fellow, however,
regardless of his threats, persisted. Mr. Hampson
immediately descended from the pulpit, ordering
the congregation to sit still, and taking the distur
ber of the peace in his arms, he carried him
through the midst of the congregation; and cast
him into the street. He then returned to the pul
pit and cortcluded his serraon ; none daring to
make hira afraid.
After it pleased God to take away his first wife,
he married for his second a very worthy woraan,
who was a near relation of a gentleraan of conside
rable property and respectability in the neighbour
hood of Nantwicb, in Cheshire. Here Mr. Hamp
son for sorae tirae settled ; though he frequently
visited the Societies, and preached occasionally at
Manchester, Chester, and the neighbouring places
for many miles round. He preached at the open
ing of the Octagon, in the city of Chester, from
Let thy priests be clothed with salvation, and let iby
saints rejoice in goodness. And also the funeral ser
mon for that eminentiy holy, useful raan, Mr.
Paul Greenwood, from Tbe righteous perisheth and
no man layeth it to heart," &c.
Doctor Priestley, having once heard M?:. Hamp-
M

178 METHODIST
son. preach, said to him, ?' I am surprised Mr.
Hampson, that yPu can preach extempore as you do.
When I lecture my pupils, I can address them
extempore ; but when in the pulpit, I am at a loss."
Mr. Hampson replied, " Doctor, we are so odd, as
to think, we are supernaturally assisted !"
After Mr. Hampson had resided some tirae in
Cheshire, he entered into business with a house in
Manchester, and became himself a Rider for the
house. But this was not congenial to his mind,
nor did his plan prove successful. He found him
self very uneasy in his new sphere, and after a time
he applied to Mr. Wesley to employ him again as
an Itinerant Preacher, Mr. Wesley consented, and
he continued to travel again for several years : till
at the Conference 1784, finding Mr. Wesley had
not inserted his name in the Deed of Declaratim,
Mr. Hampson was grievously offended, and at the
subsequent Conference withdrew from the con
nection. He settled at Southborough, near Tunbridge WeUs,
where he officiated as Minister in the Dissenting-
meeting ; and was also Master of a Charity-school.
He continued, however, his friendship and esteem
for the Methodist Preachers, and treated them
witb great lespect and love, and sometimes preached
to their congregations. Having lost his araiable
wife, the Lord waa pleased, sorae time after, to
take him to the everlasting enjoyment of himself.

MEMORIAL. 179
THOMAS HANBY.
He was born in the city oi Carlisle, Dec. l6th,
1 733. He was converted to God when very young,
and was early called to bear a public testimony
for Jesus Christ, both by preaching his wOrd, and
enduring grievous sufferings for his sake.
He was admitted as an Itinerant Preacher, at
the Confercrtce in 1755, and corttinued a faithful
Minister of the Lord Jesus for about forty-four
years. He preached till within a few days of his
happy and triumphant death, and was the oldest
Preacher then in the work, as an Itinerant.
On Christmas-day, 1796, Mr. Hanby expounded
part of the second chapter of St. Luke, at six
o'clock in the morning, at Nottingham. In the
forenoon, he preached from Isaiah ix. 6. His name
shall be called Wonderful, &c. And in the evening,
at six o'clock, he preached again from 1 Timothy
iii. 16. Without controversy, great is the mystery of
godliness. This was the last public' testimoriy
which he bore for his blessed Master in the pulpit.
Added to the above labour, he met four or five
classes, and renewed their quarterly tickets. In
the evening, after all this hard work, he felt him
self unwell, and the next morning much worse.
On the Monday morning he had violent pain in
his stomach. In the evening, and on Tuesday, he
thought himself much better. On Wednesday he
was very ill, but did not complain of pain : be
was much oppressed with stupor, and yet wa.s
M 2

180 METHODIST
quite sensible. In the evening, observing his
affectionate partner in great distress, he said,
" God will be a Father to the fatbeirless, and an
husband to the widow." And soon after he said,
" I have left my all with God ! What should I do,
if I had my religipn to seek now ?" Speaking, of
the grave, he observed, " There the weary are at
rest /" On Thursday the Doctor called to see him,
and said, " My good Sir, how are you ?" He an
swered, " I am departing : but I have fought a
good fight.'*
He was now so weak that he could with diffi
culty articulate the last words. His end was now
fast approaching, and while two of his brethren
were coraraending his soul to God in solemn
prayer, the power of the Highest overshadowed
thera, and the glory of the Lord filled the place !
A few minutes after they rose from their knees,
and were watching to see this faithful servant of
God breathe his last ; he quietly, and without a
sigh, fell asleep in Him, who is the resurrection
and the life, on Thursday, Deceraber 29th, 1796,
in the sixty-third year of his age.
He was a raan of genuine piety, of an araiable
temper ; and literally possessed the ornaraent of a
meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of
God of great price. Yet in any matter which re
lated to conscience, and the cause of God, he was
firm, unshaken, and courageous. His ministerial
talents were considerable, and he faithfully em
ployed them all for God. His labours were every

MEMORIAL. 181
where acceptable, and he was .eminently useful in
most circuits where he laboured. His moral cha
racter was unexceptionable and unblemished ; nor
was there, in all the years he travelled, a single
charge of immorality preferred against him. He was
chosen President of the Methodist Conference in
the year 1794, and was the first, after Mr. Wesley,
who filled that office, that was called to his great
reward.

SAMUEL HARRIS.
He came out to travel as a Methodist Preacher
atthe Conference 1795. He was a very pious,
-Steady, proraising young man : his heart was truly
engaged in the work of God, and much united in
love to his brethren in the ministry. He cheer
fully exerted all his strength in promoting the ho
nor ofChrist, and the salvation of immortal spuls.
But the work was too great for his weak frame, aud
therefore, after spending about two years in doing
the work of an Evangelist, he fell into a deep de
cline, of which he died remarkably happy in God,
in the year 1/97.

JOHN HARRISON.
He was engaged in the work of the rainistry
but a short time ; it pleased the Lord to cut short
m3

182 METHODIST
bis days ori earth, ?nd to take him to an eariy rest.
He was deeply devoted to God ; was very serious
and modest, and had very promising abihties for
the work in which he had engaged. He died
very happy in God near Lisbum, in Ireland, in
the year 1777.

WILLIAM HARRY.
He was a native oi Wales, and was a plain, ho
nest, pious, upright man. He travelled for seve
ral years in the mountainous parts of his own
country, and was remarkably fitted by the great
Head of the Church, for that part pf the work
which he had called him to do.
He was called to endure great hardships, in the
discbarge of his office ; but he patiently bore all
things, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. He found
tbe grace of God to be sufficient for him, and hig
strength was proportioned to his day. After faith
fully serving God in the exercise of those gifts
which he had committed unto him, he finished his
course with joy, and triumphing in hira wbo is the
Resurrection ond tbe Life, he rejoiced over the last
enemy, and went to take possession ofthe heavenly
inheritance.

MEMORIAL. 183

RICHARD HENDERSON.
He was a native of Ireland, and came into this
country in the year 1762. He was a man of deep
piety, good sense, and of an araiable disposition.
His gifts for the ministry were great ; and he was
a workman that needed nPt to be ashamed, rightly
dividing the word of truth. He was for seve
ral years a very acceptable and useful Preacher
in the Methodist connection ; and had he con
tinued in the work, would have been much
more so.
He was naturally of a timid, diffident, reasoning
spirit ; of a melancholy habity which frequeritly
led him to view himself in an unfavorable light.
And being inclined to deep thinking, he began to
criticise and philosophize upPn the scriptures,
which greatiy irapeded his usefulness, and bev^fil-
dered bis mind. Hence he gave up the work of
the ministiy, and buried his most excellent talent
in the earth.
He settled at Hanham, rtear Bristol, where he kept
a private asylum for Lunatics, for sorae years. But
his state of raiud was far from being comfortable.
It is probable that in giving up the ministry,
he had grieved the good Spirit of God. But
he nevertheless retained his piety, and died in
peace. The following letter, relative to the closing

m4

184 METHODIST
scene of Mr. Hendersoris life, was written to Mrs.
Henderson, by that truly exemplary and pious wo
man, the late Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson, oi Bristol;
who was present at the time of Mr. Hendersons
death. " What he (Mr. Henderson) said, was not
the rejoicing of a babe, but the adoration of a
father. He seeraed let into such a sense of the
infinite love of God, and his mercy to him in
particular, that awed him and us that were about
him. I am sure it had such an effect upon me,
that I could scarcely receive the common mercies
of your house — I felt myself so utterly uuwor-
thy. His chief concern was, least he should feel
a thought contrary to the will of God, and you
know how patiently he bore the most exquisite
sufferings, and with what strength of mind he
bore the sight of death in its approach. I must
acknowledge I could not speak much to him :
but chiefly prayed and read with him and to him.
In the former I felt very peculiar favours vouch
safed ; but as death drew near, I felt (and so I
told hira), that his view of eternal things was be
yond my reach ; and he said all that was to come
was between God and his own soul, which made
him say to me, " Do not interrupt me." At that
tirae who can tell what passed before him ! We
can, therefore, only say, that he was pecur
liarly favoured, both by sufferings and enjoy^
ments." He was the father ofthe famous John Henderson,

MEMORIAL. 185

who died a few years ago, in the University of
Oxford,

JAMES HERVEY.
This amiable and faithful servant of the Lord
Jesus Christ, having been a raeraber of the origi
nal ^lociety oi Methodists, at Oxford, I thought him
justly entitled to a place in this work ; and, if any
such thing be necessary, this will afford a suffici
ent apology for my recording his excellent name.
The Rev. James Hervey, was born at Harding-
stone, near Northampton, on February 26th, 1714.
He was the son of a Clergyman, and was frora his
childhood designed for the rainistry. In the year
1731, when seventeen years of age, he was sent to
the University of Oxford, and was entered at Lin
coln College, where the Rev. John Wesley was then
a Fellow. In the year 1733, if not before, Mr.
Hervey becarae acquainted with Mr. Wesley, and
those who were then united together to assist each
other in their studies, and in the things which
belonged to their everlasting peace. His connec
tion with them was attended with the most blessed
consequences, and his mind was afterwards fully
instructed in the important truths of Christianity ;
and he was made the happy partaker of those
truths in his own soul.
He entered into holy orders as soon as he was of
proper age, and in 1736, he left Oxford, and be-

186 METHODIST
came his father's Curate. He afterwards went to
London; and after staying some tirae there, he
accepted the Curacy of Dummer, in Hampshire.
Here he continued about twelve raonths. He
then, in the year 1740, undertook the Curacy of
Biddef ord, wherehe remained two years and a half;
when the Rector dying, he was dismissed by the
ne\\? incumbent (who was insensible of pious or
learned excellence)^ against the united request of
the parishioners ; who offered to maintain him at
their oWn expense. During his residence there,
he laboured faithfully and diligently, and his la
bours undoubtedly were attended with a divine
blessing. He there also planned his excellent
" Meditations among the Tombs, &c." and it is
probable that he there wrote some part of them;
He says himself, " It was on a ride to Kilkhampton,
in Cornwall, and in that Church, where he laid
the scene of that work."
In 1743, he returned about August to Weston-
Favel, in Northamptonshire, and officiated as his
father's Curate till June 17 50; at which time his
health was much impaired by his great attention
to study and labour. He therefore reraoved to
London for a change of air, where he continued for
sorae tirae ; during which, he was seized with a
severe illness which alraost cost him his life. In
May 1752, his father died, and as he accepted of
the livings of Weston-Favel and Collingtree, he re
sided at the former place the remainder of his
short life.

MEMORIAL. 187
His laboursj both in his ministerial office, and
in his studyj he pursued closely as long as he was
able,- under the disadvantage of a weak constitu
tion ; which, together with the severity of his last
illness,, he suppprted with great fortitude and pa
tience. In the month of December, 1758, his disorder
had increased so much, that he was confined to his
room ; from which he never after returned. But
in his affliction j the joy of the Lord was bis strength;
he was ireqaently filled with peace and joy inhe-
lievingi and abounded in hope through tbe power of
the Holy Ghost. He said, " I am not afraid to die^ —
I assure you I am not. I know what my Saviour
has done for me ; and I want to be gone." A few
hours before he expired, he expatiated largely,
and in a very striking manner, on those words of
St. Paul, All things are your's ; life or death — for
ye are Christ's. " Here/' sayd he, " is the treasure
of the Christian. Death is reckoned among the
inventory ; and a noble treasure it is. How thank
ful am I for death ; it is tbe passage through which
I pass to the Lord and giver of eternal life. These
light afflictions are but for a moment, and then
comes an etemal weight of glory. O welcome
death I Welcome death 1 To live is Christ, hut to
die is gain. He then said, with great serenity and
sweetness in his countenance, though the pangs
of death were upon him. Lord, now lettest thou
thy servant depart in peace, according to thy most
)ioly and comfortable word ; for mine eyes have seen

188 METHODIST
thy precious salvation. A little after he said,
" The great conflict is over 1 — Now all is done I"
After which he spoke no more, except now and
then said, " precious salvation." During the last
hour of his life he said nothing, but leaning his
headagainst the side ofthe easy chair, he, without
the least emotion, closed his eyes and departed on
Christmas- day, 1758, in the forty-fifth year of his
age- When his body was conveyed to the Church, it
was covered, by his express desire with the poor's
pall, and he was interred under the coraraunion
table, in the chancel of Weston-Favel, on Friday
the 28th of December, in the presence of a nume
rous congregation, full of regret for the loss of so
excellent a Pastor : all bearing a visible witness of
bis worth and their sorrow.
The poor thankfully acknowledged his benevo
lence, and as they looked into his grave, seemed
to say within themselves, " Tbere lies the man
whose unwearied kindness was tbe constant relief of
my various distresses ; who tenderly visited my lan
guishing bed, and readily supplied my indigent cir
cumstances."* Others, once ignorant and ungodly, looked at
this depositum of his body, and thus vented their
expressive sighs ; " Here are the last remains of
that sincere friend who watched for my soul. — I
tremble to think into what irretrievable ruin I
might quickly have been plunged, had not his
* See « Meditations among the Tombs," vol. i. p. 65,

MEMORIAL. ISg
faithful admonitions, and repeated exhortations,
been blest to arrest me in the wild career. I was
then unacquainted with the Gospel of peace ; but
now enlightened through his instructions, I see
the all-sufficiency of my Saviour. His discourses
are still warm on my heart, and, I trust, will be
more and more operative in my life."
It may be truly said of Mr. Hervey, that few
lives have been more heavenly, and few deaths
more triumphant. He died in the Lord: his name
is recorded in the annals of eternity ; and the ho
nors conferred upon him by his beloved Master,
will continue blooraing and incorruptible in the
world of glory. His character, both in his public
and private capacity, was of the most exeraplary
kind. In the pulpit, he was earnest and fervent, and
fully evinced that he felt the efficacy of what he
preached. He generally preached without notes :
his raethod was judicious and clear, and he was
particular in enforcing what he said, with some
pertinent passage of scripture, and he always en
deavoured to adapt his language to the lowest
capacity. He had a peculiar method of cate
chising the children in his parish. His charities to
the poor were great, and he abridged himself of
many necessary things in order that he might do
more good, saying, " I will be my own executor."
It is said, he was never known to be in a pas
sion ; no worldly concerns (though he soraetimes
met with very trying ones) ever affected him. His

igO METHODIST
humility rendered him invulnerable.— When he
was misrepresented and - calumniated, he would
say, " Our enemies are sometimes our best friends^
and tell us truths ; and then we should amend our
faults, and be thankful for such information : and
if what they say be not true, and only spoke
through malice, then sueh persons are to be eon-r
sidered as diseased in their minds, and that we
ought to pray for them. They are to be pitied,
said he, and I might as justly be angry with a man
who is diseased in his hody."
" God," said Mr. Romaine, in his funeral ser
mon, " had enriched him with great gifts, and
with great graces : God had emptied hira of pride
and self, and clothed him with humility; yea,
had given him the ornament of a meek and quiet
spirit, which in the sight of God is of ^eat
price."

WILLIAM HITCHENS.
He was a native of Bisveal, near Redruth, in
Cornwall ; and was brother to Samuel and Thomas
Hitchens, whose holy and useful lives, and happy
and triumphant deaths, were published to the
worid, by the late Rev. John Wesley, many years
ago. Mr. Hitchens was employed for some time as an
Itinerant Preacher, when Methodism was in its
infancy ; he was a sensible, pious, good man,

MEMORIAL. 191
and was called to suffer grievous persecution?
while he continued to travel. He afterwards mar
ried, relinquished his itinerartt life, artd settled irt
the hatting business in the city of Bristol. There
he continued, and preached occasionally, as a
Local Preacher, for many years ; and there he
closed his life in peace.

SAMUEL HODGSON.
From his Life, written by himself, we learn that
he was born at Halifax, in Yorkshire, February
22, 1759. His parents were serious, particularly
his father, who had been for some tirae a hearer of
the Methodists. While he was very young, he
had seripus thoughts of God and eternity ; which
were deepened by the conversatiort of his father,
and hearing the Preachers catechising the chil
dren.. But he gradually gave way to the natural
inclination of his own raind, and acquired the
habit, when about eleven years of age, of taking
the name of God in vain : to this was soon added,
pride, anger, malice, envy, deceit, and disobedi
ence to his parents, which formed some of the
most distinguishing features in his character.
His conscience often condemned him for these
things ; and he was terrified by dreams and visions
in the night; so that he was constrained fre
quently to cry, God be merciful to me a sinner ! He
had also, even at this eariy period, a concern for

iga mBthodist
the souls of others ; particularly once, when he
heard a corapany of colliers swearing. Whilst
they talked together, he said within himself,
" How can these poor wretches, or I, hope to go
to heaven, while we continue thus sinful !" — And
when one of his sisters was dangerously ill, whom
he looked on as in a state not fit to die, he wept
and prayed earnestly for her in secret.
When he was about fourteen years of age, having
acquired as much learning as was necessary for
business, his father determined to put him ap
prentice to a trade, but chose one for him which
of all others he disliked ; so that his spirit was
stirred up exceedingly against it. However, after
some struggles in his raind, he consented ; and at
the same time determined to spend most of his
vacant hours in reading and improvement.
When he was about sixteen, it pleased God to
open his eyes more fully. While he was at home
at his father's for a week at Christmas, he, and
one ofhis corapanions, were guilty of some mis
chief, which was discovered, and for which his
father reproved him sharply. He wept bitterly,
and the next day at a prayer-meeting in his father's
house, whilst his eldest brother was at prayer, he
was rauch broken down, shed abundance of tears,
and resolved in good earnest to devote himself to
God. His conviction was deepened by hearing a
sermon shortly after, by which so much light was
poured in upon his mind, that he clearly dis
covered the necessity of a change of heart.

He began nowtO' feel that he had sinned againStGod,
as vrell as a^a^^t his parents. All his sins stood in
srirafy bdfWe Mih, so that he saw himself standing,
as it were, on the iM'ink of a horrid precipice, just
ready to Mi. into that burning lake,

"VtTie

; peace

And rest can never dwell, hope never comeS|
That tami^ to all ; but tortiUre withbut end
Still urges, and ai fiery deloge, fed
With ever burning sulphur unconsumed."
He sighed, he wept, arid prayed to God, to give
him grace to bring' forth fruit meet for repentancei,
to shew mercy unto him, and to pai'dbn all his sins
forthe sake of his dear Sort.
His Master, who was a Class-leader, perceiving
a- change in his conduct, invited him to a Class-
meeting. Here his mind was much enlightefl^d
by hearing the ejcperience of others ; and his re
solutions were greatiy strengthened ; so that about
the beginning of March, 1775, he got a ticket as
a" meraber of the Society.
^W6 thirigSi fdr sorae time, hindered his re
ceiving an assurkflee of God's favour. Pifst, a
thought thaf onlya certain number could be saved,
aif^ that he wa^ not of that riumber. Secondly,
when he felt a little hope^ he looked for the par
don ofhis sins in s6me kind of a miralptilous man
ner. Howevei", he resolved to wait upon the
Liord; aiad ifhe was tb perish, he was determined
to perish crying out for merfcy. One Sabbath
evening, as he Was going to a- prayer-meeting,

194 ME,TH.ODJ§T
these words rushed, suddenly; upon his mind-r*
Jesus, by the grace of, God, tasted ..death, for every
man. Immediately he had such a, sense of Christ's
sufferings imp regsed, .upon his mirid, as quite over
whelmed him. Jie saw him, as it were suffering,
bleeding, fainting, and dying on the cross, for the
sov\.s oi all men, Hence he reasoned, "If Christ
died for all, then he must haye died for me ; and
therefore I ought . not to doubt of the sufficiency
of his merit to save me'' ¦ This gave him great ease
and satisfaction : arid: .when he ^tered the meet
ing, the first verse .'that was Sung, had such an
effect on his heart, as he had. never before experi
enced; and, while these words were on his lips-r-.
Arid feel the spr'mkled blood,— -he felt such an assu
rance of God's favour and mercy, as human lan-.
guage cannot express. He felt; indeed the sprinkrr;
led blood appliedj and the Holy Spirit bpref
witness with his spirit, that he. was now made a
child of God. ,,..,, , j
Soon after this, meeting with a strong tempta-
tiqp, his confidence was wrested, frpm hira ; but
by applying to the throne of gragPi^he had it pre
sently restored, and was en.abjqd: to, testify, with
gladness to others what the Lord ha4, done for^ his
soul... He novv began. to feel, a yery great concern.
for his relations, an:d, earnestly longed for thCiCOii-^,
version of his brother^an^ sisters]; eyery day, and;
almost every hour, he- petitioned the throne ^ of
grace on their behalf. ,
He went on pretty comfortably till the begin-

MEMORIAL. 195
ning of the next winter, when some scripture texts
were applied to his mind, which seeraed to indi
cate a call to the ministry; but he thought it utterly
impossible that he should ever preach the Gospel.
While he.was hearing a discourse from these
words of St. Peter, What was I, ihat I could with
stand God ? his mind was eased, respecting what
had perplexed him before, and he began to think,
it was God's wUl that he should preach sorae tirae
or other.
Soon after he was called upon to exercise his
gifts at prayer-meetings, in which he was some
times blest, at other times having little liberty of
speech, he was greatly cast down. One day in
May, I777j being much exercised about his .call
to preach, he heard, as it were, a voice, in his
heart, saying, " Samuel! 'Samuel!" Tp which he
replied, " Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth"
Immediately these words ru,she.d like lightning into
his mind. Go ye into all the'.world, and preach the
Gospel to every creature. — -He was astonished, and
burst' into a flood of tears ; and resolved to make it
a matter of more constant -piayer, that God would
be pleased, to make bis way plain before him. Af
ter he had risen from his.kne.es, on opening the
Bible, these. words first C2t\x^thiseye,.'Feed my
lambs.' This seemed a confirmation of what had
just passed:; and he gave himself to prayer, read
ing, and meditation, in such a manner as he had
not done before.
About the latter end of 1 771, he began to exhort
N 2

igQ METHODIST
in public, and continued so to do, in the little
meetings near him, occasionally, till tbe month of
February, 1779, when he was first encouraged to
take a text. In August following he was desiiied
by the Assistant of the Circuit, to supply the place
of a Preacher who was appointed to labour in_ the
York Circuit ; and the year followit^ was received
into full connection at Leeds Conference.
He entered' upon this work with fear and trem
bling, being impressed with an awful sense of its
great importance, and of his own inability and
inexperience. However, he was received by the
people with kindness, tendemess, and respect;
and God condesccrtded to bless his; labours among-
them. Mr. Hiodgson's bodily frame was rather weak :
he oftert felt languor, and sometimes was severely
affiicted. To this were added great exercises of
mind (though he had often divine consolations;
mingled in his cup), all which rendered itinerancy
such a cross to him, as healthy, or robust, persons
cannot easily conceive : yet he struggled with hia
infirmities to the very lasty being, willing not only
to impart the Gospel, but his own soul also.
In Jiuly, 1789, he entered into the marriage
state with Miss Sarah Garnitt, of Bradforth, and
shortly after went with his wife to Bristol, wiiera
he was appointed to labour the: ensuing year.
This year, he mentions in his journal, as the mflst
comfortable he ever experienced in his life ; being
very kindly treated by. the people> and seeing sorae

MEMORIAL. 197
fruit of his labours. The next year he left thern
with reluctaatae, (being appointed for Leeds)
though he had the prc^pect of spending a com
fortable tiirie in Yorkshire, among his friends artd
relatioris. After art agreeable year in Leeds, he
was appointed at the Manchester Cottference for
Y6rk<, where he and his faithful companions la
boured with considerable success for two years.
At the Leeds Conference in 1793, he was ap
pointed fiir Sunderland. Here he met vvith a peo
ple who did honor to theraselves and the Gospel,
by that unceasing respect artd affection which they
manifested to this servant of God, and to his
family. His appoirttiiient bere^ at the earnest re
quest of the people, was continued by the Bristol
Conference ih 1 794. This alas! was the last
year of his life. To the unspeakable grief of all
his friends^ and to the great losS of the Church of
Christ, he was drowned, April 20, 1795, by the
oversetting of the passage-boat in crossing the ri
ver Were.
The ways of God are to us inscrutable : and
though the circumstances of Mr. Hodgsofis dfcath
were awful and sudden ; yet, upon a review of
his general conduct and usefulness, We cannot
doubt but he was called to his re#ard in a better
world. It is worthy of remark^ that during the
last week of his life, he had preached seven times,
to different congregations in the country places,
from Amos iv. 12. Prepare to meet thy God. In
deed he appeared to have near views of eternal
N 3

lg8 METHODIST
things ; and sorae few days before his death, when
his wife inquired concerning the state of his raind;
lifting up his eyes and hands, he replied with
great earnestness, " I bless God, I find an unflia-
ken confidence in hira."
He had twice crossed the river the same day :
and in the evening he preached at a village about
three miles frora Sunderland. He seeraed a goo4
deal exhausted with preaching ; but after a little
refreshraent returned. He left his horse on the
same side ofthe river where he had preached, and
went into the boat with his fellow-passengers and
sufferers. The confusion connected with such a
misfortune, prevents inforraation which raay be
depended on. It is said, with much appearance
of truth, that he reproved sorae in the boat for
swearing, a few raoments before it sunk. When
the awful event took place, he exclaimed aloud,
" Lord Jesus, receive my spirit, and have mercy on
my fellow-sufferers !"
It is supposed the melancholy event was occa
sioned, by the boat being overloaded, and getting
foul of a rope which lay in the passage, when it
soon filled; with water. About twenty persons
were drowned, most of whom were afterwards
found. On the ninth day, in the evening, Mr.
Hodgson's body was found uninjured, on the sea-
coast, about two miles frora the place where he
was lost. It was brought into the chapel, and the
next day interred in the presence of raore than a
thousand deeply affected spectators. — Sovereign of

M "E' M O R I A L. , ] 99
heaven and earth ! ^Though clouds and darkness
be round about thee, yet Righteousness and Judg
ment are the habitation of thy throne.

WILLIAM HOLMES.
He was araong the. first Preachers who served
Mr. Wesley as his sons in, the Gospel. I have not
been able to collect any thing particular relative to
hira, except the following letter, which was trans
mitted to Mr, Wesley, respecting his death. It is
dated Epivorib, Lincolnshire, January 31, 1747-
"Brother William Holmes, going to Missen, to
visit sorae relations, was taken ill of a fever. It
continued nine days. ' All this time he was preachr
ing to all about hira, and telling all who carae to
see him-what God had done for his soul. He
said. The day ofhis death, would be his coronation
day ! Every morning finding so much of the love
of God, he blessed the Lord for the comforts of
the night past. Through the violence ofthe fever,
he was for some time delirious, ' yet all this time
he prayed as steadily as before. The ninth day he
appeared to be .something better ; but the fever
returning, he died without a sigh. It was re
markable that before he died, ' he told his wife, it
was strongly impressed upon his spirit, that God
had a work for him to do at Ascham, where his
brother Robert lived. Just at the time oi William's
death, (as it afterwards appeared) ' Robert wa;^'
n4

200 METHODIST
groaning in bed under strong convictions fiw: sin.
He tumed himself and said, What must I do to he
saved ? A voice answered. Believe on the Lard Je
sus, and thou shalt be saved. He knew it to be his
brothers voice, and presently perceived him (as he
thought) to come and lay down by him. He en
deavoured to take him in his arms, but could not.
He then went out of the room, shutting the door
after him, and left Robert rejoicing in God !"

THOMAS HOSKING.
He was admitted as an itinerant Preacher at the
Conference in 1776. He was a young man very
zealous fpr God, active in his service, and of an
unblameable behaviour. He was but just entering
an usefiil life, when. He, wbo seeth not as man
seeth, was pleased to snatch him away suddenly,
and lodged him safe in Abraham's bosom. He
died in the secpnd year of his itinerancy, in ttie
year 1778.

JOHN HOSMER.
He entered upon tiie work of the ministry, as
an Itinerant in the ye^ 1758. He was a son of
Thunder, a man mighty in prayer and in the scrip
tures. He laboured with all his might in his
Master's work, and was the honored instrument in

memorial. / 201
his hand of turning many to righteousness. The
Lord who sent him was with him of a truth ; and
wherever he was stationed, signs and wonders
were wrpught in the narae of the holy child Jesus.
But the ill state of his health was such, as would
not perrait him to continue in this good work as a
Travelling Preacher, he therefore married, and
settied as a Surgeon, at Sunderland, in the county
of Durham. In this place he was made very useful
to many, both in his professional line, and also as
a Preacher ofthe Gospel.
But it pleased the Lord to afflict his servant
with a very uncommon and painful disorder, which
rendered him incapable of attending to his busi
ness, and in a short time he was reduced to a state
of penury and wartt 1 The pain which he endured
for many years was incortceivable, and the dread
ful temptatiorts he was exercised with were inde
scribable. Many of his Christian friends keenly
felt for him, and sympathized with him ; but this
was all that tbey could do : his case was a raystery
to them all. However, .such was the unbounded
goodness ofGod, that when he had ftilly tried his
servant, he brought him out of the furnace like
gold seven times purified iu the fire. He finished
his course in great peace, in the city of York, about
the year 1780.

202 METHODIST
JOHN HOUGHTON.
He was among the first Lay-preachers who as
sisted Mr. Wesley, and he endured great persecu
tions for the truth's sake, especially in Stafford
shire. He was once taken before Lord Dudley, to
answer for preaching. His Lordship asked' his
persecutors, what Mr. Houghton had done ? They
answered. He preached and prayed extempore !
His Lordship then asked, " Did he repeat the
Lord's Prayer ?" " Yes, ray Lord." " Did he
pray for the King ?" " Yes." " Why then," said
his Lordship, " Mr. Houghton, you may go and
preach and pray wherever you please." He con
tinued for sorae tirae in the Methodist connection,
and then procured Episcopal ordination, and set
tled in the parish oi Kilrea, in the county of Zob-
donderry, Ireland, where he ended the days of bis
pilgriraage in peace, having lived many years a re-
spectableMinister, and a useful Justice of the Peace,

JOSEPH HUMPHREYS.
He was the first Lay-preacher who asasted Mr.
Wesley, in the year 1738. Mr. Wesley gives the
following curious account of him in his last prin
ted journal, page I98 ; and it is the only account, I
have been able to procure of hira. " Thursday,
Sept. Qth, 1790, I read over the experience of
Joseph Humphries. — Frora his own account I learn,
that he was perfected in love, and so continued
for at least a twelveraonth. Afterwards he turned

MEMORIAL. 203
Calvinist, , and found Mr. Whitefield, and pub
lished an invective against my brother and me, in
the newspaper. In awhile he renounced Mr.
Whitefield^. and was ordained a Presbyterian Mi
nister. At last he received Episcopal ordination.
He then scoffed at inward religion, and when re
minded of his own experience, replied, " That
w.as one of the fooUsh things, which I wrote in the
time of my madness !"

WILLIAM HUNTER.
This eminently holy man, was born at a village
near Placey, in Northumberland, in the year 1728-
The fear of God pervaded his heart when very
young, and he felt the sweet drawings of divine
love. When, in the sixteenth year ofhis age, he
heard Mr. Hopper preach, and was deeply affected,
not with terror, but with love ; and a wonderful
change was produced in his tempers and conduct.
In short he now began to share in the reproach of
Christ, and from the regularity of his life and
conduct, he was called a Af^/^o^ij/. His old com
panions in sin and folly, carae about him like
bees ; they cursed and swore, and raged horribly.
This had a strange effect upon hira ; he gave way
to them, and again fell into the snare of the devil.
He went on for sorae months in this wretched
state, living totally without God in the worid.
At last he was prevailed upon to hear preaching

204 METHODIST
again, and it now pierced him as a two-edged
sword. He discovered his irmard parts to be wick
edness ; all the sins of his whole life stared him in
the face, and lay as a heavy burden upon his coh-
science : he even roared for the disquietude ofhis
soul, and wept and made supplication. His dis
tress continued for many months, but then did the
Lord appear for hiraself, and proclaimed his name
in his believing heait. He was enabled to rejoice,
and say, God is my salvation. Thine anger is
turned away, and thou comforiest me." Having
tasted of the gpodness of God himself, he could
not forbear speaking to others ; and he soon began
to read the scriptures publicly, and to make a few
reraarks upon them. The Lord owned the word
of his servant, and a sraall Society was raised as the
first fruits of his labours.
In the year 17 67, his sphere of usefulness was
enlarged, and he was received upon trial as an
Itinerant Preacher : in which blessed work he
continued to the end of his days.
The following account of his last sickness and
triumphant end, is given by the gentleman, at
whose house he finished his earthly course.
" On the 17th of July, 1797, Mr. Hunter came
to ray house, I having previously requested him to
come and take care of the Society in my absence.
When I returned on the 27 th, I was much struck
with his appearance, which was greatly altered
from the last time I saw hira. On inquiring how
he was, he said, " Very poorly ;" and intimated,

MEMORIAL. 20S
that he was much exhausted by the labour of the
preceding Sunday. At night he preached /or tbe
last time, from. Be ye also ready. He made raany
excellent reraarks upon the subject, to which the
people seriously attended, as to the words of a
dying man. In the morning he looked refreshed
and pleasap^ though very weak, and in the course
of the day fi-equently walked, out with me ; but
toward? evening, he begani to breathe with diffi
culty. About one in the morning he called us up,
and said, "I am almost dead." I was gfeatly
affected with hi§ humble, quiet, composed,, con
fidence in God. The Preacher and the. Christianj
shone with peculiar lustra : it was evident be pos
sessed, what he had long been with holy fervor
inculcating upon' others. Irt the moroing he rose
about nine o'clock, and came down stairs ; but it
was too evidEffit that his dissolution was approach
ing apace.
" Oh Monday the aist, he frequently forgot
himself,, and had various. symptomsof death about
him. The iiesX day, he frequently said, " I am a
monument of tb^ , goodness of God. Glory, be, to his
name for evefi and ever .'" In the evenmg, he. said,
" The Lordis my strenth andmy songi, he. also. is be
come my sapoatisn." Ajid added, " The Lord be
praised for ever and ever. I am a monument of God's
rich mercy'' A, person present happening to say,
" Mr. Hunter gets no sleep," he replied, " Sleep
ing or waking all is well ; glory be to God for

206 METHODIST
ever!" About ten o'clock, he gave, out his fa
vourite hymn, " I long to behold him array'd
" With glory and light from above>
" The King in his:beauty display'd,. : '
" His beauty of holiest love." &c. :
He then prayed with great fervor. — August 2, the
pins ofthe tabernacle seeraed to loosen apace, and
the pitcher to break it the fountainV His animal
powers appeared alraost exhausted, and refused to
do their respective offices. — In the evening he at
terapted fo say soraething to me respecting the
divine laiv, but was riot able to speak. At length
he cried out, " Glory be to God, He hatb fulfilled
aOi righteousness : if this was not included'in His
obedience, it would be irnperfect, and then what should
we do ?" His whole solvation he rested on the'me-
rits ofthe Redeemer^ alone. While the bed was
making, he sat in a chair, and desired that we
would sing his favourite byriih, which' we did, in
a solmen raanner : during which his happy soul
was swallowed up in the Ibve Pf GPdr He then
prayed with a holy fervor and devotiori suitable to
the occasion.' AbPut one o'clock in the morning,
we were Called up to see hira die ; but he grit over
this struggle, and lay iri quiet slurabers till eight
o'clock. When I entered the room he said,
" There is much to do before we can die ; but I have
no fear ; my whole heart is devoted to God: I have
not followed cunningly devised fables !"
When any person came to see him he was very

MEMORIAL. 207
particular in recoraraending to them the service of
God, with all its attendant comforts : nor did he
suffer any to depart, vyithout pouring out his so
lemn benedictiort upou ¦ them. He frequently re
peated. Mr. /^f/(?y's favourite hymn,
" I'll praise my Maker while I've breath," &c.
He would then burst into tears of joy, and would
cry out as in an extacy, " 0 precious Christ ! preci
ous Jesus ! What a sight is ibis? A poor unworthy
creature dying full of faith and tbe Holy Ghost ;" and
added, '. / "¦:¦ ¦
"A feeble Saint shall win the day
" Though death and hell obstruct the way."
When, he, was raised up to drink a little wine and
water, he^Siaid, with an air of holy triumph, 0
grave iphere^ is thy victory ! 0 death, where is thy
sting! In the evening he frequently attempted to
whisper .something weighty respecting the good
ness of Gqd — and got out, " offer me up to God
in, prayer." About nine o'clock, he whispered in
my ear, " Pray and praise ;" and indeed when we
prayed in his presence, it seeraed as if the divine
glory filled the place. He would often say,
" When will ray Lord come ?" And when I ob-
observed, " God's time is a good time," he replied,
'•^ All is well— all is well."
On Saturday, when I entered the roora, he took
my hand in his, but he could npt speak. Asking
him if he felt much pain, he laid his hand upon

208 METHODIST
his right breast. Through the whole of Mr.
Hunter's affliction, there appeared such perfect re
signation to the will of God, that I durst not pray
either for life or death ; but that God would treat
his servant according to his good pleasure. On
Wednesday he desired that I would inform his
brethren, who were then assembled in general
Conference, ofhis situation,, andsaid,. " TeUdlof
them, that I have never varied from the Methodist
docPrine and discipline from my first setting out." He
continued much in the same state till Sunday morn
ing, when he evidently appeared on the threshold
of eterrtity. Mr. Dodd said to him, " Sir, you are
very weak," he replied, " Yes, but thp Lord is
strong — glory be to his precious name for ever !"
In the evening he nearly fainted : when beofched
his eyes, he whispered, " All' is well— there' is
nothing wrong." He thertj as well as he was aBlfei-
blessed the children present, and exhorted theffitb
seek the Lord'. About fbur o'clbck in the mom
ing, of the 1 4th of August; I was hazily' called,
and after being a few minutes in the room^ the
happy spirit of this blessed' man of God toot ite
flight into the regions of etemal repose;
Thus died, as he' had hved, WiLLiAM'HuNTEff^
full of divine-peace, love- and joy. During the
seventeen days of his affliction^ the' enemy 'was hot
permitted to approach him' ; for perfect' love 'had
cast out fear : and in the^ fullest sense of the word,
he rejoiced evermore, prayed' without ceasirig, and
in every thing gave thanks unto God."

MEMORIAL. 209
Mr. Hunter's, deportmerit was grave and serious^
without any mixture Of lightness or trifling. His
humility was very great. It seemed as ifhe conti
nually recollected our Lord's words. He that is
greatest among you, let him be as the younget^ dnd he
that is : chief as he that doth server Ih preaching the
Gospel, and, indeed, in all his conversation, his
expressions were solid and weighty ; and his man
ner, though very deliberatP, was peculiarly ener
getic ; so that few could hear him without being
affected. In his intercourse with the people, hP
was a pattern to all, manifesting a uniform pietyj
a deadness to the world, and a conversation that
in all things adorned the doctrine of God our
Saviour. The foUowirtg is a very remarkable anecdote
respecting iMr. Hunter, which I had from !his own
mouth, in the city oi Edinburgh, in the yeir 1787.
When he related it; to me, my mind was very sen
sibly affected,: and in order that it might remain
\irith me, I ! requested him to transmit me the ac
count in writing ; which he did, and the letter, of
which the foUov^ing is the substance, is noW in hiy
possesion. . w
Mr. Hunter spent several . years in the South of
Scotland, and attempted to preach the Gospel in
those towns and villages,' where the Methodists
had never been. In the profeeCtition of this good
work be met with considerable oppositiort, not
only from those who professed to be of ibis world i

210 -METHOD IST
but also from those, from whom better things
might have been expected 1 This was particularly
the case at Kelso ; where, as Mr. Hunter says,
" The two Burgher Ministers, who were before at
enmity with each other, were nrade friends, and
united their forces in order to prosecute me." In
order to carry their plan into effect, they appointed
a meeting ; but one of them being taken suddenly
ill, their design was frustrated. Mr. N's time of
administering the Lord's Supper was at hand ; and
though he was hardly able to officiate at all, yet
he spent most of his strength on the preparation
day, in' exclaiming bitterly against the Methodists I
He could not even refrain on the Lwd's day, at
tbe very Table ! He raanifested his indignation and
wrath in the very act i of administration, and ex
pressed the sarfid in^i strong words ! PJe even of
fended some of ,his own moderate bearers, vrho
thought he caniiedYhis .resentment too far. This,
howeiver; proved the last time of this geritieman's
exhibiting in public ; and he was, ih a few days,
sumraoned to the tribuhal of God! " This" says
Mr. Himter, " occasioned great thou^ts of heart in
many, and most were led to consider it as ajrnt judg
ment frbm Go£?.'" W/hether they ^ere right in this,
the great day will displose I
Mr. M. the other Minister, =had written, and
was about to. publish a:- book against the Meth©-
-distsa full of thei hiost horrible and palpable lies.
Just as this book was icoming from the press, a
person bearing the aspect and appearance of a gen-

MEMORIAL. 211
tleman was observed to come into the towKj from
the English side of the Tweed. He had a very
venerable appearance, and;had irtquired for Mr.
M's house. He was observed to stand in the yard
for some moments irt a prayirtg posture. He theu
krtocked at the door, artd being' introduced to Mr.
M. he, in a very solemn raanner, informed him^
He was a niessenger sent from God ; and was sent to
reprove' him for writing tbat vile hook against ibe
Methodists' ;i^nd also told hiin of the dreadful conse
quences that would follow ! Which in a short time
were awfully verified. For though this gentieman
had, for several years, been a very popular Preacher
in: that tawn and neighbourhood, from tbat very
^erifii/, his I own people, without any visible
cause, took iag^irtst hira, artd they never rested
tiU they rooted , him out of the place, and he
was constraihediito leave the town in great dis
grace. '.:.;,.; !!¦
It is remarkable, that though all possible inquiry
was made respecting the person who called him
self a messenger from God, no account could be ob
tained of him, rior was he ever seen or heard of
more !
The following are Mr. Hunters own words.
" " These were days of sore trial ; we seldom
could get a quiet meeting. I was obliged to have
recourse to the Magistrates for protection. The
little few -brought to God in the town were ready
to stagger and give up the work ; so that my trou-

o2

212 METHODIST
ble and exercise were not a little. At that time I
dreamed a dream. I thought I was the General of
a little armyj whose armour was bright and glis
tering as the sun. We were besieged by a
host, whose number was like the sand of
the sea. My work and fortifications were very
weak, so that, to all outward appearauce, there
was no hope. However, I put my little army; into
a posture of defence, made my woris as strongas
possibly I could, fixed them in their proper ranks,
and bade them to attend strictly to the word of
command. It appeared to me something remarkable; I ne
ver in my life urtderstood any thing ofthe science
of war, yet now I seemed to understand the whole
ofit. I had my eye continually .upon the enemy :
I marked all their works and movements ; and by
some raeans got intelligence of. all their designs*
They played their voUies continually upon us : I
saw their bombs and balls fly in the air, but they
never earae nigh us to hurt us. Although I and
my little ai my were exposed to tbe greatest danger,
I felt no fear ; all was peace within. I felt no
fluttering in my spirits, but was constantly calm
and recollected. I had work enough to encourage
my little army, and to inspect the enemy. It
pleased the Lord to make it known to rae, that he
would give me a compleat victoiy r I was there
fore all spirit and courage. I assured ray army di
conquest, and bade them fear not. I knew the
day and the hour when they intended to take us-

MEMORIAL. 213
by storm. I told my little army to stand their
ground, aud they should see a great salvatiou.
There was a little river lay betweert us and the
enemy. The day and the hour carae. I knew
not the way by which Infinite Wisdom would deli
ver us, but believed confidently that he would.
At last the word of command was given by their
General. How dreadful was their moving ! I was
looking intensely upon them, and wondering which
way the Lord would deliver us, when they came
irt a most tremendous forra to the brink of the
river. In that moraent they set their feet into it,
it rose up like a great mountain, and swept them
all away ; so that there was not one left to carry
home the tidings ! The scene was truly dreadful !
I saw them rolling in the waves, and heard them
screaming artd crprtg ! I artd my little army suug
victory, artd praised the Lord, and then I awoke V
The impressiorts were so deep upou ray mirtd,
and the nature and art of war so clear to me, that
had I been called to lead an army to battle, I be
lieve I could have done it.
The application of this dream was easy, " Those
who opposed us with such violence were swept away,
and their places know tbem no more !"
From the whole tenor of Mr. Hunter's life, it is
manifest that he was a man of God. And what Shall
we say to these thirtgs ? ' ^ God befor us, wbo shall
he against us f But let persecutors of every descrip
tion tremble ; for, verily tbere is a reward for;

o 3

214 METHODIST
the righteous; verily he is a God thiit judgeth in
the earth !

FRANCIS ISHERWOOD.
He was a native of SUngsby,, in Yorkshire, and
carae out as a Preacher in the Methodist connec
tion, in the year 1 761, and was appointed for the
Manchester circuit, which at that tirae was very
extensive. He was a young raan reraarkably de
voted to God, and was deeply pious. , His humi
lity, meekness, sincerity, and heavenly minded
ness, were conspicuous in all his deportraent, and
rendered him universally esteemed and respected.
Being a young man of respectable parentage, he
had the opportunity of evincing his deadness to
the honors, riches and pleasures of the world, by
relinquishing all for the sake of, Christ and his
Gospel. He was crucified to the, wprld, and wil
lingly and cheerfully left his comfortable. habita-!
tion and his friends, that he might publish, in the
highways and hedges, to a lost and ruined world,
the love of our glorious Emmanuel. When one,
who greatly loved him, entreated him not to tra
vel, insinuating that as he had a horse at his com
mand, he might be as useful in preaching in his
own neighbourhood ; he replied, " / have but a
short time to Uve, let me do all the good I can before
I die." Whether he had any preserttira.ent of ap
proaching dissolution I know not ; but, however,

MEMORIAL. 2 15'
he soon firtished his labours aud the days of his
pilgrimage. He died irt the course of the next year,
near Manchester; but his happy end was the cpn-
sequent issue of his holy life. He was wonderfully
svipported by the God whom he had so faithfully
served, and finished his course exceedingly happy
in the love ofGod, and rejoicing in hope of future
glory. He was universally lamented by the
people. His funeral sermon was preached to a
great multitude of people by Mr. John Furze,
near the church-yard where his body was in
terred.

PETER JACO.
He was born of serious parents at Newlyn, near
Penzance, in Corn-^all, in the year 1729. From
his infancy he had serious impressions and awful
thoughts of God ; which, with the care of his
pious parents, prevented him from running into
many excesses incidcrtt to youth. Though he was
exceedingly proud, passionate, and ambitious,
and excessively fond of pleasure ; yet in the midst
of rail, he was compleatiy miserable, and often to
such a degree, that he sometiraes wished hiraself
any thing but a rational creature.
In the year 1746, God sent his raessengers, the
Methodist Preachers, into Cornwall, and it pleased
the Lord under the ministry of one Stephen Nichols,
to, open the eyes ofhis understanding: he saw
o4

2l8 METHQPIST
himself a poor, naked, helpless sinner, wifhout
righteousness, and without strength ; and he was
led to cry earrtcstiy to God for mercy. He also
instantly joined himself to the Methodist Sopipty ;
but was for some tirae without hope. In this state
he continued for near four months, and then did
the Lord bring his soul out of trouble, aud set him
in a large place. His soul was filled with light
and love, artd he could uo more doubt ofhis accep
tance with God, through Christ, than of his own
pxistence. He rtow thought it his duty to reprove sin
wherever he saw it, aud his soul beiug filled with
love to Gpd, artd tp the spuls of meu, he soon af
ter added, as pppprtupity offered, a word of
exhortation. And irt this work he was greatly
blest. In the year 175^3 Mr. /F^jZjy appointed him tp
visit several Societies in the neighbourhood, and
the follpwing year it was proppsed that he should
take ^ cifcuit ; he did not, however, corae out as
art Itirterant Preacher till the Conference 1754.
He was rjeraarkably comely in his person, tall and
handsome ; bp ppssessed an amiable natural tem
per. His understandirtg was strong and clear ; he
had acquired an eminent degrep of useful know
ledge, which rendered him an agreeable compa
nion. His talents for the work pf the ministry
were very considerable, and he was as a scribe
well instructed in the things of thp kingdom of
^od. He was not deficient in piety ; but had the

MEMORIAL. 217
inward state of his mind beert answerable to his
ministerial talents, he would have been a burning
and sbinikg light ; and would, doubtless, have
been more extcrtsively useful iu his ertlarged sphere
of actiort. He was rtecessitated to desist from the
itinerartt life for several years previous to his death,
Ort account of bodily indispositiort ; and he died
in peace at Margate, in Kent, in the year 1781.
His body was irtterrcd irt the New Chapel Burying-r
ground. City Road, London.
The following inscription is on the stortc erected
to his memory. In
Memory of
Mr. peter JACO,
Who died July 6th, 1781,
Aged 52 years,
Fisher of men, ordain'd by Christ alone.
Immortal souls he for his Saviour won ;
With loving faith, and calmly potent zeal,
Perform'd and suffer'd the Redeemer's will ;
Stedfast in all the storms ef life ,remain'd,
And in the good old ship the hayen gain'd..

JOHN JANE.
He was one of the first Preachers who assisted
Mr. Wesley, and was a man of great siraplicity,
integrity, and uprightness. He laboured faith
fully in the Lord's vineyard ; but his work was
soon done, for the ILord took him to himself in the
midst of his days,

218 METHODIST
The following are the particulars ofhis death. —
He was never well after walking from Epwortb to
Hainton, on an exceeding hof day ; which, threw
him into a fever : but he was in great peace and
love, even to those who were greatly wanting in
love to him. He was some time at Alice Shad-
ford's house, with whom he daily talked of the
things of God ; spent much time in private prayer,
and likewise joined with her in prayer several
times a day. On Friday, August 24, ,1750, he
sat up in the evening by the fire side : about six
o'clock, he fetched a deep sigh, and never spoke
more. He was alive till the same tirae on Satur
day, when, without any struggle or pain, with a
smile on his face, he passed away. His last words
were, " I fino the love op God in Christ
Jesus." All his clothes, linen and woollen, stockiags,
hat and wig, were not thought sufficient to answer
his funeral expences, which araounted to one pound
seventeen shillings and three-pence ! All the raoney
he had in the world, was one shilling and four-pence !
" Enough," adds Mr. Wesley, " for an unmarried
Preacher ofthe Gospel to leave to his executors !"

THOMAS JANES.
He was a native oi Plymouth -Dock, and was ad
mitted upon trial as an Itinerant Preacher, in the
Methodist connection, in the year 17 67. Pie was

MEMORIAL. 319
an able Preacher, and had soraething peculiarly
pleasing in his raanner and address. His soul
was engaged in the work of God, but, having a
weak, sickly body, be could not long bear the
fatigues of an itinerant life ; he therefore settled in
the city of Bristol, about the year 1770, where hp
was the Pastor of a congregation of Protestant Dis
senters. He filled this office to the great satisfac
tion of his fiock, and to the edification of their
souls : but it pleased God in a short tirae to take
hira away, and in 1773, he left the world with a
blooming prospect of a blessed immortality. He
compiled the " Beauties of tbe Poets," which was
republished in the year 179O. The publisher gives
the following short account of this good raan, in a
preface to the reader.
" The Editor ofthis little volume wasa person
of considerable literary abilities and judgraent :
and had he not been taken to his reward early in
life, this production proves, that mankind raight
have been much benefited by his judicious labours.
As a Collection it is inferior to none in the king
dom. And as the compiler was justiy esteemed
for his piety and vivacity of spirit, so has he raade
choice of those pieces that cannot fail, if duly
attended to, to instil into the mind of the reader,
the love of virtue, and true religion ; abstracted
from all illiberal ideas and pedantic notions, which'
are only of raan's invention.
He was not confined in his sentiments to any
particular huraan system, but the tenor of his con-

220 METHODIST
duct, private and public, proved hira to be actua
ted by the best of principles, Tbe love of God and
of all mankind. Frora such abilities, therefore, it
is natural to expect the most agreeable producti
ons : and herein, we apprehend, the judicious
reader will not be disappointed."

JOHN JENNINGS.
He came out to travel at the Conference in
1796. His abilities for the work at that time were
small ; but he was a young man of true piety,
zeal, and diligence. He therefore laboured faith
fully, and giving hiraself to reading, meditation
and prayer, his profiting appeared to all. He was
ready for every good work — ^but the Lord was
pleased to take him early to his reward. He en
joyed great comfort in his affiictions, and he de
parted this life in holy triumph, in the year 1800.
His memory is precious to many, who were blest
under his ministry.

THOMAS JOHNSON.
He was born at Wakefield, in Yorkshire, in the
year 1 720. He was early deprived of his father ;
but his mother brought him up in the fear of God,
and he was preserved from gross imraoralities till
he was about twenty years of age : when, being

MEMORIAL. 221
from urtder the restraints of his mother, he was
Jed away by the error of tbe wicked. He contracted
an acquaintance with some yourtg mert who were
livirtg without God in tbe world, artd he soort found
by awful experience, that evil communications cor
rupt good manners. In the midst of all, however,
the good Spirit of God .strove, mightily with him,
artd he was frequeutly very miserable. In the year
1748, he first heard the Gospel as preached by the
Methodists, but their zealous raanner of preaching
gave him at first great "disgust ; he, however, con
tinued to attend upon their ministry, and was
much troubled when he heard or saw them perse
cuted. He at last gotacquaiuted with some pious
people who were members of the Society, and
their conversation was much blest to his soul.
The foUowirtg is his own account of the manner
in which he was brought to God.
" Our next door neighbour was a Methodist :
she came to our house one evening, and began to
talk of rehgious matters ; I heard her with deep
attentiort. Observing this, she said, " Young man,
if I mistake -not, you have had convictions !" Her
words went to my heart, as I had never felt under
any sermon. As soon as she was gone, I retired,
and began to ponder on the word conviction ; I
said to myself. What can this meart ? I do not
know what it means ; but I thought it meant
somethirtg from God. 1 fell upou my krtees be
fore the Lord, and began to pray that he would
give me convictions. The Lord regarded my sim-

222 METHODIST
plicity, and answered my prayer. I saw, I felt
myself a hell -deserving sinner : the hair of my
head stood upright through fear, and. I felt as if
Satan himself was standing at my back. However,
I cried to the Lord for help, and the temptation
was reraoved. I arose from my knees and was
somewhat refreshed. I asked several how lohg
they were under convictions before they found the
peace of God ? I thought it impossible for rae to
bear my trouble long^' and yet I feared I was not
sufficiently in earnest to find the blessing very
soon. But God's thoughts were not as my thoughts.
He remembered that I was but dust ; for in a few
days my burden fell off in a moment, in the
twinkling of an eye ; and whether I was/« the body
or out of tbe body, I could scarcely tell. I was de
livered from the fear of death, and longed to be dis
solved tbat Imight be with Christ"
At what time Mr. Johnson began to preach, or
how long he officiated as a Local Preacher, I am
not able to deterraine ; but he entered the list of
Itinerants at the Conference 1752, and was gene
rally both acceptable and useful wherever Ke went.
He continued to labour faithfully in his Master's
vineyard tiU the year 1784, when, finding the
infirraities of old age coraing on, and that he
could no longer bear the fatigues of an itinerant
life, he retired, and settled at Birstal, near Leeds,
in Yorkshire, where he still contirtued to exercise
his talents, as he was able, till near the close of
his useful life.

MEMORIAL. 223
Irt the raonth of July 1797, he was visited by
sorae of the senior Preachers, the Conference be
ing then at Leeds ; and though he. appeared to be
drawirtg fast to the end of his journey, yet their
presence Itemed to revive him very; much. He
was remarkably happy, and calmly resigned to the
will of God. In the beginning of October, his
affliction, I was heavy indeed; but the Lord was
with him in the fire :: he triumphed in the God of
his salvation, and said, '*' It is flrnshedl It is fl
nished !" And . added, with a heavenly smile,
" Christ is precious ! He is all in all 1
There is no other foundation — .And .1 want no other.
He is all-sufficient. God over all! I AM fixed
UPON THis.Rocit, THE Rock op Ages 1" Thus
did thjg venerable servant' of God conclude his
Christiari course, in the 78th year of his age, and
in the. 43th of his: ministry, on the .18th day of
October,- jn the year 1797* ' ' :r,
, He was a lively, :^alous Preacher, and his
manner pf preaching was peculiar to; himself. In
the early part of his ministry, he suffered much
from, cruel and unreasonable men ; but as he never
shrunk from the cross, of his Divine Master, so
the Lord never failed to deliver him; He was a
plain, pious, honest raan; and a most faithful
and affectionate fellow-labourer.

224 METHODIST

JOHN JONES.

' He was a man of considerable learning, and
was well versed in the practice of physic, in which
profession he acted for some time : the Great Phy
sician of souls then called him from that employ
ment, that he might be instrumerttal in healing
the spiritual' diseases of the people; and hewas
not disobedient to the heavenly call. He freely
gave up all to preach the Gk)spel of the grace of
God to fallen man.
He was a raan of deep piety ahd considerable
ministerial abilities. He was highly esteemed by
Mr. Wesley, and was generally either stationed in
London, or Bristol. When Erasmus, the Greek
Bishop, was in England, Mr. Wesley being in
great want of a Clergyman to assist him in London,
got that Bishop to ordain hira ; but Mr. Charles
Wesley would not allow the validity of this Ordina
tion ; and consequently would not permit him to
officiate as a Clergyman. This proved a severe
trial to Mr. Jones, and he left the Methodist con
nection : he afterwards procured ordination frora
the then Bishop of London ; and was soon after
presented to the living of Harwich ; there he con
tinued to preach for many years, and there he
ended the days of his pilgrimage, in peace ; and
went to take possesion of the heavenly inhe
ritance.

MEMORIAL. 225
JAMES JONES.
He was a native of Tipton, in Staffordshire. He
was a person of cortsiderable property, artd was
one of the first fruits of Mr. Wesley's labours in
that part of the country ; and soon began hiraself
to call sirtrters to repcrttance. I am inforraed he
travelled as a Preacher for sorae tirae, and endured
great persecutious for the truth's sake ; in the de
fence of which he was as bold as a lion. His gifts
for the ministry were not large ; but he was deeply
pious, and was an acceptable arid useful Preacher.
After he raarried, he settled near Birmingham,
where he continued to preach occasionally till his
death, which happened in the year 1783. He
erected, at his own expense, the first Methodist
chapel in Staffordshire, at Tipton-green, near Dud
ley. And for a series of years was as a father to the
Societies in that part of the country.

JOSEPH JONES.
- He was one of the first race of Met];iodist
Preachers ; but what time he begau his itinerant
labours, I cannot learn. In the course of his mi
nistry he was taken very ill at Bradford, in York
shire ; and it was generally expected by his friends
that he would die. The Lord, however, was
very near to help hira, and he was unspeakably
happy in God ; great numbers of persons went to
p

226 METHODIST
see him in his affliction, that they might hear him
speak of the things of God, and many were much
blest, and greatly edified, by his heavenly conver
sation. The Lord was pleased, however, to raise
his servant up again, and he travelled with Mr.
Wesley for several years. He then married, and
settled in sorae part of Somersetshire, where he be
carae a farmer, but he retained his piety, and
continued to exercise his talents as a Local
Preacher for several years. There also he finished
his course, and, I am informed, died in peace,
rejoicing in hope of the glory of God.

FRANCIS JUENE.
He was a native of the island of Jersey, and
spoke fluentiy the French language. He was a
very holy man, and of a pleasing teraper. At the
Conference 1799? ^^ went over as a Missionary to
the West-Indies. There was a great probability of
his being exceedingly useful araong the Negroes,
in the island of Grenada, after it becarae subject to
the English. But it pleased God to call him
hence, by a very violent fever, a short time after
he began his labours on that islartd. Tbe ways of
God are a great deep, and his footsteps are not
known !

memorial. 227
JOSHUA KEIGHLY.
He was born at Halifax, in Yorkshire. He was
brought to the saving knowledge of God when he
¦was very youug, and being possessed of considerar
ble abilities, he soort becarae a Preacher of the
Gospel of God our Saviour. He was much re
spected by the people, both on accourit of his
piety artd talertts for fhe rainistry, while he conti
nued a Local Preacher. But at the Confercrtce
1780, his sphere of usefulness was enlarged, and
he carae out into the vineyard as an Itinerant
Preacher. He travelled with gireat acceptance,
and was erainently useful in the hands ofGod, till
the Confercrtce 1786, whenhe received imposition
of bands frora Mr. Wesley, and went to adrainister
the word of life in Scotland. His appointraent was
to the Inverness circuit, where he endured great
hardships in the course ofthe year; but his la
bours were attended with a general blessing to the
people. At the Conference 1/87, hewas appointed as
my fellow-labourer in Edinburgh and Glasgow ;
but, alas, it pleased God to stop hira' by the way !
He was taken ill at Elgin, of a violent fever, and
there finished his life and labours, on the loth of
August, 1787.
The following account is given by a gentieman
who was witness to his sufferings and death.
"Sunday, July 29, 1787, Mr. Keighly gave us
the sacrament at Elgin, and such another day ray
p 2

228 METHODIST
eyes never saw, nor my heart ever felt before ! Ih
the evening he complained of a coldness in his
neck, by reason of too rauch perspiration. Mon
day he preached the thanksgiving serraon ; but
had a great swiraraing in his head. Tuesday he
dined with rae, which was the last tirae he dined
on earth. In the evening he endeavoured to
preach, but was obliged to conclude before the
tirae. Wednesday he was confined to his bed :
the four following days he had a slow fever.
Monday his fever becarae very strong ; firora which
tirae he was insensible, and talked very wildly.
" Tuesday, August 7th, he prayed for all sorts
and conditions of men : not forgetting the Preach
ers who were to succeed him at Elgin. On Thurs
day the doctor gave him up. His pulse were now
so quick I could scarce follow thera, and his eyes
looked us alraost out of countenance. Friday, he
preached a serraon ; but was so low we could
hardly hear hira. When he had concluded, he
raade an apology for his indisposition of body.
About ten o'clock in the forenoon, death seized
the extreme parts of his body ; when his voice
grew so low we could scarcely distinguish what he
said ; and about twP o'clock in the afternoon, he
gave up his spirit into the hands of God, as unto a
faithful Creator. As there was no Preacher on
the spot, I took charge of his reraains, wrapt them
in fine linen (like his Lord and Master), gave let
ters of invitation to the Ministers and Magistrates
of the town ; and a gentleman gave me the us(J

]il E M O R I A L. 229
of his torab to bury him in, which I gladly
accepted. The people of Elgin greatly laraented the death
of this pious young raan, whose preaching and
holy conversation were raade a great blessing to
many. And had it not been for the violence of his
disorder, I doubt not but he would have borne as
good a testiraony for God in his last raonjents, as
he had done before in his life for a series of years.
It is reraarkable, that when he was at Inverness
in the spring, he drearaed that he was conderaned
to die on the morrow. However, he obtained
leave of the judge to go and acquaint his father
with his fate, and to prepare him for the shock :
which, as soon as he had done, the judge appeared
to him again, and said, " I have obtained a short
respite for you ; but depend upon ityou shall die in
Scotland! But the following account is still more mysteri
ous, and yet, I believe, may be depended upon
as truth ; being attested by several persons of
considerable respectability and veracity.
Mr. Keighly, and Mr. Edward Burbeck, being
both appointed for Inverness, they met at New
castle-upon-Tyne, and proceeded frora thence by
sea, to Aberdeen. After spending a few days with
the people there, they went on their way to Inver
ness. As they were travelling on foot, between
Huntley and Keigh ; a man, terrible in his appear
ance, stood before thera, having a large club in
his hand : with an angry countenance he. drove
p3

230 METHO DI ST
them before him, repeatedly declaring, They should
never return back beyond that place wbere they then
stood. They were both rauch affected, and rela
ted the circumstance to several of their friends.
Little notice, however, was taken of it, till after
it pleased God to take them both away. How to
account for this I know not ; but it is singular,
that Mr. Keighly, and Mr. Burbeck, were both on
their way back to England, and were both taken
ill of the same fever, and both died within a few
miles of the place where the man met them — and
that neither of them were permitted to return
South again, so far as that place !
Joshua Keighly was deeply devoted to Grod, an
excellent Preacher, and greatly beloved by all who
knew him.
Extract from the journal of Mr. Keighly.
Nov. 1, 1784. After spending the day chiefly
irt visiting some of our poor Christian friends, a
few of us raet together to spend tbe evening in
friendly conversation. But I fear it was not so
well improved to the spiritual edification as it
might. By a small circumstance which occurred
my soul was filled with greater pain than I have
felt before for many years ; the night was nearly
sleepless, and in the midst of it I was led to arise
from bed and weep, because I did not give my
heart to God ; may I never forget what I felt, but
learn obedience by the things I have suffered. I
feel my heart is only safe whilst it is given tp
Christ.

MEMORIAL. 231
" When to the right or left I stray.
That moment Lord reprove ;
And let me weep my life away
For having griev'd thy love."
Tuesday 2. Another day is gone, and I am sp
much nearer my eternal state. Oh ! my soul hast
thou made any advancement in the divine life ?
When I look back on that part of my life which jg
gone, I cannot but pour contempt upon myself,
I see no part ofit which will bear strict scrutiny by
the law of God. I have need to bring ray very
prayers and tears to the cross of Jesus, and sit there
in holy shame before him.
Shall I ever feel those wanderings in duly which
I have now to complain of? Will the visits of my
God always be as seldora, and as short as they now
are ? God forbid. O fix ray wandering heart, and
bend my stubborn will to thine. For surely an
unsubdued will is the cause of our misery and
spiritual leanness.
Nov. 6. I rode from Carmarthen to Tenby, and
hearing of a great man's death, I seized the op
portunity to preach from Isaiah Ivii. 1 . the people
seemed attentive, and I hope spme will thinjc of
what they heard. There are persons who think it
strange that we should be so zealous in speaking
upon such solemn subjects. But when one thinks
on the importance pf dying, it seems rather strange
that we do not confirm every word with tears. O
my God, may I be mw what I would wish to be
when I pass through the gloomy valley. May I
p4

232 METHODIST
constantly live in clear views of eternity — ^bid con
science plainly tell me now what it will tell me
then. Sunday 8, 1 spent at Pembroke, it was a good day
to sorae. In the raorning, while preaching, I had
such views of the raercy of God as made mc
preach in tears. The people seemed to eat the
word I dropt. If it be so agreeable to serve God
below, what raust it be to serve hira above ? In
the evening the chapel was filled with people, who
were exceedingly attentive to what was said. I
ara in hope matters will be better here ; for the
people, at least, seem glad to hear.
When I sit down and seriously think on God
calling me, the least of all saints, and last in my
father's house, to this public work, I am lost iri
wonder. I am conscious I have neither grace nor
gifts equal to the work ; and yet I believe it is the
will of God I should open my mouth in the best
manner I am capable for his glory. If any souls
are brought to God by the feeble • endeavours of
such a worm, it will plaiuly appear to be his work.
May my views and motives be upright in his sight,
who will shortly be my Judge. That when I am
gone the way of all the earth, it may be said with
propriety. His labours were sincere, though feeble.*
Tuesday 10. I preached at Dale, from Heb.
ix. 27. When the raind realizes death, and looks
on it as present, how erapty all human greatness
seems ; the world disappears, while eternity opens
before us. • Mark the humility of his mind.

k ft M O R I A L. 233
In conversing with Miss C. on the happy death
ofher father, and the quickening she felt after the
best things, ray heart was greatly refreshed. O
how sweet are the srailes of Christ ! How happy
would a life be raade up of such delightful mo
ments as these. " My willing soul would stay,
In such a frame as this,
And sweetly sing herself away
To everlasting bliss."
Dec. 31, 1786. I preached this day three tiraes
in Inverness, Luke xix. 2. Cor. i. 23. Jos. xxiv. 14.
In the evening, especially, I found liberty in re
coraraending the service of God. I was inclined
to hope it was not in vain, and the raore so as I
seeraed stript of self. It is always best with rae,
when I feel the most dependance on God.
Jan. 2, 1787. I was a little indisposed in body,
but I found a degree of liberty in preaching from
Jer. xvii. 9. I long to be like Christ. I feel an
hourly depeudance upoa him.
Jan. 1 1, 1787. This was a day of heaviness and
distress. Christ hid his face, and I was troubled ;
unwatchfulness had been the cause, and when it
comes from this quarter, I ara asharaed to corae
again, as one who has grieved his best friend. I
preached frora Ezek. ix. 4. but had little liberty.
In the last letter he wrote to his father, was the
following paragraph :
Inverness has not been a pleasing situation.
However, my trials in it are rtow rtearly nurabered

234 METHODIST
and finished, it will make a better place more
agreeable. I have enjoyed my health pretty well.
This is remarkable, as my labours have been abun
dant. I hope in due time to be where the weary
are at rest.
In a letter to a friend, dated Banff, Nov. 5, 1786,
making mention ofhis uncomfortable situation, he
said, " Even in these smoky huts, I am above Him
who had not where to lay his head : if my un
grateful heart inclines to raurraur, I take a view of
his gracious dealings with me, this furnishes me
with matter of praise, instead of complaint.
When I remember by what gentle methods he
brought me to himself, when, as it were, a child,
his goodness in preserving me in the midst of
teraptation, his providence in calling me to the
public office, &c. I then think if every hair of my
head could speak, they should be all employed in
giving glory to hira.
In a letter to the sarae, dated Inverness, Dec. 15,
1786, he said. How just is your reraark, transient
visits are not enough. It is painful to follow Christ
afar off. Whdrt his visits are as the visits of a
wayfaring raan, seldom and short, duties seem
tasks, crosses insupportable, and religion a burden.
But to walk in the light as he is in tbe light, to sit
with him in heavenly places, makes religion appear a
privilege ; its duties are our meat and drink, we
walk with Jesus, and his ways are peace. I feel
the need I have of an intire dependance on him, I
wish to carry a sight of my own helplessness and

MEMORIAL. 235
his sufferings through all ray duties, comforts and
crosses. Of late I have been pretty much in deep waters,
I bless his name, he does not permit me to wade
alone. On a view of the temptations I have gone
through, I think I could not have spared one of
Ihem ; he permits me to have inward struggles
that I may know myself, feel how frail I am, and
that I may speak feelingly on the subjectio others.
To the same, dated Banff, May 2, 1787, he
says, it is written, Tbey that trust in the Lord shall
not be confounded. This is a truth, which if pro
perly embraced by faith, gives the spirit repose in
tribulation, and fills it with a sweetness not to be
found any where else ; I speak now^ what I know,
and testify what I have seen.^ — ^The names of my
relations sound as sweet as ever. — I still ara partial
to the air I first breathed ; and I believe ever
shall remember, with peculiar pleasure, ray first
religious acquaintance ; — but a trust that God
would have me employed as I am, makes a dis
tance firom them easy, which otherwise would be
painful. He concludes the letter with one of the sayings
of Epictetus, " Lord lead me wbere thou pleasest,
continue me in mine own country, or call me to ano
ther, cloth me with what kind of raiment thou wilt.
And if men should blame thee, I will undertake to
apologize for thee, and prove that all thy deaUngs
are good"
In a foregoing letter he says. The consolations

236 METHODIST
of God, I find depend not on places ; a comforta
ble refiection this. Cut off frora hira, no huraan
spirit can be happy ; joined to hira, it may be
comfortable in any circurastances. Unintelligent
creation is too poor to stop the craving of an im
mortal soul ; but a spirit walking and holding
coraraunion with the Suprerae Spirit, is in a capa
city to enjoy with God all his gifts.

JOHN M' KERSEY.
He carae out as an Itinerant Preacher in the
year 1784. He possessed good coramon sense,
and in his preaching, always thoroughly ex
plained the text, and made out scriplurally
and rationally whatever he took in hand. 
He was a man of great affliction, so that he
was forced lo give up travelling a short time
before his death, being unable to keep a circuit
any longer. He settled at Hexham, where he
had raarried his wife a few years before. Tbere
he ended the days of his pilgrimage, sorae lime in
the year 1 800. When near death he said, " I do
not feel that extacy of joy, which sorae speak of,
but I feel a solid peace, and an unshaken confi
dence in God, through the merits of Jesus Christ
my Saviour." He was so far from fearing death,
that he could use the Apostle's words, / desire to
depart, and be with Christ which is far better. He
was remarkable for his resignation to the will of

Memorial. 237
God, in circumstances peculiarly trying, and died,
praising the Lord for his loving kindness.

JAMES KERSHAW.
He was among the first Itinerant Methodist
Preachers, but did not continue long in the work.
He desisted in 1757, and settled at Gainsborough,
in Lincolnshire, where he resided for several years,
and was famous in all that country for his quack
medicines. He continued, however, in connec-
tiort with tiie Methodists, and occasionally
preached. His last residence was, I am inforraed,
at Ashby-de-la-Zoucb, where he finished his earthly
course. He certainly possessed considerable ta
lents, artd, as a Preacher, was generally esteeraed
and respected. He wrote a Comment on the Book
of the Revelation, by way of dialogue, which is
generally esteeraed as a masterly perforraance, and
shews hira to have been a person of considerable
abilities : and had he been stable, and had he de
voted hiraself wholly to God, and to the service of
his sanctuary ; he would, no doubt, have been a
burning and shining light, in his day and gene
ration.

ALEXANDER KILHAM.
He was bom at Epworth, in Lincolnshire, in
the year 1762; and carae out as an Itinerant

238 METHODIST
Preacher, in the Methodist connectibn, at the
Conference in 1785. He was for some years, a
very pious, simple young man, and a very zea
lous, lively Preacher; and was useful to many.
But about the year 1794 (or rather before), he
begart to manifest great dissatisfaction with, and
an eager desire to subvert, the economy and go-
vernracrtt of the Methodist Societies. He had
unhappily irabibed the levelling political princi
ples of that day, and was very desirous lo intro
duce the same system into the Church of God.
He represented the Methodists as under a grievous
yoke, through the tyranny of the Preachers, and
by various anonymous paraphlets, which he pub
lished, incited great surmisings and discontent in
the minds of many : and even urged the people
to rise up and vindicate their rights ; and thus
deliver themselves frora that yoke of bondage un
der which they laboured. He also represented'
several of the Preachers as being influenced by
mercenary motives, and as loring it over God's
heritage ; and every thing contrary to the systenv
of governraent he was so zealous to establish, he'
termed popery and priestcraft !
In the year 1796, he openly avowed himself the
champion of the disaffected party; and in the
course of the year, he published some very unjus
tifiable pamphlets ; in which he reflected upon
the characters of several of the raost holy and use
ful men in the connection ; raen who had borne.
the burden and heat ofthe day, and who had walked

MEMORIAL. 239
in uprightness before God and the people for a
series of years. At the Conference, which that
year was held in London, he was called upon to
answer for what he had written ; artd particularly
to substantiate his charges against the Preachers.
But he totally failed in the atterapt ; and as he
seemed determined not to subrait lo the old estab
lished rules of Methodism, aud would not engage
to relinquish his revolutionary scherae ; he was
excluded by the unanimous voice of the whole Con
ference. At the subsequent Conference, in 1797,
he was joined by three other Travelling, and a few
Local Preachers, who then formed a separate
party, calling themselves the New Itineraruy. Mr.
Kilham was indefatigable in his labours, to raake
proselytes lo his new systera ; and, perhaps,' exer
ted hiraself beyond his strength. His race, how
ever, was short ; and on the 20th of Deceraber,
1798, at Nottingham, he suddenly ended the days
ofhis pilgrimage, I hope, in peace, notwithstand
ing what had happened.

SAMUEL LARWOOD.
He travelled a short time in the Methodist cojw
nection, and then settled in London, about the yeai!
1753. A little before his death, he had taken*
chapel irt the Borough of Southwark, called Zoar^
where he,continued to preach till God called hint
hence, by, a fever, in the month of November

240 METHODIST
1756. Mr. Wesley remarks in his journal, " I bu
ried the remains of Samuel Larwood, who died of
a fever on Sunday moming (Nov. 1, 1756), deeply
convinced of his unfaithfulness, and yet hoping lo
find mercy.

THOMAS LEE.
He was born in the year 1717j in the parish of
Keighley, in Yorkshire. His raind was early im
pressed with everlasting things ; but, as is too
coraraon a case, he becarae vain in his iraagina
tion, and his foolish heart was darkened thrpugh
the deceitfulness of sin. He had frequent oppor
tunities of hearing that blessed raan Mr. Grimshaw,
and at times he was deeply affected under his ser
mons, and formed raany good resolutions. But it
was not till he was about twenty years of age, that
he becarae experiraentally acquainted with divine
things. He now united hiraself to the people ot
God) but he was sorely buffeted by the enemy of
souls, and it was some time before he enjoyed the
witness of the Spirit that he was accepted in the
Beloved. " When the Lord (to use his own
vords) broke into his soul, and enabled him to
say, My Lord and my God, I could," says he,
•• have praised, and loved, and waited to all eter-
!hity 1" He soon after began lo open his mouth
'fcr God, and was rendered useful in mafty places.'
He suffered rauch from the wicked, who, at that

MEMORIAL. 241
time, were permitted to go gifeat lengths in perse
cuting the people ofGod ; but he was greatiy en
couraged by Mr. Grimshaw, who employed him a
month on his own circuit. Mr. Lee now gave
himself wholly to the work of the Lord, and was
for many years a faithful, zealous labourer in the
vineyard. Il was in the year 1758, that he hecame a regur
lar Travelling Preacher, under the direction)' of
Mr. Wesley. His first appbiritment was for Lin-,
cplnshire, where hi^ labours were attended with a
blessing; the Societies were increased, and many
souls were brought to the knowledge ofGod. He
C^Otinued in the work till the yeai: 1786, when
having witnessed a good confession before many
witnesses, he died happy in the love of God, \vith
a hope full of a glorious iraraortality. The fol
lowing are the particular circurastances which
attended his happy exit.
The evening before he died, he expressed great
resignation to the will ofGod ; though, as he said,
the pain drank up his spirits. Yet, he said, " /
know tbat I am the Lord's. I feel that I am united
tobim; AND I KNOW THAT I SHALL BE WITH
HIM FOR EVER."
He preached twice the Lord's-day before hia
death, though he went to the chapel on crutches?^
and sat all the time he preached ! His last text
was. Surely I know that it shall 'he well witb thentk
that fear God. And in the course of his serraon
he said, " Perhaps this will be my last sermon,"
a

242 METHODIST
The power of the Lord was solemnly felt by the
congregation ; and, as if he saw his end was near^
he gave out a funeral hymn, and when he came lo
those words,
" By faith vre already behold
That lovely Jerusalem here,"
he seemed to be quite transported at the thought of
meeting Jesus in that blessed place. — The night
on which he died, it was presumed the pain
reached his heart, which soon put a period to all
his woes. He seemed to be sensible to the very
last, even when the power of speeph ceased, he
looked up and smiled, closed his eyes, and gently
fell asleep in Jesus, in the month of September,
1786.

SAMUEL LEVICK.
He came from the neighbourhood of Sheffle%
in Yorkshire, and began to travel in Mr. Wesley's
connectioh about the year 1 763. He was a deeply
pious young man, much devoted to Godj and zea
lous iu promoting his cause and interest in the
world; He faithfully preached, and lived the
Gospel, and was a blessing to many souls ; till in
the year 1771, the Lord was pleased lo take him
to his great reward. He had strong confidencein
God in his last sickness, and left the world remark
ably happy, and rejoicing, in hope of future
glory.

MEMORIAL. 243
JOHN LIVERMORE.
He came out as an Itinerant Preacher, though
considerably advanced in years, at the Conference
1778. He was a plain, honest, pious man, much
devoted lo Grod. He contirtued to labour faithfully
in the vineyard, till about the year 1783, when a
fall from his horse, which at first was little thought
of, occasioned his dealh. But as he had lived, so
he died in the best of services ; and death to bim
was eternal gain !

HENRY LLOYDE.
He was a native of Wales, and was an honest,
pious, good man. He was also a faithful, zealous
Preacher ; and as he was able to preach in his
native language, he spent the whole of his lime,
from his becoming an Itinerartt Preacher (which I
conjecture was at an early period of Methodism) in
his own country. His ministerial abilities were
but small ; yet they were equal lo the work which
the Great Head of the Church had assigned him ;
and his well-meant endeavours were crowned
with considerable success. He contirtued in this
good work for mauy years, and fairly wore out his
constitution ; and after spertding his days thus, in
hard labour for the good of souls, he concluded
his well-spent life in great peace ; and was re
ceived into his presence where there is fulness of joy,
a2

244 METHODIST
and to his right hand where there are pleasures for
evermore.

MATTHEW LOWES.
He was borri in the parish of Whitfield, in
Northumberland, in the year 1721. His parents
feared the Lord greatly, and therefore early in
structed him in religious duties. When he was
about fourteen years of age, the Spirit of Truth
strove mightily with him, and he felt an earnest
desire to know and serve God ; but these gracious
desires vanished away like the early dew.
In the year 1 744, he had a sister brought to the
knowledge of Gcd. She felt much concern for
the salvation of her friends, and went to see them
in hopes of being useful to their souls. She topk
with her the sermon on. Awake thou, tbat sltepest ;
and upon Mr. Lowe's, reading this, he said, " ^f
Mr, Wesley be right, we are all wTong." His
sister prevailed upon him at last to hear preaching
for himself : the sermon had a good effect upon.
his mind, and, from that time, he forsook his com-;
panions in sin and folly, and began in good ear
nest to seek the Lord. His distress was very great ;
he even envied the happiness of meaner creatures,
and wished that God had made him any tiling
rather than a ratipnal being I Some time after, he
heard Mr. Hopper preach ; and the word was
made spirit and life to his soul. The liOrd graci«

MEMORIAL. 245
ously visited him with the light of his countenance,
and set his soul at perfect liberty.
In the year 1751, he was strongly solicited to
enter the list of Itinerant Preachers ; but though
he bad exhorted for some time, he judged hiraself
quite unfit for such an employraent. But at last
he submitted tp Mr. ^f(?.f/(?)/'s judgraent, and in the
year 1757} he gave hiraself wholly to the wofk of
the Lord. His labours were, in general, very ac
ceptable in the circuits where he laboured, and he
proved a blessing to raany. But it pleased the
Lord lo visit hira with various afflictions, especi
ally with two severe fevers, and being also exer
cised with acute rheumatic pains, he felt himself
utterly incapable of filling up the duties of an Iti
nerant Preacher ; and therefore; ip the year \77l,
he resigned his office, and settled at Newcastle-
upon-Tyne. In that town, and neighbourhood, he
continued to exercise his talents to the utmost of
his strength, nearly to the last period of his life ;
and was an uniform, steady, humble follower of
his Lord and Master.
In the beginning of February 1794, he was
greatly afflicted, so as to be confined to his bed ;
but his soul was not only preserved in peace, but
he rejoiced and triumphed in the God of his sal
vation. He said, " I would not take the whole
world for what I erijoy in my soul. I long to be
away ! Jordan's banks wer? overflowed, and very
rough ; but now it is a smooth stream ! O what
hath Jesus bought for me 1" Many fiiends called
a 3

246 METHODIST
to see him, and in the course of conversation he
frequently said, " I have preached to others up
wards of forty years ; but I have no dependance
upon this, or any other thing which I have done.
All my dependance for present and etemal salvation,
is upon the blood and merits of Jesus Christ. He
alone is my comfort, ond but for Him, what would
any poor sinner do !" He continued in this happy
state of mind till Sunday, February Sth, when,
without a groan, he expired. His last words were,
O Lord my God.

RICHARD LUCAS.
He entered upon the work ofthe ministry when
very young, and was amortg the first Methodist
Preachers. Hewas deeply serious, of a meek and
quiet spirit, zealous for the honor of God, and
diligent in that great and important work unto
which he was called. He soon wore out a weak
constitution in hard labour for God, and was ne
cessitated to give up the itinerartt life for several
years before his dealh. He resided chiefly in
London, and died in great peace, about the year
1766.

WILLIAM LUMLEY,
He was admitted upon trial at the Conference
in 1776. He was a blessed young man, a happy

memorial. 247
witness of the full salvation ofGod. He promised
fair to be extensively useful in the vineyard of the
Lord ; but God was pleased to take him to an
early rest in heaven. He only travelled a few
months, and then died, as he had lived, full of
failh and the Holy Ghost, in the year 1777.

JOHN MADDERN,
He was a native of Cornwall, and began to tra
vel, as a Methodist Preacher, at a very early period
of the work. I am informed that he travelled in
the Staffordshire circuit, in the year 1749. He
was a man of genuine piety, and was a lively,
zealous, good Preacher; very acceptable to the
people, and useful to mauy : but it pleased the
Lord soon to remove him from a state of labour
and pairt, to his etemal rest in heaven. I cannot
learn either the time, or the circumstances of his
death ; but after travelling a few years, he finished
his course with joy.

JOHN MANNERS,
He was bora at Sledmore, near Malton, in York
shire, in the year 1731. He was influenced by the
fear of God from his childhood, which restrained
him from outward sin. In the year 1753, he
heard Thomas Slaton preach : he thought what the
a4

248 METHODIST
Preacher said was trae, but it made no impression
upon him. In the spring of 1754, he healrd Ben
jamin Beanland, and the word was with power ; he
was pricked in the heart, and began to inquire,
What must I do to he saved f He then began to
attend the preaching at all opportunities, as well
as every other ordinance of God ; and found much
comfort therein. Iri a short tirae, however, he
began to be in great distress on account of his sins ;
and he raourned after Christ day and night, for
about three months.
In the beginning of the raonth of January 17^5,
bis conviction for sin grew deeper, but on the 15th
day of January, tbe Lord set his soul at liberty ;
and he enjoyed a clear sense of thte favour ofGod.
This sense of sin forgiiien he never lost to the day of
his death ; though the overflowing joy lasted but
a short time. A few weeks after he felt himself
confirraed, and established in the grace of God.
He was made strong in ihe Lord, knd a larger mea
sure of the fulness of God was brought into htS
soul. After this he truly enjoyed communion with
God. Jiis fellowship was with the Father and witb
the Son Jesus Christ. His life also was a daily ser
mon to those with whom he conversed.
I am not able to ascertain the precise time of his
comraencing an Itinerant Preacher ; but the fa
tigues and hardships he endured, in the faithful
discbarge of that important dffice, were too rirach
for his weak constitution ; arid therefore occasi
oned his premature death in the prirae of life, and

MEMORIAL. 249
he left the world in the triumph of faith, in the
city of York, irt the year 1763.
He was a lively, zealous Preacher, and was
made remarkably useful ; especially in the city of
Dublin. The following anecdote respecting this good
man is well authenticated, aud is certainly worthy
of record.Mr. Manners was called to preach at Settrington,
a small village near Malton, in Yorkshire, where
the Preachers then met with considerable opposi
tion, especially from the Minister of the parish.
One Sunday raorning while Mr. Manners was
preaching, the Minister sent the Church -waidens
to desire him to deast. Mr. Manners mildly re
quested them lostay and hear the sermon. Some
in the congregation appeared to be much agitated
and affirigbted, on which Mr. Marmers said, in an
unusual manner, " He (meaning the Minister) is
hut a man, and his breath is in his nostrils." The
people were deeply affected, and the Church
wardens themselves were constrained to stop till
the service was concluded. — At this circumstance
the Minister was grievously offended, and threat
ened vengeance lo the next Preacher who should
dare to invade his parish ; and also gave public
notice that the next Sunday he would let the peo
ple know what hypocrites and deceivers the Me
thodists were. But, awful to relate ! As he was
returning the nex^t Saturday late a:t night, from
Malton, in a state of intoxication, he fell from his

250 METHODIST
horse, and was found dead in the highway, on the
Sunday morning. Surely it is an awful thing lo
fall into the hands of the living God.

WILLIAM MARTIN.
He came out to travel as a Preacher ofthe Gos
pel at the Confercrtce in 1772. He was a young
man of promising abilities, and considerable use
fulness, for the time he was engaged in the work.
But his race was short, and his spiritual warfare
was soon accomplished. He died of a scarlet
fever, at Hull, in Yorkshire, after an illness of five
days ; in the third year of his itinerancy, and in
the twenty-ninth year of his age.— He was per
fectly sensible to the last, and died very happy in
God, with a hope full of a blessed immortality.

CHARLES MARTIN.
He was bom at Filby, near Great Yarmouth, in
Norfolk, in the year 17/1. In the twenty-secon^
year of his age, in the year 1793, being at Yar
mouth, he heard the Gospel, as preached by the
Methodists ; and, in a short time, was savingly
converted to God. From that period he continued
to live under the influence of those important
trulhs which he had received ; and soort after ma
nifested an earnest desire for the salvation of his

MEMORIAL. 251
fellow-creatures. In the year 1 795, he began to
open his mouth for God, and to preach eternal
truths to men. In this good work he continued
till the Confercrtce in 1797 ; vvhen he was recora
mended by Mr. James Anderson, and received
upon trial, as an Itinerartt Preacher. He was ap
pointed to labour in the Walsingham circuit, where
he manifested great zeal and diligence in his Mas
ter's work ; and had some fruit of his labours. At
the subsequent Conference, he was appointed for
Bedford, where also he was reraarkably diligent,
studious, and useful ; especially to believers, in
pressing thera on to the enjoyraent of the full sal
vation oi God. He seemed to carry about with
him a constant sense of the presence of the Deity ;
and thou God seest me, was his continual motto.
WhUe he acted as a Class-leader in Yarmouth, he
had becrt remarkably useful ; and now, when
wholly devoted to the service of the sanctuary, it
was his one business to press the necessity of the
enjoymcrtt of religion upon all, wherever he came.
He was a strenuous supporter of the Methodist
discipline, and, by some, was represented as ra
ther severe. He possessed gOod natural parts, and
was an acceptable Preacher. He read much, and
thought deeply on most subjects which he hand
led. Had it pleased the Lord to have spared him
a littie longer, there is reason to conclude that he
would have been a very useful Minister in the
Church of Christ : but God saw griod, soon to
remove him, by a violent, putrid fever, and to

253 METHODIST
take him to an early rest in heaven.  .HJs
Superintendant informed the Conference by letter,
that he was a pattern of piety, enjoying the perfect
love of God, and strenuously preaching to the peo
ple what he experienced. He was an instrument
in the Lord's hand of much good, especially to
believers. He bore his affliction with the greatest
patience and fortitude ; preached regular, though
short serraons to those who attended him from
tirae to time ; and continued to speak about the
things of God while he had strength ; and after a
deep groan or two he expired in the triumph of
faith, and thus went to take possession of his ever
lasting inheritance, on the 7th of July, 1799> in
the twenty-eighth year of his age.

MICHAEL MARSHALL.
He was made a partaker of the saving grace of
God when very young. He began to warn sinners
to^^g from the wrath io come in the year 1/85, in
the Colne circuit, where he then resided. At the
Conference 1787, he was recommended to travel,
and was admitted upon trial. He was a young
man of considerable abilities, and was very zealous
for God. He was generally acceptable lo the
people where he laboured, and his labours were
blest to many. He contimied in the work till li*
year J 794, when it pleased God to take him away,
by an inflammation in his bowels, in the prime of

MEMORIAL. 253
his days, and in the midst of his usefulness. But
the God whom be served iti the Gospel of his Son,
was with him in his affliction ; and he died very
happy, rejoicing in hope of the gloiy of God.

JONATHAN MASKEW.
He was born at Bingley, in Yorkshire, in the
year 1713. The Spirit pf God operated power-
erfully and effectually upon his heart at an early
period ofhis life, and be was brought to a saving
acquaintance with divine things before he had the
opportunity of hearing the doctrines peculiar to
the Christian scheme, from the pulpit.
It is difficult to deterraine, with any degree of
certainty, when he became acquainted with the
Methodists. But he was early connected with
that pious and distinguished Minister, Mr, Grim
shaw, of Haworth. For some years he was a part
ofhis family. He used to travel with him in his
excursions into Lancashire; and to this day, in
that country, he is best Itnown by the name of
Mr. Grimshaw' s Man.
Mr. Maskew was one of the first members of
the Methodist Society in that part of Yorkshire
where he then resided ; and as his heart was filled
with love IP God, and zeal for his cause, he soon
began to warn sinners to flee from tbe wrath to come.
He had not been long engaged in this work, be
fore he was marked out as an object of popular

254 METHO Bl ST
vengeance. At Guiseley, in Yorkshire, he was at
tacked by a rude and ignorant rabble. They
seized him, stripped him naked, rolled him in the
dirt, and nearly deprived him of life. But this
did not interrupt his labours ; but he rather re
joiced in that he was counted worthy to suffer in
the cause ofhis Divine Master.
How long it was after this beginning to exercise
his talents as a public Preacher, that he was called
upon by Mr. Wesley lo enlarge the sphere of his
usefulness, I cannot determine ; but he was em
ployed as an Itirterant Preacher in Newcastle-upoh-
T^ne, in the year 1752. His plain and pathetic
preachirtg was generally acceptable, and useful to
many. Mr. Wesley used to say that " Ten such
Preachers as Jonathan Maskew, would carry the
world before them."
He continued in Newcastle until the spring of
1753, when he was called by Mr. Wesley lo labour
in the Manchester circuit. He afterwards travelled
in the Haworth circuit, and irt a short time raar
ried, artd settled at Dainhead, near Rochdale, fipom
which place he never removed, until under the
weight of years he sunk into the grave. Here,
however, he continued to labour for his Master,
and also carried the glad tidings of salvation into
different parts oi Yorkshire and Lancashire. He
formed for hiraself a circuit, which he regularly
attended for several years : and God continued to
bless his soul and his labours.
He continued to exercise his talents as a Local

MEMORIAL. 255
Preacher among the Methodists till the shades of
the evening at last came on. By degrees he was
forced to give up his attendance at several places,
where he had been accustomed lo preach for many
years ; till his labours were at last confined lo his
own house. And when he could stand no longer,
he sat, and while tears ran down his venerable
cheeks, called them to partake the mercy of God,
and to wash their guilty souls in the blood of his
incarnate Sort.
A few of the last months of Mr. Maskew' s life,
he was constrained lo confine himself to his own
habitation ; here he was visited by the most pious
people of the neighbourhood. To these he sim
ply declared his experience, and the union he en
joyed with his God. At one time he would say,
** The day of our death, is better tban ihe day of our
hirth ; for it is not life but death, tbat joins the dying
believer to Christ. I am in a strait between two,
having a desire to depart tbat I may be with him." At
another time he cried out, " // is a blessing for
Christ to he with us in life ; but it is the top of bles
sings, for us to he witb Christ in heaven." — And
agairt, " The fear of death is gone, itis only a short,
dark road, that leads to the marriage-supper of tbe
Lamb." — Again he said, " 0 Death, it will be tbe
funeral of all' our sorrows !" And added, " So far
as any man trembles at death, he wants love, for love
casts out all its fears ; and it is no credit to our hea
venly Father, that we are unwilling or afraid to go
homer

256 METHODIST
His love lo Jesus was often expressed by the
warmth with wbich he repeated his name : " 0
tbat name — Jesus! how sweet it is !"
Towards the close of his pious warfare, his soul
was filled with raore than ordinary coraforts. He
would cry out, " I desire to be dissolved that I may
be witb Christ." And, " Now Lord, kt thy ser
vant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy sal
vation." — When his speech had nearly failed, a
friend called in to see hira ; he would have con«
versed — ^he attempted — but it was in vain. But
his looks and broken accents fully explained tbe
happiness of his soul. The last lime, I believe,
he ever spoke, he raised one of his hands, and
with a smiling countenance, said, " Look, Jaines,
look !" — His son looked and inquired, but he spoke
no more. — Surely there is sorae truth in that gene
ral opinion, that Saints, in their approach to glory,
have on earth a glimpse of heaven. — A little after
this he changed for death, and on the 3d day of
August, 1793, he departed this life in the eighty-
second year of his age.

ALEXANDER MATHER.
This truly great raan, and eminertt servant of
the Lord Jesuis Christ, was a native of North-
Britain. He was bom at Brechin, in the year
1733. His parents being religious, he was early
instructed in the things of God, and was trained

MEMORIAL. 257
up in the fear of the Lord. When he was only
ten years of age his mind was sensibly affected
with everlastirtg thirtgs ; at that early period he
had deep cortvictiorts of his fallen state in Adam,
and was brought into great distress of soul. But
though these sentiments were never wholly oblite
rated, yet they were, (as is loo often the case) but
as the moming cloud, or the early dew which soon
passeth away.
In the year 1752, he left his native country and
went lo London ; where, in the following year, he
married. He then reraerabered that the vows of^
God were upon him ; and that he had often proraised
the Lord, that when he entered into the conjugal
state, he would then devote himself unreservedly
to his servide. His convictions returned, and he
began to seek the Lord with all his heart, and
wilh all his soul. His distress was so great, that,
to use his own words, " My appetite was gone, my
sleep departed from me, my bones were filled as witb
a sore disease, and my tears were my meat day and
night" He used frequently to go on his knees at
bed-time, and continued in that position with
strong cries and tears till two o'clock in the morn
ing ; at which hour he was accustomed to go to
his daily labour. His earnest prayers were not in
vain : the Lord regarded the cry of his own Spirit
in his heart, and uuder the first sermon which he
heard from the Rev. John Wesley, the Lord revealed
his pardoning mercy lo his soul, and he was in
stantaneously translated from the kingdom of dark-

238 METHODIST
nessi into tbe kingdom of God's dear Son.i This was
on tfa^ 14th of April, 1754. Mr. Mather's own
account of this bl6ssed change is as follotfrs :
" UAdtr that sermoH God set my heart ai liberty ^ re-
moiiing my sins from me as far as the East is frrnn
ibe West ': which the very change of my countenance
testified, before my tongue could utter it. I had no
great transport of joy ; but my load was gone, and I
could praise God from the ground of my heart : all my
sorrow and fear, and anguish of spirit being changed
into a solid peace"
As Mr. Mather, at that period, appeared fo be
possessed of abilities for the edification of thd
Churchy Mr. Wesley soon took notice of him, and
first employed him as a Leader Pf a Band, then of
a Class : which offices he filled to the glory of
God, and the profit of the souls committed to his
care. Soon after he felt a secret, yet powerful
conviction that God had called him to preach his
Gospel. He sought the Lord by fasting and
prayer, that he might know^ what was his will con
cerning him in this matter. He then mentioned
the case to Mr. Wesley, who told him plainly, " To
be a Methodist Preacher is not the way to ease,
honor, pleasure, or profit. It is a life of much
labour and reproach. They often fare hard, are
often in want. They are liable to be stoned^
beatert and abused in various manners. Consider
this before you engage in so uncomfortable a way
of life ?" Mr. Matier replied, " He had no de"-
sire to engage therein, unless it was the call of

memorial. 25g
God ; and he was regardless as to what he suffered
in doing the will of God."
Mr. Wesley then encouraged him to make trial,
which he did at the chapel in Snow's-fields, in the
Borough of Southwark. His labours were accepted,
and the Lord himself bore witrtess lo the word of
his servartt.
As Mr. Wesley was fully satisfied with Mr. Ma
ther's call to die Mirtistry ; at the Conference 1757j
he was received as an Itinerant Preacher : and on
August 15th, he set out for his flrst circuit, which
was Eplxorth, in Lincolnshire. He now, like a
true soldier of Jesus Christ, entered the field of
battle : he fought valiantly under the banner of
his Divine Master, and being girded by the
strength of Omnipotence, he put the armies of tbe
aliens to flight. He suffered much, at that early
period of the work, from wicked and unreasonable
men ; but his labours were every where crowned
with success, and the pleasure of the Lord pros
pered abundantly in his hands.
It would far exceed ray liraits to enter minutely
into the extensive labours of this truly apostolic
man. Perhaps, if ever those words could be ap
plied to any man besides' the Apostle, Mr. Wesley,
and Mr. Whitfield, they might to Mr. Mather, I
laboured more abundantly tban they all. In labours
more abundant. He was a strong man, and pos
sessed what some have termed an iron constitution ;
but he put forth all his sti:ength, and exerted him
self to the uttermost, in what he supposed to be
R 2

260 MEiTHOfilST •
the best of causes, — the cause of God. The inter
est of Methodism, especially, lay near his heart,
and for the permanent support of its doctrines and
discipline, he was literally lavish of life. As a man,
he possessed a very great mind. He had a strong
natural understanding, which be had greatly im
proved. Had he enjoyed the advantages of a clas
sical education, there is no doubt but he would
have shone in the Senate, or at the Bar. Buf he
principally applied himself to those studies which
were best calculated to answer the end of his high
and holy calling. He was well read in the Holy
Scriptures, he daily meditated in the Divine Law,
and treasured up the sacred word in his heart.
Pie closely studied human nature, and had obtained
as great a knowledge of the heart of man, in its
degenerate state, or as renewed by grace, as most
men ever did. He had acquired a very considera
ble degree of what is properly called common sense,
which qualified him to enter into all the important
affairs of the Church : his knowledge of men and
things ; and of whatever concerned the good of
either civil or religious society, was very entensive ;
and he was, therefore, very frequently employed
irt adjusting the raost difficult affairs, which from
tirae lo tirae occurred in the connection to which
he belonged. This certainly exposed hira to the
censure of many, and a number of invidious re
flections were cast upon him ; but coraraending
hiraself to God, and to his own conscience in the
sight ofGod, he endured the contradiction of these

M E M O, R I A L. 261
men, with that patience and fortitude of riiind,
which became one who knew in whom he trusted,
in whose service he was engaged, and who would
judge his conduct in righteousness at the last !
As a Christian, his experience of divine things
was deep and clear : he was brought under serious
impressions early in life, and had enjoyed a clear
sense ofthe love of God lo his soul for ahove forty
years !
As a friend, he was affectionate, sympathetic
and faithful. , He was ever ready to assist, in the
most difficult cases, any ortc who desired his help ;
and exerted himself to the utterraost in serving the
interests of his fellow-creatures. The poor parti
cularly lay near his heart: he sought out those
retreats of wretchedness
¦ • ' . *" - - i '
" Where hopeless anguish; pours his groan,
And lonely want retires to die."
But when vire view him as a Minister oi the Gos
pel, he was surely a burning and shining light.
The Lord had enriched him with extraordinary
spiritual gifts, andhad qualified him for extensive
usefulness in his Church. His preaching wa^ i^e-
culiarly instructive and very forcible and impres
sive. His' knowledge of the scriptures was exten
sive, his judgment sound and clear, his appre
hension quick, his genius fertile, and his meraory
retentive. He had a considerable degree of holy
zeal for the honor of God, and the salvation of
precious souls, which, after labouring in the vinpr
r3

262 METHODIST
yard indefatigably, for /o/',^-^/&r^^ years, was not in
tbe least abated ! His last circuit was London,
where for near two years, though labouring under
the painful disorder which put a period to his life
and labours, he put forth all his strerigth, and was
frequently a wonder to many. His labours, in most
parts of the kingdom, were greatly owned of God :
he was instrumerttal in tuming many lo righteous
ness, and also of building up tbe saints on their
most holy faith.
In the spring of the year 1800, his disorder
seemed to baffle the skill of the ablest physicians,
and to defy the power of medicine. In the month
of June, being no longer able to do any thing
publicly or privately for that cause, in whieh his
whole heart had been so long engagedy it was pro
posed that he should retire to York ; and hopes
were entertained, if he could bear the journey,
that the change of air raight at least prolong his
days, if not produce a radical cure. But the
hopes ofhis friends proved abortive ! He bore the
fatigues of travelling as well as could be expected,
but on his arrival, he grew weaker and wCako",
till tbe silver cord was loosed, and thc: wheel broken
at the cistern.
Soon after his arrival at York, Mr. Pawson and
Mr. Benson wcrtt to see him. The interview was
truly affecting : as soon as he could speak, he said,
"All I have done is nothing: — it is not worth
mentioning. I have no foundation of hope and
cpnfidence whatever, but the mediation of tbe SpiJ

memorial. '2.63
of God. — O I my dear friends, I never saw\ |ihe
blessed Redeemer of mankind in so amiable a light
as I do now. Never did I sge so clearly, or feel so
deeply my need of him, and that I am wholly
indebted lo his sacrifice and intercession, for the
acceptance of my person, and of my ppor services.
What would become of m^ were it not for this
Redeemer V '¦'^" '
A pious frienid, who was much with hira, gives
the following account of the Lord's dealings with
him towards the close of his life.
" On Saturday, August l-Sth, Mr. Mather said,
" What I told you when you first visited rne after I
came to York, Istil I feel lobe a truth, viz, Ihave
np ^herp to Ippk, nor on any thing else to depe^^
for solvation, but Christ, andmy con;fi4ence'in
Him is as firm as a rock. — My faith has fre
quently been assaulted during ray^ affliction, in an
unusual manner'; but it bas never shrunk in the least
degree! I feel a hlessed .eiddence of myaescep-
tance, .and a sacred sense of the presence of God
with me always" > -
On another occasion hesaid, " How comfortable
are those words : Him that cometb unto me I wilUin
no wise cast out. God so loved us that he gave his
^on to be a propitiation for our sins. Thpreis no
other name— --no other Redeemer — on Him otc soid
relies. Mine is a hope of more tban forty years,- it
cannot easily be shaken''
On Monday the 1 8th} being in ,e,xtreme an
guish, he said, "I long to be gone; but / am
r4

264 METHODIST
happy in God." After pausing a little he said, " I
am happy in Jesus, but my sufferings are great.
" Rivers of life divine I see
And trees of Paradise." ¦ ^
O let me be there ; I'll be there, there, there ! O
that it might be this night ; O hide me among
those trees 1 Here may I have an abiding place 1
" 'Tis there with the I.ambs of thy flock.
There only I covet to rest." ' ' '¦''!'
But if I may not have the privilege, the happiness,
the honor of being with thee this night, may I be
resigned to thy will. O that exercise of praise and
thanksgiving I It has been the' delight of my soul,
my chief exercise upon earth. I have loved thy
word, thy law, thy people, and I love tbem still.
f Let it not my Lord displease.
That I would die to be his guest."
Jesus answers, " Thou art all fair, my love, there is
no spot in tbee. Arise my love, my fair one and comt
away" Agairt, when in extreme pain and anguish,'^ he
most affectirtgly cried out, " 0 God my heaH is
'broken within me ! Why are thy chariot wheels so long
lin coming ! Lord grant me patience." And then,
'asif his prayer was immediately answered, calmly
iS»idi " To patient faith the prize is sure,
And all who to the end endure
The cross, shall wear the crown,"

MEMORIAL. 2&5
On Wednesday the 20th, after a night of in
expressible suffering, he slumbered, and was com
posed a littie. When he awoke, he seemed sur
prised to firtd himself still in the body ; and said,
" Why did you call me back ? I have been in
Paradise. As surely as I shall go there again, I
have been in heaven this morning." Then, after
taking leave of, and giving his dying advice to his
family, he turned to Mrs. Mather, and said, " As
for you, my dear, I can say nothing to you that I
have not said already ;" but, pointing to the Bible,
he said, " Tbat book is your's, and the Author
ofitr On Friday, August 22, about two hours before
he died, arid nearly the last words he spoke, he
said, " I now know that I have not sought Thee
in vain. I have not, I have not. And'aftferwards
he exclaimed, " O thou that caused light to shine
out of darkness, shine upon my soul with the light
of the knowledge ofthe Son ofGod; that narae
above every narae, for ever dear : it dispels all my
fears. O proclaira, proclaira Jesus ! Tell me,
shall I be with him to-night ?" On being answer
ed. Yes, there is no doubt of it, he cried out,
" He whom I have served for near flfty years will
not forsake me now. Glory be to God and the
Lamb for ever and ever. Amen and Amen.
Soon after this his voice failed, and he said but
little that could be understood ; but by the motion
ofhis lips, he appeared engaged in silent ejacula
tions, till seeming to fall into a sweet slumber, he

^65 METHODIST
silently and almost imperceptibly breathed his soul
into the hands of his blessed Redeemer, whom he
had most ardentiy loved, and faithfully served for
near fifty years, about four o'clock in tbe after
noon, in the sixty-seventh year of his age j arid in
the forty-third of his itinerancy.
Mr. M'ather was choeen President of the Methor
dist Confef ence in the year 1792.

THOMAS MAXFIELD.
He has been already raentioned in the Intraduc-
tion to this Work, as the first regular Lay^pijeaeher,
who began Jiis ministry about the year 1740- He
was a very pious and deeply serious young raan ;
and his labpurs were remarkably owped of Qod.
The late pious and -ehciLady, tbe Countess Dow
ager ofHmtingdon, heard Mr. Maxfield expound
the scriptures, and in a letter to Mr. IVe,siey, she
speaks of him as follows :— "I never :ment-ipBei to
you that I have seen Maxfield : he is one of the
greatest instances of God's peculiar iavox that I
know. He is raised from the stones, to sij: among
the Princes ofhis People. — He is my astonishment.
How is God's power shewn in weakness. You
can have no idea what an attachment I have to
him. He is highly favored of the Lord. The
first time I made him expound, expecting little
from him, I sat over against him, and thought,
what a power of God must be with him to make

memorial. 2'67
me give any attention to him. But before he had
gone over one fifth part, apy one that haiJiseen rae,
would have thought I had beert made of wood or
stortc ; so quite imraoveable I both felt and looked.
His power in prayer is quite extraordinary. To
deal plainly, I could either talk or write for an
hour about,. him."— This is no inconsiderable tes
timony in favor oi Mr., Maxfield ; especially from
so excellent and extraordinary a character ' in the
Church of God.
After Mr. Maxfield had laboured faithfully and
successfully fbr a few years, he received Episcopal
ordination from an Irish Bishop. The good Bi
shop, it is said, ordained him out of compassion
to Mr. Wesley ; ior fear^ as be himself expressed
it, " Mr. Wesley should wprk himself .to, death."
Mr. Maxfield. was for.seypral years after ;this stati
oned in London. He was highly esteemed by Mr.
Wesley, and was greatly respected by ;tbe' people-.
his labours were attended with a general bleSsing,
and he was imtrumerital in doing much good, in
the name of the Lord J^us,
In the, year 1762, there was a great outpouring
of the Spirit of God in different parts of the king
dom ; butieapecially in London. Many ofthe peo
ple of God were greatly comforted, and confirmed
in the grace which they had received ; and some
professed to have been instantaneously delivered
from all sin. This was the pause of great disputes
in the Societies ; but more particularly in the me-
llropoHs, where two or three persons, (who stood

2^8 METHODIST
at the head of those who prpfessed to have attairied
this state) fell into grievous extravagaricies, and
entertained such enthusiastical opinions, as were a
disgrace to a religious Society. One of these per
sons was George Bell, and another the subject of
this raeraoir.
Mr. Wesley, who ever acted with great caUtion,
did not at first, perhaps, resist these extravagaricies
with that firraness which he ought to have done :
by which means the persons who favored them,
daily increased in nuraber. At length, however,
he found it absolutely necessary to give an effec
tual check to the party. But it was then too late
to be done vv^ithout the danger of making a separa
tion in the Society : As two evils were evidently
before him, he prudently, preferred that which
to hira appeared the least. Accordingly, Mr.
Wesley wtote Mr. Maxfield a iakthixA letter, in
which he told him freely, what he approved in
his doctrine and behaviour, and also what he dis
approved. The result was, Mr. Maxfield separated
frora the Methodist connection ; and about two
hundred of the people in London, were drawn
away with hira. Several of the persons who left
the Society with Mr. Makfleld,. were amongst Mr.
Wesley's choicest friends, which occasioned him
great distress ; his raind was so deeply affected
that he feelingly, and with tears, preached from
that pathetic passage. If I am bereaved of my chil
dren, I am bereaved. Sorae who knew Mr. Wesley
well, have declared, this was the heaviest trial

ME M O R I A L. 269
that ever befel him in the whole course of his
pilgrimage. Mr. Maxfield had a large commodious chapel,
in the neighbourhood of Moorfields, and a, very
lively Society. There he continued to preach, and
was greatly respected, and very useful to mauy
souls, for several years.
For sorae years before his death, he became
very friendly with the Methodists ; the Preachers
frequcrttiy supplied his chapel, artd preached lo
his congregation. — ^He died very suddenly of a
paralytic stroke ; but undoubtedly he was pre
pared for the soleran change, and was therefore,
thus suddenly translated to that glorious rest which
remaineth for thepeople of God.

JOHN MEALEY.
He was a native oi Ireland; and travelled in that
kingdom for several years. He was fairly worn
out in the service of the best of Masters. In his
last illness he suffered much, but the Lord was
with him, andhe departed this life in the triumph
of faith, leaving a glorious testimony behind him
that he was gone to join the general assembly, and
Church of tbe first horn who are written in heaven.

270 METHODIST
SAMUEL MEGGOTT.
He began his public labours in the Ministry
very early in life. He devoted his time and
strength to the service of his Master, and was for
some years a faithful labourer in the virteyard. He
was of a remarkable grave, serious lum of mind ;
a truly primitive Christian. He continually lived
as in the divine presence, and his constant motto
was. Thou God seest me. He laboured with all his
might to win souls to Christ, aud his labours were
crowned with considerable success. But it pleased
God to remove hira from a state of labour to a
state of rest, and he left this vale of woe, in the
full triumph of faith and love, about the year
1/64.

THOMAS MEYRICK.
He was a native of Cornwall, and was brought
ufi and educated for the Law ; but after he was
made a partaker of the grace of God, he wilhngly
relinquished that line of life, and gave himself up
to the work ofthe Ministry. He commenced an Iti-^
nerant Preacher, in the Rev. Mr. Wesley's connec
tion, at an early period of Methodism. For seve
ral years he did the work of an evangelist faithfully,
and made full proof of his ministry. He was remark
ably zealous in propagating divine truth, and en
dured great persecutions in various parts cS the

memorial. 271
kingdom, particularly in his own country. He
met with considerable opposition there from a Cler
gyman, who alas 1 frequently disgraced his high
and holy calling, by acts of interaperartce ; Mr.
Meyrick had a turn for poetry, and he wrQle a very
satirical poem to that gentleman ; which was sj^id
to have had such an effect upon him, that he
never afterwards heard Mr. Meyrick' s name men-
tiorted, but he trembled.
In the course of Mr. Meyrick's Itinerant Minis
try, he was taken ill of a malignartt fever at New
castle-upon-Tyne ; and the disease had so far' pre
vailed, that the physician who attended him, had
no hopes of his recovery : but he was reraarkably
happy in God, and his prospects were bright for
a blessed eterrtity. Mr. Wesley was at that time
at Newcastle ; and he requested a few pious per
sons to meet him at Mr. Meyrick's room ; they did
so, and they made prayer and supplication in his
behalf: the lord was graciously pleased lo hearken
to their cry ; he rebuked the fever, and from that
moment Mr. Meyrick began lo recover. Some
time after be procured Episcppal ordination, and
was Curate of a small chapel, in the parish oi Hali
fax, in Yorkshire. There he resided for several
years ; and in addition to his parochial duties, he
taught a school ; but, alas ! here he fell frora his
stedfastness ; lost the life and power of religion,
and neither preached nor lived the Gospel : and
what is still worse, he becarae addicted to that
very vice, which he had so satirically censured, in

272 METHODIST
his poem to the Clergyman in Cornwall !— 'Raw
little do we know of the treachery of the human
heart ! Surely it is, as the Holy Ghost hath de
scribed it, deceitful above all things, and desperately
wicked, y Is thy servant a dog," says Hazael to
Elisha, " tbat he should do this great thing!" May
such awful instances teach us thaf useful and im
portant lesson. Be not high-minded, hut fear. ^_
" Teach me to feel another's woe,
" To hide the faults I see ;
" That mercy I to others shew,
" That mercy shew to me."
Mr. Meyrick, a short time before his death, was
made Afternoon Lecturer of the parish church of
Halifax ; and there he ended his days about the
year 1770. What an araazing mystery in Provi
dence ; that the Lord should, in answer to prayer,
raise this man from his bed of sickness, when to
all appearance he was on the very verge of ever
lasting glory, (being then unspeakably happy in
the enjoyment of God) and should permit him to
live thus to reproach the cause of truth, and to
dishonor his holy name. How unsearchable are his
judgments, and bis ways past flnding out.

JOHN MILLAR.
He was a native of Germany ; and came into tlic
work of the Ministry as an Itinerant Methodist
Preacher, about the year 1780. He was engaged

MEMORIAL. 273
in this work for sixteen years ; and though the
disadvantages of his pronunciatious were always
objections on his first visit to a circuit, yet he
soon gained the affection and esteem of the peo
ple. Love and zeal were the two distinguishiug
traits in his character. After a very useful life, he
died happy, rejoicing in Christ Jesus^ in the year
^796.

HENRY MILLARD.
He was one of the first Methodist Preachers.
The only account I have been able to procure of
him is by a letter which he wrote to Mr. Wesley,
in the year 1744, concerning a dreadful persecu
tion in Cornwall, where it appears he was then
labouring for the good of souls. After inserting
the letter, Mr. Wesley remarks, — " I pray, for
what pay could we procure men tP do this ser
vice ? To be always ready to go to prison and to
death ? Henry Millard did not long continue there
in. After he bad for some time fought a good
fight, he look the sraall-pox, and in a few days
joyfully resigned his spirit to God."

WILLIAM MINNETHORPE.
« He laboured in tbe neighbourhood of York ior
sorae years as a Local Preacher ; and in 1 762, his
s

274 METHODIST
spheiJe of usefulness was enlarged, and he began
his course as an Itinerant Preacher. He Was a
rh'an of great integrity ; and was eminent fpr
his simplicity, piety and watchfulness. Being
rihcPmfortably married, his life for many year's
was prie continued Scene of suffering : but th^
people among whom he laboured wpfe very
kind to hira, and cheerfully bore a part ofhis bu9-
den. He finished his painful pilgrimage at Dun
bar, in Scotland, in the month of November 1776.
One who was present when he died, says, " He
retained his senses to the last, and with eyes lifted
lip to heaven, he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus,
without a struggle. His sickness" and death
were the most affecting, sPleirin, arid joyoris,' I
ever Saw." -

THOMAS MITCHELL.
He 'was born in the parish oi Bingley, in York
shire, Dec. 3, 1726. His parents were pioUs, 'and
both died in the faith. He had the fear of God iri
his heart from his childhood, and laboufed under
strong convictions when only five 'yfears of age.
But as he grew up sin hardened his heart, so that
at twenty years old he enltsted for a soldier, in the
lime of the Rebellion. He obtained his discharge
from the array in the year 1746. By attending
the miriiStry of the Rev. Mr. Grimshaw, of Ha
worth, he was made sensible that ^alvatiori w'as

ME,M p R I A L. 2}^5
obtained by faith ; yea, that the worst of sinrtcrs
might be (Saved by faith in Jesus Christ. He now
began tp'seek the Lord with all his heart, and he
was soop: brpught into the liberty of the, Gospel,
and was filled with love to God and raan.
Finding his heart thus inflamed with divine
love, he, began to be deeply conperned for the sal
vation of souls ; .many of whom he saw perishing
for lack of knowledge. This induced hira tore-
prove sin, and frequently fo speak ofthe goodness
of God to his fellow-sinners; till at last, with
much .fear and trembling, he ventured publicly, to
exhort them to jlee from 4>be wrath to come.
The .first time he preached, it pleased -God to
ajwaken one soul, and this he cpnsidered as a proof
of Divine approbation, apd he was encouraged to
go on. He now began to preach very frequently,
and Satan, seeing his kingdora in dangpr, raged
hprribly. Mr. Mitchell was called to driiik deep
of the cup pf, persecution, for the word of God
and the testimony which he held. Mr. Grim-
shflw greatly enpouraged him to proceed in the
JiOrd's w^k,; and once ,said to hira and Paul
Greenwood^, " If .you are sent of God to preach his
Gospel, all hell will be up in arms against you.
Prepare for the battle, and stand fast in the good
Avays of God."
In the jear .1751 (if not, bqfore) Mr.. Mitchell
became a regular Itirterant Preacher. In the faith
ful discharge of his office/he suffered much in va
rious parts pf the kingdom, from wieked.md,unrea-
9 2

'i/]Q METHODIST
sonable men; especially m Lincolnshire, where he
had nearly lost his life by a lawless mob. They
stripped him of his apparel, painted him from
head lo foot with white paint, threw him several
tiraes into a pond of water, and at last carried him
in triuraph out of the parish, with nothing upon
him but an old coat ;'they set him upon a little
hill, and then shouted, " God save the King, and
the devil take the Preacher !"
These merciless wretches then left him in this
deplorable situation, pennyless and friendless : for
no one dared to come near him. But his mind in
the midst of all this vile treatment, was kept in
perfect peace. He found no anger, no resentment,
- but could, and did heartily pray for his persecu
tors I What is it that the grace of God cannot
effect I
Mr. Mitchell's talents for the Ministry were but
small, but the Lord was with him, and proved' to
the comfort and salvation of many that He had sent
him. — He was a very plain, honest, pious man,
and after spending near forty years in the service
ofhis Divine Master, he finished his course with
joy about the year 1786"; and quietly, and in great
peace returned to Abrahams bosom.-

ARCHJBALD l^ONTGOMERY.
He came into the vineyard as ¦ an Itinerant
Preacher at the Conference in Ireland, 1794. He

MEMORIAL. 277
travelled a few years with profit to the people, and
credit to himself ; uniting a happy sweetness of ,
disposition and address, with a good understand
ing and genuine piety. He devoted his life a sa-*
orifice to his ministerial labours, and ended it in
full triumphant hope of life eternal, in the yeaf
1 SOQ, and in the twenty-eighth year of his age.

RICHARD MORGAN.
He was a gentieman of respectable parentage ;
and was early in life entered at Christ's Church
College, Oxford. "Re was oy\e oi the original Metho
dists, in that University ; and according fo the
Rev. Mr. Gambold'^ account, was instrumental in
inciting Mr. Wesley and his brother Charles, io
that seriousness and regularity of conduct, which
soon rendered them such conspicuous characters.
His words are, " The Wesleys were already talked
of for some religious practices, which were first
occasioned by Mr. Morgan, oi" Christ Church. He
being a young man of an excellent disposition,
took all opportunities to make his corapapions in
love with a good life ; to create in them a reve
rence for public worship ; and tp tell them of
their faults, with a sweetness and simplicity,
which disarmed the worst tempers. He, delighted
much in works of charity ;' he kept several chil
dren at school ; and when he found beggars in the
Street, he would bring them into his chamljers, and
S3

278 METHODIST
talk to them of the things of God. Mahjr stfch
things he did ; and being acquainted with thP f Wd
brothers, he invited them to join with him ; arid
proposed that they should meet frequently together
to ericourage one another ; and have som6 scheme
to proceed by in their daily employraents."
Mr. Morgan appears to have led the way lb acts
of raercy and benevolence lo others ; and to have
stirred Mr. Wesley, and the other gentleraen, who
had united with thera, to visit the sick, and those
who were in prison. But it pleased God soon to
take this excellent young raan to bloOm eternally
in heaven. He left the University on June 5th,
1732, and was taken to Paradise on the 26th of
August following.* Mr. Gambold reraarks, " HiS
palra and fesigried behaviour, hardly cUrbing-in a
confident joy in God, wrought very much upoh
me ; though when I had an opportunity to observe
hira, he was labouring urider a lingering distemper,
(I presume previously lo his leaving Oxford.)
Sorae were displeased that he did not make some
direct preparatidri for death : but to a raan who
has overcorae the worid, and feels God within
hira, death is rio riew thing. Every limp hfe
stretches hiraself forth in this divine life; every
tirae he chastises the perverseness of his nature ;
the motions ofhis heart do only fall shPrt of death^
because they cannot have their full scope."
As Mr. Morgan's death happeried so Soon aftet
his leaving Oxford, an invidious report was spriri
* See Whitehead's Life of Wesley, vol. 1, page 456.

MEMORIAL. 279
circulated through the University, that the Mr.
Wesleys had occasioned his death, by advising him
to too great abstinence and fasting. As this, report
was highly prejudicial to t|ieir character, and
might tend to hinder their usefulness, Mr. ' Wesley
wrote lo Mr. Morgan's father, in Dublin, a siraple
narrative of facts, and fully satisfied his mind that
he and his brother were clear in that matter.
The following poetic tribute to the memory of
this excellent young mart, whereirt his character is
well drawrt up by Mr. Samuel Wesley, junior,
will certainly need no apology for being inserted
here. *' We fools counted bis life madness."
If aught beneath thera happy s.ouls attend,
Let Morgan hear the triumph of a friend,
And hear well-p^Jeas'd. Let Libertines so gay
With careless indolence despise the lay ;
Let critic wits, and fools for laug.hter born,
Their verdict pass with supercilious scorn ;
Let jovial crowds, by wine their senses drown'd,
Stammer out censure in their frantic round :
Let yawning sluggards faint dislike display,
Who, while they trust to-morrow, lose to-day ;
Let such as these the sacred strains condemn ;
For 'tis true glory to be hiss'd by them.
Wise in his prime, he waited not for noon,
Convinc'd that nxortal never liv'd too soon.
As if foreboding here his littje stay,
He made his morning bear the heat, of day ;
Fix'd, while unfading glory he pursues.
No ill to l^azard, and no good to lose,
S4

V. J

280 METHODIST
No fair occasion glides unheeded by ;
Snatching the golden moments as they fly.
He by few fleeting hours secures eternity.
Friendship's warm beams his artless breast inspire,
And tenderest rev'rence for a much-lov'd Sire.
He dar'd for heav'n this flatt'ring world forego.
Ardent to teach, as diligent to know ;
Unwarpp'd by sensual views or vulgar aims.
By idle Riches, or by idler Names :
Fearful of sin in every close disguise,
Unmov'd by threat'ning, or by glossing lies :
Seldom indeed the wicked came so far,
Forc'd by his piety to defensive war ;
Whose zeal for other men's salvation shewn.
Beyond the reach of hell secur'd his own :
Glad'ning the poor where'er his steps he turn'd,
Where pin'd the orphan, or the widow moum'd ;
Where prisoners sigh'd beneath guilt's horrid stain.
The worst confinement, and the heaviest chain ;
Where death's sad shade the uninstructed sight,
Veil'd with thick darkness in the land of light.
Our Saviour thus fulfill'd his great design,
(If human we may liken to divine)
Heal'd each disease that bodies frail endure.
And preach'd th' unhop'd-for Gospel to the poor.
To means of grace the last respect he shew'd,
Nor sought new paths, as wiser than his God :
Their sacred strength preserv'd him from extremes
Of empty outside, or enthusiast dreams.
He knew that works our faith must here employ,
And that 'tis heaven's great business to enjoy.
Fix'd on that heav'n, he death's approaches saw.
Nor vainly murmur'd at our nature's law.
Repin'd not that, his youth so soon should go,
Nor griev'd for fleeting pleasures here below.
Of sharpest anguish scorning to complain,
He fills with mirth the intervals of pain ;

MEMORIAL. 281
Not only unappall'd, but joyful sees
The dark, cold passage that must lead to peace ;
Strong with immortal bloom, secure to rise,
The tears for ever banlsh'd from his eyes.
Who now regrets his early youth would spend,
The life so nobly that so soon should end ?
Who blames the stripling for performing more
Than Doctors grave, and Prelates of threescore ?
Who now esteems his fervor indiscreet ;
His prayers too frequent, or his alms too great ?
Who thinks, where blest he reigns beyond the sky,
His crown too radiant, or his throne too high ?
Who but the fiend, who once his course withstood.
And wisper'd — " Stay till Jfty to be good ?"
Siire, if believ'd, t' obtain his hellish aim,
Adjourning to the time that never came.
JAMES MORGAN.
He began to seek the Lord about the fourteenth
year of his age, and to sigh in secret places for that
peace which the world cannot give. He at that time
had no one to guide his feet into the path of peace ;
his seriousness was imputed to melancholy, and
his friends seriously thought it would end in insa
nity or death. He at last, however, by the good
providence of God, met with some persons who
Tmderstood his case, and they shewed him more
clearly thari ever what he wanted, viz. Conscious
Redemption in the blood of Christ, the forgiveness
of sins. This he sought with all his heart, and at
midnight in his charaber, his soul was , lightened
of its load, and joy, sweet, tranquil joy overr

282 METHODIST
flowed his whole soul. In that instartt it oc
curred to his mind, that he should speak of Jesus
to others. He thought he could go over the whole
earth, without the least apprehension of conse
quences, to make raention of the loving kindness
of God his Saviour.  He gives the following
account of his engaging in the work of the
rainistry. " About the nineteenth year of ray age, I was,
by a series of unexpected incidents, brought to
speak of Jesus in public. My soul, however, soon
shrunk back frora the undertaking. At the in
stance, and by the authority of some, whom I had
every possible reason to love, honor, and confide
in, I resumed the work so strongly urged upon
me. But again I drew back. The weight of the
undertaking, the important, solemn light in which
i daily viewed it ; more particularly the anxiety of
my mind on that head, reduced my body to a skcr
leton ; nor shall I ever recover the constitution I
then lost. I could hold out no longer. I with
drew, and resolved, at all events, never to preach
more. " During this retreat, I spoke but little, and
conversed scarcely with any one. My application
to reading and meditation was greater than ever ;
without, however, my having any object therein,
•save that of redeeming the time, and gratifying the
favorite taste of my soul. I passed one whole win
ter, and great part of the succeeding spring, in
¦this state of almost hermetical retirement.

MEMORIAL. 283
" At length, by a raysterious Providence, the
partJtulars of which it is needless to relate, and
after rauch resistance, I was a third time, taken
from my beloved asylum, a private chamber, and
some pleasant fields ; where I had passed raany a
serious, sad, and happy day ; and was constrained
to follow what appeared to be the order of Divine
Providence. I again spoke of the Redemption that
is in Jesus, in public, and continue to do so, as my
strength adraits, to the present tirae."
Tbe above was written in the year 1772, in the
Preface to three excellent Discourses which he
wrote and published, on " Tbe Crucified Jesus, to
the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolish
ness," which prove hira to have been a man of
considerable talents for the Ministry— a workman
who needed not to be ashamed. He also wrote
and priblished the Life and Death of that holy and
blessed man, Mr. Thomas Walsh.
Mr. Morgan was a very sensible man, and had
greatly iihprPved his understanding by rauch read
ing and close thinking. He had an agreeable person
and pleasing address ; so that he was in most places
where -he preached, esteeraed a very popular
Preacher. But being of a delicate constitution,
and of a nervous habit, he thought himself inade
quate to the itinerant life, and consequently settled
in the city oi Dublin. Sorae of his friends pre
sumed that he gave way to too much self-indul
gence; and Mr. Wesley, who ever kept a watchful
tye oVer his Preachers, and faithfully and affecti-

284 METHODIST
onately warned them of what he thought amiss,
wrote him a very close letter on this andfsome
other subjects. To which Mr. Morgan returned
the following answer. It is dated Bristol, May 9,
1771. " Rev. Sir,
" I Have just received your favor, and sincerely
thank you. It is true 1 I am indeed too high ; too
warm ; too impatient of contradiction : — too un
like my Lord ! But I praise him that I have bome,
and have been patient, and hitherto have not fajnt-
ed ; feeble as I am in all respects.
My state of health is, and has been such, for
above seven years last past, as utterly to disquaUfy
me for acting as those in better health can. It
obliges me to what others deera a state of indul
gence and irregularity, with reference to a certain
economy ; which they raay also account stateli-.
ness : and there raay be something in complexion,
attitude in manner, to give countenance to the
opinion : to say nothing of the reserve (partly
complexional) and seeming indifferency, which
constitutional languor, and habitual disease almost
unavoidably occasion. Yet if those persons knew
my situation, in many instances, and the daily
martyrdom occasioned by acute and habitual disr
ease, they would be far frora envying me, and turn
their censure into Christian tenderness. God only
is witness to what I have endured for years past;
and of the spirit in which he has enabled me to
bear it. But I dare npt boast ; nor do I attempt ?

MEMORIAL. 285
justification. But so rauch I may say, I am ready
to give every brother all possible satisfaction. Yet
it Suffices feelingly to say. Lord thou knowest.
"I shall have eternal reason for gratitude, for
whatever means he is pleased to raake use of, for
the cure of my spiritual sickness. In this view
nothing can appear formidable. But if I may
judge ofthe future by the past, I have strong de
monstrations, that whatever cure my sickness needs,
it can never be effected by any of the varying
scenes of this poor world. If sickness or sorrows ;
If malice and envy ; if slander and contempt could
have done any thing, ybu, dear Sir, would not
behold rae at this time a-day in the light you do :
though I humbly hope I have passed through no
fire without losing some dross. In truth, I have
little to hope or fear in this world ; nof -can I be
greatly elated or dejected at aught it can threaten
or indulge. And I have been so long inured to the
furnace, that really a thousand things do not
raove rae.
" Thou alone, O eternal Spirit, canst raake an
intire conquest of a sinful heart, and subdue a
soul, purchased by the blood of an incarnate God,
to be wholly His ! To thee I sigh in secret places.
Before thee I often weep, ashamed and broken ;
while men pronounce thy suppliant proud and
haughty. But such is thy adorable will ; and by
this means also, thou teachest me to die !"
This lettei: certainly manifests a spirit of true
huraility and of genuine piety. I presume Mr.

286 METHODIST
#^^f/^ himself was satisfied with it, or he would
not have published it to the world.
I am inforraed that he afterwards sunk into deep
mysticism, and that he huried his most excellent
talent in the earth. The circurastances of his
death I am not in possession of, but he finished
his course in the city of Dublin, in the year 17/4.

JOHN MORGAN.
He was a plain, rough, honest, pious man;
He was engaged in the work as an Itinerant
Preacher for raany years, and was possessed of great
and singular talents. ,He had a large faraily and
various trials. It pleased God to exercise him
with a loJ^g and painful rillness, which [he bore
vwith patience and resignation to the Divine will.
And in the end, he joyfully coramitted. his soul,
his wife, and his eight little children; to Gpd, as to
a faithful Creator. He died some tirae in the
year 1782.

RICHARD MOSS.
He was born at Hurlstone, in Cheshire, in the
year 17 1 8. He lived for many years in open rebel
lion against God, and was addicted lo most fla
grant vices ; but inthe year 1737, being then in
London, he was hearing M.r.. Whitfield preaqh, on

MEMORIAL. 287
Kennington Comfnon ; while he was standing, a raan
dropped down dead by his side. This greatly
alarmed hira, and he resolved to serve God. He
returned into the country, and for a time was very
serious ; but he afterwards fell again into acquain
tance vvith wicked men, and turned to his forraer
abtMnitiable practices.
He continued in this awful state till the spring^
ofthe year 1739, when under a sermon he heard
from Mr. Wesley at the Foundery, he felt himself
strangely affected, and from that tirae he began in
good earnest to seek the Lord. In a few months
the Lord regarded his cry, and answered him in
thejoy ofhis soul. He knew that God for Christ's
sake had blotted out all his sins, and was pacified
towards-'him after all that' he had done.
In'tbe year 1744, he went to liv ij with Mr.
Wesley; at the Foundery, iri the capacity of a ser
vant, and iri the spring of 1745, he travelled with
Mr. Wesley to Newcastle-upon-Tyne. In that coun
try he first began to exPircise in public. At first
he met a few people in a sraall house near the
Keelrhans Hospital, and after a time he went into
the country and gave exhortations to the Societies.
He appears to have had a deep sense of his unfit
ness for the work. He says himself, "Usually
before I spoke I was much bowed down, being
sensible Of the greatness of the work. But in
speaking I always found God was with me, and
his Avord did not return empty." His sphere of
fl'spfulness was soort ertlarged, artd he travelled

288 ME T H O D I S T
through a considerable part of the kingdom, and
endured mri'ch persecution in propagating the
Gospel of the grace of God. -. i
He was afterwards ordained by the Bishop of
London, as a Missionary for the Island of Providence,
one of the Bahama Islands, in the West-Indies,
where he preached the Gospel for several
years, in company with Mr. Tizzard, his fellow-
labourer.

JOHN MURLIN.
He was a native of Cornwall, and was born in
the year 1722. He lived about twenty-seven
years without God in ihe world. But in the month
of February, 1740, by hearing the Gospel,, he was
brought under deep convictions. The arrows of
the Almighty stuck fast within him, and his hand
pressed him sore. He used frequently to wrestle
with the Lord in prayer till midnight, and sorae
tiraes was afraid to lye down in bed, for fear he
should awake in hell.
In the month of April he heard a serraon from
Mr. Downes, and it pleased God to grant him de
liverance frpra that extrerae distress, which re
turned no more, but he had not the witness that his
sins were forgiven. He enjoyed a calm serenity in
his soul, but he wanted a clearer manifestation of
the pardoning love of God ; and this the Lord gra-

MEMORIAL. 289
ciously gave him under the ministry of Richard
Tr ather, a Local! Preacher. He was then enabled
to say. Behold God is my salvation ; I will ti^st
and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my
strength and hiy song ; he also is become my salvation.
A short time after this, he Was raade the Leader
of a Class. He felt hiraself very unfit for thi s era
ployraent, but as the Preacher insisted on his en
gaging in it, he applied hiraself to prayer and the
reading of the holy scriptures, that he might be
profitable to the souls committed to his care, How
weU would it be if every ClasS-leader in the Me
thodist connection would ^0 and do likewise. \\
He now met his Class constantly, and sorae
tiraes gave thera an exhortation ; and in a short
tirae he was invited to other places to exhort
there. His sphere of usefulness was now enlarged,
and the Lord condescended to bless his labpurs to
many souls. , -
October 14th, 1754, he coraraenced an Itine
rant Preacher, and laboured faithfully and suc
cessfully for a series of years in this and the neigh
bouring kingdpin..
He was for many years severely exercised with
rheumatic pains, yet he continued to travel as long
as he was able ; and as by raarriage he had ob
tained an independant fortune, this raay be consi
dered as an indisputable proof of his disinterested,
unfeigned zeal and attachment to the best of
causes. In thc year 1787, however, he was constrained

2gO METHOD r ST
to yield : he settled at High- Wycombe, in Buckings
hamshire, where he still exercised his talents lo the
utraost ofhis strength. In the beginning of 1799,
he was suddenly seized with a paralytic stroke,
which deprived him of the use of his limbs, so
that he was as helpless as a child, but his reason
and understanding remained with him, and he
patiently waited for his solemn change.
Hewas a primitive Methodist, a man of great
integrity, sincerity, and simplicity; and was in
general so deeply affected with the subjects on
which he preached, that he obtained the name of
the Weeping Prophet. He died, as he had for
many years lived, exceeding happy in the enjoy
ment of a hope full of immortality.
His reraains were reraoved at his own request,
fi'om Higb-Wycombe to London, and depositedjin
Mr. Wesley's vault, in the New Chapel Buryingf
ground, City-Road. — His executors erected a neat
marble monuraeut lo his raemory, in the chapel,
with the following inscription. ..\'~r.
Sacred to the Memory
Of Mr. JOHN MURLIN, Minister of the Gospei,
Who was called by the great Shepherd -''-
and Bishop of Souls, , ,
Ta labour in his Vineyard ;
This he was enabled to do as an Itinerant Preacher,
In the most faithful, affectionate, and successful manner,
tor near Fifty Years.
He was always so deeply affected with his subject
That he justly acquired the name of the Weeping Prophet :
Worn out by age, labour, and- itifirmities,.

MEMORIAL. 291
He died, as he had lived,
Full of faith and love, with a pleasing prospect ,
of a glorious immortality.
Jfe finished his course at HiGH-WycoMBE,
July 7th, 1799, Aged 77 Years.
As a just tribute of love to his character,
his Executors have erectedi this Tablet.

T. Rankin,
Scripsit,

ALEXANDER M'NAB.
He was bom in the parish of Killin, in the shire
of Perth, North Britain, in the year 1745. At
the age of fourteen, having finished his education,
he resolved to see the world ; and having an uncle
who occupied a respectable station in a ship, he
determined, though contrary to the advice and
remonslrartces of his parents, to accompany him
to sea. He contirtued at. sea between three and
four years. His uncle paid great attention to his
morals, and thereby he was preserved frora many
sins which he otherwise would have run into.
Before this period he had many deep impressi
ons of religion, and during the time he was at sea,
he often felt hiraself under the displeasure of God,
and was frequently quite miserable on that
account. In the year 1763, he returned to Edinburgh, and
pursued those studies which relate to the sea,
fully intending to continue in that way of life.
T 2

29.2' METHODIST
At the sarae tirae his convictions for sin were re
newed, and he began in good earnest to Seek the
Lord. — In the raonth of October he first heard the
Methodists. He rauch approved of their manner
of preaching, he became a constant hearer, and
finding himself much profited, he soon became a
meraber of the Society. He now raet with consi
derable opposition frora his friends, who did all in
their power to dissuade him from being righteous
over much. But none of these things moved him,
and he deterrained, at all events, to devote hiraself
heartily to the service ofGod.
It was sorae raonths before he was satisfied that
he was accepted in tbe beloved; but once, when
hearing. Mr. Kershaw, he found an uncommon
change in his mind. A heavenly peace and sweet-'
ness rested upon his spirit; his. guilty fears sub
sided, and he had confidence in God as to Father)'
and in Jesus as to Saviour. The ordinances Pf
his house were now his delight; his law, as vroll
as his Gospel, he esteeraed as inestimably precis
ous ; and his heart was filled with the tenderest
compassion towards his fellow-creatures vvho knew
not Jesus !
It was not long before he was appointed a Class-
leader, and the Lord rendered him serviceable to
the people who met with hira.
In June J 7 66, he was called to a larger sphere
of action by being unexpectedly called to. speak in
public. Though he went with fear and trembling,
he found more comfort and liberty than he ex-

MEMORIAL. 293
pected, and after the service was over, his soul
was blest with an uncoraraon degree of peace and
love. As soon as he had thus begun, he received
firequent invilatiorts to differcrtt places, so that he
had employraent enough on his hands ; and his
labours were not in vain in the Lord.
In August the Conference was held at Leeds,
and he was there recoramended, and received as
an Itinerant Preacher. His first appointraent was
'Mewcastle-upon-Tyne, where he laboured for two
months, and then was removed into Bedfordshire.
Here he was tempted to give up the work, but tbe
Lord condesccrtded to give him some visible fruit
ofhis labours, aud he was ertcouraged to go on.
He spent three years in Ireland, and at the Con
ference in 1777> he was appointed to labour at
^Edinburgh. The Lord gave him favour in the eyes
ofhis own countrymen, and his labours were blest
to many, out of the Society as well as in it.
But here he, was called to bear a severe trial,
The chapel in Edinburgh, which had been buik
but twelve years, was found to be in a ruinous
condition ; and he was so circumstanced, that he
was obliged to become bound for the expense of
the repairs, or the interest of Methodism would,
in that city, have been ruined. He soon found
himself debtor for five hundred pounds. In order
to extricate himself, and to pay this sura, he was
perraitted to travel through all the Societies in this
kingdom, to request the assistance ofthe brethrenji

t3

294 METHODIST
by which means he was released from his burden,
and the debt was discharged.
Mr. M'Nab was possessed of considerable imnis-r
terial gifts, and as a Preacher was universally
esteeraed and respected ; he was also sensible and
pious, and his labours proved a general blessing.
He continued to labour faithfully in the vineyard
till the year 17 80, when an unhappy dispute took
place between him and Mr. Wesley, respecting au
Irish Clergyman, who had left the Church, and
was at that lime in the circuit where Mr. M'Nab
was labouring, Mr. Charles Wesley entered seii-
ously into this business, and in the opiniort of
many, prevailed upon Mr. Wesley, conirary to his
judgment, to dismiss Mr, M 'Nab from the con
nection, At the next Conference, however, through the
honesty and influence of the Preachers, he was
restored again, and travelled a few years longer ;
but the wound he : had received not being healed,
he desisted, and settled at Sheffield. There he
resided for several years, and was the Pastor of k
small cpngregation who highly esteemed him ; and
there he finished his cpurse about the year 1797 •

ROBERT NAYLOR.
He was admitted on trial at the Conference »i
1778, and was appointed for the Norwich circuit.
He was a deeply pious, zealous, -active, lively

MEMORIAL. 29.5
young man ; and as a Preacher, was both accep
table and useful. He travelled but a short time,
forhe was caught away by a fever, iu the strength
ofhis years ; but it was in a good hour, for he
returned to Him whom his soul loved, in the full
assurance of faith, artd with the pleasing prospect
of a glorious immortality, in the year 1783.

JOHN NELSON.
This very extraordinary veteran in the cause of
Jesus Christ, was born at Birstal, near Leeds, in
Yorkshire, in the year 17Q7. He was awfully
alarmed with the thoughts of death and judgraent
when he was only ten years of age. The Lord
continued to strive with him by his Spirit for seve
ral years. He was often quite raiserable, but
knew not what he wanted. He went from. Church
lo Church, but could find no ease : he then went
to hear the Dissenters of different denominations,
but to no purpose. He likewise attended the Ro
man Catholic chapel, but was soon surfeited with
their way of worship. He then went among the
Quakers, earnestly entreating God all this tirae,
that he would not suffer him lo wander out ofthe
way, but that he would join him to a people who
worfhipped God in spirit artd in truth.
He at Jast heard that blessed man the Rev.
George Whitfield, in Moorfields, and he was unto
him as one that played well on an instrument ; yet
T 4

296 METHODIST
he did not fully understand hira. A short time
after he heard Mv. Wesley, and the wcrfd was with
power. He told hira the secrets of his heart,: and
then pointed hira to the Lamb of Gad- who taketh
away the sin of the world. In a few raonths he
obtained a clear sense of his acceptance with Grod,
and his soul was filled with peace and joy. He
was now wholly delivered from that fear of man
which bringeth a snare, and in the cause of truth
was as bold as a lion, I have already mentioned
in the Introduction to this work (see page 37) the
manner of his exercising in public.
He was soon employed by Mr. Wesley as an Iti
nerant Preacher, and his labours were much owned
of God, and proved a blessing to thousands.
He was a remarkably plain, honest, pious man.
His talents for the rainistry were not great ; yet, it
is said, he was raighty in the scriptures, artd his
zeal and fervor of spirit were such as rendered him
generally acceptable, and rauch respected. He
was often called before' Magistrates ; and suffered
much in defence of the truth. The answers hfe
returned to those who opposed him were frequently
very reraarkable ; so that it appeared, it was not
he that spoke, but the Holy Spirit which was in
hira. He faithfully artd successfully preached the Gos
pel in various parts of this kingdom fpr many
years; and in July, 1774, he finished his life and
labours very suddenly, at Leeds, in Yorkshire ; and
was interred at Birstal, the place of his nativity,

MEMORIAL, 297
The following are the particular circumstances
of Mr. NelsoTi's death, transmitted to the Rev. Mr.
Wesley, atthe time ofhis decease.
''Leeds, July 22, 1774.
" Last Mortday, about three o'clock, John Nel
son, coming in from dining with Mr. Jowat,*
went up into his room, and said to S. B. " I do not
know tbat Ibave been so well after dinner for a long
time." In a little while, being seized wilh a vio
lent purging and voraiting, he was helped to bed.
He had not been there long before he became in
sensible ; and died about half past four o'clock in
tbe afternoon.
" On Wednesday his remains were carried
through the streets oi Leeds, in his way to Birstal,
attended by thousands ! who were singing or
weeping 1 It was truly a very solemn season to
many, to see bim carried to his grave, who had
done and suffered so much in those parts for the
honor of God, and the good of men. But as he
died in the Lord, he now rests from bis labours, and
bis works do follow him.
" O how ought we all to be humbled, on seeing
the first instruments of the great revival of religion
in our day, called away so fast ! Lord, in mercy to
the rising generation, continue a constant succession of
holy and useful men, who shall not count their Uves
dear unto themselves — wben they may be spent for thy
dear sake."— -This pious prayer has been answered
* Mr. Jowat died, happy in God, at a very advanced age, at
Cdiriberwell, 'm SiirHy, in April, i8oi.

298 METHODIST
hitherto ; and, I trust, will conlinue to be answered
to the latest period of time. Amen.

JOHN NORRIS.
He came into the vineyard as an Itinerant
Preacher, at the Conference 1778. He was a
deeply pious man ; a Ipver and a witness Pf the
doctrine of Christian Perfection. He loved Grod
with all his heart ; and was wholly devoted to his
service. After spending about four years in calling
sinners to repentance, and preaching Jesus to a
lost world, he died, as he; had lived, full of faith
and the Holy Ghost, in the year 1782, at Ep^
worth, in Lincolnshire.

JAMES ODDIE.
He was brought lo a saving acquaintance with
divine things when very young, and at an early
period of life began to preach the everlasting Gos
pel. He came out to travel in the Methodist con
nection when the work was in its infancy.
He was a remarkably sensible man, of deep
piety, and of considerable talents for the work of
the Ministry. For many years he was a buming
and shining light ; and seemed wholly devoted to
God, and the service of the sanctuary. He ap
peared at tbat lirae a very serious, heavenlyj an4

MEMORIAL. 299
spiritual man ; and was eminentiy useful in the
hand of the Lord.
The following abstract of a letter, written in
the year 1760, is a clear proof that an excellent
spirit was then in him.
" The Lord Jesus is the desire of my heart, and
the object of my affections at all times. He many
times carries my spirit, all my powers, and affec
tions up unto hiraself, without any effort of my
owrtj andfixeth them in God, their proper centre.
Sometimes I find a silent stillness, the region of
the soul inconceivably calra, and all attention to
an indwelling and inspeaking God : then I could
keep always at the feet of Christ, and weep ray
life away. No one knows how raean and insigrti-
ficant I then see myself. I call myself a thousand
times foolish creature, weak and helpless worm.
The mediatorial undertaking of my Lord is never
so precious to me, as at such seasons. Though
there, is not a power in my soul, nor a thought in
my heart, as far as I know, which thwarts the will
of God ; yet I never see so clearly, as then, what
need I have of the death of Jesus. My obedience
is not by far, as broad as the coraraandraent ; for
this I need his precious blood. I feel rayself as
helpless as an infant of days : for this I need his
power. I conceive an infinite nuraber of snares are
laid for rae ; for the avoiding of which I need his
wisdora. I find rayself a tender, weakly branch,
far from raaturity ; for which I need the sap and
nourishment of the Blessed Vine, into which I feel

300 METHODIST
myself engrafted : yea, Christ is all in all to me.
I only desire, that I and others, may be more
and more conformed unto, and dependant upon
Christ." ,
But at last, his natural disposition, which was
covetousnessj so far gained the ascendancy over
him, that he desisted from the work ; and settled
in trade at Yarm, in Yorkshire, where he continued
for some years. He afterwards married, for his
second wife, the widow of that excellent man, Mr.
.Colbeck, of Keighley. This union proved eventu
ally an unhappy one,' and a separation took place
about the year 1785. He still, however, resided
at Keighley, but after that circumstance, had no
¦farther connection with the Methodists.-rrHe sunk
into great obscurity ; and a little before his death
.united himself to Mr. Atlay, at Dewsbury, where
he preached a short tiriie, and then was taken
away, I hope to the Paradise of God. But he
certainly was an awful proof, among raany others,
of the dreadful ' consequences which result from
leaving the path of duty, and the work unto which
the Lord had called hira.

JOHN OLDHAM.
He was a native of Manchester, and was among
the first Itinerant Preachers who assisted Mr^Wes-
ley. He was a very lively, zealous, active, pious
man. He insisted very earnestiy in his preaching

MEM OR I A L. 301
on a free, full and present salvation from all sin ;
and on this accourtt, fi'om sorae half-hearted pro--
fessors, he raet with considerable opposition.
He had a very infirra body, and was greatly
afflicted for sorae years. He lived for a long tirae
as upon the brink of death, and expected every
moment the call of his Lord. He therefore lived
in a state of habitual preparation for his solemn
change, and had his loins girded and his lamp
trimmed and burning. As he knew not the day
nor the hour when his Lord might call him, he
for some years carried with him a written account
of himself, in order that if he died On the road, it
might be known who he was.
After spending several years in the work of the
Mirtistry, he ended his isourse with joy, in the
year 1/66, and died very happy in the love of
God. His wife gives the following account of the cir
cumstances which accompanied his removal hence.
" Every round my husband took lately, being
doubtful when he took horse, whether he should
not drop by the way ; he carried a paper in his
pocket, telling who he was, and whither he was
going. This day five weeks, being ex;ceeding
weak, he feared he should not be able to preach.
But I said, ' My dear, go into tbe pulpit, and tbe
Lord will strengthen tbee.' And after he had spoke
a few words, the Lord did strengthen him ; nei
ther did he speak in vain : raany were coraforted,
and several justified — one of these said, 'He is

302 METHODIST
going soon to rest, and I shall go with bim.' Mr.
Oldham died irt full triumph the uext Lord's-day ;
and the above person about two hours after."

THOMAS OLIVERS.
He was a native of Wales, and was born in Tre-
gonan, in Montgomeryshire, in 1725. He was a
remarkably wild, wanton, wicked young man,
and Uved for raany years in a state of rebellion
against God. He was so uncoraraonly addicted to
the heinous vice of profane swearing, that he
somelimes raade the very wicked theraselves to
tremble at his oaths and blaspheraies. But such
was the inconceivable love of God, that his oaths
were turned into prayers, and his blasphemies into
praises ! " Is any thing too hard for thee
« Almighty Lord of all !"
Being in the city of Bristol, he saw a raultitude
of people, and he inquired of one of them, " Where
they had been P" He was answered, " To hear Mr.
Whitfield." Being informed that he was to preach
the next evenirtg, he resolved to go, and thathe
raight be in tirae, he went near three hours before
the service begau. When it began he did little
but look about hira, till he observed the tears to
trickle down the cheeks of sorae who stood near
hira ; upon this he began to be more attentive.

MEMORIAL. 303
The following is his own account of the change,
that, under that sermon was wrought in his raind*
" The text was. Is not this a brand plucked out of
tbe flre ? When the serraon began, I was certainly
a dreadful eneray to God, and to all that is good \
and one of the most profligate and abandoned
young men living : but by the time it was ended,
I was become a new creature : for in tbe first place
I was deeply convinced of the great goodness ofGod
towards me all my life ; particularly, in that he
had given his Son to die for me. I had also a far
clearer view of all ray sins ; particularly ray base
ingratitude towards him. These discoveries quite
broke my heart, and caused showers of tears to run
down my cheeks. I was likewise filled with an
utter abhorrence of my evil vvays, and was much
ashamed that I had ever walked in them. And as
my heart was thus turned from all evil, so it was
powerfully inclined to all good. It is not easy to
describe what strong, desires I had for God and his
service ; and what resolutions I had ' to seek and
serve him in future ; in consequence of which, /
broke off all my evil practices, and forsook all my
wicked and foolish companions, without delay ;
and gave n^self up to God and bis service with my
whole he/irt. O what reason have I to say, Is not
this a brand plucked out of the flre?" — All the ordi
nances bf God now becarae peculiarly delightful
to his soul ; but prayer was the eleraent in which
he lived : so earnest was he in this mean of grace,
that he says himself, " I was for sorae time, almost

304 METHODIST
continually upon my knees. By this means I soon
grew lame on one knee, and in a short time the
other failed, so that it was with difficulty I walked
at all. Andso earnest was I, that I used, bythe
hour together, lo wrestle with all the might of my
body and soul, till I almost expected to die on the
spot. What with bitter cries (unheard by arty but
God and myself) together with torrents of tears,
which were almost continually running down my
cheeks, my throat was often dried up, as David
says, andmy eyes literally failed while I waited for
God." .
Frora the lime of Mr. Oliver's conversion to
God, he felt an earnest desire to tell others what
a Saviour he had found ; and after sorae time he
began to preach.
Before his conversion he had contracted a great
number of debts, and by raeans of a severe illness
he had (the small-pox), they were greatly multi
plied. He therefore set out for his own country,
to receive a small fortune, which for some years
had lain in the hands of his uncle. As he passed
through the country he preached to most of the
Societies which lay in his way. As soon as he re
ceived the raoney, he bought a horse, and then
rode far and near to pay all which he owed in that
country. This raade a great noise, and confirmed
the people in their opinion, that the change which
was so obvious in him was of God.
In October 1753, Mr. Wesley sent him into
Cornwall, and from that period he gave himself

MEMORIAL. 305
wholly to the work of the Lord, and commenced
an Itinerant Preacher.
He was a very scrtsible, well-read mart, and a
remarkable good Preacher. His natural teraper
was very quick and warm, and soraetiraes he had
not the proper governraent of it : this occasioned
hira some trouble in some places where he laboured.
But in general he was both acceptable aud
useful. He corttirtued to travel till about the year 1775,
when he was appointed the Corrector of Mr. Wes
ley's Press, which office he filled for several years.
He wrote and published several small paraphlets,
which shew hira to have been a raan of considera
ble genius and parts. His discourse on Heb. ii. 3.
How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation,
is justly esteemed an admirable performance, and
is supposed by many to be, what he asserts in, the
.title-page, A full Reputation of the doctrine of
Unconditional Perseverance." He also com
posed that admirable hymn, " Tbe God of Abra
ham praise" which proves him to have been no
mean poet ; and was also a cortsiderable proficient
in music.
Mr. Oliver, for several years before his death,
had a small sum allowed hira by the Conference for
- his past services, and he acted as a Local-pteacher,
as, his strength would bear, till within a short tirae
of his death.
He died rather suddenly in the raonth of March,
1799, and was interred in the Rev. Mr. Wesley's
u

306 METHOblST
vault, in the New 'Chapel Bar^ihg^^toimd, CiPf-
Road, London.
The charaPter given of bim by thfe CPnfei?eitace
in the Annual Minutes, fully cottoborates the
above. " He died advanefed in yeafs. In his youngfelr
days he was a zealous, able and useful TVavelling
Preacher ; but fot a considerable part of his life,
he was employed by Mr. Wesley as the Corrector
pf his Press. His talents wfere very considerable,
and his attachraent to Mr. Wesley, and the cauSe
of Methodism, was fully evinced by several mas
terly publications."

THOMAS PAYNE.
He was born at Nailsworth, near Strdtid, ill
Glocestershire, in the year 174 1. His parents were
Particular Baptists, and were defeply pious, fiis
father made a triumphant end, and on his deSth-
bed gave his son Thomas his dying charge, and
offered up a prayer to God for hitn, which "W^as
sealed in heaven, and eventually answered in tbe
joy of his soul. Chiltijren of pious parents seldom
fail. In the year 17 59, he enlisted for a soldier. Me
was a person of considerable talents, and therefore
he was soon proraoted to sorae posts of honor and
¦emolument. This proved a great snare to his
soul ; however, he was savingly cortverted to G^d

memorial. 307
Svhile in the army, and after various struggles, and
fi-equent backslidings, he was at last confirmed
and established irt the grace of God, and soon be
gan to hold forth the word of life tp others.
In a short time after this he obtained his dis-
bharge from the army, and at the Conference in
1772, was received upon trial as an Itinerant
Preacher. He spent one year in London, and then
was sent into Ireland, where his labours were
owned of God, and crowned with abundant suc
cess. He continued to labour faithfully for the
good of souls till the year 1783, when it pleased
%\e Lord to take him to his great reward.
Mr. Charles Boone gives the following account
bf his last sickness, and thfe circumstances that
attended his happy exit.
" In the beginning of his illn^s, he had deep
impressions on his mind, that this affliction would
be unto death : the thought of which he often said^
was a reviving cordial to hira. As his bodily
weakness increased, his desire aiter full sanctificai
tion increased also ; for which his soul was deeply
engaged in constant, mighty prayer.
" About two months before his death, the ene
my was permitted lo assault him many ways ; but
one temptation in particular was very severe for the
time it lasted ; which was to doubt the being of a
God 1 But he was soon delivered frora it ; after
which he enjoyed much communion with the Fa
ther and with his Son Jesus Christ.
"About a fortnight before he died, he was led
u2

308 MfiTflODlST
to such a discovery of hiraself, as he never had
before : even all the sins he had ever coraraitted
were presented to him, attended with such a deep
sense ofhis weakness, and blindness, as raade hinj
exceedingly tremble. What gave him the greatest
pain was, that he had done the work of the Lord
in many instances, so rauch in his own warm spi
rit ; and not in the meekness and gentleness- of
Christ. This was attended with such a view ofthe
Majesty and Holiness of God, and the excellency
ofhis glory, as excited a veheraent cry in his heart
for the coming of Jesus, to make hira fiilly meet
for the enjoyment of hiraself. Our Lord soon
heard him : hjs faith beheld the Great Atoneni&it,
on which he received a whole Saviour, who applied
the all-cleansing blood to- his soul. He was now
filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory, and
experienced that compleat salvation he had so long
preached to others.
From this tirae his conversation was truly in
heaven : his exhortations and persuasions to all
that carae near him, to devote theraselves intirely
lo God, were delivered in such a powerful raanner
as made deep impressions on every heart.
" The day before his death, when Mr. RanBt
called to see hira, his soul was truly corafortable,
and after sorae conversation concerning the good
ness of God to hira, he said, " You are going to
preach: fell the people, tell the Societies, I die a wit
ness of the truth I have preached to others. And I
now solemnly declare, I beUeve ihe doctrine taught hy

MEMORIAL. 309
the Methodists, and tbe discipline they enforce, is
above all others, the best calculated to bring sinners to
God, and to keep them close to bhn"
" During the night he frequently spoke of the
love and power of God to his soul ; waiting patiently
for the coming of his Lord. About an hour before
he departed, Mrs. Payne, seeing him in an agony,
said, " My dear, you seem as if your heart was break
ing'' He replied, " Let it break ! Let it break I
But it is bard work to die !" After this hewas very
calm, and appeared to possess great serenity of
mind. But now the hour of his release came ;
vvhen he turned his eyes to Mrs. Thomas, and with
a piercing, yet pleasing look, said, " Lord have
mercy ! J Esvs saves to the uttermost — to
THE VERY uttermost ! Artd soon after, while we
were coraraending his soul to God, he fell asleep
in Jesus, January 6th, 1783, in the city oi Bristol.
He was a bold soldier for Jesus Christ. His na
tural temper was uncommonly vehement, but be-i
fore he went bertce all that vehemence was gone,;
and tbe lion was becorae a lamb. Such are the
wonderful effects of divine grace ! Pie fought the
good fight of faith, and has now laid hold on eter
nal life. Servant of God well done !

CHRISTOPHER PEACOCK.
The place that gave birth to this excellant
young man was Swaledale, in the North Riding of
u3

310 METHODIST
Yorkshire. He was born irt the year 1753. He
had serious irapressions from his very childhood ;
though when the Methodist Preachers went first
into that neighbourhood, in the year 1773, he was
sp deeply prejudiced against them, that hp would
not attend upon their ministry. In the following
year, however, he was prevailed upon to hear,
and it pleased God to awaken him to a sense ofhis
danger. His convictions were such that he could
not rest till the Lord manifested hiraself in mercy
tohis soul; whichhe did. in a few weeks: and
the change which had taken place was very coB'
spicuous, both to himself and others.
A short time after, his loye for souls being as a
flre in his bones,- he was constrained to speak to
pthers, and soon commenced a Preacher of the
faith of Jesus Christ. He was possessed of consi--
derable talents, and was very acceptable and use
ful among the people while he eontipued a Local-
preacher. At the Leeds Conference in 1781, he was admitT
ted upon trial as an Itinerant Preacher, and his
labours were crpwned with considerable success in
all the circuits where his lot was cast. He was
greatly beloved by the people for his unaffected
piety, his great love fpr souls, and his indefatiga
ble labpurs in the Ministry.
The following is the testimpny pf a perspn of
ponsiderable respectability artd piety. — " I can say
he was a very modest, well-behaved, self-deaying,
pious, devoted and laborious young man ; wfepsp

MEMpRlAL. 3il
hea.rt appeared to be always in heaven. He was
universally belpved by all serious people, and that
most justiy ; for I am persuaded no flaw was
feund in his character. I am. the more free to say
thus much of him, because he lodged at my housa
thiP whole year hip was at Yarm."
At the Conference in 1783, he was appoirtted
for Cork, in Ireland, where he laboured with, ap-
epiptartce, and to the great profit ofthe pepple- At
the subsequent Conference, in 1784, he was sent
to the city of Dublin, where he closed his race, and
was taken to reap the fruit of all his toil and suffer-.
ings below.
He laid the foundation of that sickness which
brought him to his end, by two journies into the
country in very severe weather ; but his word tbere
was made a blessing to many. The las;t Lpfd*s-
day he ever p^reacbed in Dublin,, it was remarkable
that he addressed the people with peculiar power
and unction, from those solemn words in Ezekiel^
xxxiii. 5.
In the beginning of February, he was taken ill,
and the disease soon prevailed so far as tp baffl^e the
skill of the physician, and medicine was of no,
avail. But he was not afraid pf death. The sting
wa.s gone, and he considered him as a messenger
of peace. He s^iic}, " My soul is preserved in peace,
and staid upon God. Ibave no anxiety respecting life
ar death ; nofe^ wf any kind" Being asked, '¦ Do
you feel Christ precious ?" He answered, " Yes."
" Are you as happy as when ypu were in health ?"
u 4

312 METHODIST
He replied, " Iam happier !" " Is Christ now pre
cious ?" Hesaid, " He is very precious." He con
tinued in this happy state tUl the Lord signed his
release from earth, and received him to his etemar
erabraces, on February 1 5th, 1786.
" How inscrutable," says a certain great man,
" are the dispensations of Providence ; when men,
who for disserainating the doctrines of the cross,
possess the first qualifications, are laid aside, or
cut off in the flower of their age, while others, far
below mediocrity, live till they becorae useless and
burdensorae."

BENJAMIN PEARSE.
He carae out as an Itinerartt Preacher at the
Conference 1784, and travelled eleven years in
England, Ireland, and the West-Indies, with an
unblaraeable character, and considerable success.
In his voyage frora Grenada to Barbadoes, in the
year 1735, he was seized wilh a putrid fever, and
died on his passage. Before he expired, he called
the Captain of the vessel, and said to him, " When
you arrive at Barbadoes, tell all ray friends that
I DIE HAPPY IN God.'' Thus he passed from the
ocean of life, into the peaceful harbour of ever
lasting repose.
The following particulars relating lo the death
of Mr. Pearse, were transmitted by Mrs. Pearse,
tp the Rev. Dr. Coke,

MEMORIAL. 313
" Irt great afiliction of mind I write these few
lines, to acquaint you with the death of ray dear
husband. He left Barbadoes on the 9th of February
(1794) for Grenada, He would not consent that I
should go with him on account ofthe war, Marti
nico being taken ; but wrote rae word that he
would come for me. Sorae friends from Dominica,
being at Barbadoes, before he left it, begged him
to write lo you on their behalf, shewing him a list
ofthe naraes of persons who wished to serve God.
Meeting with an opportunity of going from Gre
nada to that place, and from thence hither (Bar
badoes) he embraced it, that he might see how
matters stood, so as to acquaint you from his own
knowledge. They touched at Martinico, and
sailed from thence on the 26th of April. He was
taken ill on Monday the 28th, and left this world
on the Thursday night following.
My loss is great indeed ; but I trust far greater
is his gain. He has been a faithful servant of the
Lord. He did not count his life dear. I believe
the greatest desire of his soul was to labour in the
vineyard of his Lord. However, God, who does
all things well, has called him horae to his great
reward. Those about him say, he died truly
happy in the Lord, and exhorted them to prepare
for their latter end, that death might find them
ready, as he then was."

314 METHODIST
WILLIAM PENNINGTON.
He was born near Knaesborough; in Yorkshire,
about the year 1734. At the age of six years he
had deep convictions of his sinful state, and was
very frequently afraid to go to sleep, lest he should
awake in endless woe 1 But the Lord was pleased
to remove this terror, and it was sueeeeded by a
degree of peace.
His father, observing his serious concern and
deportment, often said, " My William, will become
a Methodist,- if any of that people should come
into this country."
A few years after, he heard a Minister preach a
sermon against the Methodists, in which he pointed
them out as a very dangerous people. This gave
Mr. Pennington much pain, and produced in his
mind an effect exactly contrary to that which was
intended : for he concluded the people who suf
fered this species of persecution were more proba
ble in the right, than he who treated them in this
unchristian-like manner ; and seeing sorae of thera
in the congregation, as soon as the service was
ended, he instantly attached hiraself to thera, and
walked with thera publicly through tbe street.
From the age of fourteen, he oraitted no oppor
tunity of receiving the Lord's Supper, and was fre
quently reraarkably blest in that ordinance.- In
general his mind was very happy, though, at that
tirae he was so ignorant of the doctrine of the
knowledge of salvation by the reraission of sinsj'

MEMORIAL. 315
that he looked upon the profession of it as the very
height of presumption. This ignorance of so im
portant a truth, however, was soon reraoved i for
being informed that a Methodist Preacher was to
preach in the neighbourhood, he erabraced Ih.e
opportunity of hearing hira, and so rauch was his
mind enUghtened, and his heart affected by that
discourse, that he immediately resolved,, This peo
ple shall be my people, and their God shall be niy God.
His father endeavoured by various methods, to
prevent his connections with the Society ; but Mr.
Pennington asked him in a raost dutiful, yet soleran
manner, " If be would be accountable for his soul at
tbe tribunal of Jesus Christ .*'" To which his father
answering, " No." " Then," said he, " hy the
grace of God I will seek and follow Divme guidance"
His father on this said, " He would not restrain
himj and that he raight use his own liberty with
regard to his future conduct." He did so, and
soon after went into another part of the country,
and opened a school, in which undertakiog Provi
dence seemed to smile on his labour, for he soon
obtained a considerable number of scholars ; and
was reraarkably happy in applying his abilities to
their intellectual and moral knprQvement.
At this time also he was appointed to meet a
Class, which met at some distance from his resi
dence. His appointraent, however, he regularly
attended, and found his own soul rauch quickened
and refreshed, while he was endeavouring to
miicken and refresh other*.

^16

METHODIST

Shortly after, the Lord opened a way for him to
exercise his ministerial abilities as an Itinerant
Preacher ; for he was recomraended by Mr. John
Hampson, to Mr. Wesley, who readily accepted of
hira. This was about the year 1 760. He raani
fested hiraself to be a young man of deep and ge
nuine piety, a pattern of godliness and all good
works. He laboured faithfully, and with consi
derable success for several years, both in this king
dora and in Ireland.
In the raonth of Noveraber 1767, he took a fever
in the city of DubUn, and set off iraraediately for
Athlone, his appointraent for the ensuing year.
There he languished about len days, and on the
22d ofthe sarae month, he was taken to his great
and eternal reward.
Through the violence of his disorder, he could
not speak much during his affliction, but from
what he did say, it very evidently appeared, he
had very great discoveries of the Divine holiness,
and strong assurances of future glory. A httle
before he expired, he was enabled to cast his be
loved wife and his darling child upon the good
providence of God. He expressed his confidence
in the Lord concerning them, and repeated a va
riety of proraises applicable to their situation,
which he pleaded with great earnestness before thc
Lord. His remains were deposited in the church-yard
at Athlone, and the following scripture engraved
on his tomb : :

MEMORIAL. 317
The law of trutb was in bis' mouth, and miquity
was not found in his Ups : he walked with me in peace
and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.
Malachi ii. 6.

VINCENT PERRONET.
This very venerable raan was the Vicar of Shore
ham, in Kent, and is certainly entitled, on various
accoiirtts, to a conspicuous place amongst the
brightest ornaments of the Christian Church in the
last century. For though he was possessed of ta
lents and accomplishments which would have qua
lified him to have filled any station with dignity,
and bis connections in life were such, that he had
good reason lo expect considerable preferment,
yet as soon as the glorious light of the Gospel vi
sited his mind, he instantly renounced every pros
pect of temporal advantage, counting all things
but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of
Christ Jesus his Lord. And frora that moment he
unreservedly devoted himself to the glory of his
Redeemer, and the irtterests of the Church mili
tant. Many will recollect the manly and exalted na
ture of his piety, bis Christian courtesy, andthe
cheerfulness and sweetness of his disposition and
deportment. And as he was one of the mosl aged
Ministers of Christ in this kingdom, so he was
inferior to none, either in the fervor of his spirit.

318 metHodis'J
the simplicity of his manners, or the ancient hos
pitality of the Gospel. At the same lime^ those
W'ho were favored with his friendship, can never
forget the delicacy and refineraent of his senti*
ments, and the frankness and generosity of his
temper. Qualities which are not to be expected
but from great and liberal minds.
If it be inquired. Why I presurae to class this
Very excellent mart araong tliose who are recorded
in these memoirs ? I answer. Because Mri Perrt'-
net, though not an Itinerant Preacher, was in the
closest connection with the MethodiStfe. He be
lieved, erabraced, and defended their doctrines
and discipline, both frora the pulpit artd the prfess 5
he entertainfed the Preachers in his own hpn^e,
and a room was set apart, where they expounded
the scriptures and called sinners to repehtancse.
An indissoluble union subsisted between him and
the Mr. Wesleys, which remained inviolate to the
end of their lives.
Mr. Perrotiet was born in London, Dec, 11, J 693.
He was remarkably studious from his infancy, and
very early in life desired to devote hiraself to God
in the Ministry. Before he went to the Univer
sity at Oxford, he spent some tirae at an academy
in the North of England, in a very retired situa
tion, that he might pursue his studies withPUt
interruption. When he was twenty-four years bf age, he ell*
tered into holy orders, and was appointed to the
Curacy of Sundrich, in the county of Kent, ¦ which

Memorial. 3I9
he Served about nine years. He was then pre
sented to the Vicarage of Shoreham, in the sarae
county, of which place he continued the faithful
and laborious Minister upwards of fifty years.
It appears that the Spirit of Goti had very 'early
visited his mind, and by powerful impressions and
awful drearas, had convinced him of sin, righte
ousness, and <f judgment. At that time the light of
the Gospel shone very dimly in this country ; there
were a few secret ones who experienced the power
of religion ; but in general, these were like the
gleaning grapes when the vintage is piast : and it
does not appear that Mr. Perronet was for many
years in the way of those who could direct his
views with respect to the great doctrines of the
Gospel. In the year 1746, he became acquainted with
the people called Methodists : he had heard some
of the vague reports that were busily circulated to
their disadvantage, and had imbibed some degree
of prejudice against tbem ; but his prejudices were
greatly removed by conversirtg with a Mr. Wat
kins (who was in the Methodist connectiort), by
whora he sent a very friendly invitation to Mr.
Wesley and his brother, to visit hira.
It pleased God not long before this interview, in
the month of May, to call Mr. Perronet lo a very
severe trial by the death of one of his sons. Who
died with his heart full of prayer and love, at the
•age of twenty-two. He was unspeakably happy,
and his evidences were bright for heaven. He

320 METHODIST
told his honored and beloved father on his death
bed, " I have seen glorious things I I cannot tell
you now, but I shall hereafter ! I am afraid (said
he) that Igave you uneasiness when you saw me
in that agony, but I had all the powers of dark
ness let loose upon me, and you might fear that I
did not understand what you said to rae in my dis
tress, but I did, and it was a great comfort to me.
I have seen my brother Daniel, and my two little
sisters, and they are high in glory, and mighty in
power ! He died crying, Come Lord Jesus, comsi
aUICKLY !",
The family being thus prepared, in September
following the Lord sent the Methodists to Shore
ham. From the first interview Mr. Perronet had with
Mr. Wesley and his brother, all his prejudices va
nished away, and he determined " this people shall
be my people, and their God my God."
The more Mr. Perronet became acquainted with
Mr. Wesley, and his proceedings, and the whole
ceconomy of the Methodists, the more his admira
tion was increased, and the more ardently he set
himself to proraote and defend a plan, so benevo
lent and useful in its nature, and so raanifestly
calculated to proraote the happiness of mankind,
lo revive genuine Christianity in the land, and to
restore the simplicity and piety of the primitive
tiraes. The influence of those evangelical principles
which he had now received, began soon to ap-

MEMORIAL. 321
pear ; and his concerrt for the salvation ofhis peo
ple, was manifested by repeated and earnest exhor
tations to secure their eternal interests ; which he
pressed upoh them with the utmost fervor and im
portunity. Having received the Gospel in ils power artd
purity, he began to ihirtk it to be his duty to
bear witness lo the truth, and to make an open
pfofession of it befbre the whPle world. With
this view he published sorae reflections on the na
ture of Original Sin, Baptism, Regeneration, Repen
tance, tbe New-Birth, Faith, Justification, Christian
Perfection, (or Universal Holiness,) and the Inspiration
of tbe Spifit. These were inscribed to the Arch
bishops and Bishops of England.
In the year 1763, a regular Society was formed
at Shoreham according to the Methodist plan ; the
Preachers from that time attertded every week, and
Mr. Perronet gladly gave them the right hand of
fellowship, and afforded them every encourage
ment. About the year 1770, the work of God began
to revive at Shoreham, and it continued in a pros
perous state the reraainder of Mr. Perronet's life.
The Society, which consisted of sixty or seventy
persons, was formed into three Classes, which all-
met at the same hour in Mr. Perronet's house.
He greatly rejoiced in their prosperity, and was
indeed gentle among them as a nurse cherisheth
her children, tenderly mirtistering to their spiritual

322 METHODIST
necessities, and supplying their temporal wants
to the uttermost of his power.
He continued for many years an example to all
around hira, of patient diligence irt his Master's
work, and affectionate zeal for the good of souls.
He often said, that he considered it as a singular
honor conferred upon him, to be a daily labourer in
~ihe Lord's vineyard : Rpferringi I presume, to his
custom of explaining part of the scriptures every
morning at five o'clock, (afterwards at se'ven) to as
raany as would attend ; which he continued to
do as long as he was able, to the great comfort of
many souls.
He suffered much from increasing age and infir
mities ; yet he never declined any part ofhis pub
lic work, till the latter end of the year 1778; and
from that time till his death, which was upwards-
oisix years, he was never out ofhis house. During
the last five years ofhis life, he continued to preach
a weekly lecture every Sunday evening in his own
bouse, and a peculiar unction commonly attended
his word at those seasons.
He was obliged entirely to give up preaching for
many months before his death ; and during that
tirae, he was only able to raove frora his study to
his bed-charaber ; which he continued to do to the
last day of his life.
Mr. Wesley mentions the last visit hp paid him,
in his journal for 1784.
" Thursday, Dec. 9. At Shoreham we found that
venerable man Mr. Perronet, ninety-one years of age,

MEMORIAL. 323
calmly waiting for the conclusion of a good war
fare. His bodily strength is gone, but his under
standing is little irapaired, and he appears to have
more love than ever."
The winter of 1785, is thought by some to have
been one of the severest ever known in England.
The severity of the weather very sensibly affected
Mr. Perronet, and he began visibly to decline.
Towards the latter end of April, there appeared
some reason to hope that, he would in sorae degree
recover his strength. He seemed better in every
respect, and began to resume his studies on the pro
phetical parts of scripture, which for some months
he had been unable to pursue. During this period,
the joy of the Lord was indeed his strength, and
every moment seemed employed in praise and
prayer. On Saturday May 7, 1785, he appeared reraark
ably cheerful. In the afternoon he desired his
grand-daughter to leave him alone. W hen she re
tumed, she observed an inexpressible sweetness
and animation in his countenance ; he smiled, as
she entered the room, while at the same time tears
of joy ran down his venerable face ! He desired her
to peruse the three last chapters of the Prophet
Isaiah, which he told her he had been reading ; — •
and that he had such a glorious view from them,
ofthe great things the Lord was going to do upon
the earth, as had filled him with joy and wonder.
The next day was a Sabbath much to be remem
bered : the souls of many were particularly watered
x2

324 METHODIST
under the word, a,nd refreshed in the prdinai^ipe?'!
Mi;". Perronet. continued in the same heaveply dis
position as on the preceding day. He saw an4
conversed with several of the people, who came to
a,ttend upon th© public worship. His bodily pain
was gone, a^nd his spirits were unusually lively ; so
that a general hppe prevailed, that his valuable life
would have been considerably lengthened. But
the Lord's thpughtsand designs wpre far otherwise I
That evening when his grand-daughter attended
him, as uspal, and went to take leave of him fbr
thp night, after he was in bed, he began, to bless
her, in. a manner that can never be forgotten, in
words nearly as follow : — " The Lord ble^s you, rny
deaf — a'nd. all that, belqng to yciu ! — Yes, he will!
I know h^e vp.ill !" These words he repeated
many times, and even after she left the room, she
heard h^m continue distinctly to repeat the same
words. Thus was he parted from her in the act af blessing!
For the next morning, May Qth, when she entered
his chamber, she found the imraortal spirit was
flown to the Paradise of God !
His reraains were interred the Saturday follow;-/
ing. May 14th, in the same graVe with bis beloved
wife and daughter, by Mr. Charles Wesley, in the
parish church of Sharebam. Mr. Wesley, preached
his funeral sermon the next day, from Psalm
xxxviif 37. Mark the perfect man, and.beboldthe.i^r,
right ; for the end, of that man is peace.
4.fter Mr. Perronet's decease, some that had no.

MEMORIAL. 323
^od-will to Sion, began to predict that, now the
shepherd was gone, the sheep would be scattered : but
the Lord has been mindful of them. A pious yPklng
man resides there as Curate, a small Methodist So
ciety still contirtues, aud the Travellirtg Preachfers
regularly visit them.
Mr. Perronet (sayS his biographer) waS bf a warm
artd gcrtcrous dispositiou, artd possessed hiuch
cheerfulness and vivacity : after he becamfe expe
rimentally afcquainted with ihe po^er ofthe Gospel,
he devoted every talent with which he was entrus
ted, to the Service of God, in the most unreserved
manner. Simplicity and godly sincerity weffe the lead
ing traits in his character. He excelled in uncom
mon resignation to the divine will, \f hich appeared
on the most tryirig occasions. This Was the prinpi-
ple which enabled him to persevferd irt doing all
in his power to promote the hottof artd glory ofGod,
through many and great distouraigements ; he well
knew that duty belongs to than, and that the event
should be left with God. And though the succfeSs
he ardently wished fOr, did not follo'W his lab'diXrs,
yet he continued unwearied in the patience df hope,
and confidently believed, that tbe setd sown, would
in diie season spring up ; and fhat the brehd cd'si upon
the water, would be fbUnd after rhany days. He
was a raan of mUch prayer, and daily continued in
supplicatioiis and intercessions: He made it a rule
to remferaber great numbers before the throne of
grace, aS well as the Church of Christ, the Nation,
and the World at large. X 3

326 METHODIST
For the last twenty years of bis life, he enjoyed
deep coraraunion with God ; and such a degree of
fellowship with the Father and the Son, as few
Christians are favored with. He liyed chiefly in
his study, for he loved retireraent, and was given
to application. His favorite study was the fulfil
ment of the prophecies, and the coming of Christ's
kingdom upon earth. He had large and animating
views of the glorious millennium ; and believed
that it would not be many years before the king
doms of this world, would indeed become ihe king
doms of our Lord and of bis Christ. — He used fre
quently to say to those about him, " I shall see
those great things out of Paradise ; you may live to see
them, upon earth C .All awful events he heard of,
all fresh proofs of the power and mercy of God,
he considered as signs of the times, as tokens that
the coming of the Lord drew near.
As long as his health perraitted, he watched like
a faithful shepherd over his flpck, warning the
careless, visiting the sick, and instructing the igno
rant. In the pulpit he was fervent and faithful,
and always used great plainness of speech, ior he had
one end in view, to win souls to Christ. As he had
a great coramand of scripture language, so it was
ever the joy of his heart lo be publishing the sal
vation of the Lord lo others. To a soul who was
thus employed on earth for so many years, the
trartsition to heaven, where Saints are uninterrup
tedly employed in the service of God, must have
been glorious indeed.

M E M O R I A L. 327
CHARLES PERRONET.
He was the son of the Rev. Vincent Verroyiet,
Vicar of Shoreham. His father was a raost affecti
onate parent to all his children, but the subject of
this memoir, is said to have been his favorite son :
probably, because of his early piety, uncommon
seriousness, and entire devotedness to God.
I am sorry that I am not able to present my rea
ders with a more accurate account of this very
extraordinary man : (for such he undoubtedly was.)
It is, however, obs'erved, that of his father's nume
rous family, Mr. Charles Perronet was most disfin-
guisbed for strength of understanding, feebleness
of constitution, and a deep acquaintance with the
mysteries pertaining to the kingdom of God. His
experience inthe Divine Life, was of a very extra
ordinary kind. He drank very deeply into the spirit
of holiness, and for sorae years enjoyed uninter
rupted communion with the Father, and with bis
Son Jesus Christ.
I am not able to ascertain the time of his begin
ning to handle the word of life, and to preach
eternal truths to men ; but he waS a workman tbat
needed not to he ashamed ; and was greatly owned
of God in the work of the Ministry.
In the year 1770, (as has been already noticed
in the life ofhis venerable father) there was a con
siderable- revival of genuine religion at Shoreham ;
and Mr. Charles Perronet was made a particular
instrument of tbis revival. Some account of which,
x4

328 METHODIST
though imperfect, he has left, in a letter to the
Rev. Mr. Wesley.
As he intcrtded to have published it, had he
lived to finish it, he has prefixed a short Preface,
which I shall raake no apology for inserting, also
the letter, as they will tend to elucidate the char
racter of this excellent man.
" Those who know," says he, " what Shorehfm
was, and that cortsider the nature of the a,ccount,
will view it as a rich cluster of grapes from a bar
ren wilderness, and glorify the Power, that hath
done all these things.
" I cannot but consider this narrative as a rnost
remarkable display of the ppwer of God's Spiri,t ;
and what is calculated to do much good. To mp
jt appears most eminently fo shew forth. i&« good
ness to the children of men.
" In particular, it tends lo encourage sinners to
return lo God ; to animate the righteous by the
experience of others ; to excite labourers to perse
verance, though they see no fruit of their labours ;
and to explain one great cause, why the word
preached is often unprofitable : even the want of
affection, condescension, and private assiduity, which
are such indispensable requisites lo be joined with
public preaching. We who are by office, the
chief, are to remember vve are last and servants of
all, and to be patterns to the flock, of following
Jesus, in all meekness and lowliness of heart,
" It also tends much lo the raisiug our expectai-
tipR pf an putpoufing of the Hply Spirit; that

MEMORIAL. 329
grace which is the promise of thc Gospel-day, not
for one only, but for all that call upon the name of
the Lord.
" Most earnestly recomraending it to the Divine
blessing, may all that behold what thc Lord hath
done, be made partakers of the same mercy, for
Ihe sake of ourLord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
The letter is dated October 15, 1772.
" I shall now relate a more particular account of
our affairs than you have had before.
" Our faraily settled here about five and forty
years ago, and have been ever since oppressed by
an unjust people. About four and thirty years we
were an offence to the place, on account of reli
gion ; and during the last twenty^six, have been
their derision for the sake of Methodism. For ihis
we glorify God. Let them cast out our narae as
evil. The wicked can profit the righteous only by
persecution ! It will make our reward great, — if
we are feithful to the end.
" The plainness and simplicity of the people
had been corrupted before our time, by two fami
lies that introduced dress and other luxuries.
" The first seventeen years of Methodist preach
ing here, the smallness of the congregation, and
want of the life of religion, made us the derision
of them that hated us.
" Things had long borne an unpromising ap
pearance, and all labour seeraed to be lost. Then
^& work revived ; and still more so three years
afterwards. But the chief increase has been the

330 METHODIST
last three years : and tiow, every day is bringing
greater things to pass.
"A year ago, the offence of the Gospel began t6
cease, and religion to be honorable. Labour, aud
supplication, and sorrow, and reproach for Christ's
sake, are seed fpr a Gospel harvest, and spring up
when hope fails.
" Our place contains above an hundred and fifty
families, out of these about an hundred, and fifty
persons attend the word, including a few from
other parts, and so intent are they upon hearing,
that such as cannot get within, will bear the seve
rity of all weathers without. '
" The heads of the parish begin to come, and
others that were the raost inveterate ; and one and
all bear such plainness of speech, that gives hope
of fruit in due season. Sorae that had sat long
under the word lono profit, are awakened ; back
sliders return to the Society, and a low degree of
benevolence to the poor begins to appear. Vice
bides its head with sharae, and those that before
raade us their derision, now fly at the sight of us.
" Shoreham has long been the aversion and de
sire of the neighbouring parishes. Such as loved
righteousness thought, that to live in Shoreham
was all that could be desired, and would take any
pains to spend, if but a day with us : but the
haters of religion shunned it, and cried, " You will
make us mad."
" The reforraation seen in some of the most no- ,
torious is talked of by many. The wicked begin

MEMORIAL. 331
to own that our design must be good, and that the
place ought lo profit more by the pains that is
taken with it. If any seem near their end, their
ungodly friends inquire if they are fit to die, and
advise them lo turn Methodists, as the best thing
for dying well : and some who came into great
trouble, sent with tears to beg our praypis. Such
is the saving efficacy of Jesus, that where his narae
is preached, it diffuses grace to those who are lar
from God ; and they that seem not to regard, yet
shew they honor righteousness, and learn to be
afraid to die in sin.
" O ut of three public-houses, two receive us to
pray in their families ! Many young children de
light in hearing the word, and being privately
instructed.1 The schools, one of boys, the other
girls, have begun prayer, singing hymns, and re
ligious instruction. Instead of their former rude
ness to us, the children are in great awe ; and
those that can scarce walk, delight lo pay re
spect."  Here the letter .abruptly breaks off,
which was doubtless intended to have contained
other interesting and important intelligence. But
it contains enough to evince, that there was a great
work of God in Shoreham ; that Mr. Charles Per
ronet's heart was wholly engaged in that work,
while at the same time it demonstrates his great
humility, who, though he was the ^nW/^*?/ instru
ment, gives not the roost distant hint of it through
out the whole narrative. Suffice it for a good
man, that his record is on high, and that his
works are known to God

332 METHODIST
It pleased the Lord for a long time to exercise
this blessed raan with affliction, which rendered
hira incapable of public labour in the vineyard. Mr.
Wesley remarks in his journal for 1775. " Thurs
day, Dec. 14, I returned to Canterbury, and had a
long conversation with that extraordinary man,
Charles Perronet. — ^What a mystery of Providence !
Why is such a Saint as this, buried alive by conti
nual sickness ?"
He wrote a number of small pieces on religious
subjects, which have appeared at different times,
in the Methodist Magazine, particularly in volume
the fourth ; which shew him to have been a man
of considerable thinking, reading, and experience.
A letter is published in the second Volume of the
Methodist Magazine, page 199, " On Coinmunion
with the Father and the Son," in which he mentions
his own extraordinary experience on that deep sub
ject. The letter is loo long for insertion in this
work, but it will be well worth the perusal of the
pious, who can have access to it.
We shall not wonder to hear that a man bf such
deep acquaintartce with God, and of such intife
devotedness tohis service, should raake a glorious
and triuraphant end. Mark the perfect man, and
behold the upright ; for the end of that man is peace.
The Rev. Mr. Perronet, his venerable father,
says, " My dear Charles, after wearing out a weakly
constitution, in the mosl unwearied endeavours to
bring many lo Christ, breathed out his pioUs
soul in those remarkable words of his dear Lord,

MEMORIAL. 333
Father, into thy baaids I commend my spirit. May
all he has left behind, follow on through grace to
glory !"
But the following account of the death of this
good man (though, as he calls it, imperfect) is
given by Mr. Charles Boone. He says, " larrived
here (Canterbury) just time enough to attend the
funeral of our dear friend, Mr. Charles Perronet,
who died on Monday, August 12, 1776, about
seven o'clock in the morning.
" It may afford matter of joy to many, to give a
littie account of his experience some time before
his departure. It is well known that he had been
long subject to great affliction ; but his affliction
increased with his years. In April last, God laid
his hand sorely upon him, and caused hira to pass
through the fire of a burning fever. This left him
very little use of his limbs, and in. a very weak
state of body. But the strength and vigour of his
soul, were such as I never saw before. All his
expressions were those of a soul lost and swallowed
up in God. Oft have I sat with pleasure and asto
nishment to hear hira repeat what God had done
for his soul. He often told rae, * This affliction is
tbe best I ever had. God bas revealed to me bis
pjow£r, bis love, and excellence, in so great a measure,
tbat no tongue is able to express it' He then broke
out into such glorious descriptions of the worth,
the merit, the preciousness of Christ, as I never
heard before. He frequently repeated, ' I have
uninterrupted fellowship witb God; and Christ is

334 METHODIST
ALL, AND IN ALL, TO ME.' A Variety of equally
strong expressions were continually dropping from
his lips. He was a Uving and dying witness of the
blessed doctrine he always defended, I raean. En
tire Sanctification. About a week before he died,
he told several friends, (and among the rest his
brother, Mr. Edward Perronet) that God had
given him an entire new nature ; that he felt no
thing contrary to the will of God, nothing contrary
to holiness. " God (says he) has purged rae from
all my dross, — all is done away : I am all
LOVE 1"
A particular friend asked hira, " How was this
work wrought in you ? He replied, " You know
God has long been at work with rae in a peculiar
way, but the work I am now speaking of was
wrought in one moment. I was pouring out my
soul to God, that he would give me a full meetness
for himself. He answered my request, and gave
what I desired." From that moraent he lived, he
spoke, he appeared as in eternity. And it was
remarkable that though he suffered much in life,
he suffered nothing in death. As he was easy the
day before he died, so he was the raorning before
he departed. He changed in a moraent, and had
just time to say, " / am dying : into tby bands, 0
Lord, I commend my spirit."
An EPITAPH on Mr. CHARLES PERRONET.
Here lies, who late a living emblem lay
Of human greatness, in a tent of clay ;

MEMORIAL. 335
A pilgrim, wandering through this desart wild.
Weak as a reed, and helpless as a child :
Whose strengtheh'd arm by faith untaught to yield.
Oft foil'd the tempter, and maintain'd the field.
In wars without, in warring fears within.
He conquer'd terror, as he conquer'd sin ;
Look'd for himself to Him, whose potent breath
Can light up darkness, or extinguish death :
Dart from his eye destruction on the foe.
And make hell tremble as she hears the blow :
He look'd, and found what all who look receive,
Strength to resist, and virtue to believe ;
Meek to endure and suffer from his God
The tender chast 'nings of a Father's rod :
While thus corrected, as by pain refin'd,
His spirit groan'd to leave its dross behind :
The dross is left — no more his spirit mourns,
But spreads her wings, and to her Ark returns :
Great Ark of rest — the sufferer's bright abode ;
¦The Arms of Jesus, and the Ark of God.

EDWARD PERRONET.
He was the brother of Mr. Charles Perronet, and
possessed equal powers with him, to which was
superadded a large fund of wit ; but he pursued a
different path in life.
Wit is a dangerous thing to those who do not
live under the sacred and benevolent influences of
the Spirit of God. Those who give place to its
sallies, must inevitably fall into freedoms and an
indecorum, which iil become the sacred character
of the Ministers of Christ, and are ill adapted

335 METHODIST
to proraote the sublime ends propotfed by the
Gospel. Edward survived his excellent brother many
years. He resided at Canterbury, and there
preached to a sraall congregation of Dissenters.
He is said, though the son of a Clergyraan, to
have been a notorious eneray to fhe Hierarchy oi
the Church of England; and some times employed
his pen in satirizing it. He was the author
of an anonymous poem, called "The Mitre;"
which is generally supposed to have been oiie of
the keenest satires on the National EstabUshment,
that was ever written. It was printed, but the
publication ofit was suppressed, it is said, bythe
influcrtce, and al the request ofthe Rev. JoM Wesley,
Mr. Edward Perronet finished his cPurSe at
Canterbury, about the year 1791 3 and Iam happy
to say, that in his last illness, he was brought to a
deeply serious and humble temper ; and at lengthy
through the mercy of God in Christ, died as he
should have lived. Both Charles and Edward
Perronet were Itinerant Preachers, in the Metho
dist connection, for a short time. The former de
sisted for want of health> and the latter for want
of raore piety.

JOHN PRICKARD.
He was born in Pembrokeshire, in Wales, in the
year 1744. In the year 1768, he was defiply

MEMORIAL. 337
awakened, and was enabled to forsake his sinful
courses, and to turn unto the Lord with all his
heart, and with all his Soul.
He united himself to the people called Metho
dists in the month of December, in the same year ;
and sought the Lord in great earnestrtess, Irt a
few weeks, he was made a happy partaker ofthe
knowledge of salvation by the remission of his sins ;
and he rejoiced abundantly in the God of his sal
vation. In the latter end of the foUowirtg suraraer he was
appoirtled a Class-Leader, in which office he was
faithful, and was made a blessing to many. The
Society soon increased, and he was requested to
take the charge of another Class, and also to super
intend the Prayer-meetings ; in all which means
he was greatly encouraged, and his soul prospered
abundarttly. It was thcrt impressed upon his mind to give an
exhortation, which he did ; and he went on in his
way rejoicing.
- Irt the year 1770, he was prevailed upou lobe-
gin to preach. He now began to be much exer
cised irt his mind respecting his call to the work.
He was afraid of running before be was sent ; as I
believe all are who are truly called ofGod. I have
often seen Mr. Charles Wesley's words verified in
certain characters I have met with, in the course of
my itinerant labours.

338 MBTHODIST
" How ready i& the man to go
Whom Gpd- hath never spt>t ?,
How tim'rous, dijidcnt,, mi4 s^op.
, .His chfisen instrument I".
The latter was the, case with Mr. Ptrnkfled, bufetjjo
Lord bore testimony to his word, and offered hiiiia
indubitable evidence that He had eallpd! him. to
preach his Gospel ; for he was. rendei;ed usefiil tp
many souls. is::
He continued to exercise his talents as a Loed-'
preacher, though frequently with much fear ^d
trembling, till the Conference 1 774 ; when he was
adraitted upon trial aa an Ilineraiit Pseacherj and
was appointed to labour in the Glamorgan circuit
In a letter he wrote to Mr. Wesley, on the subjCct.bJff
his going to travel), hp observes, ^' I have reconsin
dered the matter veiy; seriously. And, first, I sect
plainly that preachirig constantly in one 'plaeJas
would not be so piroiitable eitiiear to the. peopleior
myself. Secondly, as my health is impaired, I be-,
lieve that riding will be of service to. me. Abojr©
all, I find a desire to, be wholly given, up to tihe
blessed work of calling sinners, lo repentance^:
compared to which, gaining the whole world is
not worthy a thought t" Surely a man that set onfc
in this spirit, and who was influenced by such-
motives, must needs be owned of God ! s
Mr. Prickard, in his. life, published in theMe:'
thodist Magazine, vol. 11 and 12, mentions a li)t-.
tie before this lime the loss of a friend, who had
been to him as his own soid ; Mr. Watkins, oi

M E M O il I A L. Sag
Lahusk. *' He had been," he says, " a zealouS
Preacher for twenty years, and had enjoyed the
love of God uninterruptedly' for four and twenty
years. He hkd liken grPat pains with me from our
fLtit aoquaint^fice. Wheii I took riiy last farewell
of him, he said, " O my dear John (With tear^
flpvving from Ks eyes) fhe enemy strives lo have
my life ; but it is .hid with Christ in God !"
He died soon after in the fiill triumph of
faith." ¦
In the year 1773, while Mr. Prickard was tra
velling in Ireland, he received a letter respecting a'
mission to Africa. As soon as he had read the
letter, he felt a strong desire to offer himsdlf to gpf
vip'on that impbrtant work. " Yet," says he, " my
nature shuddered at the thought of leaving father
and mother, brothers and sisters, friends and coilm-
try- : but especially my dear brethren in Christ, t
also dreaded the intense heat of the sun by day^
and the damps by night ; which 1 had heard were
in general fatal to an European constitution. In
this dPep' distress^ I prayed to the Lord, that he
would give me direction and strength. The next
moiiiing I went to church, when one ofthe Psalms
for the day was the I2lst : in reading it I viewed
it as an answer to my prayer. But when we camp
tb^ the fifth verse. The Lord himself is thy keeper j
the Lord is thy defence upon thy right, band. So that
the sun shaU not hum tbee by day, neitber the moort'
hyfiigbt', &c" my soul was so overwhelmed with

y2

340 Methodist
divine love that I could no longer doubt of the will
ofGod concerning me."
Plaving received, as he tlioUght, this clear an
swer to his prayer, he hesitated, no longer, but
offered hiraself freely and fully to go, if approved
of hy Mr. Wesley and the Conference. They,
however, did not approve of the raission itselfj and
consequently the matter was laid aside. But Mr.
Prickard was of the opinion, that they were too
cautious, and soraetiraes was led to think tbat be
cause they would not give hira u^ at all hazards
to the Lord, that He therefore permitted himto be
afflicted in the raanner he was. For he had two
violent fevers imraediately afler, and was rendered
incapable of doing much in the vineyard for two
years 1
He continued to travel till the year 1781, when
he was appointed for the Lynn circuit. At that
Conference I was appointed for the Grimsby circuit,
in Lincolnshire, aud passirtg through ZyMw on my
way to my circuit, I met with Mr. Prickard, and
was much benefited by his Christian conduct and
conversation. I spent the Lord's-day there, prin
cipally with him, and at two o'clock in the after
noon, I went with him into the Market-place,
where he attempted to preach to a huge multitude
of souls, who were as wild as the untaught Indian's
brood. They procured a large quantity of eggs,
which they bestowed pleutifuUy upou us. Mr.
Prickard bore all their insults with the meekness
of a lamb, and continued his discourse till his

MEMORIAL. 341
voice could be heai*d no longer: he then' gave
over, and we walked through the raidst of the
mob, tp Brother Keed's. They followed us all the
way shoutirtg like infernal ispiritSj and after we
Were in, they beset the house. But be who stay
eth the raging of the sea, stilled the madness- of the
people, and they were permitted to proceed no
further. As I was just setting' out to travel, my ob
serving the spirit: of Mr. Prickard in the raidst of
aill this reproach and persecution, had a good
eflfect upon my mind, and tended to inspire me
w;tth a degree! of 'courage which I did not possess
before. In the Lynn circuit, Mr. Prickard caught a vio
lent fever, by which he was confirtcd for a consi
derable time ; and-from the effects of which he
never totally recovered.
• In the couirsei of the year, being no longer able
to travel j he removed to London, and was kindly re
ceived by Mr. Wedey, where likewise all possible
means were used for bis recovery. He took a voyage
io Ireland, but all was in vain. A little before his
death, he wrote as follows : " I ofi:en thought with
great comfort on Mr. Charles Wesley's words:
* Young cmd healthy Christians are generally called to
glorify God by being active, in doing bis will; but
oldand infirnt JCbristians in suffering it.' Lord let
me but glorify thee, and choose thou the manner !
Only give me strength, and I will bless thy narae.
I. bless my kind Redeemer, that he has given me
full confidence^ .that he will not reraove me henpe
y3

342; M,ET»ODTS;T
till I am made ready. [ And I am fully pessuaded
it is the privilege of ffij^ that are born ofGod, to be
saved from all sip j and' to live in the full enjoymenfe
of the love pfGodiji^ndithat this^lvation is nepea*
sary in order to p^r entering into the kingdiomof
lieavprt.- I hope he will soon accomplish this,grM.t
work in mCi that I may be wholly his, in heart .e^ad;
inlife, in timey andto all ete*B|^>'-' .iji'.iti;
It was not long before! he waa madfr partjifcer o£
this hope in the completest sense ;;hc soon finMiid
bis course with inexpressible joy, and is now reaps
ing the rewatd ofhis sufferings and'toil irt the king^
dom of his Father.

HUGH PUGH.
He had, from his infancy,, a sweetnesfrofdi?$o-
sition, which greatly recoramended ^inX ;; so tjhsfe
he was beloved both, by saint&,apd .^irtJi?fS.: He
was affectionate and free in, hi^ beliaviour ;; aod
^om his childhood, was r&caaskiah\y 4ree from <Sit*t
ward vice. He spent raostly every Sabbath itt; re
tirement, reading a;nd meditation^; ,aDd in these h^
experienced a sweetness which a jf/r^^^Ji^iyr int^rf^t^
^letb not with. \
Before he heard the Gospel, as prejiched by tfecK
Methodists, he thpvight vpry few in so safe a state.
as himself, but he no sooner heard the truth asit if<
in Jesus, than he received it in, the love thereof,,
and cast his self-righteousness away,

MEMORIAL. 343
When he joined the Society^, conviction sunk
deieper artd deeper in his heart; and the Lord
shortiy after spoke peacie to his soul. He now re
joiced abuntianftly in the God of his salvation, and
never lost his first love. He soon began to pity
and pray fPr his felloW-sinners \ and being en^ou-
faged, both by God and man, he, not " ithstand-
iftg his natural timidity, began to exhort his neigh
bours, to flee frofn tbe wrath 'id coihe : aftd the Lord
owned his labblirs of love with considerable s'UC-
Pess. In almost ¦every place Where he proclaimed
thte love of Jesus, the Lord graciously gave him
seals lo his ministry.
His mind, however; was iiOt Vainly puffibd Up on
this account : he laid his honor at the SaviouT''s
feet, and his' zeal arid courage Were abundatitly in
creased. In preaching, he often forgot himself,
and exhausted all his strength in speaking for God.
Having a strong, healthy, vigorous constitution,
he continued labouring; insensible of the danger
into which he was running by his loiid and long
preaching, and all cautions respecting this seemed
in vain.
At the Conference in 1787} he was taken upon
trial as a Travelling Preacherj and appointed for
the Clones circuit. Here hiis labours were still more
abundantly bleSt, especially to the simple-hearted,
and the Lord gave him many seals to his ministry,
but soon " The fiifl-biown rose began to fade.'*
y4

344 METHODIST
When he discovered his disorder, it was4po
late to expect a recovery by human means. His
strength and beauly wasted by swift degrees ; and
in a few months he was brought to the house ap
pointed for all living.
During the time ofhis sickness, he never shewed
the least sign of raurrauring, or discontent ; but a
calm patience, and sweet resignation to the will of
God, was constantly expressed in all his wprds
and actions. A few days before he died, the per
son who gives this account, (Mr. John Gillis) called
to see him ; when Mr. Pugh told him, he felt no
desire to be any thing, Pr in any condition, but
just as his loving God pleased ; and added, " I am
distressed, because I feel so little love;- and am often-
ready to call in question my past experience. . -
At another time, when Mr. Gillis was with him,
he entered into a wrestiing agony in prayer to God,
and the Lord regarded his cry, and enabled him to
believe unto full salvation. All who were present
in the room, felt the overwhelming power of savmg
grace, and it was indeed a time of refreshing from
the presence of the Lord. When they rose from
their knees, Mr. Pugh said, " Glory be to God, I
now feel tbat He is all love ; all my complainings are
now removed: praise the Lord, 0 my soul, and all
that is within me praise bis holy name !']
A little before he expired, his mother asked
him if he now experienced the salvation which he
had preached to others ? He answered^ " Glory h
to God I do! Jesus is all, and in all!"

MEMORIAL. 345
He continued in this happy frame of mind till
Saturday, September 7th, 1788, when his happy
spirit entered into the joy of his Lord.
" Away from a world of jlistress !
Away to the mansions above !
The heaven of seeing his face !
The heaven of feeling his love!"

' JONATHAN REEVES.
He was among the first Lay-preachers, who as
sisted Mr. Wesley, and was for some years a very
acceptable and useful Preacher. The Lord put
great honor upon hira, and he was instrumental in
bringing many souls to the saving knowledge of
the truth ; many of whora continued faithful unto
death. Had he continued in his pr }per calling,
he would undoubtedly have been still more exten
sively useful in the hand of the Lord ; but he,
perhaps, to avoid the trials attendant on an itine
rant life, procured Episcopal ordination ; and was
for some years Minister of the Magdalen Hospital ;
.where, as I am informed, he was not perraitted to
preach as he had been accustomed to do ; but was
constrained, by the Governors, to read Archbishop
Tillotsoris Sermons. Whatever excellencies the
sermons of that great man may possess, this method
was rtot much calculated to increase Mr. Reeves's
popularity, or to profit the souls committed to his
care. He afterwards became Curate of Whitechapel

346 METHODIST
Church, where he continued for sorae years ; and
there he ended his life and his labours.
I ara not in possession of the circurastances of
his dealh, but I hope he died in peace : , yet in the
judgment of some ofhis best friends, he wandered
out of the way, in leaving his particular calling.
His sphere of Usefiilness, to say the least, was con
siderably contracted ; and, in a sense, he buried
his raost excellent talertt ; and was, coraparatively
speaking, as I learn, of-b^t little use- to the souls
of raen afterwards. How necessary both for Mi
nisters and people to attend to the advice of the
Apostle, Be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abduhd^
ing in tbe work of tbe Lord. ¦

WILLIAM ROBERTS.:
This very eminent man descended from reputar
ble parents in the parish of Elogan,. in Cornwall;
and was born in January 1728. Very early in life,
he discovered a geuius and taste for learning, above
the coraraon rank of youth ; and at the age cf
fourteen, had raade considerable proficiency in
Geometry and the Mathematics. He. aftefwards
applied himself to Music, in which he also excel'-
led ; and was soon caressed by. most of the young
people in the place where he resided. When he
was only sixteen years of age, in the year 1744, as
he was engaged in divine worship in the parish
church, his mind was unusually affected with

M E M O R I-A L. 34^7
everlasting things : he began to reflect upon the
design OfGod in sendinghim into the worid, and
found that it was not, as too many suppose, to fol
low H^r^ity; but to glorify God, and to secure a
hlesse4rriimmortahty. He immediately resolved
this should be his future; aim and end: he there
fore inim(ediately gave up music, forsook his com
panions in foUy, and frora that time entirely devo
ted; hainraelf to God; and determined to serve him
vfith difhis ransomed powers. He also took every
oppontunity of speakibg to hisyoungfriends, of tho
nec^ityiand importance of a religious life ; and
earnestly untreated them, to determine as he had
done^ ithajxthey also would serve the Lord.
His conversion was sudden, but it waff neverthe
less genuine : he soon after became acquainted^
wiih';^&^eople caUed Methodists, and united hira
self to j their Society : iu a short time after, he wa®
induced to give a word of exhortation, and the
people pei-ceiving that bis talents at that time were
great, they gave him no rest' till he gave himself
up lo the wbrk of the Ministry. He considered,
however, the importance of the office, and vetf
reluctantly engaged in it. He continued to im
prove hisvtirae and his talents, in Cornwall, till he
was about twenty-two' years of age ; at which tiirte
he first went to reside at Tiverton, in Devonshire.
His deep piety and shining talents, soon engaged
him a nuraerous and respectable acquaintance in
that neighbourhood ; they received hira as a mes
senger sent from heaven, to shew unto them the way

348 ' METHODIST
ef salvation: and Mx. Roberts well deserved their
attention and esteera, for in the subsequent scenes
of persecution that the Methodists were called to
endure at Tiverton, he was their only pilots (under
God) who! conducted through the storra^ and
guided them safely into the peaceful harbour-
From Tii;^r:^oK, (about the year 17^0) hewas
sent for by Mr. Wesley to London.; artd was ap
pointed as an Itinerant Preacher, to a circuit ih the
North of England. On his journey thithei? Mr.
Roberts preached wherever he could procaireii a
congregation ; but when he reached the , city of
Durham, the power of God so manifestly attended
his Ministry, that he was induced to slop:shprt of
the place of his destination. Multitudes ,'fof souls
attended upon his preaching, and matiy; experi
enced it to be the power of God unto sahia^tion; i in
somuch, that he forraed a sraall circuit in the
neighbourhood ; and in the course of one month,
the people at Durham provided hira with a large,
coraraodious room to preach in. As such an
effectual door was opened for him in that city, he
wrote Mr. Wesley an accouut of his success ; and
requested that he raight be perraitted to continue
there a little longer, to water the seed whichhe
had sown. To this Mr. Wesley consented, and
gave him leave to employ himself where he judged
he might be most useful. After raising a Society
at Durham, and some others in the neighbour
hood, he proceeded farther North, and spertt some
time irt Newcastle-upon-Tyne,. and that vicinity i

MEMORIAL. 349
where he continued till the next Conference, and
was again appointed for the same circuit.
About this time, in the year 1751, a most vio
lent and brutal persecution, against the Metho
dists, broke out at Tiverton: they were treated
with scurrility and abusive language in the streets,
by idle and disorderly persons ofthe baser sort, who
were instigated and encouraged by the ignorant
and bigotted of higher rank. Public preaching
artd Class-meetirtgs were interrupted ; and in this
day of trouble and rebuke, the Methodists unani
mously entreated that Mr. Roberts might return to
them, and assist them to bear the shock. He ac
cordingly hastened to their help, and soon found
that he had work sufficient to do. One Ward, a
Clergyman, who had disgraced his office, and had
no more place in the Church, was procured to go
ta Tiverton, and preach in the street against the '
Methodists : but his preaching, his intemperance,
his profane conversation and corapanions, soon
rendered hira a reproach to every person who had
given hira any countenance ; and tended rather to
proraote, than lessen the interest of Methodisra.
Nevertheless, the sarae personal insults continued,
and falsehoods of every kind, that rage and malice
could invent, were industriously propagated to
render Mr, Roberts and his hearers, the conterapt
of mankind. One of the Clergymen publicly re
pelled hira from the Lord's Table ; and when this
did not answer their purpose, in driving hira out
of the town, they attempted to make the law an

350 METHODIST
eiigine of oppression, and to ruin both him and
the people by expenses. Atone sessiPrtsin the
Mayor's court,' there were itpivards of thirty indict
ments fouhd for Conventiyies, wdawful Assemblies,
&c. But by the assistance of an able Counsel, and
the wisdom and moderatiPrt of the Recorder, those
indictments were found illegal ; and Ward himself
but just escaped being committed to prison T FrPm
this tirae the Methodists enjoyed peace at T/W-
ton, after their grievous sufferings, which had
continued, without interraission, for the' space of
one year and three months.
The poor, unhappy Clergyman (Ward)', being
defeated in his designs at Tiverton ; being Siill full
pf rage, and breathing forth tbreafenifrgs againsttht
Methodists, he pursued them into several country
villages; till, having, it is ieared, filled up tbe mea
sure of his iniquities, hewas arrested in his careeir j
and was* suddenly called to answer for his conduct,
before the tribunal of God ! He was crossing the
forest of Ex-moor, in order to attack the Metho
dists at North-Moulton ; and, awful to relate ! he
got into a bog ; a fall of snow happening in the
night, he was not discovered for several' days;
when his body was found dead, standing erect,
nearly up to his waist, in the mire ! Surely it is
an awful thing to fall into the hands of the living
God!
Soon after this, Mr. Roberts was disposed' to give
up the itinerant life ; and he married, and' settled
at Tiverton. For sorae years he carried on an ex-*

MEMORIAL. 351
tensive business ; but though he was thus dili
gently employed in the affairs of the world, his
mind and affections were in heaven, ever studying
to know and do his Master's will. He also devoted
much of his tirae to the work of the Ministry ;
preaching often in the cPtintry villages, and gene
rally three or four tiroes a week in I^-tierton, ior
about thirty years. Like a true disciple of Jesus
Christ, having been reviled, he. reviled not again ;
being cursed, he blessed; and he counted it all joy to
Suffer persecution for righteousness sake : and in the
very height of the persecution, he had endured^ he
prayed for his persecutors ; that God would for
give them, and turn their hearts to righteousness.
In short, his conduct was such, that with well'-
doing he put to silence the ignorance of foolish men ;
and in process of time, his greatest persecutors de
sired forgiveness at his hands, and r.equested to be^
at peace with him ; and he was so ready t'o forgive,
that he was never known from that time, so much
as to raentiort. their forraer treatraertt of hira : and
some of them being reduced to a state of poverty
and great affliction, he cheerfully relieved their
wantsy as he was able, to the last period of his life :
thus^ shewing himself lo be a genuine child ofhis
heavenly Father, wbo maketh bis sun to rise on tbe
evil and on thegood; and sendeth rain on tbe just and
on the unjust.
Inthe month of July I^BS, Mrs. Roberts died,
after a lingering illness of many years. Her death
greatly affected him; and soon afi:er, having dis-

352 METHODIST
' covered that his teraporal affairs were not so pros
perous as he expected, he was very desirous of
declining trade. Which he did, for a short timis ;
and also of leaving Tiverton. Many of his old
friends were greatly alarmed at this ; and, in order
that he might not leave thera, they assisted him,
and he again engaged in business ; and was more
successful than before. In the year 1791, how
ever, finding the infirmities of old age coming on
apace, and an opportunity presenting itself of dis
posing ofhis stock in trade to advantage, he finally
relinquished business ; aud entirely devoted the
residue of his days to the work of the Ministry.
In the year 1792, at the earnest solicitations of
many of his friends in Cornwall, he made a short
tour into that country, during the tirae of Confe
rence. He continued there about two months,
aud was greatly esteemed, and his Ministry closely
attended by the Methodists, and others. Some of
his particular friends there, earnestly entreated him
to spend the residue of his days araong them ; but
he excused himself, by observing, it would be
erttering upon other men's labours : and he rather
chose lo firtish his course aniong his old and
long established friends at Tiverton, artd that
vicinity. He was now entirely free from all care, having
a small income procured for him, adequate to hift
wants : and he had also raany other friends, outof
the Methodist connectiort ; who, had he needed
it, were ready to corae forward, and would have

MEMORIAL. 353
accounted themselves honored in contributing lo
his comfortable support.
For the last five years of his life, he boarded at a
farm-house, about two miles from Tiverton ; where
he had the opportunity of keeping a little horse,
which he frequently used ; and this exercise, as
he was very infirm, greatly tended lo his health,
and, perhaps, to the lengthening of his days.
About three years before his death, a country
gentieraan, in the vicinity of Tiverton, who had
been much blest under Mr. Roberts's rainistry, and
who was then in a poor state of health ; being about
to raake his will, and having no very near relati
ons, proposed to Mr. Roberts, to leave him the
bulk of his fortune, which was not less than ten
thousand pounds. After repeated solicitations, Mr.
Roberts positively refused to accept his kind and
generous offer; observing, that his time of life was
too far advanced to raake any good use of it ; and
it would only be an encumbrance to hira : he also,
at the sarae tirae, reraarked, that if he accepted it,
the world would say, that he had sought his friend
ship and acquaintance, for the sake ofhis money,
rather than the salvation of his soul.
After Mr. Roberts had relinquished the world,
he devoted all his leisure hours to the study ofthe
holy scriptures in different languages, and in pri
vate devotion. He seldom spent less than tera
hours a day in his study ; and was seldom seen
with any other book than the Bible in his hand.
Hewas so conscious of his approaching dissolu-

354 METHODIST
lion, that he actually preached has own funeral
serraon at Cullumpton, not quite three Weeks hefoijd
his death. After preaching with his usual affec
tion and ease, he observed, at the conclusion of
his sermon. He bad-been preaching the Gosptl for
near fifty years ; but from the decays of nature he then
felt, be expeeted to meet tbe congregation no more in
this world.
In his last illness he was fully resigned t<) the
will of his heavenly Father, whether for life or
death ; but as his principal complaint was in his
lungs, he spoke but little -y yet what he did say,
was heavenly and divine. He was strong in faith,
and gave glory to God. His spirit seemed all devoi-
tion, and his tirae occupied in meditating on tiife
¦glory that would shortly be revealed, and that be
should soon partake of. On Friday, Decembers,
1797, as one in a sweet sleep, without the least
emotion, he yielded up his spirit to Him who had
redeemed hira to hiraself with his own blood ; and
with whom he now lives, and will live a kingatd
a priest unto God and his Father for ever arid ever.
As to the general disposition df his mind ; he
was cheerful, pleasaht, and obliging ; ^ver mani
festing thankfulness, both to God and raan, for
the smallest favor and blessing. Humility and
meekness were prominent features in his charaeter.
He had learned in iidhatever state he was, therewitb
to be content. In patience be possessed his souh; JBid
in meekness and quietness he fouhd constant rest.
He was truly of a forgiving spirit, and at all tirSes

MEMORIAL, 355
was inclirted to put the most favorable construction
upon the conduct of both friends and eneraies :
hating from his heart every thing malevolent, un
christian or unholy. His faith being peculiarly
Strong, and his love to God fervent, he was but
little exercised with those inward temptations from
the devil, which most Christians complain of.
He was in genera] filled witb all joy and peace in be
lieving ; and was enabled to abound in hope through
tbe power of tbe Holy Ghost.
I was favored with the precedirtg memoirs by a
gcrttleman of cortsiderable respectability ; who was
appointed Mr. Roberts's executor in trust ; and at
whose house he died. Its authenticity may there
fore be depended upon.
The following concise character of Mr. Roberts,
was presented to the public, through the medium
of the news-papers, in the neighbourhood of Ti
verton, at the time of his death ; being drawn up
by a person who was well acquainted with hira.
" On Ifriday the Sth instant [December 1797] died at Tiver
ton, Ihuch lamented by his friends and numerous acquaintance,
after ati illness of aboirt three weeks, which he bore with Ghrisi-
tiaafonitudeand perfect patience, Mr.WILLIAM ROBERTS,
a^ed 69 years ; an eminent Preacher in the Methodist connection
for near ffty years. His natural genius for study and learning
was such, that, in his youth, with little or no assistance from
Teachers, he acquired an extensive knowledge of the Mathema
tics, and the most refined parts of Natural Philosophy, Astrono
my, and Geography ; and by his own study he was well versed
i& the Latin, Greek, and Hebrein Tongues. But while I speak
of the powers ofhis mind, let me not forget the excellence of his
heart: His warm attachment to the Established Church, the
Z2

356 METHODIST
King, and Constitution of his Country,, was such, that he reli
giously made it a point to defend the same, both in public and
private, against every opposer. As a public Speaker, he was
easy, Affectionate, and pointed ; his language strong, and mas
terly ; and the boundless love of God, manifested in Christ Jesus
to a lost world,, for general redemption, was his favorite theme.
In his private character he was generally resorted to as a peace
maker; and as an entertaining and profitable, companion, bring
ing out of his treasury things new and old. Alas ! he has left
very few his equals, and, I think, none his superiors."

JOHN RICHARDSON,
He was born in the parish oi Kirk-Leatbam, in
Yorkshire, in the year 1734; and enjoyed the ad
vantages of a religious and liberal education. . He
' ' ...
had frequent visitations from the Spirit of God in
early life ; and his pious mother frequently brought
hirn^ when a child, to Clergymen, desiring them to
lay their hands upon his head: which he said
made considerable irapressions upon his raind.
When he had finished his studies at the Uni-
\ versity, he was ordained, and appointed tO: the
Curacy of Leek, in Staffordshire. In that place he
fell into sorae levities, inconsistent with his pro
fession ; which he afterwards laraented with rauch
sorrow.
; Frora thence he removed irtto Sussex, and was
appointed Curate to the Dean of Battle-Abbey,
There he was more serious in his deportmcrtt, and
discharged the duties of his calling with integrity

MEMORIAL. 357
and consclcrttiousness ; and though he had not
then evangelical views of religion, yet his serraons
were so serious, and delivered with so rauch ear
nestness, that he attracted the notice of the Dean,
and was surrouuded with oppositiort and discou
ragement. Being obliged to apply to the College
for a removal, he was sent to Ewhurst, near Rye,
in the same county.
There he continued to preach in the same raan
ner ; but this reraoval was soon accorapanied with
iraportant consequences. A Methodist Society
had been established in that place, and he was
earnestiy cautioned to be upon his guard against
them ; and especially against one of their mem
bers, a Mr. Holman. But he was not long at Ew
hurst, before that gentleman, encouraged by his
seriousness and candour, invited hira to hear for
himself. He consented, and went at the time ap
pointed. His prejudices iraraediately vanished,
his heart was opened like lydia's, and he found
that God was witb tbat people of a trutb. The
work of grace increased in his soul, and he fre
quently conversed with tiie people, and constantly
attended the preaching. In the month of Marchj
1762, he was raade a happy witness ofthe power
of divine truth, and believed in Jesus to the sal
vation of his souh It was under a discourse
of Mr. Rankin's, from Jer. viii. 22. that the Lord
manifested himself in mercy to his soul.
The substance of that impressive serraou he de
livered a short tirae after in his own church. The,
z 3

338 METHODIST
word. was blest, and sorae of his fiock expressed
an earnest desire to hear raore of these iraportant
truths. He replied, with that araiable siraplicity
which raarked his character, " / received them
from the Methodist Preachers : go and hear for
yourself" He now becarae a raeraber of the Methodist So
ciety, and embraced every opportunity of meeting
with the people, whom he now esteemed as the
eSccellent ones of tbe earth.
His church was crowded with attentive hearere,
and the work ofGod fiourished all around. As he
grew more bold in his Master's cause, and seals
were added to his ministry, some of the parishion
ers were greatly offended, and complained lo the
Rector ; and in the month of October foUoWingj
he was removed from his Curacy.
As his views enlarged,' he saw the privileges of
genuine Christianity, and desired a more intimate
union with the people of God : and irt the month
of Noveraber, he united hiraself to Mr. Wedey, to
serve him as a son in the Gospel.
The first tirae he raade his appearance in the
Spitalfields Chapel; after speaking for seven or
eight minutes, he cried out, " You know all this
better '^*« Ican tell you," and burst into a flood of
tears. The whole congregatiort was so over
powered, that not a dry eye was to be seen in the
chapel ; and the interval in which the people: were
engaged in weeping, made a more solemn and awful
impression, than could, perhaps, have been effec-

MEMORIAL. 359
ted, by the most elegant and evangelical discoprse
that could have been delivered.
His gifts for the Ministry were not so mjich
calculated to alarni sirtners, as to comfort the peo
ple pf God. He was a sort of cpnsolation, ai^d ior
this part of the work, he was eminently qualified :
and his memory wUl ever be peculiarly dear to the
mourners in Zion.
The uniformity of his life, the Christiaji sirapli
city of his manners, the raeekness of his spirit, his
love of peace, the instructive and profitable ten
dency of his conversation, and the unction vvhich
attended his public ministrations for thirty years,
are well known, and will not soon be forgotten.
During this period, he w.as a man of sorrows, ex- -
jercised and afflicted incesjsantly frofp vajrioius quar
ters ; but the spirit ip which Jie suffered, endeared
him to them who knew hjra, while his preaching
became raore experimeijtal and profitable to hiS
hearers. Of bis family afflictions, he sometimes
said, " They are the rod of God, and are sent in
mercy to purify us, find make us meet for himself.
Nothing could alienate his loye frora the people
.to whom God had united hira : and he rejected
¦several advantageous qj^rs which virere rpade him,
-being determined to live and die with them.
His death was occasipped by a cold he caught
on the first of January 1792, in returning from the
New Chapel, aiter the renewing of the Covenant.
It was foUowed by an inflainmation of the throat.

z4

360 METHODIST
and an abscess forraed in the neck, by which he
was carried off.
During his illness he was rauch engaged in si
lent meditation, singing and prayer. Throughout
the whole his faith and resignation were conspicu
ous. To a friend he said, " Many s^eak oi assu
rance, and here is an instance of it ; I ara all faith,
without one doubt !" Once being asked. What he
had been singing with so much earnestness, he
answered, " Tbat song which none but the redeenied
can sing."
Two persons who loved him rauch, visiting him
one raorning, said, " Your friends, dear Sir, are
affectionately concerned for you : they hope God
will restore you to them." He intimated there
was danger. It was replied, " Their hope was in
God." Pausing a raoraent, he answered, with a
heavenly sraile, " / thank them ; but I have no
prayer given me for Ufe or death ; and I have no desire
one way or other." At another time, he said,.
" This is no time for talking — we ought rather to go
into an upper chamber, and pour out our souls to God."
To artother friend he said, " I have no fear, iw
doubt ; I have no unbelief; deaih is nothing to me.
Death appeared as near to me when I was walking in
the street, as it does now ; and let it come when it
will, it is welcome." The night before his death
he was heard to sing,
" Ah lovely appearance of Death, &c."
On Friday, February llth, a littie before seven
o'clock ill the raorning, he was seized with con-

MEMORIAL. 361
vulsions, artdirtstarttly atterapted to rise irt his bed,
but firtding himself dying, with perfect recollec
tion, and great tenderness, he raade a sign with
his hartd, for his daughter to leave the room, say
iug, " God IS ALWAYS with me." He tbcrt drew
the curtain with his own hand, artd stretched him
self out, and in a few minutes bis triumphant spirit
took its flight to the regions of eterrtal day, in the
fifty-eighth year ofhis age.
Thus died the excellent and admirable Mr. Ri
chardson, in all that peace and holy joy, which are
irt general the privilege of adult believers. He was
not ortly a sincere but an eminent Christian ; not
only a faithful and laborious, but an able Minister
of the New Testaraent.
The following character of this good man is
given, in a funeral sermon that was preached for
him, a short tirae after his death ; frora whence
also the preceding raemoirs have been principally
collected. " What formed the basis of his character, and
cast his virtues in a peculiar line of excellence, was
affliction. In this school his virtues were formed,
refined and strengthened. Without affliction he
might have been pious and amiable ; but broken
ness cf heart, invincible patience, a heavenly raind,
profound huraility, a pacific spirit, adrairable pru
dence, a soiil of syrapathy, andthe ability of com
forting the terapted and afflicted, would never
have been his characteristic graces. To pass by
pther afflictions, for twenty years he was dying

362 METHODIST
daily, as by inches. A painful asthma made him
count the night watches in his chair, gasping for
breath, and often in danger of suffocation. Thus
he learned to die ; to die to the worid and self,
and lo look forward to the dissolution of the mortal
fabrick, as a consupimation devoutiy to be wished.
" He was also houored with his Master's cup of
sore temptation. It was not without many con
flicts he learned raeekness and lowliness, and was
broken to the yoke of Christ. The effects of his
wrestling with principalities and powers were admi^
rable. He felt as though he were a worm and no
man. His prayer and preachirig were accompanied
by floods of tears, and an unction felt by every
pious raind. He spoke of himself as dust and
ashes, and confessed his failings with rauch shame
and godly sorrow.
His patience was exeraplary. Complaints of
indisposition, weakness, or pain, were seldom
heard from his lips ; and when he did complain,
manly fe>rtitude and Christian submission, were
predominant in his voice and manner. He was
more than patient ; he was habitually cheerful
in his conversation. Austerity and levity were
equally remote from hira. His cheerfulness, which
soraetiraes rose to raild ironical pleasantry, indi
cated a mind pure and equitable, and was always
under the command of rairtisterial gravity. Often
would he speak of heavenly rest, sraile through
tears, and encourage his firiends and himself, tobe
of good comfort, and hope to the end.

MEMORIAL. 363
*' Humility is a flower, which flourishes best un
der the cross, and was therefore an eminent grace
in this crucified Christian. He had no ambition
to make a noise in tbe world, but loved the cool
and sequestered vale. Popular applause was too
mean an aim for him : indeed he had neither
health, spirits nor lungs, to draw the multitude
around him. He rather chose to be loved than
feared. He sought no honors, clairaed no pre
eminence, and shunned all distinctions.
*' He was a man of peace. He knew it to be
the genuine spirit of his religion, and understood
its value to his own soul, to the Church, and to the
world. He therefore hated strife and contention,
and would never take part in the quarrels of indi
viduals, or of the Christians with which he was
imraediately courtected. As a peace-raaker, the
God of peace blessed his labours : and he was often
happy in clearing up misunderstandings, settling
differences, and reconciling eneraies. The Lord
gave him the desire of his heart, and he passed his
days in much quietness. For the attainment^ of
this desirable end, he was endowed with the rare
virtue of Christian prudence. He knew men and
things, considered times and seasons, regarded
whatever was decent or becoming, understood
when lo speak, and when to be silent ; and go
verned his tongue alike from the intemperance of
anger, and excess *of confiidence. Think not, O
Christian, that this virtue is of small value : it is
what the language of inspiration calls wisdom—

364 METHODIST
heavenly wisdom. Her office is to rule the whole
man, and to preside over all the graces. She is
the safeguard of peace, and the guide of honor aud
influence among raen.
" Severely afflicted himself, but wonderfully
sustained and coraforted, Mr. Richardson's soul
melted over the children of sorrow, and he knew
well to touch with holy art, every topic which
could revive the fainting spirit. As of late years
his great weakness made him less frequent in the
labours of the pulpit, he spent much tirae in visit
ing the sick and afflicted, exhorting, comforting,
and encouraging the flock.
" In the pulpit, he was always respectable, edi
fying and consolotary. An understanding strong,
and dispassionate in its views of truth, embellished
by learning, sanctified and improved by deep ex
perience of divine things, rendered hira a scribe
throughly instructed for the kingdora of God. He
explained the scriptures with clearness and so
briety, gave doctrines a due turn to practice, and
was raore earnest in enforcing coraraon truths,
than in coraraunicating his particular views, — to
form Christians than to make sectaries. His dis
courses were well connected, but not laboured
with art. His style of preaching was instructive,
mild, and persuasive ; his language, like his man
ners, chaste and simple. His spirit was too much
broken into tenderness to perrait hira to hurl the
thunderbolts of sacred elocution, or to kindle
upon his audience like a conflagration. His doc-

MEMORIAL. 365
trine distilled as the dew. He shone as the sun
through the sumraer's rain. He was anointed to
preach the Gospel, to healthe broken hearted, to pro
claim deUverance ta the captives, and set at liberty
them tbat were bruised, and to preach tbe acceptable
year of tbe Lord. If any man ever possessed the
¦spirit and talents of Barnabas, Mr. Richardson was
he. The heedless youth, the unprotected widow,
the child of penury, the woe-worn wretch, the
broken-hearted parent, the strolling prodigal, the
terapted believer, the backslider pierced with an
guish,-— these, O man ofGod, shall bless thy gen
tie wisdom and healing hand ! By no precipitate
judgment, no uncharitable conclusion, no truth
ill-timed, didst thou grieve the afflicted,, and en
venom the wounds which the Almighty had
inflicted. " To finish a picture I cannot paint, I add, he
was greatly and generally beloved ; he drew hearts
to hira with a gentle, but strong attraction ; and
those he once gained by the sweetness of his tem
per, spirit, and manners, were bound to his friend
ship for ever, by those qualities which comraand
veneration. A brighter constellation seldora shines
in the Church, than was asserabled in his cha
racter. His faults were never heard of, but from
his own lips ; and, (says his biographer) I should
never have credited, but from his own confession,
that his natural disposition was the very reverse of
the meek and lowly one he received from above:—
Such is the power op God, — Such the tro
phies OF Divine Grace I"

366 METHODIST
JAMES RICHARDSON.
He was a pious young raan, whose whole heart
was engaged in proraoting the interests of the Re-
deeraer's kingdom ; for that purpose he went over
at the Conference 17 98, to labour in the JJ^est-
Indies, He landed on Good- Friday, on the island
of Jamaica, where it pleased God, in a very short
time, to take hira away. He only preached/oaf
tiraes, and raet a class once ; and in seventeen
days finished his course with joy. During his ill
ness, which continued only seven days, he ex
pressed great confidence in God ; and he left the
world \vith a blooming prospect of a blessed im
mortality.

JOHN ROBERTS,
He was for many years clearly convinced that
God had called hira to preach his Gospel ; and
that he ought to leave all, and follow Him, in this
high and holy calling : but he delayed from time
to time, till at length, conscience prevailed over
every other consideration. At the Conference iq
1737, he gave hiraself up to the work of the Mi
nistry, and was appointed for the Norwich circuit.
It was alraost too late ; for after labouring a feW
months, he fell into a lingering illness, which soon
put a period to his usefulness araong raen, and
put hira into the possession of his everlasting inbe-

MEMORIAL. 367
ritance. For sortie weeks, irt his illness, he was
sorely buffetted by the enemy of his sojil, and was
at times in a state of extreme darkness, so that he
bordered on despair : but befpre he went hence,
the Lord scattered the clouds, and shewed him his
great salvation ; so that his latter end was peace.
He was a man of sound sense and deep piety.

ROBERT ROBERTS.
He was born at Upton,, near Chester, in the year
1731. His parents were respectable farmers, and
brought up their children in the fear of God, ac
cording to the light they had. Mr. Roberts from
his childhood was in bondage to the fear of death ;
but had no one to guide his feet into the way of
peace. He had no notion of salvation through a
Redeemer, nor did he understand, either the na
ture, or necessity, of the new-birth. He never
heard one Gospel sermon till he was above twenty
years of age ; yet hewas mercifully preserved from
scandalous vices, and being diligent in attending
the service of the Church, he looked upon hira
self, and was esteeraed by others, as a very good
Christiart. T^he first saving impression he received was by
means of a few words dropped in conversation,
by Mr. Thomas Briscoe ; so true is that observation
ofthe wise man, " A word spoken in. season, how
good is it ! He soon entertained a good opinion of
the. Methodists, and believed them to be the ser-

368 METHODIST
vants ofthe living God. He likewise, began to
pray, and to strive against sin. He forme^a'feso-
lution to join the Society, but was afraid of pfeW^
cution. At that tirae the Methodists were consi
dered as the very filth and offscouring of all things i
and the most horrible things were then laid to
their charge, that the devil and his emissaries
could invent. They were represented as hypocrites,
blasphemers, disturbers of the peace of families,
and of the nation : and lo associate with them,
was said to be the way to destroy body, soul, and
substance. Others raight curse and swear, get
drunk, and profane the sabbath, yea starve their
farailies, and be deemed innocent creatures in
comparison of the Methodists ! Thank God, this
is not the case now ; the conduct of the Metho
dists, as a body, for more than half a century, has
been such, as to put to silence the aspersions of
the wicked ; nor are we afraid to speak with our
enemies in the gate I
Mr. Roberts, however, a short lime after, broke
through, and united himself lo this despised and
persecuted people. He becarae very diligent in
all the raeans of grace, and sought the Lord with
great earnestrtess. He fouud the Methodists to be
the reverse of what they had beert represertted, and
his soul was firraly uuited to them.
He now met with what indeed he expected—
persecution for righteousness sake, frora relations,
. friends and neighbours : sorae railed, and others
cursed hira, and said, // would be no more sin to

MEMORIAL. 359
kill bim, ihan a mad-dog ! Others pitied him, aad
cursed the false prophets, as they termed the
Preachers, who had thus deceived hira, and driven
hira, as they thought, out of his senses. This
was no sraall trial, but the grace of God enabled
him to bear it ; though, at tiraes, he found it hard
work to stand his ground.
He had not been long a meraber of the Society,
before he was made sensible of his guilty state be
fore God, and the raisery and danger to which sin
had exposed him ; and likewise the absolute neces
sity of obtaining an interest in the Lord Jesus
Christ, that his sins might be forgiven, and his
nature renewed in the image of God : without
which, he felt that he could not enter into the
kingdom of God. He therefore sought the Lord,
with all his heart, day and night ; and even wished
that sleep raight depart frora him, that there might
be no interruption lo this divine exercise. The
Lord never said to any. Seek ye me in vain ; and
therefore, in about six weeks after his joining the
Socieiy, tbe Lord gave bim ibe peace which passeth
all understanding ; the love of God was shed abroad
in his heart, and tbe Spirit bore testimony witb bis
spirit, tbat he was born of God. He now praised
the Lord that ever he was born, and with joy de
clared his goodness to the children of raen.
He afterwards, frora the view which he had of
the corruptions of his nature, fell into great heavi
ness ; which, by his giving way to the sin of un
belief, was succeeded by a darkness that was se-.
Aa

370 METHODIST
verely felfr. At last he gave up all hope, and sunk
into utter despair. He concluded, that he had
been guilty of the blaspheray against the Holy
Spirit, which threw hira intb such inexpressible
misery, that he had no rest day or night. He,
nevertheless, fasted artd prayed, and used every
means of grace constantly ; yea, he resolved to
serve God as long as he lived, if he were sent to
hell when he died. His distress continued for
nine months, and then the Lord revealed hiraself
again to his soul. He says himself, " God was
pleased to sanctify this affliction to me ; I was
made more abundantly sensible of the power of
unbelief, and of my own helplessness, I clearly
saw, I raust be saved by grace, or not at all. I
was stripped from all self-righteousaiess, and every
other dependance, but a crucified Saviour ; and
was made willing to be saved in God's way, as a
sinner ; yea, as the most unworthy of all crea
tures. I thought I was willing to wait till my last
breath, if I were but sure the Lord would then
smile upon rae, and shew rae his salvation."
Being in this humble, waiting state of mind, thc
Lord then graciously manifested himself unto him;
He overturned all his unbelief, and all his doubts
and fears fled away like the mist before the mid
day sun. His misery was also reraoved, and he
was filled with peace and joy through believing.
He could then no more doubt of the favor of God
than of his own existence.
He was soon after appointed to meet a Class,

MEMORIAL. 371
and in a few months he began lo warn tbe wicked
of bis way, to tum from it. His labours were in
general acceptable, and useful to raany.
It was then strongly impressed upon his mind,
that he was called to preach the Gospel ; artd
therefore, though he had considerahle„worldly
prospects before him, these lo him were of little
account. He esteemed the being instrumental of
saving souls, of infinitely greater importance, and
therefore was disposed to give himself wholly up lo
the work of the Ministry.
He laboured, however, with great faithfulness
and diligence, as a Local-preacher, for two years
after this. He sometiraes took long journies on
foot, and bore his expenses with pleasure, thus
carrying the Gospel of the grace of God lo places,
where the people were perishing for lack of know
ledge. Atthe London Conference in 1759, he carae out
as an Itinerant Preacher, and continued a faithful,
zealous, and laborious Minister in the vineyard,
for more than forty years.
He was a raan of great integrity and respectabi
lity. He was generally considered as a raan of
sound judgraent, and of an unblaraeable conver
satiort. The complaint of which he died was a paralytic
stroke. He had been attacked with that affliction
about twenty- three years before, which for a time
had affected his speech very much. He had a se
cond stroke about a year before his death.
Aa 2

872 METHODIST
On the l6th of Deceraber 1799, he was paying
a friendly visit to one ofhis brethren (Mr. Jeremiah
Brettell) at Macclesfield, in Cheshire, where he had
resided for a few raonths ; imraediately after sitting
down in the house, he began to be affected, and
could not articulate his words. The nature of his
disorder being perceived, his son (an apothecary in
Macclesfield) was iraraediately sent for ; to whose
house he was conveyed, where he had every atten
tion that the skill and affection of his son could
provide for him. He continued in this afflicted
state about six days, where the Christian and affec
tionate parent was attended by seven ofhis children
in the last hours of his life 1 This was a pleasing
circumstance, especially as there was good reason
to believe that he knew them all : and though he
was incapable of speech, yet he appeared to feel,
in a degree, the pleasure that was natural to the
affectionate father and friend. He seemed to lie
passive in the band of God, till Sunday Dec. 22,
when the Lord took hira to the everlasting enjoy
ment of himself.
His friends greatly laraented the nature of his
; ; disorder, chiefly because it deprived him of the
i opportunity of testifying the goodness of God in
his last raoments ; but he had testified it by a long
and laborious service in his vineyard ; and there
fore, though he could then say nothing, it was
evident he felt rauch, and his end was peace, quiet
ness, and assurance for ever. Death, with all the
circurastances thereof^ are in the hands of God,

MEMORIAL. 373
(and even Death is the believer's), therefore he has
an undotibted right to choose both the time, the
manner, and the place. It is said of that erainent
servant of God, Mr. Richard Baxter, that he left
all the circurastances of his death in the hands of
God ; and used frequently to say, " Lord where
thou wilt, wben thou wilt, and as thou wilt."
Surely this is the privilege of every Christian ; to
have the mind delivered from all painful apprehen
sion respecting the circurastances ofhis death.

JEREMIAH ROBERTSHAW.
He was a native ofthe West Riding oi the county
of York. I am not in possession of the circum
stances ofhis conversion to God, or of the early
part ofhis Christian course ; but he was, for many
years, engaged in the good work of calling sinners
to repentance, and that at an early period of the
work of God among the Methodists in this land.
He was, therefore, called to endure many hard
ships, and grievous sufferings for the sake of
Christ. He was a remarkably plain, honest, sim
ple, pious man. He died in a good old age, fairly
worn out in his Master's service.
For raany years he laboured under sharp, and
alraost continual pain, frora the stone and gravel ;
but he was a pattern of patience, of meekness, and
gentleness to all men; of simplicit}', and godly
sincerity. Aa3

374 METHODIST
The following are the particulars of his death.
Dated Bradford, Fehruary, 1788.
" Our dear brother Robertshaw, finished his
course in the Lord, yesterday morning, about four
o'clock. He was in general disordered in his body ;
but steady and regular in attending to his work of
faith, and labour of love, when in the least degi'ce
able : nay, sometimes he exceeded the bounds.
He was much troubled with the gravel and stone,
and the general consequences which attend such a
violent thorn in the fiesh. But in and through all,
appeared the Christian, and the raan of God,
growing brighter in the^r^.
" As there have been raany trying scenes to pass
through, he did not go without his part ; which I
have soraetimes feared hastened his end. But he
is now where the wicked cease from troubling, and
where the weary are at rest."

THOMAS ROBINSON.
He was adraitted upon trial as an Itinerant
Preacher, at the Conference 1 79 1 . He was a very
steady, pious young raan ; and proraised fair to be
erainently useful in the work of the Ministry; but
it pleased God to take hira away in the very prime
and flower of his days. But his end was glorious,
and he died uncoramonly happy in God, some
tirae in the year 1793.

MEMORIAL. 375
JASPER ROBINSON.
He was born at Woobum-Green, near High-
Wycombe^ in Bucks, in the year 1727. He lived
wilhout God in the world till the year 1759, when
he yielded to the convictions of the Spirit of God,
and sought in good earnest, the salvation of his
soul: he.was then at Liverpool; the year follow
ing, he removed to Leeds, in Yorkshire, where he
became acquainted with the Methodists, joined
the Society, and soon found the pearl of great price.
In the year 1763, he received a larger effusion
ofthe Holy Spirit, and was enabled to believe to
the full salvation of his soul ; which blessed state
he corttinued to enjoy, with little intermission, till
his happy spirit returned to Abraham's bosora.
He officiated as a Local-preacher, in the Leeds
circuit, for several years ; and was erainently use
ful in visiting the sick and poor. In this work he
spent a great part of his time, and was unwearied
in his attempts to alleviate their distresses, and to
lead their weary souls to God.
In the year 1 776, he gave himself wholly to the
work of the Ministry, and came out as an Itine
rant Preacher ; and continued his labours till near
the period ofhis life.
His ministerial abilities were not great, but his
zeal for God, and his great love for souls, his
meekness of spirit, and his unaffected piety, ren
dered him acceptable and useful in all the circuits
where he laboured. Aa4

376 METHODIST
He departed this life at Horncastle, in Lincoln
shire, December 6th, 1797. On the last day of
his life, he joined in prayer with some Christian
friends, with great fervor of spirit ; and his soul
was filled with the love of God. He said, " I am
quite clear from all distressing doubts respecting my
acceptance with God. I feel as free from con
demnation, as if I had never sinned at all. The
Lord," said he, " encompasses me about with mer
cies ; and be makes all my bed in my sickness : it is my
bodily trouble wbich I feel." Towards evening he
repeated, " I'll praise my Maker while I've breath, &.C."
And then looking up, he said to one present,
" Remember you must die." The next morning,
about five o'clock, his happy spirit took its flight
to the Paradise of God. It is reraarkable that the
last words he wrote in his journal, were, Thanh
be to the Lord for all his mercies.
He was an Israelite indeed in whora there was
no guile. He was a Travelling Preacher for
twenty-three years ; during which tirae he was
raost affectionately regarded by all the pious who
knew hira. His whole heart was engaged in the
work of God, and many will praise the Lord for
his labours for ever. He was reraarkably patient
in suffering, and intirely resigned to the will of
his heavenly Father. His raeraory will long be
precious to the people araong whom he laboured.
He lived and died a happy witness of the full sal
vation of God. He fell asleep in Jesus, in the
Seventy-third year of bis age.

MEMORIAL. 3/7

WILLIAM RODD.

He was araong the first Itinerant Methodist
Preachers, and began his ministry at an early pe
riod of life. He was low of stature, but was pos
sessed of a great and noble mind. He was deeply
serious, pious, and devoted to God ; and remark
ably zealous in proraoting the present and eternal
happiness of raankind. He learned the happy art
of living rauch in a little tirae. He was greatiy
esteemed by thepeople araong whom he laboured,
for his siraplicity, and sweetness of raanners and
temper. His conscience was tender in the ex
trerae ; and for want of better information, and
frora a fear of sinfully indulging the flesh, he even
denied hiraself of that quantity of food which was
necessaiy for the support of his constitution. This,
in the judgraent ofhis friends, laid the foundation
of that disorder which terrainated his useful and
valuable life.
He died at Leeds, in Yorkshire, of an inflamma
tion in his bowels, in the year ] 760. His suffer
ings were great during the tirae ofhis illness ; and,
as he then saw the error into which he had fallen,
by rigorous fasting, he seeraed very earnestly to
wish a restoration to health : but being convinced
of the improbability thereof, he freely gave him
self up, in perfect resignation to the will of his
heavenly Father and friend ; and departed this life
in the sure and stedfast hope of the corapleat and
eternal fruition of God.

378 METHODIST
JACOB ROWELL.
He was a native ofthe North of England, and
was brought to a saving acquaintance with God
when Methodism was in its infancy ; I am sorry
that I ara not in possession of better inforraation
respecting hira, as he was a veteran in the cause
of Jesus Christ for a series of years, when the
Preachers endured great afflictions for the truth's
sake, and were made as the filth of tbe earth, and as
the offscouring of all things.
He was a plain, upright, honest, faithful, pious
man ; he was very zealous for God ; and after
spending raany years as an Itinerartt Preacher, in
calling sinners to repentance, and enduring many
hardships, he was fairly worn out in the service of
his blessed Master, and was called to take possess
sion of the crown which fadeth not away. He died
about the year 1784.

THOMAS SEAWARD.
He was a natiye of Ireland, and was admitted
upon trial at the Irish Conference in 1786. He
was appointed for the Limerick circuit. He was a
deeply pious young man, and very zealous for
God ; of a blameless conversation, and possessed of
talents which promised fair to render him a pecu
liar blessing to the Church, and to the world.
But it pleased God to take him away in the midst

MEMORIAL. 379
of his years, and in the very dawn of his useful
ness. He died in the first year of his itinerancy ;
but he was taken away from tbe evil to come, and
death to him was eternal gain.

THOMAS SECCOMB.
He was a native of Cornwall, and was employed
as an Itinerant Preacher among the Methodists, at
an early period of the work : he was coeval with
Mr. Peter Jaco, and laboured with him in the
York circuit, in the year 17 56. During that year,
his father, who was a man of considerable pro
perty, died ; and having been much pained at his
son's going out to travel, he cut off the entail of an
estate, which, at that tirae, was wor\h forty pounds
per annum. Mr. Seccomb, being in a poor state of
health, and his father dying, and treating him in
this manner, very deeply affected his mind. How
ever, at the London Conference, he was appointed
for Ireland, and was enabled to keep his circuit till
the end of December; when the symptoras of a
consuraption rapidly incieasing, he was constrained
lo give up the work. And now mark the proraise
of a God who keepeth truth for ever 1 This young
man had forsaken house and parents, &c. for the
kingdom of God's sake ; and the Lord has proraised
that they who do so, shall receive manifold more in
this present time, and in ihe world to come life everlast
ing. While Mr. Seccomb was bonfined by his afflic-

380 METHODIST
tion, the Lord inclined the hearts of a Nobleman
and his Lady, to receive him into their own house,
and there he was nursed and treated as their own
child. When he had. been there for a week, he
requested his Lordship would permit the poor
members of the Methodist Society to visit him,
that he might give them some seasonable advice,
and his dying benediction. To this his Lordship
readily consented, on condition that he might be
present at the interview. The Society came, and
Mr. Seccomb addressed thera, by way of exhorta
tion, for about half an hour : he then prayed in a
very affecting raanner ; and after taking leave of
the people, he turned hiraself towards Lord and
Lady R  , and, with a heart filled with grati
tude, thanked thera for their kindness, and ear
nestly prayed for them and their posterity. He
then drew up his feet into the bed, (upon which
he had sat the whole~ tirae) and laying himself
down, he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus.
It is said, that Lord R. wrote the above account
of his death to a Nobleraan, then in London ; and
concluded with saying, " Now, my Lord, find me,
if you can, a man tbat will die like a Methodist .'"
Rather say, like a Christian, for whatever ,be his
name, Mark the perfect, and behold the upright, for
the end of that man is peace.

m-e M O R I a l. 381

WALTER S ELLON.

I presume he was made a partaker of the saving
grace of God, and was a member ofthe Methodist
Society at an early period of life ; as I understand
he was for sorae time a Teacher at Kingswood-
School. He afterwards procured ordination in the
Churcb of England ; and was for several years Cu
rate of Long- Wotton, Smisby, and Breedon, in Lei
cestershire. At these places he faithfully preached
the everlasting Gospel, to very large congregati
ons ; and the Great Head of the Church was
pleased to put honor upon his servant ; and though
poor, be was instrumental in making many rich. He
was raade the spiritual father of raany souls ; whom
after he had gotten tbem through the Gospel, he fed
with the sincere milk of the word, and was gentle
among them, even as a nurse cherisheth ber children. .
Mr. Sellon, and the souls that were brought to
God. by his ministry, were united to the Metho
dist Societies. He attended upon the preaching ;
considered tlie Preachers as his brethren, and
treated them accordingly. Though he was the
Curate of three parish churches, his salary was
very small ; on which account, he experienced
some trials and difficulties ; but his confidence was
strong in the Lord ; he cast all his care intirely upo?i
Him; and in a short time, he had indubitable
proof that thc Lord cared for him. He was going
on in his humble, though useful sphere, when the
Lord inclined the heart of the late Earl of Hunting-

382 METHODIST
don, to consider his low estate. His Lordship be
held, with secret approbation, his raodesty and
worth ; and a Living in his Lordship's gift, of
considerable value, in Yorkshire, becoming vacant
about that time, he wrote to Mr. Sellon, as follows t
" For your silent merit, I present you to the Living
of Ledstone." Mr. Sellon accepted his Lordship's
offer with gratitude ; but he had many difficulties
to encounter, (I presurae on account of his piety,
and Methodistical tenets), to get inducted into the
Living ; but on raentioning these irapediments to
his Lordship, they were soon reraoved.
When Mr. Sellon removed into Yorkshire, he
deeply laraented the absence of many pious people
he had left behind him in Leicestershire. Ledstone,
it seems, was a barren soil for religion : Mr. Sellon
speaking of it, in a letter to a iriend in Leicester
shire, naraed a very barren field in that country ;
and said, " My parish is as barren as that ground''
But, by the blessing of God upon his labours, the
fallow ground was broken up, the seed of eternal
life was sown in raany hearts, v, hich yielded fruit
to the honor and praise of God.
Soon after he removed into Yorkshire, in the
summer of 1771) he paid a visit to his old friend"'
in Leicestershire. They earnestly requested him to
preach to them ibe word of life ; and not having
access to his old pulpit in Breedon Church, he
preached in a farra-yard at Tongue, to a raultitude
of souls ; and it proved to raany, a time of refresh
ing from the presence of the Lord.

MEMORIAL. 383
Irt the tirae of the grartd corttest betweert the
Calvinists artd Arminians, (so called) about the year
1772, Mr. Sellon entered the list of corabatants ;
and earrtestly contended for what he thought di
virte truth, irt " Arguments for General Redemption,
in answer to Elisha Cole, on God's Sovereignty, &c,
&c." These disputes, thank heaven, which so
long agitated and wounded the body of Christ, are
now happily subsided. The sword of controversy
has for some tirae past, been happily sheathed, and
I most devoutiy pray, that it may never corae out
of its scabbard more ! It is an awful circurastance,
when men, enlisted under the same Sovereign,
ertgaged in the sarae war, having the sarae enemies
to encounter, and the sarae prize to obtain, turn
their weapons upon each other, instead of the grand
enemy ! What dreadful consequences are likely to
ensue ? The sovereign antidote against this plague,
is the love of God : this love being shed abroad in
tbe heart, will influence the soul to universal bene
volence, and good will to men ; will deliver us
from bigotry and party spirit ; and will constrain
us to say, with the Apostle, Grace be with all tbem
that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.
" Love, like Death, hath all destroy 'd,
Render'd all distinctions void ;
Names, and Sects, and Parties fall,
Thou, O Christ, art all in all !"
Mr. Sellon, was a man of deep piety, considera
ble learning, and good ministerial abilities : he

384 M E T H O D I S ;T
laboured faithfully, in the parish of Ledstone, for
many years, till by reason of the infirmities of age,
he was necessitated to contract his labours.
I am sorry that I am not able to afford my readers
the circumstances which attended the close ofhis
valuable and useful life. But after having spent
the prime and fiower of his days in the best of ser
vices, his God would not desert him, when he
was old and grey-beaded. But, in a good old age,
he was gathered to his fathers in peace — to that
world, wbere the wicked cease from troubling, and
where tbe weary are at rest.

JOHN SHAW.
He was converted to God at an early period of
his life, and in the year 1 763, carae into the vine
yard as an Itinerant Preacher. He was for many
years a reraarkably corpulent raan, which rendered
travelling sometiraes a great burden to him ; yet
he continued in the work to the very last. He
travelled for thirty years with an unexceptionable
character, and was greatly beloved ; and very, use
ful in all the circuits where he laboured. He was
a sensible, upright, steady, pious raan ; whose
heart was engaged in the work of God. His last
circuit was Pocklington, in Yorkshire, where he
concluded his life and labours in the year 1793.
The Lord was with him in his last moments, and
he died with unshaken confidence in his God.

ME MORI A L. 385
GEORGE SHORTFiR.
He came out to travel in the Methodist conrtcc-
tion irt the year 1773, artd wastakert lo his reward
irt heavcrt, about the yeai; 1779- He was an Is
raelite indeed : a lively, zealous, active man ; a
witness ofthe full salvatiort of God, and an earrtcst
exhorter of all believers to aspire after it. He
died, as he had lived, full of faith aud the Holy
Ghost.

CHARLES SKELTON.
He was a Preacher in the Methodist connection
very soon after Mr. Wesley himself began his itine
rant -career. ^ I find, by a letter to Mr. Wesley,
which is published in the second volume of the
Methodist Magazine, he was engaged as an Itinerant
Preacher, in the city of Bristol, in the beginning
ofthe year 1749. His whole heart seems to have
been then engaged in the work of saving souls ;
and from that letter it appears, he was instrumen
tal in ioWbw, (previous to his going to Bristol)
in the conversion of two Roman Catholic malefac
tors ; who were even on their way lo the fatal
tree ! The accouut is so very remarkable, and in
the hands of very few at present, that I will here
insert it (in part) in his own words.
, *' When I came up to them [at the upper end of
Holborn, on their way to Tyburn'] two of the men
Bb

Ssd M E TH O 1> 1 S T
were prayihg to the Virgin Mary, and likewise lo
the other Saints. I spoke to them in the presence
of God, and told them, that not all the Saints^ in
heaven would avail them ; but, unless Christ saved
them, they must perish. I told thera> that there
was no other name given whereby they could be saiie^^
hut the name of Jesus Christ, t then proved to
thera, that Christ was the same yesterday, to-day,
and for ever ; and that if they would now cry to
Jesus for mercy, raercy and salvation were nigh
thera. The words carae like daggers to their
hearts, and the arrows of God stuck fast within
thera. They let their books drop out of their
hands, and their cry was, " Jesus, tbou Son of Da
vid, have mercy upon us ! One drop. Lord Jesus, one
drop of thy precious blood, shall soften, and break xiur
hearts in pieces." The waters of repentance ran
like rivers down their cheeks ; their hearts burst
ing within thera. The Lord broke in upon one of
them, and filled him with his love. At the same
time he received the gift of prayer, and prayed the
most evangelically I ever heard. — ^When the other
had seen what Gfod had done for his soul, it made
him cry out so rauch the raore, " Jesus, tbou Son of
David, have mercy npon me! Lord save me, or I
perish !" He then arose, and got round the othet,
to get at rae, and cried, " O dear, dear Sir, is
there raercy for me P" I insisted upon the promise,
that there is even for you, the chief of sinners. He
then flung hiraself back, and cried out amain, in
veheraence of spirit, " Lord save me, or I ant

MEMORIAL. 387
damned! 0 God, break my heart, fhat is Uke a rock f
Now, now 0 Lord ! let me feel one drop ofthe blood of
Jesus !" While he was thus wrestling, the Lord
broke his heart in pieces ; and immediately tears
of joy rart from his eyes like a fountain : so that
both could now rejoice in God their Saviour."
Mr. Skelton went with them lo the gallows, and
just as these men were turned off, they looked
round upon the people, srailing, and then lifted
up theirhearts, and said, " Now, O Lord! into tby
hands do we commit our spirits." — Surely these were
brands plucked out of tbe fire !
•" Is any thing too hard for thee
Almighty Lord of all !"
Mr. Skelton continued in connection with Mr.
Wesley, till about the year 1753, when he gave up
the itinerartt lirtc, artd settled as an Independent
Minister in the Borough of Southwark. In allusion
to this circumstance, I presume Mr. Wesley, after
having inserted the preceding letter in the Maga
zine, asks the following iraportant question, " Did
God design, that this light should be bid under a
bushel? In a little, obscure. Dissenting Meetirig-house!"
Why Mr. Skelton gave up travelling, I cannot
determine ; but it is conjectured, that as in those
days particularly, the labour was hard, the jour
nies long, and the accomraodations very mean,
that he grew weaiy of this line of life ; and an op
portunity offerirtg for his settiing, he gladly em
braced it. Ifmy informatiort, however, be accu-
Bb2

388 METHODIST
rate, his congregatiort, in a short time, dwindled
to nothing ; and he gave up the work of the Minis
try and died, I hope, in peace, a few years ago.

DAVID SIMPSON.
This amiable and excellcrtl Mirtister of the
Lord Jesus Christ, was a Clergymau ofthe Church of
England; but as he was firraly attached lo the
doctrines and discipline of Methodism, gYeatly
reverenced Mr. Wesley in his life time, and was
cordially united to the Preachers ; whora he ever
countenanced, and treated with the utmost respect ;
I presume to insert the following brief account of
hira in this Work.
" The Rev. David Simpson, was well knowDj and
justly esteeraed by thousands, who have profited
by his labours frora the pulpit and the press ; and
to these, sorae accountof his latter end will, doubt
less, be acceptable. I becarae acquainted with
him [says Mr. Reece, the author of this memoir]
in August, 1797, when he had the appearance of
vigorous health ; and frequently from the pulpit,
heard him annouuce the word of reconciliation, to
perishing sirtrters, with a warmth of. zeal, and
plainness of language, I had never, till then, heard
in the Church. But though he had the appear
ance of health, I soon found, that his arduous la
bours had greatly irapaired his constitution ; and
that after the toils of the sabbath, he was, fre-

MEMORIAL. 38Q
quently unwell for a day or two. Nevertheless, at
these limes, in his study, he had always sorae
publicatiort in hartd, calculated to serve mankind.
His Sunday exercises were not often interrupted,
till February, 1 799, when Mrs. Simpson was con-
firtcd to her room. For some months, she had
laboured uuder a disposition, supposed to proceed
from the fatigue of long and miremitted attention
to her only daughter, who died the preceding
June. Medicine, and the change of air, were
tried without effect. She gradually becarae .worse
and worse, till she was unable to move out,: and
then her dissolution was speedy.
Not many days after she was confined, Mr. Simp
son himself was taken ill, and complained of a hec-
tiip'cough, accompanied with a slow fever. At this
time, his situation was affecting, in the extreme.
Poor iMrs. Simpson lay in a hopeless condition in
the'next room;, whilst he was unable fo afford her
the Jast consolation of his company and prayers.
He had, nevertheless, the satisfaction of hearirtgi
that as she approached her last: hour, her confi-
dcrtce irt God increased ; and finally, that she
cld^ed an useful and exemplary life, . rejoicing in
the God of her salvation. At this painful juncture
he felt acutely ; but his expressions were, such as
evidenced the raost perfect resignatiort to the will
of God. The Religiort, which he had for so raany
years experienced, and successfully propagated,
-was his support. He said, " All is well; all shall
' Bb3

390 METHODIST
he well:— and it is right and just. I have every reo'^
son to praise bim"
The first lirae I saw him after he had taken to
his bed, I found him quite calm and happy;
though he discovered an anxiety for Mrs. Sirripson,
whom he could not then see. " OoJ," said he,
" is going to close np the scene at once, and end 'our
lives and labours together. It is an awful Providence';
but itis His will, and I have no desire to return again
io health."
On Saturday the ifith of March, Mr. Lee, who
had married his daughter, asked him. How he was J
He replied, " Very po&rly" On Mr. Lee expres-
singa hope that he would get better, he said,
" No .; / shall never get better for this life: I do not
wkh to live; I have nb desire to come hack toJifek
Our viiark is done. We leave thegreat scene eftUagi
mw pasiifig in the wof^d to yau. Why should I wish
tOi'Uve'f" Mr. -iifl? read to him that excellent
hymn, which has so often brought comfort tb tihe
afflicted, . ' '
' i?' Jesus, lover of my soul, ¦ ': ¦
j; Let me to thy bosom fly, &c." ; >
When he appeared much affected with the fpUcw
ing verse : ) '
?' Other refuge have I iione,
Hangs niy helpless soul on thee ;
Leave, ah ! leave me not alone,
Still support and comfort me:
All my hope on thee is stay'd,
All my help from thee I bring ;
Cover my defenceless head,
With the shadow of thy wing."

MEMORIAL. 391
>And said, *' that is irue of me." Feeling his ex
treme weakrtcss, he said, " What a poor creature I
am!" And shortiy after, repeated with peculiar
emphasis, the J^oUowing favorite verse :
" Give me a place at thy Saints' feet.
Or some fall'n angel'svacant seat ;
I'll strive to sing as loud as they.
Who sit .above in brighter day,"
His fever rtow irtcreased, and his recovery be
came very dpijblful. Everyone, but himself, was
beyond expression anxious for his life. Prayer-
meetings were appointed, and numerously attend-
,ed : — the interposition of Jieaven was sought :—
many strong erie^ and tears were offered up ; — but
Jhe decree was gone forth : the supplication's of
<tlie flock could not prevail for tiie recovery of the
Pastor. Only he welcomed the approach of an
enemy, whi,ch every one else dreaded. And while
a painful anxiety spread a deep gloom over every
^countenance, he expressed a desire to depart, and
tQ he with, Christ. One day, after a severe fit of
coughing, he said to the man who attended him,
"•The way seems bard ; but it is tbe way the children
of God all go ; and I do not wish to be exempted froxn.
it. I know that my Redeemer Uvetb : — 1 feel bim
precious to rny soul :-:—He supports me under all : — 0
that Icould express all I feel !" fhe doctor com i ng
ill soon after, asked hira, How he was ? He re
plied, " Partly bere — -and partly elsewhere." A
night or two before his death, . he was very restless,
Bb4

392 METHODIST
and often iraagined hiraself lo be preaching to his
old flock. He spoke rauch ofthe glories of hea
ven, andthe happiness of separate spirits; oftheir
robes of righteousness, and of their palms of vic
tory. Then breathing his ardent wishes for the
happiness of those present, he added, *' Pardon,
peace, and everlasting salvation are desirable things."
Sometiraes he would address his brethren, the
Clergy, whora he awfully warned to beware, lest
they were found unfaithful stewardg'at the coming
of the Great Master. " Men and brethren" 'he
would say, " if you are called ofGod,—arefaithfkl
and honest, be will bless your labours !"-—Qut he
could not long proceed in a conned;ted strainT He
had asked Mr. Reece, nirtc days before, " When is
Ijady-dayf He told him, Monday the 25th.—-
Mr. Simpson, replieji, " 1 shdll be gonp before then''
Which was accor4ingly true, for a,fter a day"^ of
apparent suffering, on Saturday ; he fell asleep, a
little after midnight, March 24th, 1799. "' '
Thus, after an active and laborious rainistry
of twenty-six years, in Mqcclesfi^ld, he finished his
course, and went to his reward.
Notwithstanding his popularity, for rnany. of the
last years of his life, he was mu(;h opposed and
persecuted, on his first settling at Macclesfield;
and was obliged to labour in the fire, tiU God was
pleased to open the heart of Charles Roe, Esq. to
build hira a Church. Here his rainistry was dili
gently attended, and much blest. Many sinners
were awakened, who became serious Christians ;

MEMORIAL. 393
and who adorn the Gospel at this day : besides
many qtbeis who have died happy in the Lord,
and are gone before, and have welcoraed his arri
val in his Father's kingdom.
Irt his earlier years, he frequently went out and
preached to the unenlightened inhabitants of the
neighbouring hills ; where he saw his itinerant
labours attended with success. Many, who re
ceived their first religious irapressions at those
times, are now raerabers of the Methodist Society.
Useful as he was, had he continued those labours,
I have no doubt but he would have been rauch
more so : he has been often heard to say, " They
were the happiest days of his life." But the violent
pain in his head, with which he was frequently
attacked for sorae years before he died, greatly
discouraged hira. Nevertheless, his time was use
fully employed. He wrote rauch ; and his various
publications were all designed to promote the
cause of religion. Xhe duties of his office were
perfornied with zeal and exactness. The sick and
the poor had his peculiar attention ; and his great
influence was always employed to their advantage.
Were they afflicted ? he visited them ; were
they in want ? he relieved thera ; was tbere a diffe
rence between any of thera ? his arbitration settled
it. One hour every day, Saturday and Sunday
excepted, his study door was thrown open ; when
the diseased, the needy, the disconsolate, and the
oppressed, crowded in to receive relief frora hira ;

394 METHODIST
and were always dismissed with the oil and the
wine poured into their wounds.
The following short account of Mr. Simpson was
given soon after his death, in a public paper, being
drawn up by one ofhis friends.
•' He was a man whose rare talents, as a Preacher, were pow
erfully enforced, by the convincing eloquence of an upright life :
s. life, which Avas a practical illustration of the doctrines he taugjit.
The New Qh|jrch [at Macclesfeld^, A large and ekigant struc
ture, was erected and endowed for him, by his patron and
'frieiid, the late Charles Roe, Esq. and' at his sole expense !
'Mr. Simpso'n continued to preach in it, to very large congregati
ons, from the year 1 77.5, in which it was built, till a few weeks
before his decease." •. ,(
During' the course ofhis ministry, he discovered
on every occasipn, how rauch his whole soul was
devoted to proraote the good of his fellow-
creatures; whatever respected their happiness;
¦v^hatevdr related to the melioration of their condi
tion ; whatever contributetl to their prosperity,
both irt their teraporal and ^spiritual interests, but
more esfiecially the latter^, were the subjects to
which he devoted his tirae, his talents, his money,
his influeuce. It were endless to trace all the
means which his benevolent mind devised to ac
complish his purpose. He preached with the zeal
and faithfulness of an Apostle ;
" And as a bird each fond endearment tries,
To tempt its new-fledg'd offspring to the skies ;
He try'd each art, reprov'd each dull delay,
AUur'd to brighter worlds, and led the way ! ' ^
Truth from his lips prevail'd with double sway,
And fools who came to scoff, remain'd to pray."

MEMORIAL. 395
¦ He visited and relieved the sick with exemplary
diligence. He encouraged, as far as his ability
extended, every charitable design ; and was at
once the oracle, the friend, the physician, and the
patron ofthe poor on all occasions. When he was
clearly, persuaded that any thing was proper to be
done, he hesitated not ; no probable inconveni
ences prevented, no dangers retarded, no persecu
tions witheld, no worldly considerations could
move him firom following where he conceived his
duty led him. In short, as a Clergyman of the
Establishment, he maybe held up as a model
for the imitation of his brethren, in every respect.
He lived io see the seeds of strife and party,
which had unfortunately prevailed, and shot forth
their bitter weeds, when he first settled at Maccles
field, gradually wither and die away, before the
potent flame of Christian love and forbearance.
As he yespected all, whom he thought to be sin-^
cere in their profession, without attention to names
and sects ; so he was, in his turn, beloved by all
denorainations of Christians. And those who
could not subscribe to his creed as a divine, were-
forced lo venerate his character as a man. So ge
neral was the respect, and so prevalent the solici
tude for his recovery, amongst all who knew hira ;
that during his last illness, public prayers were
offered up on his behalf, not only at his own
church, but araongst the Dissenters and Me
thodists ; and even at the very church, frora
which he had been driven by the violence of

396 METHODIST
a party spirit, the same regard was shewn to
him. He was interred on Tuesday morrting, March
26th, amidst the sighs, and groans, and tears of an
immense multitude of people, who attended him
to the grave, like children bereft of their earthly
support. In the church, v/hich it is supposed con
tained near three thousand people, the expressions
of grief were depicted in the countenances of both
young and old ; even children joined in the gene
ral mourning. The scene was very impressive;
and there seemed to be but one prevailing senti
ment in every breast : could its accents have been
heard, they would have been something like, —
" He was a man, take him for all in all, ' '
I ne'er shall look upon his like again."
The foUowirtg Epitaph ior Mr. Simpson, was
originally designed for a pane of glass.
Others employ their sculptur'd marble.
Or the speaking Bronze,
"To perpetuate the remembrance of merit 5
Whilst 1 commit to brittle glas^
This Testimony,
To Worth not often equalled.
In the estimation of thousands,
THE REV. DAVID SIMPSON, A. M.
For ejftent of Erudition,
Indefatigable Diligence,
Ardent Zeal, and amenity of Manners,
Stood unrivalled.
His Pastoral Labours for Twenty-six Years,
Were uncommonly suceessful, . ,

MEMORIAL. 3^
In the town and neighbourhood
Of MACCLESFIELD :
Many whom he found brutes,
He left Christians.
His pious care, like that of his
GREAT MASTER,
Extended to the Bodies of the Poor of his Flock :
The abodes of hopeless anguish he sought out,
And to administer medicine,
For the relief of affliction,
Was his uniform practice for many years.
After having devoted
Every Talent,
With which he was entrusted,
To the benefit of mankind ;
This bright Star
Was removed from the Hemisphere of the Church,
To adorn the Firmament above,
The 24th of March, 1799,
In the Fifty-fourth year of his age.

EDWARD SLATOR.
He came from Liverpool, and began his itine
rant labours in the Ministry in the year 17 70. I
am not able to say how long he continued in the
public work; but having a weakly constitution,
he settled at Manchester, in the year 1776, where
he resided for many years. He was a deeply pious,
steady, good man, and there he ended his days
in peace.

398 METHODIST
JOHN SLOCOMB.
I CANNOT learn when, or how long he was
engaged in the work of the Ministry, as an Itine
rant Preacher ; but Mr. Wesley says, " He was an
old labourer, worne out in the service of his Mas
ter." He finished his course at Clones, in Ireland,
in tiie year 1777,

SAMUEL SMITH.
He was a native of Sheffield, in Yorkshire, and
carae out to travel in the Methodist Connection in
the year 17 67. For several years he was deeply
pious and very useful in the work ; but at last he
began to think of himself more highly than he
ought to think : the foot of pride prevailed against
hira, and he becarae a very unpleasant corapanion
to his fellow-labourers, and unprofitable to the
people. In short, he was as salt which bad last its
savour : consequently the work becarae irksome,
and his situation uncomfortable to hiraself. In the
year 1779, he therefore desisted frora the itinerant
life ; and there is reason to fear, that he was of
very little use, either to the Church or to the
world afterwards. I ara not in possession of the
circumstances of his death ; but he is said fo have
lived in a kind of unsettled state, for several years,
and departed this life about the year 1797^

MEMORIAL. 399

JOHN SMITH.

He was a very extraordinary man ; remarkably
holy, and erairterttly useful iu the work of the Mi
nistry. He came out to travel in the year 1766J
and departed this life, in a most glorious and tri
umphant manner, in the beginning of the year
1771- His labours were mostly confined to the
North of Ireland, and there they were Owned in
deed. He is said to have been the spiritual father
of many huudred souls ; upwards of tweuty of
whom afterwards became Preachers of the ever
lasting Gospel ! Such great things can God work,
even by an individual ! — ^His manner of address,
however, was rough and uncouth ; but his words
were pointed and animating. — ^There are many re
markable anecdotes respecting hira, which I am
not in possession of.
Mr. Wesley remarks in his journal for July 4th,
1771 J — "I rode to Glenarm (in Ireland). The
preaching began here in an uncommon martrtcr.
Some months since, John Smith, now with God,
was pressed in spirit to go and preach there,
though he kuew no one in the town. Near it, he
overtook a young Lady riding behind a servant ;
and Ort her saying, it was a very wicked place, he
asked, " Are there no good men there ?" She said,
" Yes, there is one WilUam Hunter." He rode into
the town, and irtquired for William Hunters house.
When he came to the door, a youug woman was
sweeping the house. He asked her name, and be-

400 METHODIST
ing answered "Betty Hunter" he alighted and said,
" Betty, take my horse to an inn, and tell every
\orte you meet, " A gentlemart at our house has
good news to lell you at seven o'clock." At seven
the house was well filled. John preached lo them
twice a-day, for nine days. But whenhe took his
leave, he had ortly three-pence to pay forhis horse :
however, he asked the Lartdlady, " What is to
pay for my horse ?" " Nothing Sir," said the wo-
mart, " A gentlemart has paid all, artd will do, if
you -stay a raouth."

JOHN STANDERING.
He was among the first Lay-preachers who as
sisted Mr. Wesley, and commenced an Itinerant
in 1767 ; and was, for some years, a faithful la
bourer in the vineyard. He was a pious, good man,
and greatly beloved by the people among whom he.
travellecj. I ara rtot irt possessiort of the circum
stances of his dealh, but Mr. Hopper says, " He
died in peace, at Bolton-le-moorSf in Lancashire"

SAMPSON STANIFORTH.
He was art erainentiy holy, useful raan ; and
though not an Itinerant Preacher, yet a faithful
labourer in the Lord's vineyard for near fifty years>
araong the people called Methodists.

MEMORIAL. 40)
He was born at Sheffield, in Yorkshire, irt the
year 172O. There was no care taken of his edu
cation ; nortc in the family having the form, much
less the power of religion : so that while he was
young, he heard nothing about either religion or
morality. Hence he had no fear of God before his
eyes ; no thought of his providence, or indeed of
his having arty thing to do in the world. Nay he
was totally averse lo all good, artd hated the very
appearance of religion. In this deplorable slate he
contirtued tillhe was fourteeu years of age. From
that time till he was severtteert, he was diligertt in
busirtcss, but was totally without God iu the world.
He sirtrtcd with a high hand and a stretched out
arm ; and yet had rtot the least reraorse for any of
the sins he was daily coraraitting.
He soon becarae acquainted with sorae soldiers,
who were as wicked as hiraself; and in a short
time he enlisted into tbe army. Tbis was about
the year 1739, and sorae tirae after, being witb
the regiment in Scotland, at Glasgow, he heard
that faitful servant of God, the Rev. George Whit
field; but he had no conception of what he said ;
so effectually had sin closed the eyes of his under
standing ; nor had he the least desire to profit by it.
In the spring of the year 1743, he went with
the rest of the army into Flanders. He had seve
ral remarkable deliverances, evidently wrought for
him by that Being against whom he was continu
ally sirtrtirtg : but they made no irapression what
ever upon his impenitent heart ! He practised all
cc

402 METHODIST
raanner of iniquity with greediness, till he was
twenty-five years- of age, when the Lord, with a
high hand, brought him out ofthe horrible pit.
It pleased God, that in the corapany to virhich
he belonged, there was a raan ofthe narae oiMark
Bondj who had feared the Lord greatly from his
youth. This man had attended iipon the preach
ing of John Haime, William CkmeniSy and John
Evans, (of whom mentiort is raade in this Work) ;
there he was raade a partaker of the grace of God
in truth ; he obtained the pearl of great price, and
rejoiced with joy unspeakable. He then began to
think of sorae one lo whom he could relate his
experience : he thought of several, but could fix
•on none but Mr. Staniforth. Mr. Bond resisted
the impression, but could not shake it off; and at
last he went to him, and told hira what God had
done for his .soul : and also told hira, bis state
would be desperate if he died without experi
encing the sarae. This was strange language) to
Mr. Staniforth ; and he raade sport of all that his
friend had said. Mr. Bond then endeavoured to
turn his thoughts on sorae one else ; but, whether
sleeping or waking, it was continually upon his
mind, '' Go to Staniforth." He then went to. him
again, and told hira what he had felt and suffered
on his account ; but it availed nothing I A short
time after, however, Mr. Bond met with hira in a
most wretched state. He had neither fbod, rao
ney, nor credit. Mr. Bond asked him to go and
hear the preaching. Mr. Staniforth replied, " Yoa

MEMORIAL. 403
had better give me something to eat and drink" He
did so, and thcrt look hira by the hartd and led
him to the. preaching. And though he had uo
desire lo hear arty thing about Religion, but on the
contrary, went; with great reluctance, yet there
the Lord spoke with power to his heart. The
rock was rent, artd the tears of contrition ran plen
tifully down his cheeks. He had nothing to plead
before God, (having never had either the power or
form of godlirtcss,) but the plea of the publicau irt
tbe Temple, God be merciful to me a sinner.
From that hour, though uucomraonly addicted
to it before, he never swore an oath ! Nor was he
ever overcome by liquor, though he had been en
slaved to it for several years. Surely God's work
is perfect 1 There was now a constant cry in. his
soul after God, and he never rested till he obtained
the knowledge of salvation by the reraission of sin*.
,When he obtained the liberty of the sons of God
(which was in a very extraordinary manner), all
his guilt was instantaneously removed, and , his
soul was filled with unutterable peace. His com-
partiort and he now rejoiced together, and they
became united in indissoluble bonds ofthe purest
friendship and love ; which continued and in
creased, till in an awful engageraent with the
French, near Maestricht, in the Netherlands, his
faithful friend was shot through the leg, and in a
short lime after he received another ball through
his thigh. « But his heart," says Mr. Staniforth,
" was full of love, and his eyes full of heaven
cc2

404 METHODIST
and I may truly say, here fell a great Christian, 2
^00^ soldier, and a /ai/i&j^/ friend."
This was a very severe trial to Mr. Stanrfort¥;
yet the Lord enabled hira to bear it, and to say,
Thy will be done. He, however, missed hira very
much, it seemed as ifhe had lost a part of hiraself ;
he even wished that he had died with his friend ;
but he looked up to God, and his heaviness was
turned into joy.
In the year 1748, he obtained a discharge from
the array, and settled at Deptford, in Kent, where
he had married a woman with some property a short
time before. In this place he was instruraental of
much good ; a Society was forraed, and in the
year I757j he erected a chapel. He soon after
begatn to preach, and his labours were not only
acceptable, but a general blessing. His time was
now wholly eraployed ; he had his own business
to attend to ; he was also the Preacher, Steward,
Visitor of the sick, and the Leader of the Bands
and Classes. These offices he filled up with ho
nor to hiraself, and with profit to the people, for
raany years.
In the year 1764, he received ordination from a
Grecian Bishop, who was at that tirae in this coun
try, and who ordained several others ; but finding
that it would offend sorae of his brethren, he never
availed hiraself of his ordination to the day of his
death. His sphere of usefulness was, however, soon en
larged ; and he preached generally in and about

MEMORIAL. 405
London, five or six tiraes in the week, besides vi
siting the sick, meeting Classes, Bands, &c.
In the year 1 77 Ij he built a preaching-house at
Rotherhithe. He preached there constantly once a
week, and the first Sunday in every month ; and
was as a father to that Society, as well as to that
at Deptford, for a series of years.
Thus he corttinued to walk worthy of his high
and heavenly calling, and to lay himself out for
the honor ofhis Divine Master, till he entered the
vale of years, and the shades of the evening ap
proached fast upon hira.
The following is the substance of the account
my worthy friend, Mr. Pawson, has given of the
close of his valuable life.
" After Mr. Staniforth retired from business, he
removed, at the desire of the pious and venerable
Mr. Perronet, from Deptford to Shoreham, where
he was made very useful to the little flock in that
place. But a few years back, he returned to Dept
ford, to his old firiends, and there spent the residue
of his days. He spent a great part of his time in
visiting the sick and poor, and relieved them ac
cording lo his ability. He was a man, who for
many years had the gioryof God in view, and the
salvation of souls yery rauch at heart ; and he
spared no pains in gathering poor wandering sin
ners into the fold of Christ. He was of a reraark
ably calra, mild temper, and of a peaceable and
healing spirit ; and was very useful in proraoting
peace and love among the people.
cc3

406 METHODIST
"When the infirmities of old age came upon him,
he bore thera with entire resignation to the will of
God ; whose raercy and love in Christ JesuSj he
had so long and so largely experienced. And
when visited with affliction, (which he frequently
was for sorae years before his death) he possessed
his soul in patience ; and looked to the hour ofhis
dissolution, with joyful expectation of being for
ever with the Lord. He was neither molested
with gloomy doubts nor painful fears ; nor waS the
enemy of souls permitted to distress him, during
the whole of his last illness. His heart stood fast
trusting in the Lord ; and his evidence for heaven
continued unclouded to the last moment ofhis life.
He said to a dear friend, a little before his happy
spirit took its flight, " I think my experience may be
all summed up in tbose few words,
" In the heavenly Lamb
Thrice happy I am,
And my heart doth rejoice at the sound of his name."
" At another time be said, ' 0 what a mercy to
have a God to go to in a time of trouble.' Seeing
his servant standing by, he said, ' Seek the Lord
while he may be found, and bold fast the beginning op
your confidence stedfast unto the end. The Lord
bless you : may all the blessings which the Lord poured
upon tbe head of Joseph, be poured upon you' In a
short tirae after, he calraly and quietly resigned his
spirit to Him, who had redeemed him unto him
self by his own blood,"

MEMORIAL. 407
Thus died Sampson Staniforth, who had
steadily walked with God for near sixty years. He
died in the raonth of March, 1 799, in the 79lh
year of his age.

JOHN STEPHENS.
He was admitted upon trial at the Conferertce
irt 1/88. He was a youug man of deep piety, and
wise above his years. His abilities were such as
promised fair to raake him a shining figure in the
Church, both in usefulness and holiness. He was
greatly beloved by the people in the circuit where
he travelled ; for it was their general opinion, that
he was one of the most holy young men in the
world. He was an Israelite in whom there was no
guile. He was a great lover of Christian conver
sation, visiting the sick, and private prayer : these
he preferred to his necessary food. He set the ex
ample of his Blessed Master before him, and his
daily care and study was to imitate it. Though he
was only two and twenty years of age, yet he was
far from being a novice: he had the judgraent and
solidity of a man of threescore ; and might with
propriety be considered as a father in Israel.
He kept a journal from the year 1785 ; the last
day's observation therein, I here subjoin, in his
own words :
"June 1, 1789, while I was riding last Tues
day to various'places, I was seized with two severe
cc 4

408 METHODIST
pairts (besides all my other disorders), one in my
shoulder, and the other in ray side ; which conti-
hued till I carae lo Coleraine on Saturday. From
that tirae I could preach no raore ; neither could
I rest in ray bed through the violence of my pain.
" While I travelled on the circuit, though I was
rauch affiicted, yet I was generally happy in
preaching, and had as much liberty as I could de
sire. On the sabbath-day. May 24th, I was truly
blest indeed at a Class-meeting. Yesterday (a day
much to be remembered by me), when I arose and
bowed in private before my God, he poured upon
me a spirit of prayer, and enabled me to corae to
hira, through ray Great Advocate, just as I was:
and he raanifested hiraself to ray soul in such a
manner, that every bar to my happiness was re
moved ; and my soul was left in peace, resting in
the arms of a God of infinite love. Bless the Lord
O my soul, and all that is within rae, bless his
holy narae ! Many precious proraises were brought
to my raind, on which, through grace, I could
lay hold by faith ; and I could trust both ray body
and soul to ray loving, dying Saviour, whom I
could embrace with all ray powers.
" At present I can say. My Beloved is mine, and I
am his ; and blessed be his dear narae, my pains
are almost gone ; and I trust, through divine
grace, that I shall arrive safe at the desired port."
From this time he could write no more. His
bodily affliction had for sorae tirae before this de
pressed his spirits, so that he did not rejoice in the

M E MO RIAL. 409
same degree he had formerly done ; yet he still felt
a constant peace, and an abiding sense of his ac
ceptance with God-
He suffered much before his death, his body be
ing extremely convulsed ; yet his confidence re
mained unshakcrt till his spirit returned to God,
about half past len in the morning of June the
J Oth, 1789.
Thus died this blessed young man, in the fiower
ofhis days, and in the very dawn of his usefulness !

ROBERT SWINDLES.
He was an Itirterant Preacher in the Methodist
Connection for more than forty years. He was a
man of deep piety, great zeal, and universal bene
volence. His charity to the poor and the destitute
was so great, that he not only gave them all the
money he could spare himself, but sometimes gave
them part of his own raiment, which he at tiraes
could ill spare ; and also frequently begged money
and clothes of others lo supply their wants. He
was an Israelite indeed : one who knew hira well
says, " I never knew him to speak a word that he did
not mean ; and he always spoke ihe trutb in love."
He was never heard to say an unkind word of any
one. ' The law of kindness was in his heart. It
pleased God to exercise hira with strong pain for
many years, by the stone ; but he did not faint in
the day of adversity. He was
" Patient in bearing ill and doing well." >

410 METHODIST
One thing was very remarkable, and almost pecu'^
liar to himself: he had no enemy. So wonderfully
was that word fulfilled. Blessed are tbe merciful, for
tbey shall obtain mercy. He died full of days, riches
and honor ; and wenl to take possession ofthe ever
lasting inheritanee, inthe year 1783.

SAMUEL TAYLOR.
I AM informed, on good authority, that he was
a great great-grandson of that erainently holy and
blessed martyr Dr. Rowland Taylor, oi Hadleigh, in
Suffolk ; who sealed the truth with his blood, in
the reign of the Scarlet Queen, in the year 1555.
His biographer irtforms us, that when he came to
the stake he was not permitted to speak to the peo
ple, who greatly lamented his death : but he was
very cheerful, and said, " Thanks be to God I am
even at home." He then kissed the stake, and the
fire being kindled, he held up his hands, calling
upon God, and sayirtg, " Merciful Father of hea
ven, for Jesus Christ's sake receive my soul into thy
hands." — Thus did this venerable Saint, this cham
pion for the truth, the progenitor of the subject of
this short meraoir,
" Eager, with joy, for Christ resign his breath.
And met salvation in the arms of death."
Mr. Samuel Taylor, of whora we are now to
speak, was a Clergyman of the Church of England.

MEMORIAL. 411
He was Vicar of Quintan, in Glocestershire ; and
the unfeigned faith which dwelt in his great great^
grandfather, was in him also. His soul was filled
with holy zeal for the honor of God ; and not con
tent with discharging faithfully the duties of his
parish, he united himself to the Rev. Mr. Wesley,
in the beginning of his itinerancy, and was pre
sent at ihe first Methodist Conference, which raet
in London, in the year 1744, Mr. Taylor went
out irtto the highways and hedges, into the streets
and lanes of the city, in order to corapel sinners to
come to the marriage supper of the Larab. He
encountered various hardships, and endured grie
vous sufferings, in testifying the Gospel of the
grace of God to a lost world. He suffered greatly
in those grievous persecutions which were endured
by the Methodists in Wednesbury, Darlaston, &c. in
Staffordshire ; as exhibited in a sraall pamphlet,
entitied, " Modem Christianity, &c."
He was reraarkably zealous, pathetic, and pow
erful in his preaching. The gentleraan, to whom
I am indebted for this short memoir, was once pre
sent, near fifty years ago, when Mr. Taylor was
preaching ; when in the zeal and fervor of his spi
rit, in the midst of his discourse, he exclaimed
aloud, " Were I but called to the honor of martyr
dom, as my great great-grandfather was, I trust that
I should be able to stand, in the day of trial, and like
him, go through the flames to glory."
WherCj or when, or how he closed his valuable
life, I have not as yet been able to learn, though

412 METHODIST
I have raade rauch inquiry : except, it is conjec
tured, that he died about fifty years ago.

DAVID TAYLOR.
He began to preach the everlasting Gospel in
Cheshire and Derbyshire, about the sarae lirae that
Mr. Wesley began his public labours. He was
rendered remarkably useful, and a peculiar bles
sing frora the Lord accorapanied his ministry ;
many precious souls were, through his instrumen
tality, turned from the error of their ways, and
experienced the riches of redeeming grace ; who
continued faithful unio death.
Mr. Taylor continued to preach thus for some
time ; but he, at last, missed his providential way,
with respect to his marriage, in not submitting to
the mode prescribed bylaw. In the judgment of
those who knew him best, he took this step,
(though unguarded and unjustifiable) in the sim-r
plicity of his heart : yet this did not satisfy many
of his friends ; and viewing his conduct, in this
affair, in an unfavorable light, they became deeply
prejudiced against him ; and his usefulness was
greatly impeded.
In a short time after he left the Methodists, and
united himself to the Moravians; but, not finding
hiraself comfortable, he soon left thera, and then
joined himself to, or at least attended the meetings
of the people called Quakers : but there also ho

MEMORIAL. 413
found no rest. He aft:erwards returned again to
the Methodists, and atterapted to preach once raore ;
but, alas ! his gifts were gone ! The residue ofhis
days he lived rather in a stale of obscurity, and
finished his course, there is reason lo hope, in
peace, about the year 178O.

HENRY TAYLOR.
He was a native of Rossendale, in Lancashire,
and began to preach in the Methodist Connection,
as a Local-preacher, at an early period of his life.
Soon after he changed his religious sentiraents, and
united himself to the Particular Baptists ; and was
for several years a very respectable Minister in that,
Cortrtection. He was, for some years, the Pastor
of a congregation, of some note, in the town of
Birmingham. In the year 1788, however, he relinquished
his charge, and offered hiraself as an Itinerant
Preacher* in the Methodist Connection. His offer
was acceptisd, and at the Conference, in London,
for that year, he was adraitted upon trial ; and, at
the particular request ofthe people, was appointed
for Liverpool ; where he laboured that and the sub
sequent year, with credit to himself, and with
profit to the people. He was a sensible raan, and
possessed considerable rainisterial talents, together
with a pleasing address, so that in many places he
was esteeraed rather as a popular Preacher. He

414 METHODIST
manifested great zeal in his public ministrations,
and in the year 1796, while labouring at Sheffield,
he was supposed to have drunk deeper than ever
into the spirit of holiness ; and there also his la
bours were crowned with considerable success.
He contirtued at Sheffield, till the Conference 1797;
and in the following year sorae circumstances came
to light (though not very recent), which refiecfing
upon his moral conduct, a District Meeting was
held ; and the result was, he was suspended t^ih the
next Conference. He retired, however, to Liver
pool, and in the course of the year was sent (not by
the Methodists, but) by an individual, who had
large possessions in the West-Indies, to teach a
school, and to instruct the Negroes, on his plan
tation. It pleased God, however, to cross this
design, and he died on his passage, I hope in
peace, sorae lirae in the year 1798.

THOMAS TENNANT. .
He was a native of the metropolis, and was
born in the year 1741. He had deep convictions
for sin frora his very childhood ; but as he in
creased in years, he endeavoured to get rid of
thern, which he partiy effected ; but could never
shake off the fear of death. The Lord continued
to strive with hira by his Holy Spirit, till at last,
" He fell before the cross subdu'd,
And felt the arrows dipp'd in blood.''

MEMORIAL. 415
He soon after joined himself to the Methodist
Society, artd while in the solemn act of comme
morating the love of Jesus, al the Table of the
Lord, he was filled with unutterable peace, and
rejoiced in God, having received the atonement.
He newfound an earnest desire to live to the glory
of God, and felt much love lo the souls of raen :
hence arose a desire in his heart lo preach the word.
This desire he raade known to a friend, who ad
vised hira to raake trial ; he did so, and finding
great freedora in his soul (though naturally tiraid),
he was encouraged to proceed.
In the sprirtg of the year 1 770, he had the satis
faction of travelling with Mr. Wesley ; and at the
Confercrtce for that year, he was adraitted on trial
as an Itinerant Preacher. His first appointraent
was Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where, though frequently
greatly depressed in his spirits, his labours were
attended with a blessing to many.
He was a man of a remarkable meek, bumble,
quiet spirit ; was very sensible, and deeply pious.
He was possessed of considerable rainisterial abi
lities, and was very acceptable and useful in all
the circuits where he travelled.
He laboured under a strong nervous disorder for
many years, which sometimes rendered the itine
rant life very unpleasant to hira ; though his
whole soul was engaged in the work. He travelled
for twenty-two years, with an irreproachable cha
racter : but at the Confercrtce 1792, being so de
bilitated as not to be able to keep a circuit any

4l6 METHODIST
longer, he desisted, and settled in London. His
sufferirtgs, for sorae months, were very severe ;
biit he bore them with patience and resignation to
the Divine Will: and some lime in the year 1793,
the Lord was pleased to remove hira,
" From a suffering Church below.
To a reigning Church above."

BARNABAS THOMAS.
He was a native of Cornwall, and was admitted
upon trial as an Itinerant Preacher, at the Confe
rence 1764. He was a very sensible raan, posses
sed a fertile mind, and a retentive raemory ; and,
for raany years, was, in some places, an accepta
ble and useful Preacher. For some time before
his death he desisted from the itinerant life, and
settled at Leeds, in Yorkshire. He there led a kind
of recluse life, sunk into obscurity, and ended
his days, by a violent fever, while the Conference
was sitting, in the year 1793.

WILLIAM THOMPSON.
He was born in the county of Fermanaugh, in
Ireland, in the year 1733 ; and at a very early pe
riod of his life was raade a partaker of the saving
grace of God. He remembered his Creator in tbe
days of his youth ; and in the year 1757, he com-

memorial. 4lf
pienced an Itinerant Methodist Preacher. How
Jong he had preached feefpre he came out to travel
I am not able to say ; but, I presume, from his
youth, it was but a short tinie. He, however, at
that time, manifested himself to be possessed pf
.considerable abilities for the \york of the Ministry.
His soul burned with holy ?eal for the honpf of
God, and the salvatiprt of souls ; aud his labours
were attended with an universal blessing.
It appears from the following letter, that Mr-
Thompson had left his native land, and jyas
preaching the Gospel in this kingdom, in the yea,r
*1758. It was written to a friend .ili /^/^/'^K'^, an^
dated, Colchester, Dec. 15, 1758,
*' Dear Sir,
^* My voyage was not long, but very trouble
some, beirtg exceedingly sick, and exposed to a
dartgerous storm ; together with an ungodly com
pany : but it pleased God to bring me safe oh Eng
lish ground, on Thursday evening, about seven
o'clock. In my way to London, I called at a place
balled Burslem (in Staffordshire), where it pleased
God to use me, in uniting twenty-eight persons to
the Society ; three or four of whora received the
knowledge of salvation by tbe remission of sins : my
stay there was only four days. I carae to London
Ort Saturday, Nov. I3th, and was kindly received
by Mr. Wesley, and my London friends. My soul
was greatly blest amongst the people there : surely
they are some of the brightest Christians I ever
saw; Jvho seem to keep up a close and constant
Dd

4l8 METHODIST
walk with Gbd."-^He adds, " I have had my /w|
friends much upon my raifid, both in public and
private. May the God of Jacob be your eternal
refuge, to your everlasting satisfaction. I hopg
you and Mrs. T. are going hand in hand to the
•kingdora of heaven : nothing is so good for yoa
(and indeed for all mankind), as constant atten
dance upon the ministry ofthe pure word of God':
but this. Sir, without much private prayer, read
ing, and holy raedltation, will not do. They that
will go to heaven must be obstinately good, con
trary to the desire of the devil, the world,' and
their own hearts. 'Tis wise in us, Moses like, "to
choose lo suffer affliction witb the people of God,
rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season:
inasmuch as there is a reward for the' righteous,
and everlasting peace from the God of their sal
vation. )
I ara, dear Sir, your's,
W. Thompson."
About the ^ame lime, Mr. Thompson was called
to share in the general persecution, which at that
tirae prevailed against the Methodists. England
was then engaged in the grand Germanic war :-r-
One tirae, while Mr. Thompson was preaching, an
unruly mob arose, (instigated by the Minister of
the parish) and cruelly assaulted him, and several
of the principal Methodists, carrying them off in
triuraph ; and taking the people, without any
kind of trial, on board a transport, which then

MEMORIAL. 419
lajr ready to sail with a fleet of men of war. Mn
Thompson was confined in prison, expecting every
hour to be sent on board the transport also, and
he was not permitted to see any of his friends.
The Parson, artd the rtoble Justice of the Peace,
(who, I presume, resided in the same parish)
sometimes deigned to visit him, in order to dis
pute with him on religious subjects.
This outrage, comraitted against all law and or
der, coming tothe ears of the late Countess of Hunt
ingdon, (of noble artd pious memory) she, with
some others of cortsiderable respectability, made
application to Government ; by which means Mr.
Thompson and the people, were soon set at liberty.
An action also was brought against the worthy
Clergyman, who had like to have paid dear for his
zeal : for had not Mr. Thompson hiraself used
his utmost endeavours to stop the process, it
would probably have proved tbe ruin of him and
his family.
Irt the year 1 760, he laboured in Scotland ; and
in a letter to a friend, he complains of the little
success which attended his ministry in that country.
In the beginning ofthe year 1 764, in Lancashire j
he caught a violent cold, by sleeping in a damp
bed : (a deadly evil ; and yet I fear not sufficiently
guarded against, by, some who occasionally re
ceive the Preachers, to this day.) This laid the
foundatiort, and was the principal cause of those
dreadful spasms in his stomach, which he laboured
under for many years ; and which in the judg-
Dd2

420 METHOiftIS*
ment of some of his friends, occasiebed hia
death. In 1769, he married, in ihecity oiEdkbWgB,
but from the indispdsition Of liCr mother^ -Mre.
ThoMps'oh could rtPt then traVel with him ; 'dh
\vhich account his labours, for several ye^s, "Werfe
^dhfiried to fhat kingdora, arid'^eNorf hof Eng
land. In the year 17S2J the old lady died, 'tod
Mr. Thohtpsoh irom that tiirte laboUfed 'mestjy in
Leeds, Wakefield, Halifax, Manebeikr, London, artd
Bifminghatn. Mr. Thompson was a man bf remarisably strong
sense, a fertile genius;, a clear understanding, 'a
quick discerntnertt, a retentive memory, '^nd a
'sound judgment. His mihd, naturally ertdow^d
with strong paris, was greatly irajiroved by read
ing and close thinking ; so that as a Mirtlstep, he
'was a ^orknianwha needed not to be' ashamed, rightly
dividing tbe 'word of trutb.
He was supposed, by many, to be one of the
closest reasoncrs, artd most able speakers, tiiat
•ever sat in the Methodist ConfetenCe.
After tbe death bf Mr. Wesley, he took a veiy
active part in the affairs of the'CPrtneCtion; and
the outlines ofthe present forin of governraent ori
ginated principally with him. The Conferenee
shewed in what light they vieiwed'hira, by choos
ing him for their first President, after the decease
of the Rev. Jbbn Wesley, in the year''l7^1.
'Mr. Tbompson, as has beai' hiia ted, ''wtd'^tmi^-
ral years afflicted with- severe 'Spaisms irt his'StO-

MEMORIAL. 42V
mach ; which increased with his years, and greatly
debilitated his whole frame ; and eventually ren
dered hiin incapable of fulfilling the duties of his
station. He continued, however, to preach, till
within a few weeks of bis death.
His last appointment was to Manchesier;, wherp
he laboured as long as he was able ; but at last was
constrained to yield. In the raonth of April 1799>
he left his circuit, and retired to Birmingham,
where his eldest daughter had raarried a person of
considerable respectability. There he had the
best medical aid which could be procured, and
the utmost attention paid him, that filial affection
and gratitude could inspire ; but the disease so far
prevailed, as to render all exertions fruitless.
He was imraediately confined to his room, and,
from the nature of his complaint, for some time,
be could not Ue down in bed. Many of his old
friends now visited him, and were witness of his
extreme sufferings ; and also of the Christian for
titude and patience, with which he bore tbem.
He often said, when exercised with strong pain,
^' O Lord, if it be thy willrdease me from this state
of sorrow and affliction ; nevertheless, not .my will but
tMne be done."
One time, Mr. Lacey, (to whora I am indebted
For this account) said to him, " Sir, you will soon
go to enjoy the fruit of your many years' toil and
labour, which I trust you have already a foretaste
of?" To which he instantly replied, *'Oyes, Oyes,
hlessed be God, I have no fear of dying ; I long ta
Dd3

422 METHODIST
depart, that I may be with Christ : but I must wait
His time." Iramediately his poor, feeble frame,
seemed quite overcome with the Divine goodness ;
and when he had a little recovered himself, he
prayed in a most fervent and powerful manner for
the whole family.
When his pain subsided a little, he often re
peated the following lines z
f Heaven already is begun,
Open'd in each believer ;
Only believe, and still sing on,
Heaven is ours for ever !"
The last words he was heard to utter werc>
, " Far from a world of grief and sin,
With God eternally shut in."
And thus, in full confidcrtce, artd a joyful ex
pectation of future glory, he closed his usefiil life,
in the sixty-sixth year of his age, and in the forty-
second of his itinerant rainistry, ort the 1st day of
May; in the year 1799.
On the day of his interraent, his body was car
ried into the chapel in Cherry-street, Birmingham,
and solemnly laid before the pulpit during the time
of service. Mr. Bradburn addressed a crowded
audience on the occasion, from the words oiDavid
respecting Abner, 1 Sara. iii. 38. Know ye not tbat
there is a Prince and a great man fallen this day, m
Israel. The Preachers in the Birmingham District
were the supporters of the pall; and the funeral
was attended by the greatest number of people ever

MEMORIAL. 423
remembered, on such occasion, in Birmingham
before. His body was interred in a vault in Saint
Mary's Chapel, and a plain Tablet erected tohis
memory on the outside wall ofthe chapel, witb the
follovwing laconic inscription. Sacred
To the Memory
ofthe
REV. WILLIAM THOMPSON,
Who departed this life,
May 1st, 1799,
Aged 66* years.
* Mr. ThompsoitMl'wa'ys presumed himself to have been some
years younger than he really was : but it appears by documents
liow in possession of the family, that the above was his precise
i^ at the time of his death.

JONATHAN THOMPSON.
He was born at Toehouse, in the parish oi Halt-
wistle, in the county oi Northumberland. He re
ceived divine impressions in early life ; and also
received much religious light and instruction un
der the ministry of a gentieraan at Ayr, in Scotland.
In the year 1785, he left Ayr, and went to reside
iri the North of England ; where being very zealous
in the. cause of reiigion, he reproved sin wherever
he saw it. His master greatly respected him as a
servant,, and acknowledged he was one ofthe most
trusty and faithful servants he ever had,— but he
hate4 his religion ; and because he would i^ot ^ox\
Dd4

424 METHODIST
on the Lbtd's-day, and contirtued to reptd^B ^,-
he dismissed him frora his service.
He thert went to reside in Newcastle-upbn-Tyne,
where he was favored with frequent opportunities
of hearing that blessed mart, Mr. Cownley ; und^lr
his ministry, his convictions were deepened, and
his soul was brought into j;he liberty of the spns of
God. In the year 1786, he returned to Ayr, where he
was confirraed and established in the grace of God. .
In 1788 he there officiated as a Local-preacher;
was greatiy respected by the people, and was as a
father to the infant Society. He was a humble,
steady follower of Jesus, and his life and conver
sation were an ornaraent to his profession : he
carae into the vineyard as an Itinerant in 1789.
He was appointed for the Inverness circuit ; and
in a few weeks the Lord was pleased to cut short
his work, by a violent fever, and to take him to
his eternal rest in heaven. He died at Elgh-, and
was interred in the sarae tbrabj with that amiable
young man (mentioned before), Mr. Jdishu^
Keighley. Mr. Thompson was indeed a man of prayer, Snd
would seldom allow hiraself to eontinUe a 'whPle
bight in bed, without rising to spend some time in
prayer, and in holy converse with his God. His
avhole soul was filled with holy ¦zeal for the sali^ft-^
tion of sinners, and the prosperity 'bT the catiSfe in
which he was eiigaged. It wais the general opihksi
of his friends, that his great fervor of spiritj aftd

MEMORIAL. 42S-
uncommon exertions in his work, brought on that
disorder which removed him,
•' From a suff'ring Church beloW,
To a rdgnitig Church above."
His prospects, in respect to this world, were
flattering ; but being persuaded of the will of God
concerning hira, he conferred not with flesb and
blood, but cheerfially sacrificed every worldly ad
vantage to the call of heaven ; and accounted it his
highest honor, and greatest happiness, to be era
ployed in the work of the Ministry. Had it
pleased the Lord to spare hira, fhere is reason tP
conclude, he would have been an eminently useful
Minister in the Church ; but, for reasons at pre
sent concealed from us, this star set almost as soon
as it rose. IVhat we know not now, we shall know
hereafter, . .
The followihg account is taken frpm the Annual
Minutes, for the year 1 790.
" Jonathan Thompson, who died in Scotland, iu
the course ofthe last ye^ ;¦ — a youfig man fuU of
faith and the Holy Ghost, an ornament and honor
jto our Society in Scotland. His great zeal for God,
and the salvation of souls, united with the fervor
and imprudence of youth, led him to excessive
labpur in. the work of his Great Master, which
proved the cause of his death,"

426 METHODIST
GEORGE TIZZARD.
In his youth he was reraarkably wild and wick
ed, and for sorae tirae was engaged as a Mounte
bank. He happened to be in sorae place where
the Rev. George Whitfield was preaching, artd be
ing informed that Mr. JVhitfield had but one eye,
his enmity to the truth was so great at that time,
that he took some stones with him, and actually
went to hear Mr. Whitfield, with a determination
to deprive hira of his other eye. Mr. Whiifieldwas
giving out one of Dr. Watts's hyrans when Mr.
Tizzard carae up, and being a professed Dissenter,
he thought he would not disturb hira while he
was giving out one of his own hyrans, as he termed
thera. Mr. Whitfield then went to prayer ; and
while he was engaged in that divine exercise, it
pleased God to lay fast hold upon pOor Tizzarls
heart. He was deeply awakened, and from' that
tirae he began to seek the Lord with all his heart,
and there was good reason to conclude that he was
savingly converted to God.
He united hiraself to the Methodist Connection
as a Preacher, in the year 1759 ; but he was so
volatile in his spirit, and so witty in his preach
ing, that it was alraost impossible for any to be
serious, while they were hearing him. This was
neither pleasing nor profitable to the people ; " he
therefore continued with the Methodists but a
short tirae.
He then became a Minister among the Baptists,

MEMORIAL. 427
and had a congregation at Paulton, near Bristol.
While he was there, he had a very awful dream,
which for some time had a very good effect upon
him. He dreamed that the day of judgment was
come,' and that he saw the whole huraan race
asserabled before the treraendous bar. He ima
gined thathe heard the Lord Jesus Christ call upon
certain Ministers, whora he knew, and the souls
that were converted to God by their instrumenta
lity. These he thought he saw enter into the regi
ons of glory ; and also that he heard the gate of
heaven shut, while he was left behind. He then
imagined he heard a person, whose voice he knew,
ask three times, " Where is brother Tizzard F' Our
Lord inquired, " Who is brother Tizzard f" The
same person answered, " He was tbe instrument of
bringing me to heaven." Our Lord iramediately re
plied, " / never knew bim." This exceedingly af
fected Mr. Tizzard, and he awoke, and was happy
to find it was a dreara.
Sorae dreams, I apprehend, are purely natural,
some are diabolical, while others are divine. Mr.
Tizzard's I presume to have been of the last kind ;
and that God graciously intended thereby to stir
hira up to greater diligence in his Christian life
and calling ; lest after having preached to others, he
himself should become a cast-away.
The effects of this dream upon Mr. Tizzard
were, for a tirae, very obvious ; but, as is too
coraraon the case, they soon vanished away, and
he becarae as volatile and facetious as ever.

428 METHODIST
Some time after this he procured Episcopal ordi
nation, in a very extraordinary way ; the particu
lars of which are needless to mention in thisWork.
The Bishop who ordained him> is said to have been
quite entertained with his witticisms. Araong tha
rest, when the Bishop informed him, that he in
tended to send him to the Island of Providence, he
smartly replied, " I am glad of tbat, my Lord, for
I have lived there all my life !" — He accordingly
went thither, and there he officiated not only as a
Clergyman, but was raade a Justice of the Peace;
There he continued for some years, and there he
ended the days ofhis pilgrimage ; but whether his
ministry was owned of God, or how he closed his
life I have not been able to leam, and consequently
can give no information concerning them. He
appears to have been an unstable character, and
we know what is the testiraony of God con
cerning such. Unstable as water, thou shalt not
excel.

THOMAS TOBIAS.
He was a native of Wales, and at an early pe
riod of Methodism began to preach in his own
country ; and afterwards came into the Connexioa
as an Itinerant. By a letter he wrote to Mr. Jfes-
ley, dated Oct. 3, 1760, it appears that he v?ent
over to Ireland, to preach the Gospel in that king
dom. As the letter demonstrates the peculiar cars

ME M O R I A L. 429
of God over his servants, I shall make no apolc^
for insertirtg it irt this work.
" Through much diffioulty, we reached the^
Irish shore. We took, ship at Liverpool, on Sun
day September 14, about one o'clock; and by
seven on Monday morning, we were almost in
sight of Dublin ; when we met with contrary
winds, vV^hich drove lis back to Holyhead. We got
on shore, and a few of the neighbours joined im
prayer Ivith us that jiight. Brother Coughlan
preached the next morning. About one we went
on board, weighed anchor, and put to sea ; we
had a fair wind till five, when it began to rise so
that we were obl^ed lo reef our sails. At seven
the sea rolled over our deck ; sometimes half-mast
high : we looked every moment to be swallowed
up. We had between twenty and thirty passen
gers on board, beside soldiers. Oh I the dismal
gtoans artd cries we had ort every side : enough to
pierce the most obdurate heart ! We betook our
selves to prayer : all were now willing to join with
us. Those who made a mock at it the day before,
cried, for-God's sake, Jet us come amongst you,
and do pray for us ! Soon after our fiirst prayer,
'Mr J Cou^lan and Thompson {Mr.-William Thompson
I presume) were taken ill, so that tbey could not
, %ive a word of exhortation to the people, who
were now willing to hear. God so strengthened
me, both irt body and mind, that I was- enabled to
gpeak to them for four hours successively ; and I

430 METHODIST
hope lo some purpose : for I believe some will
not forget it while they live.
" All this while, the sailors were obliged to quit
the deck, and let the ship drive where Providence
would guide her. If we lived, the Captain expected
we should be on the coast of the North of Ireland;
but, about two o'clock in the morning, we found
ourselves surprisingly rolling in the Bay of Dublin!
The Captain Jiimself acknowledged, "Surely tbe
Lord bath stood at the helm this night, and miracu
lously brought us to this place'' At three we were
at anchor ; and we had the happiness of dismissing
the people, with a warra exhortation lo repen
tance. They received it gladly ; and bid us God
speed in the narae of the Lord.
" Blessed be God, he hath been pleased, in some
measure, to own us since we came into the round,
(or circuit). Sorae have joined the Socieiy, and
we hear that others have found the Lord. Yet the
work is not so deep in Ireland as we could wish.
Our round is hard and fatiguing ; but I hope God
will give us strength according to our day."
Mr. Tobias was a man of a cheerful, active, lively
spirit ; of deep piety, and great zeal for the glory
of God. After spending a few years in the work
of calling sinners to repentance, with considerable
success, he exchanged the cross for the crown of
eternal glory, and went to Paradise, about the
year 1767.

MEMORIAL. 431

JOHN VALTON.

This truly pious and very holy man, was a na
tive of Franche Compte', a considerable province in
France. He was born in the year 1 740. His pa-
rcrtts were members of the Church af Rome, and
consequently he also was a nomirtal raeraber of the
sarae Church. He received part of his educatiou
in his native country ; and his Goverrtor beirtg a -
Romish Priest, he instilled the baneful notions of
idolatry and superstition into the mind ofhis young
pupil. But in the wise providehce of God, Mr.
Valton was, in a short tirae after, removed into
England, to compleat his education. He boarded
at the house of a Clergyman, and attended
the service of the Church of England. But
changing the mode of his worship, or even his opi
nion respecting controverted points, produced no
real change in his mind ; and therefore, though
he was now by profession a Protestant, he was still
living without God in tbe world.
He gave himself, however, to reading, and a
short time after, he was very sensibly affected by
reading Hervey's Meditations ; but the impressions
soon wore off, and he became as vain as ever.
In the nineteenth year of his age, in the year
1759, through the influence Pf a Nobleman, he
obtained a public office under the Governraent.
The Lord was secretly working upon his soul for
several years ; and frequently restrained hira from
that outward evil, to which his situation daily ex-

432 M ^

Th O D IS T

posed him. At last the goodness of God brought
him into the company of a Lady of considerable
piety, whose pious cortversations were muicli Idlest
-to his «p^il. Through her, he became acquainted
with the Rev. Mr. Wmky, and the people caUed
Methodists, to whom he was a perfect stranger
¦before. The fir«t sermon he heard frora a Methor
dist Preacher, was from Mr. Mark Davis, at .the
chapel in Wapping. Under that sermon he w^s
deeply affected, and he observes himself, it was
made a peculiar blessing to his soul. His convic-
.tiofts were very deep, and fhe anguish ofhis spirit
Almost indiseribable. He sometimes bordered pn
a state of despair ; but at last the Lord appeared to
¦the joy and galvation of his soul, and he was enar
bled to exult and glory in his Great Delivereir :
this was about the year 1764. From this time he
was deeply pious, and unreserwedly devoted .to
God. Finding his soul greatly concerned for the
welfare of mankind, and thinkirtg that he ought to
do soraething for God in the world; in the year
1767, he began to visit the prisons and hospitals,
in and about the metropolis. In this labour of
Jove he was greatiy encouraged .and .•m.ueh bleat;
and irt the month of August, in the same year, he
first ventured to take a text, and began to preach.
His word was attended with a divine power ; many
sinners were awaltened, sorae persons were ju?tir
,,iied, and others sanctified by the grace of , God* .
Mr. Wesley, being informed of his great .usefol-
ness in that contracted sphere^; now called .him

$1 1: M o R I A L. 433
forth, in the name of the Lord, to raore important
and extensive services ; but Mr. Valton was not in
haste to urtdertake the arduous work uuto which
Mr. Wesley had called him ; he therefore delayed
some time. However, in August, 1775, he waS
prevailed upon lo give himself up wholly to the
work of the Mirtistry ; artd he was then admitted
upon trial as an Itinerartt Preacher. He now put
forth all his strength in the work of the Lord, and
was a faithful and affectionate watchman over the
souls ofthe people comraitted to his care.
His uncoraraon piety, his affectionate concern
for souls, and his great zeal for the glory of God,
rendered him an acceptable Preacher, and a pecu
Har blessing in all the circuits where he laboured.
His ministry was generally attended with a divine
unction, and there w^as a considerable revival,
through his instrumentality, in the year 1783, in
the West Riding of the courtly of York.
His constitution was very weak ; but he conti
nued to travel as long as he was able. By long
and loud preachirtg, at the time of the revival re
ferred lo above, he had brought himself so very
low, that he was uot able, for some tirae, to preach
at all, nor hardly to pray in the faraily. At the
Conferertce 17S6, he was appoirtled for the Bristol
circuit, where he married a lady of considerable
piety and fortune. . And being no longer able to
bear the fatigues and labour of an itinerant life,
he became, from the subsequent Conference, a Su
pernumerary. He resided at St. George's, in
Ee

434 METHODIST
Kingswood, near Bristol ; and continued to labour
in the neighbourhpod as his strength would bear,
even to the close of his life.
In the month of Noveraber 1793, tke Lotd was
pleased to take away his pious and affectionate
partner in life. She died remarkably happy in
God;* but this stroke was severely felt by Mn
Valton, and he did not long survive her. In a few
months he fell a prey to a painful disease : his
sufferings were very great, but he bore them with
Christian fortitude and exemplary patience ; and
he closed his holy and useful life in the year 1794.
He was interred in the Church of St. George, in
Kingswood. His praise, and that justly, is in all the Churches.
He was a pattern of holiness, of charity, and of
zeal for the glory of God. His ministry was plain,
eonvinqing, and powerful ; and he was exceed
ingly successful in the work of the Lord. He de
parted this life, rejoicing in hope of the glory of
God.

JOHN VIPOND.
He was brought to the knowledge of God at an
early period of life ; and at the Conference 1797,
he was admitted upon trial as an Itinerant Preacher.
He travelled two years, and at the Conferepce
* See the account of her in the Methodist Magazine, vol. 1 ^tl),
page 141—146.

MEMORIAL. 433
1799j was appointed for the Whitehaven circuit ;
he only preached a few times afl:er he arrived there,
before he was seized with a fever, of which he
died in a short time. He was wonderfully sup
ported durmg his sickness, by the Divine Spirit ;
and entered into the rest reraaining for the people
of God, with joy unspeakable and full of glory*
His character was unbleraished, and his talents
very promising; but the Great Head of the
Church knows best when to call his servants
home.

GEORGE WADSWORTH.
He was admitted upon trial as a Travelling
Preacher in the Methodist Connection, in the year
1770. He was an honest, pious, goodman; and
continued a faithful labourer in the vineyard for
about twenty-five years. He was afflicted witii the
palsy, so that at the Conference 1795, he was not
able to keep a circuit. He was confined by his
affliction about two years, which he bore with in
vincible patience, and entire resignation to the will
of his heavenly Father. Before the close of his
life, he was so much deprived of his faculties, par
ticularly his speech, that he could not declare so
much ofhis experience as he otherwise would have
¦ done. Yet, at tiraes, he expressed hiraself, as
well as he was able, respecting the great goodness
of God to his soul, and the wisdom of the dispen
se 2

436 METHODIST
nations of his providence towards hira. He oftea
seeraed to desire his release frora the cumbersome
clay, that he might be with his blessed Lord ; 'yet
his language was, Thy will be done. When he
drew near his end, he did not discover the least
unwillingness to leave any person or thing in the
world. He seemed entirely dead to all things
here, and his heart wholly set on heaven. After
keeping his bed only three or foiu: days, he yielded
up his soul into the hands of his beloved Re
deemer, on the 12th day of June, 1797? w^ith a
hope full of immortality.

ISAAC WALDRON.
He began his itinerant labours araong the Me
thodists about the year 176O; but was not very
eminent, either for piety, gifts, or usefulness.
His natural temper and disposition, were crooked
and perverse to a considerable degree : this may
doubtless be considered his misfortune, rather than
his fault \ as no man can help the natural texture
of his frarae. Yet as the grace of God received
into the heart, is intended to produce a real change,
and to create in us a new heart and a right spirit ;
he might have obtained that grace frora God,
which would have conquered the natural perverse
ness of his spirit. This, however, was not the
case with hira, which rendered hira useless in the
work, and a heavy trial to those who laboured with
hira.

MEMORIAL* 437
In his latter years he was severely afflicted, but
tvhelher his afflictions were sanctified to him or
not, I cannot tell. I am not in possession of the
time or circumstances of his death ; but, I under-
startd, he died a few years ago, rather in a state of
obscurity, and not rauch lamented.
O how necessary it is for us, whp minister in holy
things, to be exaraples to the flock, in word, in
conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
So shall we be useful and respected in our day and
generatiort ; artd when we rest from our labours^
our memory will be blessed.

FRANCIS WALKER,
He was^a native of Tewksbury, in Glocestershire,
and was among the first Pireachers of the Gospel
under the care of Mr. Wesley. He was a pious,
honest, upright man ; his ministerial abilities were
not very great ; but he was remarkably lively, zea.-
lous, and useful.
Mr. Wesley, in his printed journal for the year
1744, mentions Mr. Walker, as then labouring in
Cornwall; and reraarks, he had been driven by
wicked and unreasonable fhen frora Trewint, and had
been an instrument of great good to souls wherever
he went. " Indeed," adds Mr. Wesley, " I never
remember so great an awakening in Cornwall,
wrought in so short a time ; among young and old;j
EC 3

438 METHODIST
rich and poor, from Trewint quite to the sea
side."* He suffered great persecution for the word of
God, and the testiippny which he held ; but he
was. enabled to be faithful, and he endured as seeing
Him who is invisible. He travelled a few years, and
then married and settled in the city of Glocesterj
where he departed this life in peace.

THOMAS WALSH,
This erairtently holy artd useful young man,
was a native of Ireland, and was brought up in the
bosom of the Churcb of Rome. He was born about
the year ] 730, He was savingly converted lo God
in the days of his youth ; and in the year 1750,
when only twenty years of age, he began to preach
the everlasting Gospel. He was a raan of uncom
mon talents for the Ministry, and of very extensive
learning. Mr. Wesley says, he was the best He
brew scholar he ever raet with. '¦' I never," says
Mr. Wesley, " asked hira the meaning of a Hebrew
word, but he iraraediately told rae how often it
occurred in the Bible, and what it raeant in each
place." After he engaged in the work of the Ministry,
he was indefatigable in his studies and labours ;
which, being of a weak constitution, proved too
niuch for hira; and, in a short time, brought
• See 'Wesley^ Works, vol. 28. page 3PI,

M E M O R I A L. 439
down his frail tabernacle. — His diary-, which has
been published to the world, proves him to have
been a mart of deep piety and close walking with
God. The illness, which terminated in his reraoval
frora this world to a better, raay be dated from
February 24th, 1758, a few days after his arrival
at Bristol, on bis way to Ireland. " After preaching
twice as usual, and studying hard all day, he was
seized with violent pains in his head, and in all
his bones. He, however, rose the next morning
at his usual time and preached, retiring afterwards
to his accustomed exercises ; but still feeling the
pressure of the disorder, he said, " My body trem
bles with weakness, but my soul is happy in God."
March 4th, the day he took to his bed, he
wrote in his diary as follows : " Good is thy will
O God ! Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and
truth. Thou reignest in righteousness ; though no
man can know either love or hatred, by all that is
before him. Thou givest account of thy ways to
none, but assurest the rigliteous that it shall be well
with him ; and that thy corrections are with this
design, that we may partake of thy holiness. I am
in thy hands, O my God I Work thy perfect will
in me, and sustain me in this trial. I call upon
thee in the day of trouble ; and that I shall glorify
thee, and praise thee yet more and raore,"
At another time, he makes the following re
marks on his state.
'* I had a constant witness from the Holy Ghost
Ee 4

440 METHODIST
that I was a child of God ; however, the sins of
my whole life were brought to my remerabrance,
particularly those of ray heart. For though God
preserved rae frora falling even once into those sins,
in which I lived in the days of ray ignorance ; ne
vertheless, I saw ray pride, desire, ¦ self-will, selfr
indulgence, levity, and mispending tirae ; — my
want of love to God, charity to my neighbour, and
raore serious concern for my own soul, &c."
So severe a judge was this good man of himself,
while, in the judgment of all that knew his manT
ner of life, he was exemplar)' in every respect, and
remarkable for the contrary of what he thus la
mented. " The raore holy and erainently religious
we are," says the pious Bishop Taylor, " the raore
full of awfulness and fear, and modesty, and hu
mility we shall be : ahd it is a sure rule, that
whatsoever heights of piety, union, or familiaritj
with God, any raan pretends to, it is of the devil,
unless the greater also be the huraility of the raan."
Mr. Walsh left Bristol, and erabarked for Ireland,
April 1 Sth. The passage was -extreraely danger
ous, insorauch that the mariners theraselves ex
pected to perish, and cried out veheraently. We
are not fit to die ! While God gave hira, he says,
more faith, and patience, and joy, than he ever
had before. He prayed, and praised God inces
santly. — 'See the blessedness of believing on the
Son ofGod !
He, however, arrived safe at Cork, on the Sun
day following. — His biographer, Mr. Morgan, ob^

MEMORIAL. 441
serves, " Hearing ofhis arrival, I hastened to see
him, and can rtcver forget the idea which the first
sight of him gave rae, of a raan in deep fellowship
with God. We erabraced each other with tears ;
after which, kneeling down, he prayed as to a pre
sent God indeed ! With such raelting and raoving
expressions, and reverential cortfidence, as sur
passed all that I had known and adraired in him
before : and plainly discovered his having entered,
since we parted, rauch farther into the Holiest of
all, by the blood of Jesus"
He had the judgraent and advice of the best
physiciarts wherever he carae, who ort the slightest
intiraation, offered their assistance with all cheer
fulness, neither expecting nor desiring any other
gratuity, than (as one of thera once expressed) tbe
prayers of Mr. Walsh. They generally agreed, that
bis disorder was brought on through excessive la
bour,— frequent and loud preaching, and intense
application to study.
For the benefit of the air, he was taken to
Limerick, but being nothing benefited by it, they
according lo his own inclination and desire, re
moved him to DubUn ; from whence he reraoved
to the palace of the Great King — the Paradise of
God. For sorae tirae previous tp his departure hence,
his State was not indeed joyous, but grievous. He
dirank of his Lord's cup of sorrow, and was in
truth deeply baptized with his baptisra. Pie was

442 METHODIST
immerged in affliction's furnace, and plunged in
the deepest waters.
" His flesh chastised, with tort'ring pain
His soul, and sickness clave his bones ;
Keen anguish dvvelt in every vein,
A,nd sadly turn'd his breath to moans.
Sorrow was all his soul ; he scarce perceiv'd.
But by the pains he suffer'd, that he liv'd."
He was terapted, and sorely buffeted by the de
vil. The nature of his disorder exposed him to a
degree of precipitancy and discomposure, which
he was raore than superior lo while in better
health. In short, so did the wisdom of God per
mit, that through the malice oi Satan, the extreme
violence ofhis disorder, and the concurrence of
several other circumstances, this servant of God
was brought to the utraost extreraity of spiritual
distress and anguish, consistently wilh keeping the
faith : insorauch, that it was but a few degrees re
moved from despair.
" His agonizing soul sweat blood.
With Christ he fainted on the tree,
Arid cry'd in death, My God, my God,
Ah ! Why hast thou forsaken me."
His great soul lay thus as it were in ruins for some
considerable time; and he poured out many a heavy
groan from an oppressed heart. This continued
till a little time before his corapleat and eternal
deliverance : when the Lord once raore shone
upon the face of his soul ; the beams of heavenly
brightness dispersed the clouds, and the smiles

MEMORIAL. 443
of the divine countenance more than compensated
for this night of sorrow. Just as Mr. Walsh
was departing, he burst out in transport, and
pronounced, in a dying voice, but with the joy of
angels ! " He is come ! — He is came ! — My Beloved is
mine, and I am his ! — His for ever .'" And thus he
sweetly breathed out his soul into the hands of his
beloved Saviour, on the Sth day of April, 17 5p,
and in the twenty-eighth year of his age.

RICHARD WATKINSON.
He was a Preacher in the Methodist Conrtection
for seyeral years. He spent most of his time in
Ireland, till the year 1786, when Mr. Wesley sent
him into Scotland ; where he remained till the
Conference 179O, at which tirae he was sent to la
bour in Cornwall ; there he continued for two
years, and in the year 1792, having been again re
moved into Scotland, he concluded his life and la
bours, in peace, in tbe city of Edinburgh. His death
was very sudden ; he had been in a poor state of
health for some time, but was considerably recover
ed. Two strokes of the palsy had greatly reduced
him, and he expected the third would take him off;
• He was drinking lea at Mr. M' Alium' s, with a
few Christian friends, when he was attacked by the
stroke he had been some lime expecting, and he
died in a few hours. For several months before
his death, he was observed to have drunk deep into

444 METHODIST
the spirit of holiness, and to have been unusually
devoted to God. Thus did the Lord prepare his
servant for this sudderi' change ; and for that state
Pf glory upon which he then entered.

GEORGE WAWNE.
He was a young man of uncoraraon seriousness
and deep piety. His parents were very respectable
farmers, at Marton, near Malton, in Yorkshire. In
the year 1779, he gave hiraself up to the work of
the Ministry, and carae out as an Itinerant
Preacher. His appointraent was to the Nottingham
circuit, where he raet with sorae heavy trials,
which greatly discouraged hira. His talents for
the Ministry were but sraall, but his piety, his
love for souls, and his zeal for the glory of God,
were great.
He soon, however, finished his course. He
received a second appointraent at the Conference
1 780, for Glocester, but was not spared to fulfil it ;
for on the 1 1th of Aug. 1780, he was taken to his
eternal rest, in the twenty-sixth year of his age.

THOMAS WEBB.
He was for several years in the early part ofhis
life, a Lieutenant in the array ; in which situation
he received a wound in his arm, and lost his right

MEMORIAL. 443
eye, in the sarae earapaign that General Wolfe lost
his life, in the year 1758.
In the year 1764, (though he had frequent con-
victiorts frora ,the Spirit of God before) it pleased
the Lord, without any outward raeans, to awaken
his conscience ; and he truly felt that he was a
fallen creature. His distress was at tiraes so great,
that he was ready to conclude there was no raercy
for hira. He had no spiritual friend to direct him
to the only remedy for his sin-sick soul ; but the
Lord hiraself became his director, and did not long
leave hira corafortiess.
On the 25th of March, 1765, in a very extra
ordinary manner, the Lord brought his soul out of
trouble ; his intolerable burden was removed, and
he was filled with peace and joy in believing.
A few days after this blessed change was
wrought in his heart, being then in the city of
Bristol, he becarae acquainted with the Rev. Mr.
Roquet, an eminent Minister in the Establishraent,
who accounted it an honor lo be united to tbe
Methodists. Through this gentleraan, Mr. Webb
also becarae acquainted with the Methodists, and
with thera, he soon deterrained both to live and
to die.
The first tirae ofhis bearing a public testiraony
of the truth was in Bath ; when the Prqacher not
coraing, as was expected, he was desired to speak
to the people, which he did, and gave an account
of his own experience ; and the people were much
blessed.

446 METHODIST
Soon aftei this, he had occasion to go to Ame
rica, in his railitary capacity, where he was ap
pointed Barrack-Master of Albany. As soon as he
arrived there, he made a point of holding family-
prayer at his house, at which his neighbours fre
quently attended : after awhile he ventured to give
them a word of exhortation, and from the good
effects which appeared, he was encouraged to go
farther still, even into the highways and hedges.
He was, under God, one oi the first (some say
the first) instruraents of planting Methodism on the
vast continent of America. He certainly was the
means of erecting the first Methodist Chapel on
that continent, in the city of New-York. He
preached in that city with great success ; and in
duced by the success he raet with, and by an ear
nest desire of saving souls, he wrote to Mr. Wesley,
earnestly iraportuning him to send Missionaries
thither. Accordingly Mr. Wesley, at the Confe
rence 1769, sent over Richard Boardman, and Jo
seph Pilmoor, as Missionaries to America.
For many years Mr. Webb resided at Bristol,
though he frequently preached in different parts of
the kingdom ; and as he preached in his regimen
tals, curiosity incited many to attend upon his
ministry. Great multitudes of souls crowded to
hear him ; and a vast nuraber, in different places,
owned hira as their spiritual father in Christ. His
ministiy was plain, but reraarkably powerful. He
was truly a Boanerges, and he often raade the stout-
jjcarted sinner to trerable.

MEMORIAL. 447
Inthe year 1792, he was the principal instru
ment in erecting one of the most elegant chapels
in the Methodist Connection, if not in the king
dom, on Kingsdown, near Bristol, called Portland
Chapel. Irt that chapel he preached his last ser
mon, a few weeks before he was called to his great
reward. His death, though very sudden, was not unex
pected by hira. He appeared to have had a pre-
sentiraent for sorae tirae of his approaching dissolu
tion ; and a short tirae before his death, he spoke
to an intiraate fi-iend, ofthe place and manner of his
interment : at the same time he observed, " /
should prefer a triuniphant dealh ; but I may be taken
away suddenly. However, I know I am happy in tbe
Lord, and shall be with him whenever he calls me
hence, and tbat is sufficient."
On Tuesday, Dec. 20th, I796, a little before ten
o'clock in the evening, having eaten his supper,
he prayed, as usual, with the faraily, and recora
mended them to God. Soon after len o'clock he
retired to bed, in his usual health ; and, in a short
tirae after, having taken his leave of Mrs. Webb for
the night, he seemed to breathe hard, and with
great difficulty ; he, however, arose, and having
sat down at the foot of the bed, while Mrs.
Webb was standirtg by him, be fell back on the
bed, and, without a struggle or a groan, his happy
spirit resigned its habitation, and fled to the realms
of eternal day I
On fhe Saturday following, his remains were

448 METHODIST
deposited in a vault, under the Coraraunion Ta
ble, in Portland Chapel. I read the funeral
service, and Mr. Pritchard preached the sermon,
to a crowded, weeping audience. The Society
shewed him great respect. The chapel was
hung with mouming : and the Trustees, a short
tirae after, erected a neat raarble raonuraent to his
meraory, in the chapel, with the following in
scription : Sacred to the Memory oF
THOMAS WEBB, Esq.
J Lieutenant in the 48th Regiment of foot, sj
Who died the 20th of December, 1796,
Aged 72,
And whose remains are interred in the recess.
As a Soldier,
He was brave— active — courageous.
And lost an eye at the siege of Louisbourg, 1758.
When afterwards enlisted under the banner of CHRIST,
As a Christian,
He was exemplary
For Simplicity and godly Sincerity.
As a Preacher,
He was faithful — zealous— successful,
Both in Great Britain and America.
In the latter, he founded
The first Methodist Churches ;
And was
The principal instrument
In erecting this
Chapel. ¦

MEMORIAL. 449

SAMUEL WELLS.

He was a native of Cbeltetiham, in Glocestershire,
and was a young man of extraordinary piety,
strong sense, and considerable ministerial abilities.
He was converted to God at an early period of life,
and soon after engaged in the important work of
the Ministry. He carae out as an Itinerant
Preacher, at the Conference in 1770, and conti
nued in this good work about ten years ; when the
Lord was pleased lo take hira lo his glorious rest
in heaven, sorae time about the year 1780. He
was reraarkably zealous for God, and exerted all
his strength, and spent all his time, in the work
unto which God had called hira. He was a strict
disciplinarian, and was a strenuous exhorter of be
lievers to go on to perfection.— Several small pieces
that be wrote have been published in the Metho
dist Magazine, which prove him to have been a
man of considerable talents and genius. The fol
lowing letter will fully evince that an excellent
spirit was in him, and that his whole soul was en
gaged in the work of God : that he kept a watch
ful eye over his own heart, and was particularly
concerned for the welfare of that part of the Church
of Christ, to which he belonged. It is dated Oct.
10th, 1772, and addressed to the Rev. Mr. Wesley,
" I am conscious I am but a child, and that the
thoughts of my heart, however sincere, may be
weak and foolish : yet I cannot suppose I run any
risque in exposing thera toyou. Therefore I shall
Ff

450 METHODIST
make no farther apology for offering you the fol
lowing hints,
" When I consider the condition the whole
world is in, as to religion ; I am astonished, i see
myself in an evil world : a world of immortals !
the greatest part of whom are regardless of their
eternal happiness or misery I . I consider, who lives
as a probationer for eternity ? It is plain the men
ofthe world do not : no nor all religious men ; fbr
the far greater part of them are busied in doubtful
disputations, and even deny the truth as it is after
godliness. I believe it is not the will of God that
any should perish ; but that all should come to the
knowledge of the truth. But I cannot expect that
this will be effected by any other instrumenls than
such as maintain this truth, viz. tbat nothing else
than being created anew in Christ Jesus, will be of
any avail to us.
"If these are the principles of the Methodists,
I am led to inquire, do we who preach thera> live
and act according to thera. Let rae answer for
myself. I am conscious tbat God seeth the secrets
of my heart; but it is often a dull consciousness
thereof, else I could never be guilty of trifiing
conversation ; but all my words would be spoken
as in his presence. Indeed this is sometimes tbe
case ; and if it were always so, it would be (as it is
at tiraes) full of the power of God. I know he
then owns his word. It is no longet I that speak,
but tile Spirit of ray Father who speaketh in me.

MEMORIAL. 451
The greater sinrtcr am I, that I do not always so
speak, believe, and act.
" If I beheve the grace of God is sufl&cient to
perfect Toe, and all who believe, in every good
word and work, am I consistent with rayself?
Sometimes I think I am 4 sometiraes I fear I am
not. When I am, I not only do nothing which I
feel would offend God; but I feel irapelled to
press every one I converse with to this also. If I
were always what I ought to be, I should abound
more and more in the spirit of faith, and loving
obedienee, and in all usefulness to athers. I be
lieve much of this spirit hath heen given rne some
times ; but often have I sinned it away, or sunk
back from his goodness by unbelieving fears.
'* But I consider again. What are my brethren
irt the Lord doing ? Some of them, I believe, are
all devoted to Him ; but I fear not all. Many of
them are men of superior endowments ; but is
their behaviour gvich as it ought to be ? I would
ask the same questions about them, as I have
about rayself ; but I hardly dare : and yet my heart
is full. I will therefore, venture to speak a little.
I fear, though I wander so rauch, some wander
more. Our word is too often a mere insipid repe
tition of doctrinal truths ; our eonversation some
times raere irapertinence. May, I sometiraes have'
thought, that you. Sir, might do more than you
do, in promoting the cause of Christian holiness.
I do not remember, that in conversation, or by
letter, you ever pressed me to expect a deliverance
Ff2

452 METHODIST
from all the carnal raind, except once in a letter,
and once when you raet the class at , Cheltenham ;
though you have exhorted rae to press others to it.
And yet I think you have given me, one way or
other, far more encouragement than any other
Preacher in your Connection : though sorae of
them have not been altogether neglectful of their
duty neither. But, dear Sir, would it not animate
us exceedingly if you encouraged us yet more ?
Suffer rae to mention another thing that occurs to
my mind. I soraetimes fear that the very ill treat
ment you have met with from our Predestinarian
brethren, goes near lo provoke your spirit at times ;
and if it does, it must necessarily binder your spiri
tuality and usefulness. I am sure you must be
more than human, if their conduct does not hurt
you."

THOMAS WERRILL.
He was a native of Ireland, and was admitted
upon trial at the Conference 178 9. He was a very
promising young man ; of considerable gifts for
the Ministry, and of eminent piety. For some
tirae he laboured with success in his native coun
try. Afterwards, at the Conferertce 179I, he de
voted hiraself to the work of God among the Hea
thens ; and after a short, but successful rainistry,
in the Island of Jamaica, he died tbe death of a.
Saint \ of a Christian entering into the glory

MEMORIAL. 453
of God, in the full assurance of hope, ' in the
year 1792.

JOHN WESLEY.
Having already, in the Introduction to this
Work, spoken largely of this Apostolic Man ; as
being, under God, the father and founder of the
Methodist Societies ; and as his Life, writ
ten by Dr. Coke and Mr. Moore, Dr. Whitehead,
and others, h^s been dispersed throughout the
united kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland ; and
IS in the hands of almost every Methodist ; I shall
only notice some of the most material circumr
stances ofthe close of his invaluable life, and give
a concise sketch of his general character.
He contirtued his astonishing labours frora the
year 1 735, (at which tirae he went over to Georgia)
almost without intermission, till the year 1791.
When it pleased that God, whom he had so long
and so faithfully served in the ¦ Gospel of his Son,
to take him, in a most glorious and triuraphant
manner, to his great and eternal reward,
Though the particular circurastances of his
happy death, may be known, perhaps, to many
into whose hands this Work may fall ; yet I could
not be satisfied without recording them in tliese
Memoirs. In Mr. Wesley's Jourual for June 28th, 179Q,
(his birth-day) he observes, '^ This day I enter into
Ff3

454 METHODIST
my eighty-eighth year. For above e^hty-six years,
I found none of the infirmities of old age ; my
eyes did not wax dim, neither was my natural
strength abated. But last August I found almost
a sudden change ; my eyes were so dim, that no
glasses would help rae : ray strength likewise quite
forsook file, and probably will not return in this
world. But I feel no pain frora head to foot ; only
it seems nature is ej^fhausted, and humanly «^ak«-
ing, will sink more and -more, till,
" The -weary wheels of 'life Stand still at kst."
This at length, 'was literally the case ; the death
of Mr. Wesley being one of those rare instances in
which nature, drooping under tht- load of years,
sinks 'by a gentle defcay. His labours, however,
suffered little interruption ; and when the sum
mons came, it found 'hitn, as he always wished it
should, in the harness ; still occupied in his Mas
ter's work.
Thursday, February 17th, 179I, Mr. Wesley
preached "at La>rihetb : 'hut on his return home,
•seeraed rauch indisposed, and supposed . he had
taken cold. The next day he read and wrote as
usual ; and in the evening preached ^t 'CMwtf,
with sorrie difficulty.
Saturday he still pdrsevered in 'his usual employ
ments ; though to those 'about him, his complaiftts
seeraed evidentiy increasing.— On Sunday, he rose
early, according to custora, but quite unfit for the
exercises of the day.'— 'Monday, he seemed' rtiuch
better, and visited -a friend at Twiekenham.-^xiesr

MEMORIAL. 455
day, be went on with his usual work ; preached
at the City-Road, and seemed better than fie had
been for sorae days. — Wednesday, the 23d, he
went to Leatherbead, where he delivered his last
sermon, from, S^ek ye the Lord while be may be
found ; call ye upon bim while he is near. He re
turned to towrt on Friday the 25th, extreraely ill.
Saturday, the 26th, he continued rauch iti the
sarae state ; taking very little, either of raedicine
or nourishment.On Sunday raorning he seemed better ; got up^
and took a cup of tea. Sitting in his chair, he
looked quite cheerful ; and repeated that verse,
" 'Till glad I lay this body down,
Thy servant Lord attend ;
^nd £) ! .^ay life of jnercy crown
With a ti-ijtin^phant end.'^
Soprt after, he emphatically said, " Our friend
Lazarus sleepeth." Some tirae after, he said,
*' There is no need of more % when at Bristol, my
words were, " 1 the chief of sinners am,
But Jesus .died for me."*
* hx-t^e. -Bristol Conference in 1783, Mr. Wesley was talten
very ill : neither he nor his friends .thojrght he would recover.
Under these views of his situation, he said to ^x. Bradford, " 1
have been reflecting on my past life : I have been wandering up
and down between fifty and sixty years, eadeavouring in my
poor way to do a little good to my fellow Qreatures : and now it
is probable, that there are h^t a few steps between.me and death :
and what have 1 to trust to for salvat.ign ? I can see nothing
ivhich I have done, or suffered, that will bear looking at. I
Ff4

456 METHODIST
Monday 28th, his weakness increased. He slept
most of the day, and spoke but little ; yet that lit
tle testified how much his wholte heart was taken
up with the care of the Societies, the glory of
God, and the promotion of the things pertaining
to that kingdora, lo which he was hastening.
Once he said, in a low, but distinct manner.
There is no way into the holiest, but by tbe blood of
Jesus. Tuesday morning, he sang two verses of that
hyran, " All glory to God in the sky."
Then lying still, as if to recover his strength^ he
called for pen and ink : they were brought to him,
but he could not write. A person said, " Let me
write for you. Sir ; tell rae what you would say ?"
" Nothing," replied he, " but that God is with
us." In the forenoon he said, "I willget up."
While they were preparing his clothes, he broke
out in a raanner which surprised all who were
about hira, in singing,
"I'll praise my Maker while I've breath, &c."
When he got into his chair, he appeared to change
for deatii. But he, regardless of his dying body,
said with a weak voice, " Lord, thou givest
strength to those who can speak, and to those who
have no other plea than this, / the chief of sinners am, hut Jesus
died, for mt." — The sentiment here expressed, and his reference
to it in his last sickness, plainly shews, how steadily he had per
severed in the same views of the Gospel, with which he set out
tP preach,"

MEMORIAL. 457
cannot : speak Lord to all our hearts, and let them
know that thou loosest tongues." He then sung,
" To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Who sweetly all agree."
Here his voice failed. After gasping for breath,
he said, " Now we have done all — let us all go."
He was then laid on the bed, from which he arose
no more I After resting a little, he called to those
who were with hira to pray and praise ; and taking
each by tbe hand, and affectionately saluting them,
he said, " Farewell, farewell." Attempting af
terwards to say soraething which they could not
understand, he paused a little, and then with all
the remaining strength he had, said, " The best
OP AiiL IS, God is with us." And again, lift
ing his hand, he repeated the sarae words with
holy triumph, "The best of all is, God Is
WITH us."" On wetting his lips, he said his usual
thanksgiving after meat ; " We thank Thee, O
Lord, for these and all thy mercies : bless the
Church and King, and grant us truth and peace,
through Jesus Christ our Lord." After some
pause, he said, " Tbe clouds drop fatness. The
Lord is with us — the God of Jacob is our refuge''
Most ofthe following night, he often attempted
to repeat his favorite psalm ; but could only, get

out.

" I'll praise — I'll praise."
On Wednesday morning the closing scene drew
near. Mr. Bradford, his old and faithful friend.

458 METHODIST
now prayed with him ; and the last word he was
heard to articulate, was. Farewell. A few mi
nutes before ten o'clock in the morning, on the
second day of March, 179I; while a number of
his friends were kneeling around his bed, without
a lingering groan, did this blessed man of God
enter into the joy of his Lord.
On Tuesday, March Sth, at the earnest -request
of many friends, his corpse, dressed in his canoni
cal robes, was placed in the New Chapel; in order
that they raight once more see his remains befOTe
his interment. His face, as he lay in his coffin,
had a heavenly sraile upon it ; and a beauty that
was adraired by all who saw it.
He was interred on the 9th of March, as privately
as possible, between five and six o'clock in. the
raorning ; and yet raany hundreds of his friends
attended at that early hour ; and, with many tears,
saw his remains deposited in the vault he had
some years before prepared for himself and the
Preachers, in the yard of the New Chapel, in the
City-Road, London. The funeral service was read
by the Rev. John Richardson, in a raanner which
rendered it peculiarly affecting. The funeral ser
mon was preached by John Whitehead, M. D. and
afterwards printed ; which is generally supposed
to be a masterly perforraance. The chapel was
uncommonly crowded; and the audience as still
and soleran as night.
The death of Mr. Wesley attracted the notice of

MEMORIAL. 459
the public beyond any former example ; rtot only
in the metropolis, but throughout the land.
The poetic fiight of Dr. Watts, in his admirable
Elegy on Mr. Thomas Gouge, may, with the ut
most propriety, in my judgment, be applied to the
death of Mr- Wesley.
" Wesley to dust ! How doleful is the sound 1
How vast the stroke is ! and how wide the wound !
O painful stroke ! Distressing death !
A wound immeasurably wide ;
No vulgar mortal died,
When he resign'd his breath.
" The muse that mourns a nation's fall.
Should wait at Wesley's funeral,
Should mingle majesty and groans,
Such as she sings to sinking thrones ;
And in deep sounding numbers tell.
How Sion trembled when this pillar fell :
Sion grows weak, and England poor;
Nature herself, with all her store.
Can fumish such a pomp for death no more."
The inscription on his coffin was,
JOHANNES WESLEY, A. M.
Oiim. Soc. Coll. Lin. Oxon.
Ob. 2do. die Martii 1791.
An. jEu 88.
The inscription on Mr. .Wesley's torab.
To the Memory of
THE VENERABLE JOHN WESLEY, A. M.
Late Eellow of Lincoln -College, Oxford.
This Great Light arose
(By the singular Providence of God)

460 METHODIST
To enlighten these Nations,
And to revive, enforce, and defend.
The Pure, Apostolical Doctrines and Practices of
The Primitive Church :
Which he continued tojdo, by his Writings and his
Labours,
For more than Half aCentury :
And, to his inexpressible Joy,
Not only beheld their Influence extending,
And their Efficacy witnessed,
In the Hearts and Lives of many thousands.
As well in the Western World, as in these
Kingdoms :
But also, far above all human Power or Expectation,
Lived to see Provision made, by the singular Grace
Of GOD,
For their Continuance and Establishment ;
To the Joy of Future Generations!
Reader, If thou att constrained to bless the Instrument,
Give GOD the Glory !
After having languished a few days. He at length f nished
his Course and his Life together: gloriously
triumphing over Tl)l\th, March 2, An. Dom. 1791,
in the Eighty-Eighth Year of his Age,
In the year 1800, the Trustees of the New
Chapel, ordered a neat Marble Tablet to be
erected in raeraory of Mr. Wesley ; and placed
it on the right side of the Coraraunion Table, at
the East end of the chapel ; with the following
inscription, composed by Dr. Whitehead.  (On
the other side of the Communion Table, the
Trustees have also erected another Marble
Tablet, to the meraory of the Rev. Charles
Wesley : the inscription on which, I shall insert
at the close of his life.)

MEMORIAL. 461
Sacred to the Memory
Of the Rev. JOHN WESLEY, A. M.
Sometime i^«Z^ow of Lincoln College, Oxford.
A man in Leaming and sincere Piety
Scarcely inferior to any :
In Zeal, Ministerial Labours, and extensive Usefulness,
Superior (perhaps) to all men.
Since the days of St. Paul.
Regardless of Fatigue, personal Danger and Disgrace,
He went out into the Highways and Hedges,
Calling Sinners to Repentance ;
And preaching the Gospel of Peace.
He was the Founder of the Methodist Societies ;
The Patron and Friend of the Lay-preachers ;
By whose aid he extended the Plan of Itinerant Preaching
Through Great Britain and Ireland,
The West Indies and America,
With unexampled Success.
He was born June 1 7th, 1 703,
And died March 2d, 1791,
In sure and certain hope of Eternal Life,
Through the Atonement and Mediation of a Crucified Saviour.
He was Sixty-five Years in the Ministry,
And Fifty-two an Itinerant Preacher.
He lived to see, in these Kingdoms only.
About three hundred Itinerant,
And a thousand Local Preachers,
Raised up from among his own People ;
And eighty thousand Persons in the Societies under his care.
His Name will be had in grateful Remembrance,
By all who rejoice in the universal spread
Ofthe Gospel of Christ.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Dr. Whitehead,
Scripsit.

462 METHODIST
As to the Character of Mr. Wesley, I know
not where to begin to- delineate it. I remember
his own words concerning that eminent servant of
God, Mr. Fletcher, " Only an Apelles is proper to
paint an Alexander'' Besides so many portraits
have been drawn of him by masterly hands ; that
were my abilities what they are not, I should al
most despair of affording one fresh trait ; or con
veying one new idea of his excellent character. I
must, therefore, content myself with presenting to
my Readers a sketch, selected from those who have
gone before me in this track.
His natural and acquired abilities were both of
the highest rank. His apprehension was lively
and distinct ; his leaming extensive. His judg
ment, though not infallible, was in most cases ex
cellent. His raind was stedfast and resolved. His
elocution was ready and clear, graceful and easy,
accurate and unaffected. As a writer, his style,
though unstudied, and flowing with natural ease,
yet for accuracy and perspicuity, was such, as may
vie with the best writers in the English language,
Though his teraper was naturally warm, his man
ners were gentle, simple, and uniform. Never
were such happy talents better seconded by an un
relenting perseverance in those courses, which his
singular endowments, and his zealous love to the
interests of raankind, marked out for him. — ^His
cortstitutiort was excellent, and never was a con
stitution less abused, less spared, or more excel
lently applied in an exact subservience to the facul-

M E M O H I A L. 463
ties of his mind. His labours and studies were
wonderful : the latter were not confined to Tbealogf
only ; but extended to every subject that tended
either to the improveraent, or the rational enter
tainment of the mind. If we consider the reading
he discovers by itself, his writings, and his other
labours by themselves ; any one of them will ap
pear sufficient to have kept a person of ordinary
application, busy during his whole life. In short,
the transactions of his life could never have been
performed without the utraost exertion of two qua
lities ; which depended, not upon his capacity,
but on the, uniform stedfastness of his resolution.
These were inflexible temperance, and unexampled
ceconomy of time. In these he was a pattern to the
age he lived in ; and an example to what a sur
prising extent a man may render himself useful in
his generation, by teraperance and punctuality.
His friends and followers have no need to be
asharaed ofthe name oi Methodist, he has entailed
upon thera : as for an uninterrupted course of years
he gave the world an instance of the possibility of
living without wasting a single hour ; and of the
advantage of a regular distribution of tirae, in dis
charging the important duties and purposes of life.
Few ages have more needed such a public testi
mony to the value of time ; and perhaps, none
have had a raore conspicuous example of the per
fection, to which the improveraent of it raay be
carried. As a Minister, his labours were unparalleled.

404 METHODIST
and such as nothing could have supported him un
der, but the warmest zeal for the docfrine which
he taught, and the etemal interests of mankind.
He studied to be gentle, yet vigilant and faithful
towards all. He possessed himself in patience,
and preserved hiraself unprovoked ; nay even un
ruffled in the midst of persecution, reproach, and
all raanner of abuse, both of his person and name.
The following account, as far as it goes, is a
-beautiful picture ofthis extraordinary raan.
" Very lately, I had an opportunity, for some
days together, of observing Mr. Wesley with atten
tion. . I endeavoured to consider him, not so much
with the eye of a friend, as with the impartiality of
a philosopher ; and I raust declare, every hour I
spent in his company, afforded me fresh reasons
for esteem and veneration. So fine an old man I
never saw. The happiness of his mind, beamed
forth in his countenance : eveiy look shewed how
fully he enjoyed,
" The gay remembrance of a life well spent."
Wherever he went, he diffused a portion of his
own felicity. Easy and affable in his demeanor, he
accomraodated himself to every sort of company ;
and shewed how happily the most finished courtesy,
may be blended with the most perfect piety. In
his conversation, we might be at a loss whether to
adraire raost, his fine classical taste, his extensivVe
knowledge of raen and things, or his overflowing
goodness of heart. While the grave and serious,
were charraed with his wisdora, his sportive sal-

MEMORIAL. 463
lies of innoccrtt mirth, delighted evert the young
and thoughtless; and both saw, in his uninter
rupted cheerfulness, the excellency of true reli
gion. No cynical reraarks on the levity of youth
embittered his discourse : no applausive retrospect
to past times, marked his present discontent. In
him, even, old age appeared delightful, like an
evening without a cloud ; and it was impossible to
observe him without wishing fervently. May my
latter end be Uke bis ! For my own part, 1 never
was so happy as while with hira, and scarcely ever
felt raore poignant regret than at parting with him;
for, well I knew,
" I ne'er should look upon his like again."
The following beautiful portrait of Mr. Wesley
was drawn by a masterly hand; and, for its size,
is, perhaps, one of the best finished likenesses, that
has been presented to the world. I shall, there
fore, raake no apology for inserting it in this Work,
as the finishing stroke of his character.
" His indefatigable zeal in the discharge of his
duty has been long witnessed by the world ; but
as .mankind are not always inclined to put a gene
rous construction on the exertion of singular ta
lents, his motives were iraputed to the love of
popularity, ambition, and lucre. It now appears
that he was actuated by a disinterested regard to
the iinmortal interests of raankind. He laboured,
and studied, and preached, and wrote, to propa
gate, what he believed to be the Gospel of Christ.
The intervals of these engagements were eraployed
in governing and regulating the concerns of his

466 METHODIST
nuraerous Societies ; assisting the necessities; solv
ing the difficulties, and soothing the afflictions of
his hearers. He observed so rigid a temperatieis,
and allowed hiraself so littie repos'6, thiat he seemed
to be above the infirraities of nature, and 16 act
independant of the earthly tenement he OfccUpied.
The recital of the occurrences bf ev6ry day of his
life would be the greatest encomiuirt.
" Had he loved wealth, he raight have accumu
lated it without bounds. Had he been fortd of
power, his infiuence would have been worth court
ing by any party. I do not say he was withotlt
arabition ; he had that which Christianity need not
blush at, and which virtue is proud to confess. I
do not raean that which is gratified by splendor
and large possessions ; but that which coraraands
the hearts and affections, the horaage and gratitude
of thousands.' For hira they felt sentiraents of ve
neration , only inferior to those which they paid
to heaven : to hira they looked as their father,
their benefactor, their guide to glory and immor
tality : for him they fell prostrate before God, with
prayers and tears, to spare him, and prolong his
stay. Such a recompence as this, is sufficient to
repay the toils of the longest life. Short of this,
greatness is contemptible impotence. Before this,
lofty Prelates bow, and Princes hide their dimi
nished heads.
His zeal was not a transient blaze, but a steady
and constant flame. The ardor of his spirit was
neither damped by difficulty, nor svbdued by age.

MEMORIAL. 467
This was ascribed, by hiraself, to the power of Di
vine grace ; by the world to enthusiasm : be it what
it will, it is what philosophers must envy, and in
fidels respect : it is that which gives energy to the
soul; artd without which, there can be no great
ness or heroism.
Why should we conderan that in religion,
which we applaud in every other profession or
pursuit ? He had a vigor and an elevation of mind,
which nothing but the belief of the Divine favor
and prcsertce could inspire. This threw a lustre
round bis infirmities ; and changed his bed of
sickness into a triuraphal car.
He was qualified to excel in every branch of lite
rature : he was well versed in the Learned Tongues,
in Metaphysics, in Oratory, in Logic, in Criticism ;
and possessed every requisite of a Christian Minis
ter. His style was nervous, clear and raanly ; his
preaching was pathetic and persuasive ; his jour
nals are artiess and interesting ; and his coraposi
tions and compilations, to proraote knowledge
and piety, were alraost innuraerable.
" I do not say he was without faults, or above
mistakes ; but they were lost in the multitude of
his excellencies and virtues.
" To gain tbe admiration of an ignorant and su
perstitious age, requires only a little artifice and
address ; to stand the lest of these tiraes, when all
pretensiorts to sanctity are stigraatized as hypo
crisy, is a proof of genuine piety and real useful
ness. His great object was.lo revive the obsolete
Ggl

468 METHODIST
doctrines, and extinguished spirit of the burcb of
England ; and they who are its friends, cannot be
his eneraies. Yet for this he was treated as a fana
tic, and irapostor, and exposed to every species of
slander and persecution. Even Bishops and Dig
nitaries entered the lists against hira ; but he never
declined the combat, artd generally proved victo
rious. He appealed to the Homilies, the Articles, .
and the Scriptures, as vouchers for his doctrine ; and
they who could not decide upon thc raerits ofthe
controversy, were witnesses of the effects of his
labours ;, and they judged ofthe tree by the fruits.
It is true, he did not succeed rauch in the higher
walks of life; but that irapeached his cause no
more than it did the first planters of the Gospel.
However, if he had been capable of assuraing va
nity on that score, he might have ranked among
his friends some persons of the first distinction,
who would have done honor to any party.
" After surviving almost all bis adversaries, and
acquiring respect among those who were the most
distant frora his principles, he lived to see the
plant, he had reared spreading its branches far and
wide ; and inviting not only these kingdoms, but
the western world to repose under its shade. — No
sect, since the first ages of Christianity-, could boast
a founder of such extensive talents and endow
ments. If he had been a cartdidate for literary
fame, he might have succeeded to his utmost
wishes ; but he sought not the praise of man : he-
regarded learning, only as the instrument of use-

MEMORIAL. 46(J
fulness. The great purpose of his life was doing
good. For this he relinquished all honor and
preferraent ; to this he dedicated all the powers of
body and raind ; at all tiraes and in all places, in
season and out of season ; by gentleness, by terror,
by argument, by persuasion, by reason, by inter
est, by every motive and every induceraent ; he
strove with unwearied assiduity, to turn raen from
the error of their ways ; and awaken them to Viir-
tue and religion. To the bed of siekness, or the
couch of prosperity ; lo the prison, the hospital,
the house of mourning, or the house of feasting ;
whenever there was a friend to serve, or a soul to
save, he readily repaired ; to administer assistance
or advice, reproof or consolation. He thought no
office too humiliating, no condescension too low,
no undertaking too arduous, to reclaim the raean
est of God's offspring. The souls of all raen were
equally precious in his sight ; and the value of an
iramortal creature beyond all estimation. He pe
netrated the abodes of wretchedness and ignorance,
to rescue the profligate from perdition ; and he
communicated the light of life to those who sat in
darkness and the shadow of death.
" He vs'as instruraental in changing the outcasts
of society into useful raerabers ; civilizing even sa
vages, and filling those lips with prayer and praise,
that had been accustoraed only to oaths and ira-
precations. But as the strongest religious impres
sions are apt to becorae languid without discipline
and practice, he divided his people into classes
Gg3

470 METHODIST
and bands, according to their attainraents. He
appointed frequent meetings for prayer and con
versation ; where they gave an account of their
experience, their hopes and fears, their joys and
troubles : by which means they were united to
each other, and to their coraraon profession.
They becarae centinels to each other's conduct,
and securities for each other's character. Thus the
seeds he sowed, spraiig up and flovrished ; bear
ing the rich fruits of every grace and virtue. Thus
he governed and preserved his nuraerous Societies ;
watching their iraproveraent with a paternal care,
and encouraging thera to be faithful to the end.
" But 1 will not attempt to draw his full charac
ter, nor to estiraate the extent of his labours and
services. They will be best known when he shall
deliver mp his comraission into, the hands of his
Great Master."
The fruits of Mr. Wesley's labours, were in some
places raore conspicuous than in others, by reason
ofthe previous profligacy of the persons who were
converted by his ministry. This was particularly
the case with the Colliers in Kingswood, near Bris
tol ; who were a people famous from the begin
ning, for neither fearing God nor regarding man ;
so that they were a terror to all the country for
many miles round. The change, therefore, which
was produced in thera, was so obvious and incon-.
testible, as to excite imiversal attention and admi
ration It incited a Clergyman in the neighbour
hood, of eccentric character, but of no mean

MEMORIAL. 471
genius, lo employ his poetical talents in writing
the following lines ; which as they are but little
knowrt, and so fully descriptive of the success of
the Modem Druid's labours in Kingswood; I
thought the insertion of them would be pleasing to
my readers.
" How chang'd the scene, how pleasant to our eyes !
A thousand peaceful cottages arise,
Where the insatiate wolf was wont to prowl,
And scare the unhappy pilgrim with his howl.
There now the friendly voice of man you hear.
Who cheerfully salute the list'ning ear.
But yet the reas'ning slaves, alas ! we find,
To every thing celestial wholly blind !
How gross their ignorance ! their hearts how dark !
No ray of light was seen — no heavenly spark :
But when a modern Druid did inquire,
How sad their state ? — He strung his sounding lyre :
Around his sounding lyre the miners throng,
Charm'd with his voice, they blest him as he sung.
He sang of Paradise ; the happy state ;
Then sweetly m,ourn'd our fallen parents' fate.
But how the wond'rous Bard his voice did raise,
How tun'd his chords to sing his Saviour's praise !
The ready strings were joyful seen to move.
Whilst in his lofty lays, he sang His love ;
Who had descended from the realms on high.
And left the happy mansions of the sky :
Who did the ceaseless joys of heav'n forego.
For shame, reviling, penury and woe.
Who did exchange the music ofthe spheres,
For human wailings, and a vale of tears.
Who laid his great Omnipotence aside,
Became a child xoith us, andfor us died.
Gg4

472 METHODIST
These wond'rous things, O Christ ! were done by thee,
To save our hapless race from misery.
O happy day ! O most stupendous birth !
In heaven is gladness, and goodwill on earth.
The attentive wood was ravish'd as he sung,
And truths divine came mended from his tongue.
Victorious tenderness! it all o'ercame;
Colliers look'd mild, and Savages grew tame!"
The following description of Mr. Wesley's per
son, w^ill be agreeable to most readers now ; and
certainly will be raore so, when those who person
ally knew hira are reraoved to their eternal habita
tions. " The figure of Mr. Wesley was remarkable.
His stature was low: his habit of body in every
period of life, the reverse of corpulent ; and ex
pressive of strict teraperance, and continual exer
cise : and notwithstanding his sraall size, his step
was firra, and his appearance, till within a few
years of his death, vigorous and rauscular. His
face, for an old man, was reraarkably fine : a clear
smooth forehead, an aquiline nose, an eye the
brightest and raost piercing that can be conceived ;
and a freshness of coraplexion, scarcely ever found
at his years, and expressive of the most perfect
health ; conspired to render hira a venerable and
interesting figure. Few have seen hira without be
ing struck with his appearance : and raany who
had been greatly prejudiced against him, have
been known to change their opinion, the moment
they were introduced into his presence. In his
countenance and demeanor, there was a cheerful'?

MEMORIAL. 473
ness mingled with gravity ; and a sprightiiness,
which was the natural result of an unusual flow of
spirits, and yet was accompanied with every mark
ofthe most serene tranquility. His aspect, parti
cularly in profile, had a strong character of acute
ness and penetration.
" In dress, he was a pattern of neatness and
simplicity. A narrow-plaited stock, a coat with a
small upright collar, no buckles at the knees, no
silk or velvet in any part of his apparel ; and a
head as white as snow, gave an idea of something
priraitive and apostolic : while an air of neatness
and cleanliness was diffused over his whole
person." Itis, perhaps, not unworthy of remark, that as
Mr. Wesley, during a course of more than sixty
years, had invariably testified, both by precept and
example, against the pomp of the world, and the
glare of life ; so also, he used the utmost precau
tion that -nothing of that kind might be perraitted
to accompany his interment, in that house, which
is appointed for all living. Wc therefore meet with
the following reraarkable clause in his will.
" I give six pounds to be divided among the six
poor raen, named by the Assistant, who shall
carry niy body to the grave ; for I particularly de
sire there may be no hearse, no coach, no escut
cheon, no pomp ; except the tears of those who
loved me, and are following me to Abraham's bo
som. I solemnly adjure my executors in the name
oi God, punctually to observe this;.

474 METHODIST^
The following lines were written some years ago,
by a Lady, on seeing Mr. Wesleys picture. As
they contain a true description of his character in
a few words, I shall take the liberty to •close this
account of this extraordinary man, with them.
Hail, brightest Orator, our nation boasts !
Hail, veteran Soldier of the Lord of Hosts !
Hail, bright Resemblance! in whose nervous lines
The Saint sublime, the finlsh'd Christian shines :
Through whom appears to each discerning eve,
The depths of Learning, Wisdom, Piety :
All Graces, Hufnan and Divine are there,
Soft temper'd by the pensive mourner's air :
Mild, heav'nly Meekness, to the world unknown.
Unto th' belov'd Disciple giv'n alone :
A worth so singular, since time began,
But ONE surpass'd, and He was more than Man.

CHARLES WESLEY.
He was the third son of the Rev. Samuel Wesley,
Rector of Epworth, in Lincolnshire, and was born
several weeks befpre his time, on Dec. 18, 1708.
He appeared dead rather than alive whenhe was
borrt. He did not cry, nor open his eyes ; and he
was kept wrapt up in soft wool till the lime when
he should have been born according to the usual
course of nature ; and then he opened his eyes and
began to cry.
He received the first rudiraents of learning, as
all the other children did also, under the pious
care of his extraordinary mother. In 17 16, he

MEMORIAI.. 475
was sent to Westminster School, and placed under
the care of his eldest brother, Samuel Wesley, an
High Church-raan ; who also educated Charles in
his own principles. To this circumstance, per
haps, may be iraputed that predilection (not to say
bigotry) which he invariably manifested towards
the Churcb of England, even to the very close of
his life.
In 1721, he was admitted a Scholar of 5'/. Pe
ter's College, Westminster; and in 1726, he was
elected to Christ Church, Oxford. There he pur
sued his studies diligently, and led a regular,
hai-mless life ; but when his brother, Mr. John
Wesley, spoke to him about religion, he would
warmly answer, " What, would you have me to be a
Saint all at once f"
In the year 1729, he becarae raore serious, and
manifested great earnestness to save his soul. Di
ligence in his studies led him to close thinking ; he
went to the weekly Sacrament, and persuaded two
dr three young students to accompany him ; and
also lo observe the method of study, prescribed by
tbe statutes of the University. This gained him
the harmless name of Methodist : and as Mr. John
Wesley was at that time his father's Curate, in Lin
colnshire; Mr. Charles Wesley was the very first
person, to whom that appellation was given.*
In the course of the summer of 1720, he became
more and more serious ; and began to be singularly
diligent, both in his studies, and also in the means
* See Dr. Whitehead's Life of Mr. Wesley, vol. I. page 104.

476 METHODIST
of grace. His zeal for God began already to kin
dle, and to manifest itself in exertions to do good,
beyond the comraon round of religious duties.
He prevailed upon two or three young gentlemen
to unite with hira in the sacred exercises of religion,
and thus laid the foundation of that little Society
at Oxford ; which afterwards raade so rauch noise
in the world. But it does not appear that any re
gular meetings were held, or that the raembers
had extended their views beyond their own im
provement in knowledge and virtue ; until Mr.
John Wesley left his Curacy, and went to reside
wholly in Oxford, in the month of Noveraber,
1 729. They then forraed a regular Society ; and
quickened each other's diligence and zeal, in the
execution of their pious purposes.
The two brothers, John and Charles, had been
always united in affection ; and now they were
united in their pursuit of learning, their views of
religion, and their endeavours to do good. Mr,
Morgan, one of the Students, was to thera as ano
ther brother; so that thus united together, they
were as a three-fold cord, which is not easily broken.
They did not indeed at that tirae, raake any
great inroads into the eneray 's territories ; but,
though few in nuraber, of little reputation in the
world, and unsupported by powerful allies, they
boldly lifted up their standard against infidelity
and profaneness ; which then generally prevailed,
even in the University itself: and they bravely
kept their ground, and defended their little fort

MEMORIAL. A'J^
with success, against every attempt of the enemy
to dislodge thera.
When death robbed thera of Mr. Morgan, the
two brothers reraained unshakcrt in their purpose :
they were the bond of union between the raerabers
of their little Society ; and if any one or raore
deserted thera, through fear, or sharae, or being
weary of restraint ; they stood as firra as a rock,
persevering in their resolution to serve God and do
good to raen, without the least shadow of waver
ing ; going on through evil report and good report,
alike insensible to either.
It was a happy circumstance that they were not
hurried by a rash, interaperate zeal in their pro
ceedings ; which is the comraon failing of young
raen. They were cautious and wary, using every
prudential means in their power, to prevent the
good that was in them from being evil spoken of.
Charles had rauch more fire, and openness of tem
per than his brother ; but he vvas not less cautious
in this respect. If any doubts, therefore, arose in
his raind, or if any practice which he thought pro
per and commendable, seeraed likely to give of
fence to others ; he always asked tbe advice of
those who were older and wiser than hiraself, how
he ought to proceed.
He proceeded to take his degrees, and was raade
Master of Arts, in the usual course ; and, it ap
pears, he then thought of spending all his days at
Oxford, as a tutor ; for he, at that time, dreaded
exceedingly entering into Holy Orders. — In the,

478 METHODIST
year 1735, he was, however, prevailed upon by
his brother John, to accompany him to Georgia.;
and he also overruled his inclination in respect to
ordination : and previous to his departure for
America, he was ordained Deacon, by Dr. Po«e/j
Bishop of Oxford; and the Sunday following.
Priest, by Dr. Gibson, Bishop of London.
Mr. Charles Wesley, with his brother John, saikd
from Gravesend, Oct. 22, 1735 ; and after a
stormy passage, they arrived at Savannah, Feb. 5,
1736. Mr. Charles was appointed to take charge
of Frederica ; where he was to wait for an oppor
tunity of preaching to the Indians. He di^ not,
however, enter on his ministry till the Qth of
March ; when he first set foot on SiMon's IsJdnd,
and his spirit instantiy revived. Like a faithful
'and diligent Pastor, he imraediately "entered on his
office ; not with joy at the prospect of a good liv
ing, but v^^ith fear and trerabling. He felt as eyery
Minister ofthe Gospel should feel, when he takes
upon him to guide others in the ways of God.
Here he was called to endure hardness, (as his
brother also was in Georgia) as a good soldier of
Jesus Christ. It was here that the Lord proved
him, and shewed him what was in his heart.
Many of the people lost all decency in their beha
viour towards hira ; the very Governor, Mr. Ogle
thorpe, treated him with raanifest disi'espect ; plots
and designs were forraed against hira, and the
very persons whora he went thither 10 save, con-
fepired to take away his life ! He, however, bote

MEMORIAL. 47g
all these outrages in the true spirit of Christianity,
and gave indubitable proof that he possessed a
great and noble mind.
He corttirtued to wade through deep waters till
July 26th, wbcrt he set out for Charles-Town, on,
his way to England, Here he was taken ill, and
was brought Very low. He, however, set sail ;
but meeting with storray weather, and the ship be
ing leaky, they steered for Boston ; where, with
much difficulty and danger, they arrived on the
24th of September. Here he met with great hos
pitality from the Ministers, both in the town and
neighbourhood. They would gladly have pre
vented his undertaking the voyage to England, at
that season of the year, especially considering the
bad state of his health ; but he could not be pre
vailed upon to stay. He was^ therefore, carried
on board the ship, (for he had not Strength to
walk) and he set sail on October 25th. After
meeting with some dreadful storras, and various
dangers and difficultites, they arrived at Deal, in
Kent, on the 3d of Deceraber, 1736.
Mr. Charles Wesley had been absent from Eng
land ix^wards of thirteen months ; during this time,
he had passed through a series of trials and diffi
culties, which, in all their circumstances, are not
very coraftion. He had indeed been in the wil
derness, where the hand of God had been mani
fested in his preservation, and finally in his deli
verance. In this state of suffering, he was led to
a more perfect knowledge of human nature, tban

480 METHODlST
he could have obtained frora books and raedltation,
during the whole course of his life. His know
ledge was derived from experience, which is the
rnost certain, and the raost useful in the conduct
of life ; and raakes the deepest impressions on the
mind. In his distress, the scriptures becarae more
precious than he had ever found them before ; and
from the pointed application of them to his state
and circurastances, they were the means of giving
a degree of consolation and hope ; which human
prudence, and human help can never bestow.
His situation abroad may be called a school, in
which the discipline indeed was severe, but the
knowledge acquired by it, valuable ; as it prepared
him to understand, and disposed him by degrees
to embrace, the simple Gospel way of salvation,
which the pride of man has always rejected.
In the year 1 738, by the instrumentality oi Peter
Bohler, he was clearly convinced of the want of
living faith.- .He saw that the Gospel promised to
a raan a knowledge of God reconciled in Christ
Jesus, which he was fully assured he had not ob
tained ; and he became very earnest in the pursuit
ofit. On Whitsunday, May 2 Ist, he obtained the
object of his wishes : he was enabled to view
Christ, as set forth to be a propitiation for his sins,
through faith in his blood ; and he instantly re
ceived that peace and rest in God, which he had
so earnestly sought.
Mr. Charles Wesley had long- been well ac
quainted with the scriptures ; he had now an en-

MRMORIAL* 481
larged view of the doctrines of the Gospel; and
also experienced in hiraself the blessings it pro
mises to those who cordially embrace it. He be
came remarkably diligent, zealous, and successful,
wherever he went ; seldom staying a night or two
in any place, but several persons were convinced
of the truth, and converted to God. But though
he was thus cousiderably employed in his Master's
service ; yet, through extreme weakness of body,
he was not capable of preaching, till Sunday, July
2d, when he delivered a faithful discourse at Bd-
dngsbaw Chiirch ; which was attended with such
a divine power, that one soul, at least, then re
ceived the remission of sins.
'He was now incessantly employed in the work
bf God ; either in reading prayers and preaching
irt the Churches, wherever a door was opened to
hira ; or in holding meetings in private houses for
prayer and expounding the holy scriptures : and a
great number of persons were convinced of sin, and
savingly converted to God, by his ministry.
In the following suraraer, he entered upon a
more enlarged sphere of action ; and went out into
the highways and hedges, and preached that nien
should repent. He now also entered the lists with
his brother Mr. John Wesley, and Mr. Whitfield;
and was as bold as a lion in the defence of Divine
Truth. On the leth of August, 1739, he began
his itinerartt career. He travelled for several
months in various parts of the kingdom, and even
extended his labours into Wales^ He met with
Hh

482 METH^ODIST
grjjat opposition iri njap.y places, and,draJik.dgepJjjj
of the cup of persqcution ; but his lajDoujrs w^^
crownqd with, abundant success, apd the plpasjir©
of the Lord prospered in his hands. He spldp^n,
indeed staid long in onf; place ; but pr|qatf|iecl-thf
Gospel in almost every comer, of the H^^^?"^ ¦ ^ft
fatigue?, in danger^, and in minisfejyial labpur^ hjCt
was« for many, y^arsa not inferior te his brflthej; ¦;[
He conti nueid his itinerant labour? till the l^tt^-
Cfld'Oi the yeai: 1.756; and after that period, Ijej
principally divided them betw:een. Zo^^/j an45r/|ir
tpl ; and he. thus. continued to. preach, till within.
a short time of hi§ death,
It is not easy to ascertain, with any , gjtj^c^sjpg^
thp reasons which induced hiru to desjst from, tra
velling ; and from talcing the sarae active part, ini
tbe i gOYernment of the Societies, wMch; hq, Ijadi
done from the heginning. Some . ligive. iinputejJi
liis. conduct. to this cause, and others to that :, p^rf-
haps the safest and best way, is, to let it re^ti till
the secrets of all hearts, sl^l- be . disclosed ; aii^
tkert s^all every _. good ^ man, whp haS;Walke(i up
rightly w ith his Majcer. ; whatever , may hgyp. been ,
the. judgnient off his fellow-creatureSi cpncerningj
Iiim, have praise of God..
Mr. Charles Wesley had a .weak body, and a.poajCi
state, of health, during the greatest part of hisli-fer
Itis believed, that he laid the foundatijQQ/ of both,.
at Oxford; by too .close- application to, stjidy,) andl
by too great abstinence. and self'denial. Herodfti
much on horseback, which probably^ contributSifc.

MEMORIAL. 48^
to lengthen his dayscj so that he lived td a good
old age. In hi« last sickness^ his body was re
duced to a state of extreme weakness ; but he ma
nifested unaffected humility, and holy resigrtatioii
to the will of God. He had rto transports of joy ;
but solid hope and unshakcrt cortfidertce irt Christ
Jesus : this preserved his mind in perfect peace.
A short time before his death, he composed the
following lines ; and requested MrS. Wesley to write
as he dictated :
*' In age and feeblerleSs extreme.
Who shall a sinful worm redeem ?
Jesus, my only hope thou art.
Strength of my failing flesh and heart 5
6 !' could I'cat'ch'a smile from the^,
And drop into Eternity !"
He departed this life March 29th', 1788, aged
seventy-nine years, and three months ; and waS in
terred Aprir5th, at his own request, in Mary-le-bone
Church-yard. The pall was supported by eight
Clergymen of the Church of England. On his
tombstone are the following lines, comjiosed by
himself for one of his friends, some years before.
With poverty of spirit blest;
Rest happy Saint, in Jesus rest ;
A? sinner siv'd, through grace forgiv'n,
Redeem'd from earth, to reign in heav'n!
Thy labours of unwearied love,
By thee forgot, are crown'd above ;
Crown'd -through thfe mercy df thy Ikfrd;-
With a free^. fall, immense reward.
hh2

484 METHOD;! ST
The following is the inscription on the Marble
Tablet (racntipned before) lately erected to his me
mory, in the New Chapel, City -Road, London,
Sacred to the Memorv
Of the late Ret. CHARLES WESLEY, M-A.
Educated at Westminsker School,
And sohi'c time Student of Chrid Church, Oxford^ -
As a Preacher,'he was eminent} for Abilrtiids, Zeal and.Usefulpess,
^ Being karned without pride.
And pious without ostentation ;
To the sincere, diffident Christian,
A Son of Consolation ;
But a Son of Thunder
To the vain boaster, the hypocrite, and the profane.
He was the first who received the name of Methodist,
And joining with his Brother the Rev. John Wesley,
In the Plan of Itinerant Preaching,
Endured hardship, persecution, and disgrace,
As a good S&ldier of Jesus Christ ; . '
Contributing largely by the Usefulness of his Labours,
to the first formation of the Methodist Societies •I-, 
In these Kingdoms. '•'
As a Christian Poet he stood unrivalled, ^.s
(, . .. And his Hymns will convey Instruction and Consolation / :
- , To the faithful in Christ Jesus,
As long as the English language shall be understood.
' He was born the i Sth of December, 1 708,
And died the agth of March, 1788.
A firm and pious believer in the Doctrines ofthe GosFst,
And a sincere Friend to the Church Of Enclako.
Dr. Whitehead,
Scripsit. ¦
Mr. Charles Wesley, was of a warm and lively
disposition ; of .grdat frankness and integrity ; and

M E M O R I A L. 485
.generous and steady in his friendships.. His love
of simplicity, and utter abhorrence of hypocrisy,
and even of affectation in the professors of religion,
made him sometimes appear Severe on those who
seemed to assume a consequence, on account of
their experience ; or were pert and forward in
talking of themselves or others. In conversation
he was generally pleasing, instructive, and cheer^
ful : and his observations were often seasoned with
wit and good huraour. His religion was genuine
and unaffected. As a Minister, he wasfarailiarly
acquainted with every branch of divinity ; and his
mind was furnished with an uncommon knowledge
of the Holy Scriptures. He had a reraarkable ta
lent for expressing the most important truths with
siraplicity and energy ; and his discourses were
soraetiraes truly apostolic ; forcing conviction on
the hearers, in spite ofthe most determined oppo
sition. His poetic talents were very considerable ;
and had he engaged in the higher walks of verse,
there is no doubt but he would have been esteeraed
an erairtCrtt poet. But he chose the raost excellent
way — the writing of hymns for the instruction and.
edification of multitudes ; rather than devote his
tirae, in attempts to please the fancies of a few. —
Sorae of his hyrans are allowed, by competent
judges, to rank araong the best pieces in that spe
cies of composition. By these, be being dead yet
speaketh ; and, it is probable, will continue to
speak, so long as the Methodists continue a peoplq
Hh3

486 METHODIST
in the earth  ^which, I trust, will be as long ^
the sun and moort shall endure !

THOMAS WESTALL,
He was one of the first LayTpreachers wha
assisted Mr. Wesley in the beginning of Methor
disrri ; and was a faithful labourer in the vineyard
for above forty years. He laboured as long as he
was able ; and then retired from the itinerant life,
and settled at Bristol, where he resided for many
years ; preaching occasionally as his strertgth would
bear. But for sorae lirae before his death his
strength was gone, and his raental powers were conr
giderably impaired. He was a pattern of Christian
siraplicity and hurable love. After suffering much,
with great patience and resignation to the Divine
will, his triumphant spirit returned to God, in the
year 1794, in the seventy -fifth year ofhis age.
During Mr. Westall's ministry at St, Ives, in
Cornwall, he was cast irtto prison for the truth's
sake, but was bailed out by sorae of his friends.
Nevertheless, the devil contiriuedto rage horribly,
and while he was preaching at Gwenap, the mob
rushed into the house, beat out the candles, and
then went up to the desk ; but it being dark, they
could rtot find the door. At last, when they had
brokcrt it down, they found a little boy in it instead
of the Preacher, whom they beat and sent away.
Mr. Westall stood by them for some time in thq

MEMORIAL. 487
dark, till al last he was taken out of the window
by some friends. He went over the hedge, but
the liiob soon overtook him, and brought him
back, ciyihg out. We have got the Preacher. Two
ihert hearing them, ran to thera and desired they
•would let Mr. Westall go ; and, as bfit two had
hold Ort him, they did so. And while these went
to call more of the mob 16 theii: assistance, Mr.
Westall got over two hedges into a standing field
<of corn, where he lay concealed, while the niob
were busy in breaking the seats, &c. in the preach-
ing-housd to piiec^s. As this took them up sorae
time, when they .followed Mr. Westall; he was
gbrie ; and for that time he escaped qiiite oUt of
their hands.
, He died at Bristol, and was buried in Portland-
Chapel Burying-Grdund. The following is the
irtScription on his tomb-stone. To the Memory of
THbMAS WESTALL,
One of the first Methodist Preachers ;
He was a Pattern of
Christian Simplicity and humble Love,
For near Half a Century :
He preached the Gospel of Christ faithfully.
About forty years.
His triumphant Spirit entered into Glory,
The 20th of April, 1794,
In the seventy-sixth year of his age,
Hh4'

488 METHODIST
JAMES WHEATLEY.
, . He was adraitted as a Preacher at an early pec
riod of the work of God, araong the Methodists ;
and for sorae tirae appeared pious and faithful.
But, alas ! he was soon led away by the error of
the wicked, and fell from his stedfastness. The
sins into which he fell, being of a gross and grie
vous kind ; he was, in a very awful manner, ex
pelled from the Connection : this was the first
instance of that kind which occurred ; and Mr.
Wesley and his brother expelled him, by giving
him the following note, dated June 25th, 1751,
and which they .afterwards found necessary tp
make public.
^' Because you have wrought folly in Israel,
grieved the. Holy Spirit ofGod, betrayed your own
soul into temptation and sin, and the souls of many
others, whora you ought, even at the peril of your
own life, to have guarded against all sin ; because
you have given the eneraies of God, whenever
they shall know these tjiings, cause lo blaspheme
the ways aujl truth of God. — We pan, therefore,
in no wise receive you as a fellow-labourer, till we
see cleai: proofs of your real and deep repentance :
of this you haye given us no proof yet. You have
not so much as named ortC single person, in all
England, or Ireland, with whora you behaved ill,
except those we knew before.
" The least and lowest proof of such repentance
which we can receive, is J;his, That till our next

MEMORIAL. 489
Conference (which we hope will be in October)
you abstain both from preaching and practising
physic. If you do not, we are clear ; we cannot
answer for the consequence. JOHN WESLEY.
CHARLES WESLEY."
Surely it is an awful thing to sin against the
Lord ! But especially when those who are set up
as reprovers in tbe gate, are guilty of such heinous
crimes ! If a man sin thus against tbe Lord, who
shall entreat for bim ? And yet, (awful to relate !)
such sinners have been found in some ofthe purest
Churches in Christendom ! But what can the
Rulers of such Churches do raore than the Rev.
Mr. Wesley did. in the above case ? May such aw
ful circurastances as these prove an everlasting
warning to all who are now, or who shall be here
after, engaged as Propagators of Divine Truth ;
and may those who now stand, whether Ministers
or People, take heed lest they fall !
Mr. Wheatley, a short time after his expulsion
from the Methodist Connection, went to the city
of Norwich ; where he began to preach ; and for
a long time endured almost unheard-of persecu
tions 1 His life was frequentiy in danger from furi
ous mobs ; and he was often dragged by the hair
ofhis head, through the streets of the city 1 All
these grievous sufferings he, however, endured
with the meekness of a lamb, and the fortitude
and patience of an Apostie.  His preaching was

4Q0 MfiTHOblST
attended with Divine poWer ; and mahy bf the
most profligate and abandoned characters in the
city, became reformed/ He was instrumental iii
gathering a considerable Society ; the members of
which he called his Lambs ; on which account this
appellation was generally applied to pious persons,
and becarae a proverb throughout all that country.
It is said, to the disgrace of the city, if trUe, that
theeneraies of Religion, in order to ridicule Mr.
Wheatley and his Lambs, carried a young lamb,
elevated on a pole, before a huge unruly mob,
through the principal streets of the city ; and blas-
pheraously cried aloud, " Behold ihe LaM of
God!! Such a daring insult, (let Mr. Wheatley
and his followers be what they raight) offered to
the Religion of the Son ofGod, I think is hardly
to be raet with in the annals of a Christian coun
try !
The success which attended Mr. Wheatley s la
bours, and the manner in which he endured per
secution, turned the tide in his favor. From being
universally despised, he became extremely popu
lar ; and the bulk of the inhabitants of the cityj
began to Conclude he was certainly a good man ; and
they, ill some degree, espoused his cause. His
popularity was so great, that he erected one ofthe
largest Chapels in the city, which he called the
Tabernacle. The congregations which attended
his rainistry were uncoraraonly large, and he ^ss.
alraost adored by the people. But ala^ ! What is
man? In his best estate he -is altogether vanity !

MEMORIAL. 4gi
if left to himself, he is a poor a«KfaWc creature;
and weakness itself! This man, who had stood, in
the midst of almost unparalleled sufferings,
" As an iron pillar strong,
And stedfast as a wall of brass,"
On the soft lap of ease and honor, fell asleep ; was
again caught in the snare of the devil ; and, it is
to be feared, that his last state was worse than tbe
flrst! The wound which Religion at that tirae received,
from the conduct of this poor unhappy raan in
Norwich, was suchj as, I fear, has not been healed
to this very day !
I am not in possession of sufficient information
to say much relative to the subsequent part of his
Hfe ; and if I were, I fear it would only present
my readers with an awful picture of a man, once
great and good, fallen irtto ruins and decay !
I am irtformed, however, that he left the king
dom in disgrace ; but after awhile he returned,
and preached again in the city oi Norwich, for
some time. But at last he totally lost his voice,
^d went to Bristol, where he died some time after,
very suddenly,

WILLIAM WHITAKER.
He was admitted upon trial as an Itinerant
Preacher, at fhe Conference in 17^9 j and conti-

402 METHODIST
nued in the work till the year 1 TJQ ; when:be was
necessitated to desist, by reason of . the stone and
gravel, which painful disorder he laboured, under
for several years. He was an honest, faithful ser
vant of the Lord ; and after suffering much, he
exchanged a state of affliction for the crown of
eternal glory, and died in great peace^ in the year
1794, at High-Wycombe, in Buckinghamshire.

GEORGE WHITFIELD.
This truly apostolic and erainent servant of
Jesus Christy was born in the city of Glocester,
Deceraber lOth, 17 14. When he was about se
venteen years of age, he began to be seriously af
fected with divine ihings ; and he then served
God according to the best of his knowledge. ¦ He
had, at that tirae, raade some progress in classical
learnirtg, at a Grararaar-school in Glocester; Jiut
at eighteen, he reraoved to the University, and
was adraitted at Pembroke-Hall, Oxford. About a
year after, he becarae acquainted with the Rev.
John and Charles Wesley ; and he soon united him
self to their infant Society ; and sought the Lord
with great earnestness of soul. He joined with
thera in fasting twice in the Week, in visiting the
sick and the prisoners ; and in gathering up the
very fragraents of tirae, that no raoraent might bo
lost. He also changed the course of his studies ;
reading chiefly such books as entered intp .the.heart

MEMORIAL. 493
of religion, and which led to art experimental
knowledge oi Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
His eariy acquaintance with Mr. Wesley and his
brother (whom he acknowledged as his spiritual
father) produced in him an affectionate regard to
them, which, (though he afterwards differed from
them in sorae controverted points,)* continued to
the last period ofhis life.
At the lime he was seeking the Lord, he was
exercised with severe inward trials ; so that many
nights he lay sleepless upon his bed, and raany
days prostrate on the ground, groaning for deli
verance. The irord was pleased, after a few
months, to bring his soul out of trouble : he re
moved his heavy load, and gave him tbe Spirit of
adoption, whereby he was enabled to ciy, Abba,
.Father — My Lord, and my God!
When he was about twenty-one years of age, he
was solicited to enter irtto Holy Orders. Of this
he was greatiy afraid, being deeply sensible of his
own insufficiency. But the Bishop himself send
ing for him, and telling him, " Though I did not
intend to. ordain any under three and twenty, yet
I will ordain jyoM, whenever you come ;" and seve-,
rai other providential circumstances concurring,
he submitted, and was ordained on Trinity Sun
day, 1736. — ^The next Sunday he preached to a
crowded auditory in the Church where he had
been baptized.
Though it was his first sermon, he spoke as one
having authority: and coraplaint was afterward

Agt* METirODlST
made to t^&BisRopi ^ That he bad drkiett frfteen
persons ¦mad" unde* that one sermon ! TMs' was a
good^ Begiaining; and portended the grea^ tilings
which were soon to follow. The- week following,
be returned^ to' Oif ord; and took his Eachehr's'Be^
gree. And there he found full' eraplcjym'ent ; the
care of the sick, the prisoners, and the pobr, fil
ing chiefly ort him.
But it was not long before he was' invited to
Londhn, to serve the cure of a friend, who was
going inter the country. While hewas there, he
received letters ftom- hisfrierids, John' and Chntlei
Wesley, who were then labouring in America.
This stirred up his holy zeal, and' he felt a long
ing desire 10 go over and help them in their great'
\vork. But not seeing his way quite clear af tiiat'
tirae, he repaired to Oxford', vvHere a' few young
men raet dailjriii his roora, and they thus endea
voured to ^wi/^K^ each other in their most holy faitb.
But he was quickly called from hence ^ain to
supply the cure of Dunmer, in Hampshire. Here'
he was very diligent; and divided' the day into'
three parts, allotting eight hours for sleep and
meals, eight' hours for study and retirement, and
eight for reading prayers, catechizing,, and' visiting
the people from hoUse to house.
Yet his mind stiir ran on going abroad: and
being now fully convinced he was called of God
thereto, he set all Ihings in order, and irt January,
1737, went down to take leave of his friends-in
Glocester. It was in this journey that God first

MEMORIAL; 4:93-
begart' to bless his ministry in an uncommort raart-
ner. Wherever he preached, great multitudes of
hearers flocked, together, in Glocester,. Sione^b&use,
Bath, and Bristol; so that the heat of the-
Churches was scarce supportable. After his returni
to London, it pleased God to bless his word still
more. He was indefatigable in his labours ; ion
he generally on Sundays; preached four tiraes to
very large congregatibns, besides readingj prayers:
twice or thrice, and. walking: to and fro; ten or
twelve miles !
On December.the 28th he left London: the nex^
day he first preached without notes. The day fol-.
lowing he went on board ; but it was above a
month before they, cleared land. He spent some ¦
time, on his way, at Gibraltar ; where both citi
zens and soldiers, high and low, young, and old,
heard him with gladness., and seemed to acknow
ledge the day of their visitation.
He arrived at Savannah, May 7th, 1738; and,
from that time, till the .latter end of August, he
made, full proof of . his ministry in Georgia, parti
cularly 'at Savannah. He read prayers, and exr-
pourtded twice a day, and visited the sick daily.
On Sunday be expounded at five in the morning ;
at ten he read prayers and preached, and again at
three in the afternoon ; and at seven in the even
ing he expounded the Church catechisra. How
much easier it is for Ministers to find fault with
such a labourer in the vineyard, than to- tread in
his steps I

496 MET HO DIST
It was at that lime that he observed the deplo
rable condition of many ofthe children in Georgia,
and that God put into his heart the first thought
of founding an Orphan-House. In December fol
lowing he returned to London ; and on Sunday,
January 14th, 1739, he was ordained Priest, at
Christ's Church, Oxford.
I The next day he retumed to London, and on
Sunday the 21st he preached twice. But though
the Churches were large, and exceedingly crowd
ed, yet raany hundreds stood in the Church-yard,
and hundreds raore returned horae. This incited
the first thought of preaching in the open air : but
when he raentioned it to sorae of his friends, they
judged it to be mere madness. He, therefore, did
not carry it into execution till Wednesday, Feb
ruary 2 1st, when, finding all the church-doors to
be shut against hira in Bristol, (besides, no church
was able to contain one half of the congregation)
at three o'clock in the afternoon, he went to Kings-
wood, and preached abroad to near two thousand
people. This was the coraraenceraent of Field-
preaching among the Methodists ; and this blessed
mau has the honor of being confessed the First
Field-Preacher. On the Friday he preached
again to four or five thousands ; and on Sunday, it
was supposed there were ten thousands. The num
ber continually increased all the tirae he continued
in Bristol; and a flame of holy love was then kin
dled in that neighbourhood, which, thank God,
has not been extinguished to this day ! The same

ME MO- RIAL., 497.
was afterwards kindled in various, parts of Wales,
of Glocestershire, and Worcestershire. . Indeed
where he went, God abundantly confirmed the
word of his messenger.
On Sunday, April 29th, he preached his first
sermon in Moorfields, artd on Ke.nnington .Cotnmon :
and the thousands of hearers were as quiet and
attentive as if they had been worshipping within
the consecrated walls of a Church. Being detained
several months in England, he made little excur
sions into several counties, and received the con
tributions of willing raultitudes, for an Orphan-
House, in Georgia. Augustthe^t4lh, he erabarked
jthe second time for America; but did not land in
¦J^ennsylvania till October the 30th. He then tra
velled through several of the States, and preached
to immense multitudes, with full as great effect
as he had done in England. On January thp loth,
1740, he arrived at Savannah. March 25, he laid
the first stone of the Orphan-House ; to which,
with great propriety, he gave the name oi Bethes^
da ; a work for which raany will praise the Lord
for ever ! He had then received about forty or
phans ! But he was careful for nothing : he cast all
his care upon Him, who feedeth tbe young ravens
wben tbey cry unto bim.
In the month of April, he made another tour
through several of the States. , Incredible numbers
flocked to hear ; among whom were abundance of
Negroes. . .
: In all places, the greater part ofthe hearers were
li

40® METHODIST
deeiply affected ; many were truly converted to
God ; and in some places thousands cried* out
aloud for merCy, and roared for the disquietudfe^of
their souls. In June he returned to Satamab,
where his labours WCre uncoramonly blest, parti
cularly to the ehildrdn. In August he set out
again ; and after travblling thro'ugh several- pro-
vinc'es, he wertt to Boston: while there, he was
extrieraely weak irt bbdf ; yet the raultitudfeS' wW
attended upon hi=s ministry- were so great, and fh6
effects wrought among them so astonishing, as had
never been knowrt in those parts before. Towards
the close of this toiir, he made the following refi'ed-'
tion himself in his- diary. — " It is the seventy-fifth
day since I arrived at Rho'de-Island, exceeding
weak in body. Yet God has enabled me to preddH
an hundred and seventy-five times in public, beside
exhorting frequently in private. Never did' God
vouchsafe rae greater coraforts : never did I per
forra my journies with less fatigue ; oi* see such a
•continuance of the divine presence in the congte-
gatiorts to whom I preached."— He continued his
labours iu this ahnost unparalleled manner, till
January the 6lh, 1741, when he left ^^mca^ arid
set sail for England, where he arrived on the 1 ith
of March.
It was about tiiis time that a seJ)aration taok
place between him and his old faithful friends,
Messrs. John and Cbarlels Wesley ^ on account of thdt
different views of some points. They had riow se
parate places ofwoi'ship,andMr. Whitfield, as i^ell

MEMdfelAL. 499
as Mr. Wesley, had Preachers who served him as
sons in the Gospel. This separation was attended
with great pain on both sides. They, however,
agreed to disagree ; artd they frequently exchanged
pulpits, and retained their good will and affection
for each other lo the last. Mr. Whitfield gave the
most indubitable proof of this, by the following
clause in his last will, written with his own hand,
about six months before his death. " / leave a
mourning ring to my honored and dear friends, and
disinterested fellow-labourers, thi Rev. Messrs. John
and Charles Wesley ; in token of my indissolubli
union with them, in heart and Christian affSctibn,
'nopubithstanding our difference injicdghient about some
pnfficular points of doctrine."
It would far exceed my limits to afford my rea
ders a particular account ofthe astonishing labours
of this truly great man. But the above may be
considered as an exact speciraen ofhis manner of
proceeding, both in Europe and America, for the
last thirty years of his invaluable life ! As well as
ofthe uninterrupted shower of blessings, where
with his beloved Master was pleased to succeed
his labours !
In the banning of September, 1 769, he, for
the seventh, and last tirae, embarked for America,
There he spent his remaining strength in the pro
mulgation of the Gospel ; and at length departed
this life, (having preached in the open air to ah
immerise multitude the preceding day) upon bis
kMes, atNewlury-Port, in New England, on Sun-
ii2

500 METHODIST
day, September 30th, 1770; where his . rcmain)l
were deposited.
He was not full fifty-six years of age at the time
of his death ; but he had, however, spent thirty-
four of those years in spreading the Gospel of the
grace of God. As to his person, he was graceful;
and well proportioned : his stature was above the
middle size : his complexion was very , fair. , His
eyes were of a dark, blue colour ; «mall, but
sprightly. He had a squint with one of thero,
occasioned either by the ignorance or carelesss-
ness of the nurse who attended him in' the mea
sles, when he was about four years old. ' His fea
tures were in general good and regular. His coun
tenance was raanly, and his voice exceeding strong;
yer both were softened with an uncoraraon degree
of sweetness. He was always clean and neat, and
often said pleasantly, *' A Minister of tbe Gospel
ought to be without spot," His deportment was de-^
cent and easy, without the least stiffness or forma
lity : and his engaging, polite raanner of address,
made his coraparty universally agreeable. In his
youth he was very slender ; but about the fortieth
year ofhis age, he began to grow veiy corpulent ;
which, however, Was solely the effect of his dis
ease ; being always remarkable for his great tem
perance and Self-denial.
His eloquence was very great, and of the truest
and noblest kind. He was utterly devoid of all
appearance of affectation ; and seemed to be quite
unconscious of the talents he possessed. The im-

MEMORIAL. 501
portance ofhis subject, and the regard due to his
hearers, engrossed all his concern. He spake as
one who did not seek applause, but was deeply
concerned for the salvation of his hearers ; and
who, from a principle of unfeigned love, earnestiy
endeavoured to lead them in the right way.
He had a strong and musical voice, and a won
derful command of it. His pronunciation was
proper, and graceful. Nor was he ever at a loss,
for the most natural and strong expressions. The
grand sources of his eloquence were, an exceeding
lively iraagination, and a fertile genius ; which
caused the people to think they really saw what he
described : an action, if possible, raore lively ; by
which every accent of his voice spoke to the ear ;
every feature ofhis face, every motion ofhis hands,
and every gesture of his body, spoke to the eye :
so that the most dissipated and thoughtless found
their attention involuntarily fixed ; and the dullest
and most ignorant could not but understand. But
what was the most iraportant of all, he lived within
the veil ; he walked with God ; and enjoyed close
coraraunion with tbe Father and the Son L-His
heart was^deeply exercised in. all social, as well as
pious and religious affections; In short, he was
a wise master-builder in the Church of God ;, and
I cannot, I think, conclude this; excellent charactpr
better, than in the words ofhis faithful friend, the
Rev. John Wesley.
,- "What an honor it pleased God to put upon
his faithful servant, by allowing him, to declare
ri 3

502 METHODIST
his Gospel in so many various countries, to such
numbers of people, and with so great an effect
on so many of their precious souls ! Have we read
or heard of any person since the Apostles, who
testified the Gospel of the grace of God, through
so widely extended a space ; through so large a
part of the inhabitable world ? Have we read or
heard of any person, who called so many thou
sands, so many myriads of sinners to repentance ?
Above all, have we read or heard of any who has
been such a blessed instrument in His hand, of
bringing so many sinners frora darkness to light,
and from the power of Satan unto God?"
The above quotation is taken frora the sermon
which Mr. Wesley preached on the death of his de
parted friend, at the Chapel in Tottenham- Courts
Road, and at the Tabernacle near Moorfields, on
Sunday, November 18th, 1770.

ROBERT WILKINSON,
He was converted to God in the year IjQf, and
in the following year began to preach that Gospel
which he had happily experienced to be the power
of God to the salvation of his own soul. In the
year 1769, he began his itinerant labours among
the Methodist's; and continued a faithful, zea
lous labourer in the vineyard, till the latter end pf
the year 1780; when it pleased God to lake him
to his great and eternal reward, at Grimsby, in

MEMORIAL. 503
Lincolnshire, — The following is the substance of
Mr. Shadford's account ofthe close ofhis valuable
life. " My acquaintance with Mr. Wilkinson, was
very short : the first tirae I saw hira was a little
more than three years ago. At the last Conference
he was appointed to travel with me in the Grimsby
circuit. When we met, we were both in goocl
health ; but the day before our first quarterly
meeting, I was taken very ill of a fever ; however,
the next morning I ventured to ,set out for the
meeting, but was unable to attend either the love-
feast or the watch-night. But I shall never forget
the prayer he put for me at the clqge of the love-
feast ; ' That the Lord would spare mea Uttle longer,
fitid raise me up again to labour in bis vineyard' His
prayer pierced the heavens, the power of God came
down upon the people like a torrent of rain; and
they were so affected that they wept and r^oiced
abundarttly. Imraediately I shared with thera,
though I was rtot in the sarae room ; the divine
presence broke my heart in pieces ; my soul over
flowed with love, and my eyes with tears. I, know
not that I ever was so powerfully and suddenly
affected under any person's prayer, except on the
day I was converted lo God. I had instantly
power to believe that the Lord would raise me up
again ; and for some lime, it appeared lo me as if
I was perfectly well. The next day we travelled
together to Louth ; and in the course of conversa
tion he warmly expressed his love for Bible-holi-
ii4

504 METHODIST
'ness, and said it was the delight of his soul, to press
after it himself, "^ahd, to enforce it upon others : he
remarked that whUe he was doing this, the Lord
blest him most in his labours, , and shone clearest
upon the work which He had wrought in his soul.
It appeared to rae, from what he said, that the
Lord had circumcised his heart ; that he loved
God with all his heart, and was full of faith and
the Holy Ghost. He also manifested great meek
ness and lowliness of heart ; and was truly little,
and mean, and vile in his own eyes.
"A few weeks after, he was taken ill with a fever,
and was confined at Grimsby for several weeks. He
then appeared to be recovering fast, and was able
to walk about again ; but he, suddenly relapsed,
and was, in about a week, taken to his everlasting
rest. He bore all his affiictions with great pati
ence ; freqiiently lifting up his heart to God and
saying, ' Thou knowest tbe way that I take, and
when thou hast tried me, 1 shall come forth as gold:
' my foot hath held thy steps, tby way have I kept and
not declined ; neither have I gone back from the com
mandment of ihy lips : I have esteemed the words of
thy mouth more tban my necessary food' When he
perceived that his sickness would be unto death,
he exhorted his wife to cast all ber care upon the
Lord ; and encouraged her to hope that His grace
would be sufficient for ber. He then prayed for hei:,
and his two children ; earnestly entreating thc
Lord to protect them in this troublesome world,
and t6 supply all their wants. He next prayed

MEMORIAL. 50&
earnestly for Mr. Wesley, then for his fellow-
labourers ; and lastly, for all his bretliren the
Preachers ; and that the kingdora of the Redeeraer
might spread to the ends of the earth.
" In the rtight-season he had a severe conflict
with Satan, and he was as in an agony ; but he
wrestled with God in prayer, and the enemy was
repelled. This appears to have been his last con
flict, for he was immediately admitted to enjoy
such holy fellowship with God, that he seeraed, as
if he had been admitted into heaven to converse
with his Lord and the family of the blessed. He
suddenly awoke his wife, and said, ' Ihou hast been
sleeping, hut I have heen in heaven ! 0 what hath
the Lord discovered io me ihis night ! 0 tbe glory of
God! Tbe glory of God and heaven! 0 the lovely
beauty ! Tbe happiness of Paradise ! God is all love ;
he is nothing but love ! 0 help me to praise him ! I
shall praise him for ever ! Isballpraise him for ever!'
In this triumphant manner did the spirit of this
excellent man leave this world, and went to join
in the grand chorus above, to sing Hallelujah to
God and tbe Lamb for ever.
" The Lord was graciously pleased to render the
death of his servant subservient to his own glory :
the people of God were greatiy coraforted, and
confirraed in their faith by his triumphant end ;
and some who had cared for none of these things
were greatly alarmed. Under the serraon which
was preached on account ofhis death, on the Sun
day following, one young roan was brought into

506 METHODIST
liberty, and went to his house rejoicing in the GotJ
ofhis salvation.
" He was interred in the Church-yard at
Grimsby, and a stone erected to his memory, with
the following inscription engraven upon it :
" He scorn 'd his feeble flesh to spare.
Regardless of its swift decline ;
His single aim, his ceaseless prayer,
To spi-ead the righteousness divine.
He truly triumph'd in the cross,
Its marks as on his body shew'd,
Lavish of life for Jesu's cause,
Whose blood for all so freely flow'd."
" A singular circumstance attended his inter
ment. When the Minister repeated the following
Words in the Burial Service, Not to be sorry as men
without hope ; Mrs. Wilkinson was so overwhelmed
with the power of God, that she could not refrain
from exclaiming, " Sorry ! No ! Glory be to God!
Glory be lo God ! Glory, and praise, and blessing, he.
ascribed unto God for ever and ever." All who
heard her were very deeply affected, and most of
the people were melted into tears, some for sorrow
and others for joy. ^

THOMAS WILLIAMS.
He commenced an Itinerant Preacher in the
early part of Methodism, and was, at that period,

MEMORIAL. 507
remarkably zealous for God. He was the first
Preacher iu the Methodist Connection who visited
Ireland: he crossed the Channel in the year 1747,
and began to preach in the city oi DubUn. Multi
tudes flocked to hear ; aud for some tirae he raet
with considerable opposition : but the Lord was
pleased to crown his labours with considerable
success. He soon formed a sraall Society, several
of whom God had given him as seals to his minis
try, artd they were made happy witrtesses of the
truths he preached ; they received the knowledge of
salvation by the remission of their sins ; being justified
freely through the redemption tbat is in Christ Jesus.
How long Mr. William continued in Ireland, I
know not, but he was then a very acceptable and
useful Preacher. I am sorry to add, that he after
wards fell from bis stedfastness ; and his life and
conversation not being according lo the Gospel, he
was excluded firom the Methodist Connection. I
am informed he afterwards procured ordination in
the neighbourhood of High-Wycombe, in Bucking
hamshire. He continued there for several years,
and was rather popular ; but he was generally
supposed to inclirte to Antinomianism. He died, I
understand, a fewyears ago ; but I am not in pos
session of either the time or the circumsitances of
liis latter end.

508 METHODIST
ENOCH WILLIAMS,
He was araong the first instruments which the
Great Shepherd and Bishop of -Souls was pleased to
make use of in the revival of pure and undefiled
Religion irt these daySi He was very pious, and
deeply devoted to God ; and was a faithful and
successful Preacher ofthe everlasting Gospel: but
the hardships he was called to endure proved too
much for his constitution, and soon brought him
to tbe house appointed for all living. He was, how
ever, as a shock of cornfuHy ripe, and fit for the
heavenly garner : he left' the world in great peace,
at Birstal, in Yorkshire, and died with a hope full of
a glorious iraraortality.

MARK WILLIS.
He was a native of the city oi Norwich, and was
adraitted upon trial as an Itinerant Preacher, at
the Conference in 1 788. He was a sensible^ pious
young man, and was possessed of considerable mi
nisterial gifts. He contirtued to (ravel about seven
years, and then, in the year 179S3 the Lord was
pleased to take him hence by a consuraption, in the
prime of life, and in the midst of his usefulness.
Yet, righteous art thou 0 Lord! Just and true are
thy ways, 0 King of Saints .',

MEMORIAL. 509

WILLIAM WIN BY.

He came from Beverly, in Yorkshire, and en
gaged in the work of the Ministry as an Itinerant,
in the year 1770. He was a deeply pioiis, and a
reraarkably lively and promising young man. His
abilities for the Ministry were rather uncoramon ;
and he was very acceptable to the people, and
much owned ofGod. But it pleased the Lord to
take him away, by the small-pox, in the very
bloom of life, in the city oi Londonderry, in Ireland,
Some time in the year 1772. He lived beloved and
respected, and, at his' death, was universally la
mented, by all who had the honor and happiness
of his acquaintance.

JAMES WRAY.
He was received as an Itinerant Preacher at thc
Conference in 178I. He was a plain, simple, pi
ous, devoted young man ; and a faithful servant of
the Lord Jesus Christ. For several years he tra
velled in England, and his labours were not in vain
in the Lord. His zealous spirit then led him to
cross the Atlantic to Nova-Scotia ; where he was
rertdered very useful in his Master's cause. He
closed his life and labours in the Island of St. Vin
cent, with all that resignatiort, peace, and holy tri
umphant joy, which might have been expected from
a father in Christ. He died in the year J 795.

510 METHODIST
DUNCAN WRIGHT.
He was a native oi Perthshire, in North-Britain,
and was born in May, 1736. He was brought to
an acquaintance with divine things, while in the
army, in the year 1765 ; and in the following year
he became a member of the Methodist Society.
He soon was made a happy partaker of the grace
of God in truth ; and in a short tirae ait&c, he be
gan to hold forth the word of life, and to preach
the doctriaes oi repentance toioards God, and of faith
in our Lord Jesus Christ, to his fellow-soldiers, and
to as many, others as would hear. Tbis brought
upon him a fiood of persecution from some ofthe
officers, which proved eventually, the means of
his discharge frora the array, and of his being
thrust out into the vineyard of the Lord ; and in
the year 1704, he became a regular Itinerant
Preacher. He was a truly upright, pious, good man ; a
faithful dispenser of the word of God; a great
lover, and conscientious observer, of the Metho
dist discipline ; and an acceptable and useful
Preacher for about twenty-eighl years. He finished
his course with joy and triumph, in the city of
London, May 1 3th, 1791, in the fifty-fifth y tat oi
his age; artd was interred in the Rev. Mr. fl^ei-
ley's vault, in the New Chapel-yard, City-Road,
London. ' ¦
The followirig'brief account of his last sickness
and triuraphant exit, is given by one who was an
eye and ear witness.

memorial. 5,11
" In the beginning of the winter of 1 79O, Mr.
Wright caught cold, which, falling upon his lungs,
threw him into a decline. He struggled through
the winter with great difficulty, and when attend
ing Mr. Wesley's funeral, on the gth of March,
1791, said, it was most probable he should be the
next wbo would be laid in that vault : which
proved to be the case.
" In the month of April, he was taken with st,
violent pain in both bis sides, and could not lie on
either of them, nor on his back, as the cough was
exceeding troublesome. His fever was high, and
his pulse quick every night, till towards morning ;
when he generally began to perspire, which af
forded him a little temporary ease. He corttinued
thus for about a fortnight, when he was seized one
night, with an uncoraraon and violent "pain, which
he supposed to be a syraptom of immediate death :
but at this he was not in the least dismayed. He
remarked that in the year 1762, he had entered
into a superior light, and greater liberty, than he
had ever enjoyed before ; and had ever since that
tirae walked in the constant light of God's counte
nance, and could not be satisfied any day without
a direct and clear witness of his acceptance with
God. He had several reraarkable visits frora the
Lord in the time ofhis affliction. In one of which
he said, " Iam a witness ihat tbe blood ofChrist does
cleanse from all sin ! 0 the goodness of God to a poor
sinner ! The Lord has finished bis work, has cleansed,
and filled me iiith his fullness ! 0 what a weight of

512 MBTHODIST
glory will that be, when tby weight ofgrace, 0 Lord,
is now so great .'" It pleased the Lord to exercise
hira with strong pain, but no word dropped from
his lips that bore the most remote impUcation of
murmuring, or complaining. Tbe joy af the Lord
was bisstrengtb, and his hope was full of a glorious
iraraortality. He continued in a triuraphant state
of raind, till the morning on which the welcome
messenger arrived — ^wheii he said, " Jesus is come!
He is now in my heart !" He was quite sensible to
the last, and sunk gradually, with a serene and
pleasant countenance, into the arras of his Re
deeraer ; and expired without a sigh or groan:.
while a few friends were corameding his happy
spirit to him who gave it, he
" Clapp'd his glad wings and tower'd away, '
To mingle with the blaze of day."

CONCLUSION.

JTROM reviewing the preceding Memoirs, the
following Reflectiorts will naturally prescrtt them
selves to the pious, irttelligent Reader.
1 . What care the great Lord of the harvest hath
taken of his Church, in providing it with a suc
cession of Ministers after his own heart, who have
taken tbe oversight thereof, not by constraint, but
willingly ; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind.
2. What kirtd of irtstruments. He, in his wis
dom and love, hath chosen to perpetuate the rae
morial of his great name in the earth. Not many
wise men after tbe flesh, not many mighty, not many
noble are called : hut God hath chosen tbe foolish
things of the world to confound tbe wise ; and God
hath chosen tbe weak things of tbe world, to confound
tbe things which are mighty ; and base things of tbe
world, and things which are despised hath God chosen,
yea, and things which are not, to bring lo nought
ihings which are. The Rev. Mr. Wesley himself,
on this subject, reraarks, " What an araazing dif-
ferertce is there, in the manner wherein God has
carried on his work in England, and in America !
There, above an hundred of the established Clergy,
Kk

514 CONCLUSION.
men of age and experience, and of the greatest
note for sense and learning in those parts, are zea
lously engaged in the work. Here, almost the
whole body of aged, experienced, learned Clergy,
are zealously engaged against it :* and few, but a
hartdful of raw young men engaged in it, without
narae, learnirtg, or erainent sense ! And yet, by
that large nuraber of honorable men, the work
seldom flourished above six months at a tirae, and
then followed a laracrttable artd general decay, be
fore the next revival of it : whereas that which
God hath wrought by these despised instruments,
hath continually increased for fifteen [and we may
now add for near sixty] years together: and at
whatever tirae it has declined in any one place, i|
has raore erainently flourished in others."
3. That the men whom the Lord Jesus Christ
had thus chosen, and put into the Ministry, were
endued with different talertts for the work, — every
one of them having received his proper gift ofGod,
one after this raanner, and another after that. But,
though there were diversities of gifts araong theift,
they were evidentiy of tbe same Spirit ; and though
there were also diversities of operations, it was ma
nifestly the same God who worked all in all. And
as they all received their respective gifts from thc
same source, so they were all conducive to pro
mote the same important and invaluable end, viz.
* This was true at the time it was written, about the year
1753 ; but, thank God, now the casa is altered, — many of the
Clergy being zealously engaged in the propagation of Divine
Truth.

CONCLUSION. 515
The glory of God, and the present and eternal hap-
{)iness of mert.
4. That He, who had thus qualified aud or-
dairted them to go forth, without purse or scrip,
sent them not this warfare at their own charge ; but
he, himself was with them : he girded them witb
strength to tbe battle ; and enabled them to endure
hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. The
signs and wonders, also, which were wroiight by
their instrumerttality, were to themselves artd
others, irtdubitable proofs that the Lord God and
his Spirit had sent ihem.
5. What aslortishing effects have been produced,
irt the hearts and lives of individuals, and in society
at large, by that preaching, which by many is still
termed fooUshness ! The wolf and the larab have
been made to lie down together ; the most brutish
and ferocious of mankind have been conquered by
Sovereign grace, and their brutality and ferocity
have been changed into the nature of the innocent
Iamb ! The wilderness hatb been made like- Eden, and
the desart like tbe garden of the Lord ; joy and glad
ness hanie been found therein, thanksgiving and the
voice of melody ! And this work hath not been done
in a corner, but in the sight of all Israel, and of
the sun : neither has it been confined to any par
ticular part of the land ; but has beeu vlrrought,
more or less, irt every couuty of the United King
dom bf Great-Britain and Ireland. Not only the
untaught Indians of Kingswood, and the Christian
Savages oi Cornwall aod Staffordshire, have witr-
Kk2

5l6 CONCLUSION.
nesscd the Gospel as preached by these raen of
God, to be the power of Gad to salvation ; but
thousands, in the raore refined circles of society,
have been the seals of their Apostlesbip in tbe Lord.
These are their epistles (written not with ink, but by
the Spirit of the Uving God, not in tables of stone, hut
on the fleshly tables ofthe heart) known and read of all
men. Q. 'that wherever these servants of the living
God carried the glad tidings of salvation, similar
effects have been produced : whether they preached
in Great-Britain or Ireland; in the frozen regions
of Newfoundland, or in the excessive heat of the
Western Isles ; on the shores of Africa, or on the
continent of America ; the same blessings have
been coramunicated, and the sarae consequences
followed. And that without any regard to nation,
sex, colour, learning, or privileges : all who em
braced the truths they preached, were affected
with the same views of God, and theraselves, were
all humbled ou accouut of sin ; under the irtflu-
ence of the same Spirit, were all raade partakers of
like precious faith ; becarae united to the sarae Sa
viour, walked in the sarae way, artd had all the
sarae glorious end in view. Thus have they de-
mortstrated themselves to have beert propagators of
that gertulne Christianity wbere there is neither
Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision. Bar
barian, Scythian, bond nor free; but Christ is all and
in all,
7. That it has never been the design of these

CONCLUSION. 517
men, as a body, (though individuals among them
have atterapted it) to form themselves into a sepa
rate party. The few deviations from what some
have terraed original Methodisra, have been owing
to existing circurastances of a peculiar nature, and
have generally proceeded more from necessity
than choice : and their successors are still pursuing
the plan of the priraitive Methodists ; and are en
deavouring to spread scriptural holiness through
the land.
8. We cannot but remark, the peculiar care (as
is manifest from the preceding pages, and would
be still more so, were the subject more amply dis-r
cussed) that has ever been taken by the Methodist
Conference to preserve the purity of their body.
No person can obtain admission among them as a
Preacher unless, in the judgment of Christian
charity, he has grace, gifts and fruit ; nor can he,
cortsistertt with their rules, continue' any longer
than these reraain. He raust be recommended by
a Quarterly meeting to the District-meeting, and
from thence to the Conferenee ; and then, if re
ceived, he remains upon trial for four years before
he can be fully admitted a raeraber of the Con
ference. The characters of the Preachers are
strictly exarained in the District-meetings, and
again at the Conference every year. And hence,
it may be observed, that sorae Preachers are re
corded in the preceding work, who, having dis
graced their holy profession, and remaining incorri
gible, have been awfully expelled from thc Connec-,
Kk3

518 CONCLUSION.
tion. The Conferertce have tiius followed the
advice ofthe A^osHie, Put away from among your
selves that wicked person.
At the sarae tirae it is au awful cortsideration,
that there should be occasion to exercise such dis
cipline irt the Church of Christ. It is a dreadful
circurastartce for a private Christian to be expelled,
for iraraorality ; for dishonoring God and pro
faning his holy narae : but howrouch.raore dread-.
ful when the Ministers of the Lord's house make
themselves vile before the people, and are cast out as
salt that bath lost its savour ; whiffi is thenceforth
good for nothing but to be trodden underfoot of men.
When those who are appointed as watchraen over
the people, betray their trust ; are found negligent,
nay joining hands with those eneraies, they are
engaged, by virtue of their office, to warn the
people against. "When these servants begin to,
say. My Lord delayeth his coming,-^and to eat and
drink with tbe drunken, — ^What may be expected?
But that tbe Lord of that servant will come in a day
when be looketh not for him, and at an hour when he
is not aware : and will cut him asunder, and will
appoint him his portion witb the unbelievers. Besides
the evil that these Ministers do lo their own souls— -
How is the narae of the Lord blaspheraed ! How
is his righteous cause reproached ! How are the
people of God grieved ! And how do the enemies
of Ziort rejoice, crying. Aha ! aha ! so would we
have it ! How many, who were once inquiring the
mvay to Zion, witb their faces thitherward, have, by.

CONCLUSION. 6I9
the.conduct of such Ministers, been turned out of
the way : and surely the blood of these souls will
be required at their hands ! They have made the
Lords people to transgress ; and have caused many
to err by their Ues and by their lightness : and there
fore, / have lifted up my band against tbem, saith
the. Lord God, and they shall bear their iniquity, r—
they shall bear their shame, and their abominationsi
which they have committed. O what shame will
cover thera, what terror will seize upon thera, and
what an horrible dread will overwhelra thera, when
they shall be dragged to the treraendous bar I —
Wheo they shall behold His face whom they Once
called Lord, Lord,, and shall hear him awfully
pronounce. Depart- — I know you not ! When they
shall meet with those unhappy spirits in darkness,
whom they had caused tb wander out of the way
of uadejlstanding, who will then charge their dam-
nation upon themi, and so will : becorae their tor-
mtehtors to all eternity 1 — Fathers and Brethren,
suffer me to speak I These are not fictions, they
have, I fear, been awfully realized in some who
were rmmbered miib'us, and had obtained part of tbis
Ministry.. My very soul trerables while I reflect
and write on these tremendous things ; and raost
sacredly do I deprecate them,, both as they respect
myself and others. O my soul, be thou
" For ever standing on thy guard.
And watching unto prayer."
Let us contrast the vigilance of the faithful Mims-
Kk4

520 CONCLUSION.
ter, with the indolence of others ; his holy zeal
with their lukewarmness ; his devotion, with their
evident want of piety, and the consequent issue
of the whole ; and we shall no longer halt between
two opinions. Our Souls will burn with holy fire ;
our zeal for God and his cause will be ardent and
intense ; our devotion will manifest itself, not only
in our pulpit declamations, but in our raore pri
vate walks.
<' Our hearts will then be true to God,
Our words to them, our actions to them both,"
Artd, if we do tbese things we shall never fall, but
an entrance will be administered unto us abundaritly
into tbe everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ.
It is also observable, that sorae whose naraes are
recorded in these Meraoirs, who through fear of
want, or to avoid the shame of the crooss, or to
amass wealth, left the work, generally failed in
their pursuits and designs. Sonrie of thera became
bankrupts, or insolvent ; many of them lost the
coraforts of religion, and walked for years in a dark,
uncorafortable slate ; and in their last raoments
bitterly lamented their departure from the work :
and though there is reason to hope, that most of
them died in peace ; yet they were sorae of thera
scarcely saved, or with great difficulty. This was
also the case with those who were half-hearted,
who were not faithful in their work, and who did
not live in the spirit oi their office : they grievously

CONCLU SION. 521
lamented these things at the last, artd they also
were saved so as by flre !
Q. But it is, rtevertheless, worthy of reraark,
and ought to be recorded to the everlasting honor
of divine grace, (by which we are contirtually
kept, through faith, unto salvation) that so sraall a
number of the above description have been found
in a Society, consisting of several hundred Minis
ters, and of raore than sixty years continuance : es
pecially considering what manner of persons sorae
of the first Preachers were ; and what teraptations
their sphere of action (particularly at that early part
ofthe work) continually exposed them to. Seve
ral of them, though sound in the faith of Christ,
were men of weak parts ; who knew but little of
the world ; and had received but few advantages
frora educatiort : and these raen were sent forth, as
the first Preachers of the Gospel were, like sheep
among wolves. The wisdom of the serpent, and the
harmlessness of the dove, are at all times necessary
for Christians, but particularly for Ministers ; and
they were still more so for the persons under con
sideration. The Ministers of the Gospel are men
of like passions with others, incident to all the weak
nesses and infirmities of human nature ; are ex
posed to all those trials which Christians in general
feel ; and are exercised with a variety of others,
both from men and devils, peculiar to their high
and holy calling; They are often a spectacle unto
tbe world, and to angels, and to men : the trials,
temptations, and difficulties oftheir work, can be

522 CONCLUSION,
Itnown to none, but those who are faithfully en
gaged in it. When all these circumstances are
weighed in the even balance, it is almost a miracle
that so many stand their ground, and continue
faithful unto death !
10.> We cannot but remark also, frora the pre
ceding Memoirs, the singular care of God over
many of his servants, whose hope and trust were
in him. No weapon that was formed against them
prospered, and he often reproved their eneraies for
their sakes : while they were pursuing the path of
duty, they experienced their safety to be of the
Lord. — He divideji their diifictilties, and made a
plain path for their feet, because of their adversaries.
In how remarkable a raanner have we seen the di
vine power displayed in these raen ; who out of
we/jkness were made strong, who waxed valiant in
the Christian fight, and thereby put io flight the
armies of the aliens ! How did that God whom they
faithfully served in the Gospel of his Sort, enable
them to endure almost unparalleled cruelties from
wicked and unreasonable mert ; even at the very time
they were labouring for their good, — labouring to
pluck thera as brands out of the fire ; and' to lead
thera in the way to everlasting blessedness 1
1 1. But the most conspicuous trait of all is, the
glory which rested upon most of these men of God
in their last raoraents. Death is the last trial, and
the last enemy the Christian has to contcrtd with ;
and Satan, who has pursued him close through
every lane of life, now, knowing that he hath but

CONCLUSION. S23
a short time, musters all his force : he comes with
hellish malice full ; and now, indeed, seeketh whom
he may devour. But in how raany instances, in
the preceding pages, have we seen him a van
quished fopr^spoiled of his power, and the prey
eternally rescued frora his h^nds 1 O blessed Jesus!
ThoUf hast, through death, destroyed hi^t "^ho had
tbe power of death, that is the devd! Tbou hast,
spoiled principaUties and powers, and made a shew of
them openly! Thou ha^t enabled thy servauts to>
exult, artd, as they were pa,ssing through the-
dreary vale, triuraphantly to i^ing, 0, death where ii
tby sting f 0 grave where is tby victory P We have^
seen these veterans in the cause of Jesus Chris^
quit the field with hortor ; and returning to Zion-
with songs, and everlasting joy upon their beads /
We have beheld these Christian mariners, tpssed
upon the tumultuous sea of life ; we have also
seen them cast anchor within the veil, and with.
the cable of Faith, fixed to the anchor of Hope,
they have, outrode the storm ; and had entered thc
haven wbgre they would be :
" Where all the ship's company meet,
Who sail'd with the Saviour beneath."
We have witnessed a good number of these
racers for eternal life, so running as to obtain tbe
prize ! They did rtot run uncertainly, nor fight as
those who only beat tbe air ; but tbey were temperate
in all things ; — they kept under the body, and brought
it into subjection ; — they laid aside every weight, and

524 CONCLUSION.
ran with patience the race which was set before them,
looking unto Jesus : and thfey have taken possession
of the prize ; even glory, honor, and immor
tality I
12. How wonderfully has the love of God our
Saviour been raanifested, that as he has called
these his servants horae, he has also raised up
others to succeed thera in their work. Jesus
Christ is King in- Zion : he is the Head over all
things to his Church : the government thereof is upon
his shoulder; and with Him is tbe residue of the
Spirit. No raan is therefore of any more use in
the Church, or in the world, than what He makes
hira 1 This caused the Apostle to inquire. Who
ihen is Paul, and who is ApoUos ? They were Mi
nisters by whom the people in that day believed: but
when they had finished the work which their
Master had given them to do, he removed thern
frora labour and reproach to a slate of rest and
glory. And he then poured out his Spirit, and
qualified others to succeed thera ; and to carry on
his own gracious designs upon earth. Thus we
may observe God has done in all ages of his
Church ; when he removed Moses he raised up
Joshua ; when he translated Elijah, his mantle fell j
and a double portion of his Spirit rested upon
Elisha ! When Jesus Christ hiraself, as Mediator,
had finished the work which was given him to do ;
he proraised his disciples anotber Comforter, who
should abide with them, and their successors, for
ever ! And surely we must have remarked in the

CONCLUSION. 626
foregoing pages, irt how wonderful a raanrter God
has verified his word. I will not leave you comfort
less, though I deprive you of a beloved Pastor ;
but I will still come untoyou in others, whora I will
as sirtgularly own artd bless. We can but observe,
when some of the most eminertt servants of God
have been called horae, and the chasra appieared
so great that we thought it was irapossible for it
ever to be filled up again ; yet in a short tirae the
breach bas been fully repaired, and the work of
the Lord has prospered as much has ever. This
has been eminently the case in respect to the Me^
tbodists : especially when it pleased the Lord and
giver of life to take that glorious Star, the Rev.
John Wesley, to adoru tiie firmament above. The
expectations of the enemies of Zion were then
raised to the heighth, and they began to exult in
the downfal, artd compleat extirpation of Metho
dism : ' and if it had been, as they supposed, a
scheme oi Mr. Wesley's own contrivance ; or if the
governraent had been upon his shoulder, their
hopes would soon have been realized : they would
have seen Methodism totter to the veiy basis ; and
the goodly fabric, which had becrt rtcar sixty years
in buildirtg, would have been soon laid waste,
without an inhabitant !
The fears also of marty ofthe real friends of pure
and undefiled religion, were, at the above period,
greatly alarmed : artd they were apprehcrtsive, that
the exalted statiort which Mr. /if W^ had occupied
for such a rtujpber of years, with, so much houor

526 CONCLUSION.
to himself, and credit to the cause of truth, coiild
be filled by no othef- man. It is true, no indivi
dual has been bound to fill it, nor does it appear
that this was at all necessary ; had it been So, the
great Head of thei Church would have sent down a
soul of equal size, and have fully qualified him for
his work : bnt the place of Mr. Wesley has been
so filled, that the plans his capacious mind had
formed, have been carried on with more asfonish-
ing success, and tb a far greater extent than ever
they were during his life time ! Not that this suc
cess and extension ofthe work, is to be iraputed to
the superior w^isdom or endowments of the Legis
lators and Governors of the Body, since Mr. Wes
ley's death ; but it proves to a dembnstraf ion, whaf
I wished to prove, 'That G-od ii not dependant ori
any mart, or nuraber of raen, for the support of his
own work, or the carrying on his own gracious
designs upon earth. He can bury his workmen,
and still carry oh his work : and also that both the
impiorts expectations of the eneraies of religion,
and the pious fears of the righteous were equally
groundless, and have thus far been happily disap:
pointed. At the Conference previous to M!r. Wes
ley's death (in 179O), fhere were only 2ga; Itine
rant Preachers engaged in the work, arid71,56d
members of the Society in Europe ; but at the last
Conferertce (irt IBOO), the Preachers were increased
to upwards of 400, and! the raerabers to 109,961 !
So astonishingly has the word of the Lord pre
vailed since the death of Mr. Wesley 1

CONCLUSION. 527
13. Nevertheless, the removal of the Miuisfers
of Jesus Christ from the Church militant, is an
awful circumstance ; and ought to be deprecated,
deplored, artd improved. This should be the case,
particularly by the Methodists ofthe present gtirie-
ratiort ; as most of those men, who saw the begin-
nirtg of this great Work which God hath wrought
irt tbe earth, are now removed. We have indeed
a Hopper, a Taylor, and a Pawson, and a few
others, who stand yet ; but even these are standirtg
¦ With their starry pinions on,

Drest for the flight, and ready to be gone."
It was a serious charge brought against the peo-^
pie of old, Tbe righteous perisheth, and no man Idyetb
it to heart. And is not this apathy too evident iti
many at prescrtt ? Do we sufficientiy deprecate this
evil ? Are not marty Mirtisters called home, because
thepeople set bo Ught by them; aud either neglect or
despise the mess^es of salvation which they bring ?
When they are removed, do we deplore the evil ?
And, above all, do we endeavour to iraprove it ?
Death has always a voice to the Uving ; but rauch
more when he is coraraissioned lo call home the
Lord's standard-bearers ; when the watchmen of
Israel are removed from their posts, surely it is
time for the people to inquire. Is tbere not a cause f
jHow can we improve these providences better
than by considering the end of their conversation, co
pying their example, and thus following them as
they followed Christ.

538 Conclusion.
14. Letus, whether Ministers or people, give
glory lo that God who halh fo graciously signali
zed such a nuraber of his servants, and enabled
thera to finish their course wilh joy. O what a
glorious company are already before the throne !
How great is the number of pious shepherds who
are gone to appear before the Chief Shepherd,
to receive the crown of glory which fadeth not away !
Artd what an imraense multitude of those who
were once as sheep going astray, but who returned
to the Shepherd and Bishop of souls, have welcomed
these menof God, (who were irtstrumerttal oftheir
salvatiort) ihto the everlasting habitations of delight
and happiness.
Lastly. Let those who are honored to succeed
these blessed men in the Ministry take encourage
ment : this God is our God for ever and ever ; he
will be our guide even unto death. The work in
which you are engaged is His work ; and he ^ho
hath called you with this high and holy calling,
will give you strertgth according lo your day. He
will stand by you, if you are faithful ; and every
man shall receive bis own reward according ta bis own
labour. If you have laboured lortg and hard, and
had but little success, your judgment is, neverthe
less, wilh the Lord, and. your work with your God.
Though Israel be not gathered, you shall be glorious
in tbe eyes of tbe Lord. You must expect little
frora mart, and then you will not be disappointed :
this is not your rest. Here you must labour and
toil ; and your rest shall be gloripus, and your

conclusion. 529
reward sure. But, O what wonderful thirtgs have
your eyes beheld ! Prophets aud righteous men
desired lo see the things which you see ; but were
not permitted to behold them. You have seen
Jerusalem in prosperity, and peace upon Israel. This
honor was reserved for us upon whom tbe ends of
tbe world are come. In our day we have seen the
divine glory resting upon the Tabernacle, and fill
ing the sanctuary : we have beheld multitudes of
souls raised out of the ruins of the fall, who are
now blessed witb all spiritual blessings in heavenly
places, in Christ. We have already seen an abuii-
dartt harvest produced from the seed which was
cast into the Gospel field ; and with earnest hope,
and joyful expectation, we look for a yet more
abundant crop. Our enlarged views on this de
lightful subject canrtot be more adequately ex
pressed, than in the following beautiful hyran.
" See how great a flame aspires.
Kindled by a spark of grace !
Jesu's love the nations fires,
Sets the kingdoms on a blaze.
To bring fire on earth he came ;
Kindled in some hearts it is ;
O that all might catch the flame.
All partake the glorious bliss !
« When he first the work began.
Small and feeble was his day :
Now the word doth swiftly run,
Now it wins its wid'ning way.
More and more it spreads and grows,
Ever mighty to prevail ;
Sin's strong holds jt now o'erthrows,
Shakes the trembling gates of bell.
Ll

giSO conclusion.
<' Sons of God ye«r Saviour praise I
He the door hath ppen'd wide ;
He hath giv'n the word of gr^ce,
Jesu's word is glorified,
Jesus mighty to redeeaa.
He alerae the work ha^h wr^>i^bt f
Worthy is the work of hira,
Him wh.Q call'd a world from nought.
" S^w ye mot tlae cloud arise.
Little as a huraan hand ?
Now it spreads alon^ the skies,
Hangs o'er 9^1. the fhirsty I?nd ;
Lo the promise oif a s'faower,
Dr^opis already from ^ove ;
But dhe Lord will shoitly pour^
AU the 'Spiriit pthis love." And
Let every pious heart repeat Amen i

CHRONOLOGICAL LIST
OF THE
ITIJVER^AJVT JPRE^CMERS,
Now labouring in the
METHODIST CONNECTION.

The Dates sheze the Year the Preachers began to travel.

x\.SHMAN, Wm.
Allen, John
Asbury, Francis
Alium, Mac Duncan -
Atmore, Charles
Algar, Joseph
Armstrong, Gustavas -
Armstrong, Joseph
AtkinS, John
Armstrong, Francis
Anderson, James
Aver, William -
Anderson, Henry
Armstrong, William -
Alcorn, Samuel -
Arthur, Mac John
Anderson, Joseph
Alexander, James
Ashall, John
Aikenhead, John
Alium, Mac William -
Averill, Adam -
Atherton, William
Ashton, Solomon -
Adam, Mac John B
Brown, Isaac
Bardsley, Samuel

1765J 766
1767 1775
1781 1781178217831786 17871789 1790
1791 1791 1792
1792179417941794 17961797
17971797
1799- i8oi 1760
1768

Bredin, John
Benson, Joseph -
Bradford, Joseph
Bradburn, Samuel
Brettle, Jeremiah
Brown, George -
Brown, Jonathan
Barbor, Thomas
Booth, John
Button, George -
Bogie, James
Botts, Samuel -
Bartholomew, Thomas
Barber, John
Brackenbury, R. C. -
Baxter, John
Bland, Charles -
Blagbourne, William -
Byron, James
Black, William -
Baldwin, George
Bramwell, William
Barrett, John
Bates, Samuel -
Beaumont, John
Barrowclough David -
Braithwaite, John
Burgess, Joseph -
Boyle, John

1769 177117731774
1774
1776 1773 1779
1779 1779
178a1782 1782
1782
1784 n^5'785 1785 '785
1786
1786 1786 1786
1786 17861787 17901790 1790

ll

532

CHRONOLOGICAL LIST.

Brown, Thomas -
Bell, James
Buckley, James -
Bridgnell, James
Banks, Robert -
Bowes, Joseph -
Barker, Jonathan
Brownhill, John
Blanchard, Thomas
Beech, Glenham
Brockhouse, Joseph -
Burley, James -
Burdsall, John -
Bunting, Jabez -
Bulpit, James
Burkenhead, John
Bennet, William
Bagnall, John
Barton, John
Bryan, John
Barr, William
Baily, Robert
Bradnock, Isaac -
C
' Costerdine, Robert
Crook, John
"Coke, Thomas -
¦Creighton, James
Coussins, Jonathan
¦Cole, Joseph
-Cricket, John
(Clarke,- Adam
Crosby, John
Crowther, Timothy -
Crowther, Jonathan -
Cornock, William Mac
Cooper, Thomas-
Cox, William
Crowther, Robert
Crozier, Robert -
Coll, Duncan Mac
Crabb, James
Collier, Joseph -
Cooke, Joseph -
Clandennin, John
Collier, Francis -
Chittle, John

17901791 179117921792
1792 1793
17941795 1795
1795 1796 1796
>799 1799 1800
18001800
1801
18011801
18011801
1764 »775
1776 1776
178017801780
1782
17831784 1784
1787
1787 1789
1789»7931793
1794>7951796»7971797

Campbell, Archibald
Carter, James
Campbell, Daniel
Clegg,'john Claxton, Marshall
Coe, David
Clayton, Isaac -
D
Dixon, Thomas -
Day, Simon
Donald, James Mac
Dinnen, John
Dall, Robert -
Darragh, John -
Dobson, Thomas
Dunn, Thomas -
Dickenson, Peard
Dieuaide, William
Denton, John
Davies, Owen -
Dean, John
Doncaster, John
Dowling, Blakeley
Deverel, George
Dermott, George
Douglas, George
Daniel,- Mark
Drake, Joseph -
Dumbleton, Thomas
Douglas, William
Deakins, David -
Deery, Henry -
Debell, Philip -
E
Easton, John
Evans, James
Edmondson, Jopathan
Entwisle, Joseph
Elliot, Richard -
Emett, Michael -
Edman, Thomas -
Edwards, Thomas
Elwain, George Mac
F
Fish, William -
Fumess, John
Fearnley, Thomas

^797
1797 1798,1798 »799 1800
180117691780
1784 17851787
1788
1788 178a 17891789 17891790
1790 17901791
1793 1793
1794 1794 1794
1796
1797»799 1801
1762
1786 1786
1787 1790i79» »795
1796

1785
1788 1790

CriRONOLOGICAL LIST.

533

Fergiison, William - 1 790
Farland, John Mac - 1791
Foster, John, sen. - 1791
Fenwick, William - 1792
Finney, Robert - - 1798
Farrer, John - - 1798
Fowler, William - 1798
Fielden, Joshua - 1 799
Foster, John, jun. - 1 799
G
Greenwood, Parson - 1 763
Goodwin, John - - 1768
Gibbon, George - - 1 780
Grifiith, Walter - - 1784
Gaulter, John - - 1785
Gill, Thomas - - 1786
Grace, John - - 1786
Gates, Samuel - - 1787
Grant, John - - 1 789
Gibbon, Edward - 1790
Greaves, Thomas - 1790
Graham, Charles - 1790
Gower, Richard - - 1792
Gloyne, Charles - - 1793
Greenley, Charles - 1795
Gill, James - - 1795
Gilliard, George - - 1 798
Gee, Thomas - - 1 798
Gisbum, John - - 1 798
Gilead, George - - 1 798
Garret, Philip - - 1799
Gilpin, Williatn - - 1 799
Gartrell, James - - 1800
Gregory, Benjamin - 1800
H
Hopper, Christopher - 1 747
Harrison, Lancelot - 1766
Harper, Joseph - - 1767
Hayward, Robert - 1768
Horner, William - 1770
Hopkins, Robert - 1780
Holmes, William - 1782
Holder, George - - 1782
Hunter, William - 1785
Heath, William - - 1786
Highfield, George - a 786
Harrison, Robert - 1787

Hewitt, Thomas
Hickling, John -
Hamilton, William
Hamilton, Andrew
Hutton, Thomas
Hamilton, Andrew, jun,
Harrison, Thomas
Hainsworth, William -
Hardcastle, Philip
Hardacre, Richard
Harrison, Williara
Hudson, John -
Hicks, William -
Howarth, William
Hutchinson, Arthur -
Hamilton, John - ¦
Hill, Josiah
Haslam, Peter
Hallet, Francis -
Hughes, John -
Hodgson, John -
Henshaw, William
Hare, Edward
Hawkshaw, John
Hallam, Joseph -
Harrison, Christopher -
Heywood, John -
Heamshaw, John
Hooks, Moses -
Higgins, Edward I
Johnson, John -
Jackson, Edward
Jackson, Daniel .
Johnson, Robert
Joyce, Matthias -
Johnson, William
Jenkins, William
Irvin, James
Jay, James
Jordan, James -
Ingham, Thomas
Isham, Thomas -
Jenkin, William
Johnson, Thomas
James, Robert -
Johnson, William

1787
1788 1788
17881789 1789
1790
179017911792
1793 17931794
1794 1794
1794 17951796
1796
-1796 »797
»797.1798
'798 1799'799
1799 1800
i8oi1801
1761 1777
1778
»783 1783
17871788
1789»79t
1792 »793*794
»797 »797
179a '79*

534

CHRONOLOGICAL LIST.

Jackson, William - 1 799
Jagger, Jonas - . j 8qo
Isaac, Daniel - - 1800
K
Kerr, John - - 1782
King, John . - 1783
Kane, Lawrence - 1 783
Kyte, Charles - - 1784
Kay, Duncan - - 1786
Kerr, Thomas - .. J 7 87
Kelk, Thomas - - 1788
Kershaw, John - - 1 789
Kingston, John - . 1791
Kirkpatrick, Cleland - 1791
Kyte, Joseph - - 1792
Kee, James Mac - 1793
Keown, James Mac - »794
Kane, Law. jun. - - 1795
Knowles, John - - 1797
Kidd, William - - 1799
Kitchen, Joseph - 1799
Leech, John - - 1773
Longley, Thomas - 1780
Lumb, Matthew - 1783
Lessey, Theophilus - 1786
Lowe, George - - 1788
Legget, Benjamin - 1788
Lomas, Robert - - 1789
Lilly, Isaac - - 1790
Ledbrook, Leonard - 1793
Langtree, Matthew - 1794
Leppington, John - 1 795
Little, William - - 1796
Laycockj Thomas . 1796
Leech, William - . 1799
Lawrey, James - - 1799
Lockwood, William - 1800
Loughhead, Thomas - 1801
M
Mason, John - - 1764
Mowatt, George - 1770
Mill, Peter - - 1774
Myles, William - - 1777
Mitchell, Samuel - 1779
Moore, Henry - - 1 779
^osely, Abraham . 1786

Moorhead, Samuel
Mann, John
Matin, James
Moor, Alexander
Mullen, James Mac
Miller, Robert -
Murphy, Michael
Martindale, Myles
Murdock, Archibald
Mahy, William -
Mahy, Henry
Morley, George -
Marsden, George
Moulton, William
Mayor, Andrew
Milward, Edward
Muff, Isaac
Mullen, Daniel Mac
Mayne, Charles -
Moore, John
Midgley, William
Mauger, Nicholas
Martin, John
Miller, W. Edward
Mercer, John
Marsden, Joshua
Mitchell, Page -
Mahon, George -
Morrison, Joshua
Meek, Joseph -
N
Nelson, John
Newton, Booth -
Newton, Robert
Needham, James
Nesbitt, John -
O
Ogylvie, John -
Owens, Thomas -
Ousley, Gideon -
Olivant, Thomas P
Pawson, John
Peacock, John -
Pritchard, John -
Price, John
Percival, William

1786 1786 1787 17881788 17881788 17891790 17911791 1792
»793
1794 17941794J 794
1794 17961798 1798
1,98 »799»7991800 18001800 180018001801
17891790 »799
1799 i8ot17821786 1799 1800
176s
1767 1771
• 1772 1773

CHRONOLOGICAL LIST.

535

F^od, Josepk -
Parkin, Jonathan
Palmer, Williara
Patterson, Thomas
Pipe, John
Patterson, Richard
Penman, James -
Philips, John
Parson, Thomas -
Pearson, William
Pearson, William, jun.
Feblow, Daniel -
Parsons, Humphry
Pindar, George -
Pattisonf Thomas
Preston, Thoraas
Poole, John
Pindar, Thomas -
Pontaviee, De Peter -
Q
QueteviHe, Dejolm -
Qui^, Mac James R
Rankin, Thomas
Rhodes, Benjarain
Rodda, Richard -
Ratherferd, Thomas -
Rogers, Jamss -
Renwick, James -
Rydall, James -
Roberts, Thomas
Reynolds, John -
Reece, Richard -
Rogerson, Thomas
Ryle, John
Ridgway, Thomas
Ryan, Thomas -
Robins, Joseph -
Russell, Francis -
Rought, Thomas
Rogers, Thomas -
Revel, Marmaduke
Roberts, Edward
Reynolds, John, jun. ¦
Ratclifie, James -
Rossell, John
Ransom, Hugh -

1776
17841784
17891790
1791
1793
1793 17941794
1794 179517961798
17981798 17991799t8oo
i7»31789176a1766'1776
17721774 1783 1785
1786 17861787
1788
1788 17891790 1792
179417951799^799
1799 1799
••799 »799 i8co

Robertson, William
Radclife, William S
Story, George
Shadford, George
Swan, Robert
Snowden, George
Sanderson, Joseph
Sauiaders, William
Suter, Alexander
Simpson, William
Smith, John
Stevens, William
Stttcliff, Joseph -
Stamp, John
Sandoe, John
Stephens, John -
Smith, Robert -
Stuart, Matthew
Sanderson, WiUiam
Saunders, Henry
Saunderson, Joha
Sargeant, George
Siipfconite, Thomas
Sykes', George -
Shelmerdine, William
Simpson, John -
Smith, Wilham -
Steel, Samuel
Smith, George -
Smith, Robert -
Smith, James
Stephens, John -
Scholfield, Jiames
Shaw, Edmund" -
Stephenson, George ¦
Scekersoni, Anthony ¦
Simmonds, Caleb
Stanton, Thomas
Stuart, John
Stanley, Thomas
Sidserf, John
Shriowder, Hans
Sbai-geon, William
¦; Stanley, Jacob -
St-u«geon, Alexander
5 linger, Thomjs

1800
i8ot
176317681770 1772
1775
1777
1779,7791785
178(5 1786 178717^7
i78iJ1783 1788178817891789 1796
1796
17901790
179017901790 i79»17921792
179a 1793 1793
1793
*793 1794 17941794'7951796 1796179617971798 1798

1I4

636

CHRONOLOGICAL LIST.

Slack, John
Stewart, James -
Shipley, Robert
Sterling, James .
T
Taylor, Thomas -
Thompson, Joseph
Taylor, Joseph -
Tattersall, Thomas
Thorsby, William
Townsend, John
Truscott. Francis
Tunnicliff, Charles
Tretheway, Thomas
Taylor, Samuel -
Trefry, Richard -
Tobias, Matthew
Turton, William
Towler, Edward
Timperley, William -
Turner, Edward
Thomson, Richard
Townley, James
Turton, Isaac
Tozer, John
Towler, William
Taylor, John
Trampleasure, William
Taft, Zach. V
Vasey, Thomas - -
Vaughan, Martin
Vipond, William
Vasey, Thomas, jun. -
W
Wittam, John -
Watkins, Christopher

1799
'799 1800
18011761
1763 '777 1781
178517861787 1788
1790 17901792 1792
1794 '794'794 '794
17941796 17981798 '798
1798 180118011775^795'797 1801
1767 1768

Wrigley, Francis . 1769
Whatcoat, Richard - 1769
Watson, James - . 1770
Wood, James - - 1773
Warrick, Thomas - 1778
Warrener, William - 1779
West, William - - I780
Wride, Thomas - - 1782
Whitfield, George - 1785
Woodrow, John - 1787
Wood, Thomas - - 1787
Wilshaw, John - - 1788
Wilson, William - 1788
Wood, Samuel - - 1789
Wilson, Stephen - 1791
Ward, John - - 1792
West, Francis - - 1793
Waddy, Richard - 1793
Wilson, Benjamin - 1793
Wood, John - - 1795
Whitesides, Cuthbert - 1796
Worrill, Zachariah - 1796'
Watson, Robert - 1796
Williams, William - 1796
Woolmer, Samuel - '797
Walmesley, John ¦> 1797
White, John - - 1797
Welburn, William - 1798
Wilton, Thomas - 1 798
Wintle, Richard - 1799
Watson, John - - 1799
Wilson, John - - 1799
Waugh, David - - 1800
Y
Yewdall, Zachariah - 1779
Yates, Thomas - -^ 1793

INDEX.

•»*^<-®->»->»«— —

D.

'Edicatiom
Preface
Postscript -
Introduction B
William Baines -
James Barry
Benjamin Beanland
Thomas Beard .
John Bennet
Abraham Bishop
Richard Blackwell
Andrew Blair
Richard Boardman
Charles Boone -
William Brammah
John Brettell
Thomas Briscoe
John Broadbent -
Daniel Bumsted
Edward Burbeck
Richard Burke -
John Burnet
William Butterfield C
John Catermole -
Jonathan Catlow
Thomas C herry -
James Clough -
Alexander Coates
Richard Coates -
Benjamin Colley
Lawrence Coughlan
John Cook
Thomas Corbet -
William M'Cornock
John Cowmeadow

Page iii iv
XV
xix 4344
4446
495153
5458 62656y686970
7»
.7.2
ibid n
ibid .7.5
ibid
ibid 7778 80
.8.4
ibid 85
89

Joseph Cownley
William Crabb -
Andrew Coleman D
William Darney
Peter Dean
William Denton
John Dillon
John Downs E
Joseph Easterbrook
William Eels -
John Edwards -
Thomas Elliott -
John Ellis -
Robert Empringham
John Evans F
John Fenwick -
Michael Fenwick
John Fletcher
John Floyde
Henry Foster
Francis Frazier -
William Fugill .
John Furze G
James Gaffney -
Robert Gamble .
Joseph Garnett -
Nicholas Gilbert
David Gordon -
James Gore
Daniel Graham -
Robert Green
Paul Greenwood
William Grimshaw
Joseph Guilford

?age.
94 95
100101
104
105
109 110
116
a-; 118
ibid iza
121 123
ibid 125
142144147
ibid 148 154
^55'156
ibid, ^57
160
161 162164163169

H
John Haime
John Hampson -
Thomas Hanby -
Samuel Harris -
John Harrison -
Williara Harry -
Richard Henderson
James Hervey -
William "Hitchens
Samuel Hodgson
William Holmes
Thomas Hosking
John Hosmer
John Houghton -
Joseph Humphreys
William Hunter I
Francis Isherwood
Peter Jaco
John Jane
Thomas Janes
John Jennings -
Thomas Johnson
John Jones . -
James Jones
Joseph Jones
Francis Juene K
Joshua Keighley
John M'Kersey -
James Kershaw -
Alexander Kilham L
Samuel Larwood
Thomas Lee
Samuel Levick -
John Liverinore
Henry Lloyde -
Matthew Lowes
Richard Lucas, -
William Lumley

INDEX.

Page

M

Page

172

John Maddern -

- 247

176

John Manners -
William Martin.-

- ibid

179

- 250

181

Charles Martin -

- ibzd

ibid

Michael Marshall

- 252'

18a

Jonathan Maskew

- *53

^h

Alexander Mather

- ^6

i^

Thomas Maxfield

- sSS.

190

John Mealey

- 269,

191

Samuel Meggott -

- 270

199

Thomas Meyrick

- ibid

200

John Millar ,

- 272

ibid

Henry Millard -

- 873

202

William Minnethorpe: ihd

ibid

Thomas MitcheU

- 274

aog

Archibald Montgomery 27^

Richard Morgan

- ^77

214

James Moirgan -

- 281

215

John Morgan

- 286

217

Richard Moss

- ibid

218

John Murlin

. 288

220

N

ibid

Alexander M'Nab

- 2911

224

Robert Naylor -

- 294-

225

John Nelson

- 295

ibid

John Norris

- 298.

226

0

James Oddie
- ibid
?27
John Oldham -
. goo
236
Th&m-as Olivers -
- 30a
237
P
ibid
Thomas Payne -
- 30S
Christopher Peacock
- 309
239
Benjamin Pearse
- 312
240
Wil'liam Pennington
- 314
242
Vincent Perronet
- 3»7
243
Charles Perronet
- 327
ibid
Edward Perronet
- 335
244
John Prickard -
- 33^
246
9 m /r '
Hugh Pugh R
Jonathan Reeves
- 342
l(/((U f
- 345
INDEX.

WilUam Roberts
John Richardson
James Richardson
John Roberts
Robert Roberts -
Jereraiah Robertshaw
Thomas Robinson
Jasper Robinson
William Rodd -
Jacob Roswell -
Thomas Seaward
Thomas Seccomb
Walter Sellon -
John Shaw
George Shorter -
Charles Skelton
David Simpson -
Edward Slater -
John Slocomb -
Samuel Smith -
John Sraith
John Standering
Sampson Staniforth
John Stephens -
Robert Swindles T
Samuel Taylor -
David Taylor
Henry Taylor
Thomas Tennant
Barnabas Thomas
William Thompson

Page346 356
g66
ibid 367 373374375 377378
ibid 379 381384 385
ibid 388 397
398
ibid 399 400
ibid 407
¦ 409
¦ 410
• 412
413
¦ 414
. 416
¦ ibid

Jonathan Thompson
George Tizzard -
Thomas Tobias -
V
John Valton
John Vipond W
George Wadsworth
Isaac Waldron -
Francis Walker -
Thomas Walsh
Richard Watkinson
George Wawne
Thomas Webb -
Samuel Wells -
Thomas Werrill
John Wesley
Charles Wesley
Thomas Westall
James Wheatley
William Whitaker
George Whitfield
Robert Wilkinson
Thomas Williams
Enoch Williams
Mark Willis -
William Winby
James Wray
Duncan Wright
Conclusion, Chronological List

Page
426 428.43V 434435
436-
437 438 443 444
ibid. 449 452453
474 486'
488 ,
491 492 503
506 508
ibid. 509ibid510
513 53.1

Prinkd hy Richard Edaards, Broad-Strtet, Bristol.

ERRATA;
Page Line
43 16 for warm read war
47 10 ¦— 1774 — 1744
Jbii n — has — hast
78 »4 — Mannus — Manners
85 J 4 — from — to
8g 23 — live — life
94 4 — pleaded — pleased
126 4 — literary — literally
176 20 — remarkable- leiharkably
284 20 — .in — or
339 11 — 1773 — 1778
381 14 — gotten — begotten
415 20 ' — remarkable- remarkably
421 21 — witness — witnesses
51s 12 — commeding- commending

SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES.

J AM. ALEXANDER.Wednelbury
Mr. Addington, Bromwich
Samuel Addifon, Wednelbury
Mrs. Afton, Befcot-houfe
JohnAlhwonh, Halifax
Difney Alexander, ditto
Edward Afliworth, ditto ¦
Mrs. AUport, Wedneibury
Mr. Arthur, London
J. W. Attwood, Briftol
Mr. Edward Ash, ditto
Mr. Arthur, ditto
Mrs. Anthoine, ditto
Jofeph Armftrong, Worcefter.
Thomas Adams, ditto
Mr. Adderley, London
Mrs. Archer, Alderfgate-ftreet, a cop.
Rev. James Anderfon, Difs, 7 copies
Jofeph Adams, Wednefbury
Rev. Adam Averell, Dublin
Mr. Thomas Ayr, Lynn
Mr. Vl'm. Albison, Manchester
Mr. Joseph A!gar B
Rev. Samuel Bradburn, 3 fine copies
John Badger, Walfal
Rev. Samuel Bardfley, Bath, 4 copies
Rev. Thomas Bennet, ditto
J. R. Burckett, Efq. Doftors' Com
mons, 3 copies
John Brettell, Birmingham
Jofeph Brettell, ditto
Rev. Wm. Blagbome, Hull
VlTm. Blake, Wednefbury
Mrs. Brett, Bromwich
Mrs. Braune, Holborn
Mr. Bagnal, Cornhill
Mr. Becket, Blackman-ftreet
Charles Blake, Brentford
David Bruce, Alderfgate-ftreet
Mr. Bowler, Queen-ftreet, Borough
Jofeph Butterworth, Fleet-ftreet
Mr. Bradley, Weft-ftreet
Mr. Bower, Round-court
Mr. Bailey, Ratcliffe
Mr. Browne, Briftol
N. R. Bond, ditto
Mr. Boley, ditto
,Mr. Bulgin, ditto, 7 copies

Mr. Bonville, Briftol
James Bundy, ditto
Jofeph Bofley, ditto
John De Boudry, ditto
Rev. Jofeph Bradford, ditto, 2 finec.
Richard Bundy, ditto
R. C. Brackenbury, Efq. Raithby,
6 copies
Rev. W^m. Belflier, Worcefter
Mr. Burden, ditto
Rev. James Bridgnell, 14 copies
Mr. Blarr, Worcefter, 3 copies
Rev. James Byron, Launcefton, 24CQp.
Miss Bumbury, ditto
Mr. Bonfer, Spitalfields
Mr. Bamard, Birmingham
Mr. George Burton, Manchefter
Mrs. Barker, ditto
Daniel Burton, Esq. ditto
Rev. James Buckley, Stourport, 7 cop.
Rev.T. Bartholomew, Northwich, 6 c.
Thomas Blakemoor, Tipton
Rev. Jpf. Bowes, Collumpton, 7 cop.
Rev. John Barber, Leeds
C
Rev. Thomas Coke, LL. D. Loudon
Jofeph Cottrell, Walfal
Mr. Clay, Birmingham
Mr. Cadbury, ditto
Mr. Colwell, ditto
Mr. Colley, ditto
Rev. Francis Collier, Norwich, 14 c.
Edward Crowther, Wedneibury
Samuel Charlton, Bromwich
Hannah Charlton, ditto
Mrs. Carter, Wednefbury
Mr. Chatwih, Birmingham
Mr. Cooper, Wednefbury
Mr. Cooper, Holborn-hill
Wm. Crifp, Watling-ftreet
Mr. Crefshall, Whitechapel
Robert Cowie, Efq. Highbury-pUcs
Mrs. Colmer, Briftol
Jofeph Cooke, ditto
Mr. Chubb, ditto
Henry Cock, ditto
Mifs Chapman, ditto
Mr. Court, ditto
Mrs. Caincs, ditto
Mr. Crofs, ditto

SUBSRIBERS' NAMES.

Mrs. Caflelman, Briftol
Mr. Coole, ditto-
Ann Campen, ditto
Mr. Collins, ditto
Rev Adam Clarke, ditto
Mr. Cowell, Stourport
Rev. John Croffe, Vicar of Bradford
Mr. Coveli, London, 2 copies
Mr. John Crofsley, Todmorden
Mifs Amelia Cowell, Stourport
Rev. Timothy Crowther, 2 copies
Rev. Jonathan Crowther D V
John Davis, Bros6r~&tett^ London
James Davis, Briftol, g copies
Mrs. Dyer, ditto
Mr. Dunn, Tockington
Mr. Donne, Briftoi
Mr. M'Donald, Worcefter
Rev- John Daan, Norchgtnpton, 5 cop.
Rev. John Doncafter, AUiwiek, 29 c.
Rev. Geoi^ge Douglas. Dumfries, 7 c.
Mr. Dornford, juO. London
Mr. Downing, Lambeth-Marflt
Mr. John Dickinfon, Birmingham
Rev. Robert Dall, Ifle of Man, 7 cop.
Mr. Downing, Haddi^cge E
Mr. Eades, Birmingham
Rev. Jofeph Entwiftie^Hull, 14 copies
Mr. Edge, W. Bromwich,^ copies
John Ell'worth, Starihope-ftreet
John Eele, New Raad
Samuel Eele, ditto'
Mr. Ewer, Briftol, 2 fine copies
Mr. Elliott, Tipton-jgreen
Robert Emmet, Halifax •
Richard Emmet, ditto
Mr Jacob Ellett, Haddifcoe
Mr. Elwell, W. Bromwich
Mr. D. Evans, Kiddemoinfter
Rev. Richard EUiott, 8 copies
r
James Farmer, Wjlfal
Edward Filher, Tipton
Edward Fiflier, jun, ditto
James Filher, ditto
Thomas Fletcher, Dailsftoa
Mr. Foulgam, Fleet-ftreet
Mr. Filher, Lambeth-ftreM
Mr. Freeman, Borough
Mr. Fearon, Burr-llreet
.Mr. Feather, Grafton-ttreet
Mr. Flintoft, Wardour-ftreet
James Fuffell, Briftol
Miss Susan Flower, ditto
Mr. Joshua Fielden, 7 copies

Mr, Caleb Fielden, Todmordea
Mr, Felton, Wofoefter
Mr. Fereday, Sedgley
Mrs. Fletcher, Madeley G '
Mr. Gilbert, Burflem
Mr, Carman, Birmingham
Mr. Gardner, ditto
Mr. Grylls, ditto
Mr. Griffiths, ditto
Draper Gardner, Vere-ftreet
John Gardner, Long-Acre
Gafcoioe Graham, Compton-ftreet
Mr. Griffiths, Tottenham-court-road
Mrs. Griffiths, Islington
Mr. Gadd, Briftol
Mr. Gillam, Worcefter
Ifaac Griffiths, Wedneibury
Mr. Goddard, Watling-ftreet
Mr. Geaft, Surgeon, Birmiogham
Mr. H. Greaves, Manchester
Wm. Greeiiaway, Bilftooe, 7 copies
Mr. James Gomme, High- Wycomb
Rev. Richard Gower, Worcefter, 4 c.
Rev. Samuel Greethead, Newpait-
Pagnal, 2 copies H
John Horton, Efq. Briftol
Edward Hallfworth, Walfal
Mr. Housego, Loddon
Wm. Horton, Oldbury, 7 copies
Wm. Holmes, Walfal
Jofeph Hawkins, W. Bronjwich, i^t.
Mr. Harrifon, Birmingham
Mr. Hickling, ditto
Mr. Holmes, dittp
Mr. Hadley, ditto
Mr. Jofeph Hardy, ditto
Mr. John Hawara, Manchester
John Horton, VVednefcury, } copies
Wm. Haugtoo, ditto
Mr. Hall, Attorney,.HaIifax
Jolhua Horton, Tipton
Mr. John Hunter, St. Martin's-laBC,
3 fine copies
Mr. Thomas Hunter, Mary-lcboae
Jam. Hamilton, M. D, A(tillery..place
Mr. Hovatt, Bish4psgat«-stieet
Rev. John Hey, Briftol
Mr. Hcmiag, Worcefter
Mr, Hutchinlon. Walfal
Mr. Thomas Harper, Briftol
Mr. Wm. Hunt, ditto
M'-. John Hall, ditto
Mrs. Horde, ditto
Mrs. Henderson ditto
Mr. John Hill, ditto

SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES.

Mr. Ivey, Biiratngham
Mr. Thomas JohnfoB, Kiddermiivfter
Mr. Johofon, Briftol
Mr. Jones, Surgeon, Fmfbury-fquai'e
Mr. Jones, AttorBey, Strand
Mr. Jones, BirmiHgham
Mr. Jakes, W. Bromwich
Mr. Jones, Sivowfield^s
Jofiah Jones, Bradeley, 7 copies
K
 King, Efq. Camberweli,green
Kent and Son, Holborn
Mrs. Kennfdy^ Fetter-lane
Mr. Knapp, ]«!>, Wefcefter
Mifs Knapp, ditto
Miss Kjuigdon, TregW
. L
Mr. Thomas Lacey, Bir^iaghaoi
Mr. Jofeph Lilly, ditto
Georg« Le^ W»dnefl)ury
Wm. Lee;, di^te
John Lewty. Birminghain
Mr. Leman, Loddpn
Mr. Lamb, Haddifcoe, s copies
Mr. Lewis, Tayiftoek-ftr^et
Mr. Lufher, TheobaU's-road, 7 cop.
Henry Leai-Crowa-ftieet, 3 copies
Wm. Linton, New Road
Mr. Langbom, London
Mr. Daniel I.ane, Briftol
Mr. Win. Lewis, ditto
Rev. Samuel Lowell, ditto
J. W. Lancafter, ditto
Mr. Lastdown, ditto
John Lee, Wor-cefter
Rev. John Leppiqgton, 7 copies
Mr. Lewty, Walsal
Mr. George Lomas, Manchester
Rev. R Lomas, ditto M
Wm. Marriott, Efq. Hoxton-fquare,
3 copies
Mr. Wm. Marriott, ditto, 3 ditto
Xady Maxwell, Edinburgh, 6 (Topics
Mr. Murcott, Birmingham
Mr. Mafon, diuo
Mrs. Morgan, ditto
'tfl.t. Meredith, Bifliopfgate-ftreet
Mr. Mardle, Houndfditch
Mr. Middleton, Fleet-ftreet
Mr. Milbourne, Strand
Mifs Mathifon, Red-lion-fquare
Mr. Moore, Radcliff Highway
Rev. Andrew Mayor, Briftol
Rev. Mr. Miller, I-ligh- Wycomb
Mr. Myers, Halifax
John Mafon, Walfal

Rev. Wm. Myles, Briftol
Mr. T. J. Mortimer, Fleet-ftreet
Thomas Mortimer, ditto
Mr. John Marsdien, MandiBSter.
Mr. James Morris, ditto
Rev. G. Maisdeo, ditto
Mr, MeUmgton, Oldbury, 7 copies
N
Mt. Norton, Birmingham O
Rev. John Ofilvi!e,Wethei<by, 1400.
Rev. George OlburR, Worcefier
Mr. Jacob Ow«n, Tipton
P
Rev. J. Fiitcbard, Stroud,. 7 csjpies
Jofeph Phillips, Birmingham.
John PhiUips, ditto
Samuel Parkes, ditto
Mrs Parry, ditto
Mr. Parker, Back-hoe, St. George in
the Eaft
Rev. Wm. Palmer, Worcefter, 7 cop.
Mr. HumtneY, Fen-court
Mr. James Phillips, Mortlake
Mr. Richard Phillips, Dudley
Rev. James Penman, Cheftcr, 7 copies
Rev. Jofeph Patrick, Northamptou
Mr. B^kioifon, Leeds
Miss Pilling, Manchester
Miss Price, Brecoa K.
Mr. Rowley, Wal&l
Mr. Le Reche, Halifax
Mr. Rawlins, Drury-laoB
Mr. Renck, Oxford.ftreet
John Robinfon, Efq.WellcJofe-fqtiare
C. E. Rawlins, Briftol
Mrs. Randolph, dittro
Thomas Roberts, Efq. dittr»
Mr. Thomas Roberts, ditto
Mifs Ritchie, ditto
Mr. Rofcyear, ditto-
Mr. Ransford, ditto
Mr. John Ruffell, Worcefter
Mr. Edward Rulfel, ditto
Rev.Thomas Rankin, London, 7 cop.
Jofeph Rayner, Efq. ditto
Mr. Rowley, Stouiyort
Mr. Thomas Rowley, Queea-ftreet
Mr. Robinfon, Burslem
Mr. Robert Roberts,. Surgeon, Mac
clesfield
Mr Rowfon, ditto
Mr. R)le, ditto, 2 fine copies
S
Mr. Jofeph Smith, Sedgley
Mr David Smith, ditto
George Simcox, Efq. Birmingliam

SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES.

Edward Spittle, Wednefbu^ry
Jofeph Spittle, ditto
Mr. Swan, Highbury-place
Mr. Stubbs, Holboin
Mr. Shum, Houghton-ftreet
Mr. Seward, Taviftock-ftreet
Mr. Shaw, High-ftreet, Borough
Rev. George Sykes, Grimlby, 8 copies
Rev. Robert Smith, Portfmoutb, 4 c.
Mr. Stark, Wapping
Mr. Smith, Oxford-ftreet
Mr. Scott, Arundel-ftreet
Mrs. Smith, Clarence-place, Briftol
Mrs. Smith, CoUege-ftreet, ditto
Mr, John Smith, St. Auguftine's-back
Mrs. Selden, St. James's-fquare
Mr.W. Shaw, Dr. Ryland's Academy
Mrs. Stokes, Worcefter
Mr. Skarrett, ditto
Rev. John Simpfon, Epworth, 1 1 co.
Mr. Wm. Sutcliffe, Todmorden
.Rev. JohnStamp, Bradford, Y. 14 c.
Rev. James Scholefield, Brecon, 7 co.
Rev.Wm. Sanderfon, Brigg, Lincoln.
6 copies
.Mr. Sherwin, Burflem
Mr. John Sutcliffe, Stansfield Hall
Rev. Jofeph Sanderfon, Dundee, 7 c.
Mr. George Smith, Hunflet
Jofeph Sutcliffe, Howden, 7 copies
Mr. S Sewell, Thurlton
Mr. Shardelow, Thorpe
Mr. Shardelow, Norton
Mr. Snape, Birmingham
Mr. Smart, ditto
Mr. Slater, ditto
Mr. Stibbs, Handsworth r
Thomas Stock, Esq. Highbnry-place
Christopher Sundius, Esq. Fen-court,
6 copies
Mr. Somerfield, Walsal T
Mr. Tregortha, Burflem
Mr. Richard Taylor, Surgeon, Wed-
nefl>uTy, 2 fine copies
Mr, Townend, Iflington
Mr. Tolkein, CheapSde
Rev. Jofeph Taylor, Worcefter
Rev. Mr. Twaite, Snow's-fields
Mr. Jofeph Taite, Snowhill
Mr. Titford, Biftiopfgate-ftreet
¦George Thoioe, Efq. Kiogfdown

Mifs Tindal, Scarborough
Mr. John Tweedy, Thornton
Rev. Mr. Towler, Brackley, lO copies
Mr. Vine, Brownlow-ftreet W
Mr. Wm. Wood, Birmingham
Mr. Webfter, Oldbury
Mr. Whitehoufe, ditto
Mr. Wathew, Walfal
Mrs. Willetts, Wedneibury, 2 fine co;
Mr. Jeremiah Wright, Birmingham
Mr. Williams, ditto
Mifs Watkins, Wedneibury
Mr. Godfrey Ward, ditto
John Whitehead, M. D. London
Mr. John Whitehead, Wednefbury
George Wolfe, Efq. America-fquare,
¦ 3 fine copies
Mr. Watfon, Borough
Mr. WigginSi Wellclofe-fquare
Mr. John Wilchie, Drury-lane
Mr. John Wait, Briftol ^
Mrs. Daniel Wait, ditto
Mr. Wm. Watkins, Briftol
Mr. Weaver, Worcefter
Rev.Wm.Welbourae, Epworth, 11 c.
Rev. John Williams, Stafford, 3 copies
David Wood, Bloxwich
Mr. Samuel Wawne, Marton
Rev. ThomasWood, Whitby, 14 cop.
Rev.John Wood row, GreatYarmouth,
23 copies
Mr. Wheeler, Borough
Mr. Thomas Wright, Stourport
Mifs Jane Wright, ditto
Mr. S. Wood, London
Mr. John Wilkes, Darlafton, 14 copies
Rev. John Wood, Shrewfbury, 7 cop.
George Whitfield, 7 copies
Mr. John Wood, Burflem
Mr. Walker, ditto
Mr. Wylde, Macclesfield
Mr. Wheelton, ditto
Mr. Whall, Sally Oak
Mr. Wylde, Leeds
Miss Mary Wilkes, Wednesbury
Mr. James Wood; Manchester
Y
M^ Yockney, Bedford-ftrect
Mr. Yeomans, Wedneibury
Rev. Zach. Yewdall, Stockton, 7 cop.

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