SONNET. Suggested by a Portrait of the Bishop of Winchester. 66 Lady, I cannot tell thee half the worth Our Bishop's portraiture still boasts for me; Recalling hours, whose converse, frank and free, 'A thing of beauty is a joy for ever;' And golden hours' so 'angel winged' can never Until a faithful memory and fond heart Be forced from friendship's sweetest ties to sever.' What a reverent spirit is here! STANZAS. BERNARD BARTON. On a beautiful copy of the Madonna and Child. "I may not change the simple faith In which from childhood I was bred : And yet, Madonna! when I gaze For who, that is of woman born, Can e'er behold with thoughtless mood, BERNARD BARTON. The acute and eloquent author of "Reasons for becoming a Roman Catholic, addressed to the Society of Friends," writes, "Robert Barclay admits that there is no alternative between Quakerism and Catholicism; either, he says, a man must believe in the inspiration and canonical authority of the Epistle of St. James, on the infallible teaching of the Holy Spirit, or on the infallible teaching of the Church of Rome. Let them find a mean if they can." * This distinguished champion of the tenets of the Friends clearly meant this argument as a clencher; could he have foreseen the changes which a century and a half would produce, he might have drawn his pen through the passage. Barclay writes very confidently, "let them find a mean if they can." They have found one. Desiring (with deference I say it) as much so as any, peace and unity; still persuaded that Rome has something to give before she receive; as an unworthy member of the Anglican communion I do rejoice that a third alternative has been discovered, and that many of the Friends have, of late years, felt themselves irresistibly propelled towards the Church of England, in which their great founder drew his breath, where he received the laver of regeneration, in the sublime liturgy of which his infant prayers were lisped, and which gave him freely the word of life. * Lucas's Reasons, p. 30. Dolman. CHAPTER VI. THE WESLEY FAMILY JOHN WESLEY. Bartholomew Wesley John Wesley - Moderate conduct of deprived clergy-Samuel Wesley-Supports himself at Oxford by profits of a poem-Active in literature-A good Churchman-What mischief King William III. did-Mrs. Wesley-Her system of education Her talents and virtues-John Wesley-His birth-Providential escape when the rectory-house was burnt - The impression made thereby on the mind of his mother, and on his own mind-John Wesley at the Charter-house - At Oxford - Fears to enter orders - His favourite works-Becomes a Fellow of Lincoln-His hard readingThinks of taking a school in Yorkshire-Goes to Wroote - Returns to Oxford-His society-Becomes acquainted with William Law-Refuses to return to Epworth-Death of his father-Offered an appointment in Georgia - Noble reply of Mrs. Wesley - The Voyage-The Moravians. Wesley in Georgia-Cause of his leaving the countryReviews his past life-Lands at Deal-His reflections there- Becomes acquainted with Peter Boehler-Influence of the latter upon him— Makes a point of speaking on religious subjects in season and out of season- -Writes to Law-The reply. JUST at the dawn of the eighteenth century, a few years after Fox had passed from this earthly scene, there was born another teacher, destined to gather round him more disciples, and exercise a wider influence, than the benevolent founder of the Society of Friends. We have seen in his instance, what the force of genius could accomplish, despite the drawbacks of an imperfect education. We have now to contemplate one who enjoyed and improved all the advantages which one of the most celebrated seminaries of sound learning could confer on the most diligent of her scholars. The Wesleys, from generation to generation, had been a clever, though not a very worldly-wise race. Bartholomew Wesley, the great-grandfather of John, and the first of his ancestors of whom any biographer makes mention, held the living of Charmouth, Dorsetshire, and was one of the ministers ejected under the Act of Uniformity. When the Church closed her doors upon him, and refused him cure of souls, he betook himself to the sister art and practised medicine; this was a common resource of the deprived clergy, and gave a comparatively harmless turn to a threat, till explained, rather formidable. "I perceive," said one to the persons by whom the ejectment was put in force against him, "that this is likely to occasion the death of many." Anthony à Wood, in the "Athenæ Oxonienses," writes that "King Charles II. and Lord Wilmot, when they continued incognito in that country, had like to have been betrayed by Wesley, the fanatical minister sometime of Charmouth, Dorsetshire." The king, after his defeat at the battle of Worcester, certainly did run great risk at Charmouth; but Lord Clarendon represents the preacher to have been a fanatical weaver, who had been a soldier in the Parliament army. This description does not at all correspond with Bartholomew Wesley, who had been regularly educated at one of the Universities. The relation which Pepys received from the king's own mouth brings the matter nearer to him, but is plainly inconsistent with any disloyal design. "Being troubled how to spend the day, the horses were ordered to be got ready, and the king's having a shoe loose, a smith was sent for, who, looking over the shoes of the other horses, said he knew that some of them had been shod near Worcester. When he had fastened the shoes, he went presently to consult Wesley, a rigid, foolish, Presbyterian minister of Charmouth, who was then in a longwinded prayer, and before he had done the king had gone on to Bridport."* Had there been any foundation for the charge, we should have heard of it, when the tide turned against the Presbyterians, and Bartholomew was ejected from Charmouth. The Wesleys had, as we shall have occasion to notice, their political leanings, but there were no traitors among them; nor have there ever been, I rejoice to believe, in that great family which bears the name of, and claims affinity to, the house of Wesley by a spiritual lineage. Bartholomew Wesley lived some years after the Restoration; when he died is uncertain: all that is known is, that he was so affected by the premature death of his son John, who was also a minister, that his health rapidly declined, and he did not long survive him. John Wesley, son of the preceding, was designed for the * Dr. Adam Clarke's Wesley Family, vol. i. p. 30. ministry from his cradle, and religiously and virtuously brought up. At a proper age he was entered of New Hall, Oxford, and in due course proceeded A.M. During his residence in the university he was noticed for his seriousness and diligence. He applied himself especially to the study of the Oriental languages, in which he is said to have made great proficiency. When he had taken his degree at Oxford he returned to his native county, Dorsetshire, and first had a spiritual charge at Melcomb, and afterwards succeeded to the living of Winterton Whitchurch, in the same county. The father we have seen described as a Presbyterian; his son's views inclined to the Independents, or Congregationalists; he was never episcopally ordained. On the Restoration, the Church authorities were disposed to shew him kindness so far as the laws would allow. Dr. Calamy has preserved the minutes of an interview between Dr. Gilbert Ironside, bishop of Bristol, and John Wesley the elder, which is honourable to both parties. It ended thus :-Bishop.-" You will stand to your principles, you say?" Wesley. "I intend it, through the grace of God, and to be faithful to the king's majesty, however you deal with me." Bishop.-"I will not meddle with you." Wesley.Wesley.-"Farewell to you, sir." Bishop.Farewell, good Mr. Wesley." The State dealt not with him so tenderly. In the year 1661, at the instance of Sir Gerrard Napper, he was arrested upon the Lord's-day, as he was coming out of church, and sent to Blandford gaol. He was allowed to put in bail, and appeared to take his trial at the Dorchester assizes for not reading the Book of Common Prayer. The trial commenced, but, in consequence of some legal point arising, was ordered to stand over till the next assizes. Mr. Wesley was suspended August 1662, previously to which he preached his farewell sermon. On the 26th of October following, the living was by an apparitor declared vacant, and orders given to sequester the profits. Much to the honour of the pastor and his flock, the dues had been all paid up. On the 22d February in the next year, Mr. Wesley removed with his family to Melcomb. I have been particular about the dates, because they serve to shew in whatever severities the secular functionaries may have indulged, at the bidding of hot-headed Cavaliers-and we can well excuse their resentments the rightfully reinstated 66 |