Simply to present his character and labours to view, leaving them to make their own impression, is the object of this unpretending volume. The writer could have wished that the task had been committed to abler hands; but he was not left at liberty to submit his father's papers to any other eye. Numerous engagements arising out of the superintendence of the circuits in which he has travelled since his father's death, have prevented the earlier execution of his design. Only short fragments of time, and these often separated by long intervals,-could, consistently with the claims of his circuits, be devoted to the examination and transcription of his father's papers. This disadvantage, together with the circumstance that he is unpractised in authorship, must be pleaded as his apology for the many defects which, it is feared, the reader will discover. As far as it has been practicable, the subject of the Memoir has been made his own biographer: and it is hoped, that the copious extracts from his journals and letters will interest and edify the widely extended circle of his surviving friends. Passing notices of contemporary events connected with the history of Methodism, will be found in various parts of the volume. These might easily have been multiplied, had the limits of the work permitted. The difficulty has been to select from a journal and correspondence so uniform in their excellence, and extending over a space of near fifty-eight years; and to compress into one small volume the history of so long a public life. A just view of the character of one who shone quite as much in the privacy of the domestic circle, as in his more public sphere of ministerial labour and usefulness, could not be given, without many details which do not usually find their way into the memoirs of public men; but probably these may not be deemed the least useful parts of the work. The sum of human life is made up chiefly of such little incidents; and the exhibition of Christian principle in connection with these, may be instructive to the mass of readers. To the candour of the Christian public, and to the blessing of God, the writer now commits these pages, though by no means insensible to their defects. If, however, through the Divine blessing, they may be the means of promoting among the ministers and people of the Wesleyan Connexion, (for whose use they are especially intended,) the spirit and practice by which our fathers were distinguished, the object of the biographer will be secured; and the great purpose will be furthered, to which his venerated parent devoted a long, laborious, consistent, and exemplary life. WAKEFIELD, Nov. 1, 1848. CONTENTS. Birth-Parentage-Education-Religious Training-Early Re- ligious Impressions-His grandfather's dying charge-Preser- vation from injury by an explosion of gunpowder-In danger of being drowned-A dangerous fall-Determined to be a sailor- Bound apprentice-Turned over to Messrs. Wood and Co.- His concern to grow in grace-Early rising-Improvement of time-Companions-Diligent use of the means of grace-Anx- ious to ascertain his foible-Happy death of a class-mate- Realizing views of the misery of the damned-Begins to preach -No printed plans-Youthful appearance-The Boy Preacher -Religious Experience-Writes to the Rev. J. Wesley-Mr. Wesley's reply-Appointed to the Northampton Circuit-Ex- cused-Labours as a Local Preacher-Extent of the Manches- ter Circuit-Extracts from Diary-Appointed to Keighley- Superintends Mr. Wood's manufactory-Caressed-Recollec- tion and equanimity-Position critical-Health declines-Man- Purchases a horse, &c.-Conversion of his mother-Sorrowful Accommodations-Severe temptation-Salaries low-Beneficial influence of Methodism-Spirit in which he commenced his ministry-Bierton-The Rev. J. Wesley visits Oxfordshire-- Extracts from Diary-Letter to his mother-Painful exercises -Covenant with God-Diary-Appointed to Birstal-Rev. W. Thompson-First Sabbath-A good Library-Rev. J. Pawson -Mr. Atlay's Division-Preaches out of doors-Letter to the Rev. R. Reece-Baxter's Reformed Pastor-Learns Latin- Re-appointment to Birstal-Rev. J. Pawson, Superintendent- New Chapel built at Dewsbury-Diary-Severe Exercises- Letter to the Rev. Robert Lomas-Life of Matthew Henry- Influence of the Dewsbury division in the formation of his cha- racter-Means of improvement-Influence of Mr. and Mrs. Pawson-Success of labours-Appointment to Halifax-Anx- iety to be useful-Visits Mr. Reece-Severe temptation- Learns Greek-Mr. Wesley's death-Correspondence with the leading preachers-Meeting of senior preachers at Leeds- Conversion of Joshua Dickenson-Diary-Manchester Confer- Re-appointment to Halifax-Diary-Extraordinary manifestation p. 78 Mrs. E.'s early conversion and religious character-They live |