in Colne; we also met the societies on the week-day evenings after preaching. Although your father was of delicate health, he was always very particular in attending his appointments: I never travelled with a preacher that was more so. I do not recollect his ever missing one of his places."

The other extract is from the late Rev. Wm. Leach, who laboured in the Todmorden Circuit, the second year after it was separated from Colne. He says of my fa

ther :

"He was highly esteemed in that part of the country. I think the labours of your father with those of Mr. Edmondson, tended to raise Methodism in the esteem of the respectable part of the inhabitants very much; and Mr. Lomas and I witnessed, that they had not laboured in vain. It was a lovely state of things which we then had, in that part of what had been the Colne Circuit."

CHAPTER VII.

FROM THE LONDON CONFERENCE, 1796, TO THE TIME OF HIS REMOVAL TO YORK IN 1798.

ON Wednesday, July 13th, my father set out for London to attend the Conference. He had paid a short visit to Thorner, with my mother, who was to remain there with my brothers until his return.

The general state of the circuit finances in those days obliged the preachers to adopt the most economical modes of travelling. It was usual for them to ride their own horses, and to preach, and be entertained by the friends, in the several towns through which they passed. Frequently several preachers would thus travel in company, the number increasing by new accessions as they approached the Conference town.

In the present altered state of the country with respect to travelling, a particular account of the old method of proceeding may not be uninteresting. Two journal-like letters to my mother preserved among my father's papers, contain a circumstantial account of this journey: from these copious extracts will be given. On Wednesday morning, he set out on horseback, in company with Mr. Thom, who was then travelling in the Leeds Circuit, and reached Sheffield in the afternoon: there he began his first letter.

"MY DEAREST LOVE,

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Sheffield, July 13, 1796.

“About half an hour ago, we arrived at this place. We have been favoured with a very pleasant journey. Mr. Thom is an agreeable fellow-traveller: his conversation is instructive and profitable; so that I could not travel more agreeably, unless my face were turned homeward.

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Evening.-Mr. Thom preached from This day is salvation come to this house.' He said many instructive things. The congregation here on working days is, I think, more than double that of Leeds. The people are

very lively, and the best singers I ever heard. They exceed all description.

"Thursday 14.-I preached this morning at five o'clock to a large congregation, and was favoured with considerable enlargement. We had a pleasant ride through Chesterfield and Mansfield to Nottingham. It is a most delightful country. We were received with great affection by our Nottingham friends. Here are two of the completest preachers' houses in the whole connexion. The congregation was very large and attentive; and though fatigued with riding about eighty miles in two days, God favoured me with a clear head and a warm heart. I lodge at Mr. Tatham's. We met with several preachers here. I had for hearers Messrs. Dixon, Holder, Vasey, and Thom.

"Friday evening, 15th.-We arrived at Leicester about nine o'clock. Mr. Thom, Mr. Stevens and I, lodged in the same house. Hitherto hath God helped us. Glory be to his holy name. My dearest love, I pray for you incessantly. Oh! what a comfort that we can meet at the throne of grace. Let us often be there. I am very well, blessed be God; and Jenny performs the journey

like herself.

"Sat. evening, 16th, Northampton.-About an hour ago, Messrs. Dixon, Holder, Stevens, and myself reached this town. Here we rest to-night. It is now about five o'clock. I purpose taking this epistle to the post-office, walking to Dr. Doddridge's chapel and some other places, and then to retire and spend the evening in preparing my heart for the approaching Sabbath. This scrawl you must excuse, for it has been written in great haste, sometimes at inns, without table, while our horses have been eating their corn. You will be pleased and thankful to hear that I have been preserved in good health, and my mind has been kept in a watchful and devout frame. Glory be to God. * * * * * Be not anxious on my account. The Lord will take care of me,

and I shall return in due time. Live in the will of God. Adieu. God Almighty bless thee. I am thy own "J. E."

The second letter was commenced on the same day, and despatched on Wed. the 20th.

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"MY DEAR LOVE,

Northampton, July 16, 1796.

"AFTER I sent off my letter this evening, I went to see Dr. Doddridge's chapel, and other places in the town. The streets are wide and clean; the houses well built, and exceedingly neat. The principal church is a fine structure, with many striking monuments and inscriptions in it.

Sunday morn. 17th.-I preached this morning at Nottingham to a small, dull congregation. While I was at prayer, I could hear no Amen, except now and then from Mr. Dixon behind me in the pulpit; and when I preached, all were still, but nobody seemed affected. O Yorkshire! let me rather be stunned with thy loud Amens, than be becalmed with such cool indifference. There is no country like yours, my dear, especially to me.

"Evening, Wooburn, Bedfordshire. As Mr. Thom and I had no work at Northampton, and were at an inn, we set off in the forenoon, and rode fifteen miles to Newport, where we dined; and from thence to this place to tea. We have got to a very quiet and agreeable inn. We are now only forty-two miles from the great city. It appears very odd to me to sleep at inns; however we are better provided for than our master. He could only get a stable at his birth, and afterwards, he had not where to lay his head. I bless God, my mind is kept in peace. Monday evening, London.-We rode on horseback to Barnet, twenty-two miles, before dinner: there we were kindly received by Mrs. Simms. We dined and drank tea, and then took a coach for London, where we arrived about seven o'clock. Uncle and aunt are well. I sleep in Dr. Coke's room to-night, but am to go to Dr. Jones's to stay during the time of Conference, with Mr. Wood.

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Tues. afternoon.-They say, I must preach in the New Chapel, City Road, this evening. I begged to be excused; for I feel a disposition to be little and unknown. But I feel my mind at liberty any way. About five this evening, Messrs. Mather, Roberts, Bradburn, and others came to town. I preached this evening at seven, in the New Chapel, from Matt. xii. 35. My own mind was in a good state, and I was enabled to get on tolerably; but

It was a part of their plan, to turn their horses out to grass during the time of Conference.

there was such a number of men with black coats present, that I did not find myself at home. However, that trial is over; and I shall have no more to preach in the New Chapel.

I

"I bless the Lord, my mind is in a good state. have an opportunity of retiring frequently, and I find it profitable to do so. My earnest desire and prayer is, that I may not lose, but gain ground in the divine life during Conference. I must conclude, as the post will soon be shut up. The Lord bless thee, and make his face to shine upon thee, and give thee peace. So prays, Thine more affectionately than ever,

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"J. E."

This Conference was rendered memorable by the expulsion of Alexander Kilham, whose name is found in juxtaposition with my father's in the minutes of 1785, among the preachers admitted on trial.

There was a

small party who were dissatisfied with the Plan of Pacification adopted at the last Conference. Among these, Mr. Kilham distinguished himself as one of the most violent; and in the course of the year published "The Progress of Liberty," and other pamphlets, in which were many ungenerous and unjust reflections upon the preach

ers.

For these he was called to account. His trial, as is well known, issued in his expulsion.

To these events there is frequent reference in my father's letters to his beloved colleague the late Rev. Jon. Edmondson, and other friends, written during this Conference. Such extracts as will not involve any violation of the confidence due to intimate friendship, may now be read with interest, as matters of history, without the risk of reviving any old feelings of animosity.

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London, Sun. July 24, 1796.-This evening Mr. Bradburn preached and met the society. His text was Isaiah xii. C. He proved indeed that God is with us; that the Holy One of Israel is great in the midst of us, and that we have just cause to cry out and shout. It has been a good day. Glory be to God.

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Mon. morning 25th.-Mr. Thomas Taylor is chosen President, and Dr. Coke Secretary. Several questions were proposed to A. Kilham, relative to his publications; to some of which he refused to reply, till he had more