heart has been filled with grief on the recollection of my ever dear wife. Formerly when at Conference, I had her to write to, and hear from; but I am bereaved. My heart bleeds! But it is the Lord; I will not complain. Though he slay me, I will trust in him.”

The term of my father's ministerial labours in the Macclesfield Circuit was now drawing to a close. To himself it had been the most eventful and afflictive period of his life. But the discipline to which he had been subjected had yielded the peaceable fruit of righteousness. To the circuit it was by no means an unprosperous period. The numbers in society had increased, the piety of the people had been deepened, and a division of the circuit had been peacefully effected,-Congleton being detached at the close of his first year, and constituted the head of a new circuit, with two preachers and four hundred and eighty members.

CHAPTER X.

FROM THE CONFERENCE OF 1804, TO THAT OF 1808.

Ar the Conference of 1804, Mr. Entwisle was appointed to London. After the death of his beloved wife, he felt an increasing concern about the proper Christian education of his children; and being deprived of her assistance, he wished for a retired situation and a contracted circuit, in which he might be much at home, and have time and opportunity for the cultivation of their minds. Several times Mr. Butterworth, seconded by Mr. Bunting, urged his going to London. The former wrote to him officially, as the organ of the Quarterly Meeting. To this he had objections. He did not like the bustle of the city; he was averse to publicity, and longed for solitude. However, at the Conference, various circumstances occurred to satisfy him that London was the station assigned to him by divine providence. He therefore yielded to the judgment of his brethren, and removed with his fatherless children to Spitalfields.

This was an affecting time: never before had he removed under such circumstances. But he soon found himself at home and comfortable among his poor and pious neighbours at Spitalfields.

The London Circuit then included the present eight London Circuits, with Deptford, Hammersmith, &c.To labour among this dense population, only five preachers were appointed: Joseph Taylor, Thomas Rutherford, Joseph Entwisle, Jabez Bunting, and Joseph Hallam.* It may easily be imagined, that so large an area, covered with a dense population, would find ample occupation for the time and talents of all the five preachers stationed there. In addition to which Mr. Entwisle was appointed

* Mr. Creighton was appointed the Reader at City Road; Mr. Benson, Editor; George Story, Manager of the Printing Office; Robert Lomas, Book-Steward; George Whitfield, Assistant Book-Steward; and Richard Rodda, Supernumerary.

Missionary Secretary this year;-the first appointment to that important office made by the Conference. These employments, with a constant change of scene, afforded relief to his wounded mind, which, by degrees, recovered its former cheerfulness. The Lord also was with him. His soul prospered; and he was graciously assisted and encouraged in his work.

For some weeks, indeed, after his arrival in London, he was the subject of severe temptation, and endured painful mental exercises with respect to his public work; but these were succeeded by richer communications of grace, and brighter manifestations of the divine glory. The following extracts from his diary refer to these conflicts, and may interest and edify the reader.

Nov. 2.-For several days I have enjoyed unusual nearness to God. Much profited in meditation upon a single eye. Yesterday I lived in the spirit of the subject, and in the evening preached on it (Matt. vi. 22) at the New Chapel; but I seemed left to myself, and it was with difficulty I could either pray or preach. At the same time I was assaulted by the most painful temptations. I returned home under great depression of mind. As I went through the streets, I loathed and abhorred myself, and humbled myself before God. I do not know how to account for this. I am not conscious of any thing indulged even in thought for a moment, which should occasion such a change of frame.

Nov. 30.-For a week last past, my exercises have been so great that I have almost sunk under them. The frame and temper of my mind have been unusually spiritual; I have walked before God in deep humility; but it hath pleased him to try me. With regard to my work as a preacher, and the success of my labours, I have suffered constant depression; and have found so little liberty and power in preaching, that I have retired from the pulpit ashamed before God and man, and have returned home through the streets, humbling and abhorring myself. At times I have been exceedingly discouraged, and have had scarcely any hope of success. Yet I know that the success of divine truth does not depend upon my feelings. I have not a friend at hand to whom I can unbosom my soul. In these exercises I have recourse to God. Why this travail of soul is per

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mitted, is best known to the Lord. O may I profit by it. My greatest concern is for the congregations and people among whom I labour. I fear they derive little profit from my ministry. Well, 'He knoweth the way which I take; and when he hath tried me, he will bring me forth as gold.' I resolve to mind his work, and seek his glory, and hang dependent upon him.

"Dec. 10.-The painful exercises mentioned in the preceding pages have been greatly sanctified to me. Hereby the Lord has prepared me for a deeper baptism of his Holy Spirit. My soul is drawn into a closer, holier union with himself. I am indulged with his constant presence. He gives me rest. I find in him all I want. I feel an increasing deadness to the world, to praise and popularity. My whole attention is directed to one thing, -to live to God, and be found faithful in his work. He has been pleased, too, to assist me in my studies and public labours. O may I obtain mercy of the Lord to be found faithful,

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Dec. 15.-This has been one of the best weeks of my life. I have enjoyed great nearness to God, and have been indulged with much conscious intercourse and communion with him. My soul has taken deeper root downward. Hereby I have been prepared for an exceedingly painful trial, which requires the exercise of resignation and strong confidence in God. I flee to my hiding place. He who has been the refuge of his people in all generations, will, I trust, shelter me from every storm. O God, my soul trusteth in thee: under the shadow of thy wings will I put my trust, until these calamities be overpast. The enemy thrusts sore at me that I may fall. Be thou my strong helper, O Lord. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe. Never leave nor forsake me. I will 'do good,' and 'trust in thee,' O my God. I will abandon myself unto thee in the way of duty. O my God, let every future step of my life be directed by thee. I dread nothing but thy frown, thou knowest. And in the fire and water I will say, 'Because thy loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus while I live will I bless thee, and lift up my hands in thy

name.'

"Jan. 5, 1805.-By the good providence of God, I am brought to the beginning of a new year. My soul has

been earnestly engaged with desire to live to God; yet have I been so exercised with various occurrences, that I have been almost constantly kept in a state of conflict. At present I find it difficult to avoid anxiety. I wish to live within the vail, to be wholly engaged and given up to my Lord's work, and to leave myself and all my concerns in his most blessed hands.

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Jan. 19.—A storm is generally succeeded by a calm. So I have found it this week. For several days I was tossed with a tempest of trials and exercises. Hardly could I keep my head above water. Now, thank God, my mind is calm and serene, and I am forming new resolutions to live to God alone. I see my way.

'With steady pace thy course of duty run;
God nothing does or suffers to be done,

But thou would'st do thyself, didst thou but see
The end of all events, as well as he.'

"Mon. April 15.-This morning early I entered upon my thirty-ninth year. This year has been attended with exercises of several kinds quite new to me. Sometimes my conflicts have been severe. On a review of the year, I have the satisfaction to find, that I am better than ever acquainted with myself, and, upon the whole, am making way towards heaven.

July 13.-Blessed be God for journeying mercies. On Monday I went by coach to Chatham, where I preached at night; on Tuesday I took my dear James to Sheerness for the benefit of the sea air. In the beginning of this year he became lame. A tumour formed in his ancle. It swelled considerably. I applied to Mr. J.who also consulted Sir W. Blizzard. They agreed to apply blisters, administer medicine, &c. But he grew worse and worse. At length the tumour broke in four places, and assumed the appearance of ulcers on each side of the ancle. For four months the child could not walk. This was a time of great trial. However, the Lord interposed. A friend who had long been much concerned for him and me, called upon me and recom mended a person who had performed many cures in worse cases than this, to whom I applied. In three days he stood upright, and even began to walk. From that time he recovered strength."