manner, she readily replied, "I hope so, Sir." After he had left the house, she inquired of Mrs. Dyer, "What the gentleman meant?" Mrs. D. was well qualified to explain to her how much was implied in being on the Lord's side. The important question fastened upon her mind: she became much affected; she considered herself pledged by her reply to be the Lord's; and resolved not to violate her engagement: she earnestly sought, and after some time happily found the Lord. Of this blessed result, however, Mr. E. was ignorant, until he visited Gillingham about twenty-nine years after, when he learned from Mrs. Dyer, who was still living (at the advanced age of eighty-four years,) that the little girl referred to had become decidedly pious, had been married to a clergyman, and was the mother of a large family. "A word spoken in due season, how good is it."

After the March Quarterly meeting, Mr. Entwisle received pressing solicitations for his labours during the ensuing year from the Stourport, Sheffield, Newcastleupon-Tyne, and Manchester Circuits. He gave the preference to his native town, to which he felt himself under peculiar obligations. There he had first become acquainted with Methodism: there he had found the Lord: there he had been guided and nurtured by fathers and mothers in Israel; and a direction had been given to his mind and heart, to which he felt himself in a great measure indebted for his comfort and usefulness in after life. Under a deep sense of obligation, he greatly desired to impart to his townsmen some spiritual gift.

Still it is doubtful whether the humble views he entertained of himself would not have led him to shrink from a post of so great responsibility, had he not been influenced by the hope that he might be useful to his numerous personal friends and relatives there, and especially to his aged father, who still remained a stranger to the enjoyment of experimental religion. He had been in the habit of frequently writing to him most affectionately and faithfully on the subject, but with little beneficial result. In the course of the past year, his father had been dangerously ill, and had manifested some concern about his spiritual safety: although recovered, it was not to be expected that he could survive many years; a residence in Manchester would afford the opportunity

of frequent interviews, and of bringing all his influence to bear upon him and the family. He, therefore, felt it his duty to do violence to his love of seclusion, and to embrace this providential opening, trusting in the Lord for all needful supplies of grace. Having acted the part which his views of duty required, he then committed the matter to the Lord, assured that if "in all his ways he acknowledged him," the Lord would "direct his paths."

The preachers in the London District having elected Mr. Entwisle their representative in the Stationing Committee, an office and honour which he neither expected nor desired, he was obliged to leave home early for the Bristol Conference. He was kindly entertained at Mrs. Castleman's, a widow lady with whom he and Mr. Pawson had sojourned at the Conference of 1802. On this occasion Mr. Jonathan Parkin was his companion.

On Wed. 20th, the Stationing Committee commenced their labours, which were not concluded until Sat. 23rd. Mr. E. remarks:-"Nothing but Christian temper shewn through the whole business.

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Mon. 25.-Conference commenced. Two hundred and fifty preachers present. Mr. Jas. Wood, President. Dr. Coke, Secretary. Business goes on well. Mr. Wood acquits himself much to our advantage, and with credit to himself.

"Wed. 27.-My appointment to my native town has been brought about without my interference, and I believe it is of God. Yet to me it appears no light thing. To undertake such a charge is awful. Three thousand

four hundred souls to be cared for and watched over, will require great attention and activity. My soul is impressed with a sense of the awful responsibility attached to the office of superintendent of such a circuit. I see and feel the necessity of more knowledge, zeal, and piety.

"July 29.-Every business which has come forward this Conference has raised the brethren in my esteem. There are honesty, integrity, piety, zeal for God, and disinterestedness among them indeed.

"Tues. Aug. 9.-Conference ended in peace. We had a blessed refreshing season at the Lord's table. My soul was filled with the love of God."

During the brief interval between his return from Conference and his removal from Rochester, a space of only one week, Mr. Entwisle was chiefly employed in preparing for his removal, and parting with beloved friends. Never did he feel more under such circumstances than on the present occasion. He was much attached to the people, and was held in the highest esteem by them. He had a large circle of pious and intelligent friends, with whom he had often held sweet communion. One of Mrs. Entwisle's sisters, Mrs. Manley, had been resident at Chatham for many years; with her amiable family much agreeable intercourse was enjoyed, the pleasure of which was heightened by the conversion of one of the daughters, Miss Jane Manley, and her subsequent union with his esteemed colleague, the Rev. T. Stanley.

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His ministry, too, throughout the circuit, had been greatly owned of God: five new societies had been formed: the number of members had increased from 375 to 550; discipline had been re-established; and all the societies brought into a lively and prosperous state. new chapel had become necessary in Rochester; subscriptions had been in progress for some time, and all the arrangements made for commencing the work with a fair prospect of success; suitable provision had been made for the second preacher, so that it was no longer necessary to go from house to house for his meals: and the Rochester Circuit, which for some years had been nearly stationary, from that time took a higher rank in the Connexion, and an impulse was given to Methodism in that neighbourhood, which has been felt ever since, and has issued in such an enlargement of the work as to render two divisions of the circuit necessary; Sheerness and Gravesend having successively been constituted the heads of separate circuits.

In regard also to personal religion, it was a time of considerable improvement: the sweet communion with God enjoyed in this circuit, and especially in his retired chamber at Sheerness, was often referred to in after life, with the liveliest emotions of thankfulness and joy. Upon the review of these two years, Mr. E. remarks :"Blessed be God, I shall always remember with gratitude the time I spent in the Rochester Circuit, and believe I shall be better for it to all eternity."

CHAPTER XI.

FROM THE TIME OF HIS LEAVING ROCHESTER TO THE

CONFERENCE OF 1812. MANCHESTER AND LIVERPOOL.

ON Thursday, the 25th of August, Mr. E. with his family arrived in safety at Manchester. The appointment for this year was-Joseph Entwisle, Miles Martindale, John Stephens, John Brown; Evan Parry, Welsh Missionary; Robert Costerdine, Supernumerary.

My father thus records his feelings upon entering on his work in his native town:

Manchester, Aug. 27.-Many things concur to recall to my remembrance former days. My soul is filled with gratitude to the God of all my mercies, and deeply humbled before him. My work appears, and really is, great and important, and a high degree of responsibility attaches to my office. O Lord be thou my guide and strong helper. I solemnly, in thy awful presence, make a surrender of my all to thee. O Lord, accept me: direct me: assist and succeed me in my labours."

In this large and important circuit, his time was so unceasingly occupied, that few opportunities could be secured for recording in his journal passing events, or the variations in his religious experience:-a practice which he had long proved to be highly conducive to his spiritual profit. The materials for this part of his history are therefore less ample than in former years. The following are extracts from his journal :

"Sept. 21. Miles Platting.-Preached in a cellar. Blessed be God I found it good to preach the Gospel to the poor.

"Nov. 26.-On a review I find that I have been too much in a bustle this week. The variety of things which require my attention have crowded upon me, and perplexed my mind. I have not had my usual recollection: I have not taken things separately, but together.

Hence embarrassment in my work, and perturbation in my mind. Still my heart cleaves to God.

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Jan. 1, 1809.-Having concluded the last year with about 2,000 persons in singing and prayer, I began this year in the same way, resolving to devote my all to God. This afternoon, at the renewal of the Covenant, Oldham Street Chapel was again crowded. I found my mind. greatly affected; especially when the whole assembly, by standing up, expressed their resolution to devote themselves to God. This day, I doubt not, will long be remembered by many that were present. I feel the vows of God are upon me; and, though conscious of my weakness and inability, am resolved to bind myself unto the Lord in an everlasting covenant, never to be forgotten. Lord help me.

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Sat. Jan. 22.-This day I began reading again Matthew Henry's Life. Humbled and abased by a comparison of myself with him. His vigorous mind was habitually exercised. Often do I resolve to be recollected, and to put forth all my strength in getting and doing good; yet hinderances strew all the way. Well, I'll not tamely submit. This solemn hour I resolve to make new efforts. I am God's servant, and he will surely help me, both as a Christian and as a minister.

Feb. 18-This week I find more than usual of the spirit of a pilgrim. The sicknesses and deaths of several of my brethren, of whom I have heard, have had a good effect upon me. I have read Philip Henry's Life with much profit. He was called Heavenly Henry.' He had his conversation in heaven indeed. May I follow him as he followed Jesus Christ.

March 11.-My mind is more and more impressed with a sense of the necessity of walking with God. My office and station are sacred; but it is possible to bring a carnal, worldly heart to spiritual work. O may I be

a man of God:' not only authorized and employed of God, but a temple in which he resides, and unreservedly devoted to his service.

"April 1.-J. Cheetham, an old disciple, who has known and enjoyed God above forty-seven years, drank tea with me. His piety and humility affected me much. He gave me an account of some fruits of my early labours in the ministry, which afforded me encouragement, and excited gratitude.