wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars, for ever and ever.' It is base and mean to have no higher end than a good living. I had rather be a chimneysweeper than a minister, considering the ministry as a mere trade to get a living by. To desire a high office in order to shine before men, is wicked; as it is no better than embezzling our Master's goods to enrich and aggrandize ourselves. It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.' I would advise you to read 2 Corinthians, 4th. 5th. and 6th. chapters, where you will see the spirit of a Christian minister exemplified.

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The qualifications necessary for the ministry should be attended to. Languages, mathematics, &c. are by many judged sufficient. A critical knowledge of languages is, indeed, sufficient to qualify a man to teach the languages; an accurate knowledge of mathematics may qualify one to teach that department of science; and these, with other arts and sciences, may be ornamental and useful to a preacher, if kept in their proper place. But it appears to me, that the most essential qualifications are as follows:-1. A deep acquaintance with one's own heart, and the various workings of corrupt nature, &c. 2. A clear, distinct, and experimental knowledge of the plan of salvation, through faith in Christ. 3. Extensive views of the glories of the Redeemer, in his person and offices, and of his suitableness to the state and wants of lost sinners. 4. Just and scriptural ideas of the progress of gracious souls in the divine life, from little children to young men and fathers; by which means we know how to give every man his portion. 5. An acquaintance with the devices of Satan. 6. A general knowledge of the world and human nature. You and I may expand our thoughts on these subjects, at our leisure. I assure you, while I am writing, I have such a sense of the awfulness of the work I have undertaken, as would sink my spirits, were it not for the promise of divine help.

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Supposing a sound conversion has taken place in the heart, which I trust is the case with you and me, we may, under the divine blessing, acquire the necessary qualifications for the great work, by using such means as these: -1. Close application to the study of the Holy Scrip

tures. 2. Reading good commentaries, and treatises on divinity, with great attention and strict examination by the unerring standard of truth. 3. Reading the experiences of eminently pious men. 4. By studying 'in the original mankind.' Free conversation with the people of God, and a daily observation of the tempers, conversation, and deportment of both saints and sinners, will be of almost infinite use. 5. A careful and studious reading of the histories of nations and churches, will increase our knowledge of human nature. 6. We should not forget to give ourselves unto prayer, a life of mortification, entire deadness to the world, and deep devotion to God.

"Let a man be influenced by the above motives and ends, and be endued with the above qualifications, and through divine help, he will do the Lord's work faithfully and acceptably. These are my thoughts on the subject you desired me to write upon. I feel the weight of them on my own heart, and desire to be and to do all my Lord requires. I have already greatly exceeded my bounds, and must conclude. Present my respects to your father and mother, and all friends at Wakefield.

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"I am, your sincere friend,

"JOSEPH ENTWISLE.

"To Mr. John Bell, Wakefield."

"Sat. Jan. 25.-I had some conversation to-day with Mr. Hanby about the affairs of our Connexion. I fear we shall have a division among the preachers. Some, whom I very highly esteem, are determined to have full liberty to administer the Lord's Supper, wherever the people desire it, though it should occasion their expulsion from the Connexion. I cannot but wish that we may have the Sacraments duly administered among us; but I greatly doubt the lawfulness of making a schism in the body to obtain it. However, my judgment and conscience can be no rule for another person. Several very worthy, aged, and well-tried men think it right. It may be right for them, yet not for me, according to my present light. Lord, direct them, and direct me in the right way.

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Feb. 9.-Preached at Horsforth this morning. The society here is in a remarkably dead state. I endeavoured to speak with the utmost plainness, both in the sermon and in meeting the society. But God alone can

revive his work. Preached at Woodhouse at noon. Here the scene was quite different. The Lord is pouring out his spirit in a very extraordinary manner. Almost all the inhabitants of the village appear to be under a religious concern. They have been praying night and day most of the week, generally continuing together from evening till morning. As far as we can judge at present, great numbers are flocking to Christ. Upwards of a hundred, it is said, have obtained an assurance of the remission of sins the last week. The chapel would not hold the people; one of our local preachers preached in the street to a number of people, while I was preaching in the chapel. In order to teach them the way of the Lord more perfectly, I proposed to the young converts, who wished for it, that they should give in their names, and our friends would meet them once a week in little companies, and endeavour to shew them the way in which they ought to walk. One hundred and twenty persons gave in their names. Lord, keep them, and never let them go. In the evening, the chapel was again crammed full. After preaching, I informed the congregation, that we should continue in prayer for some time; and that if any of them could not stay, they might withdraw, while we were singing a hymn. Few went away. I continued with them about three hours after preaching. Then, being fatigued, I left them still praying. They continued, I believe, all night. O Jesus, ride on, till all are subdued. Wed. 12.-Lived in the constant enjoyment of the divine presence all day. Had a remarkably precious season in preaching and meeting the society at night at Harewood. Several have lately been brought out of darkness into marvellous light, and some backsliders restored.

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"Thurs. 13.-Oh! how my soul was filled with the divine presence and the comforts of the Holy Ghost this forenoon. In the evening, we had an amazing crowd of people at Chapel Town. Here God is reviving his work in an extraordinary manner. I continued for some time after preaching in prayer with persons in distress, and then left some of our friends still praying with them. The Lord is working very powerfully on every side. Yet we have not always that degree of reverence in our meetings which is desirable.

· Frid. 14.-Most of the day kept in peace.

But at

night exceedingly pained and shocked. Coming home from Belisle, I found the chapel nearly full of people, assembled for prayer, in expectation of some great things. Our warm friends from Woodhouse were there: they had got beyond all bounds of decency. Such screaming and bawling I never heard. Divided into small companies in different parts of the chapel, some singing, others praying, others praising, clapping of hands, &c. all was confusion and uproar. I was struck with amazement and consternation. What to do I could not tell. However, as there appeared to be no possibility of breaking up the meeting, I quietly withdrew. They continued thus till five o'clock in the morning. What shall I say to these things? I believe God is working very powerfully on the minds of many; but I think Satan, or, at least, the animal nature, has a great hand in all this. O Lord, do not suffer the enemy to hinder the good work which thou hast graciously begun; but effectually counteract all his designs. It is very difficult to prevent these evils. Our noisy friends have such an idea of their own life and zeal, and the deadness of all who are moderate and serious in divine worship, that they do not appear in a suitable state to receive any instruction or caution. Lord, give us much heavenly wisdom.

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'Sun. 16.-My dear wife and I set off early to Seacroft, where I preached at nine o'clock; we then went to Thorner. In the evening, we had a blessed season. After preaching, my dear father Pawson and another good old disciple prayed with much freedom and great power. The Lord was remarkably present. I trust there is a prospect of a blessed revival of religion here. Lord, hasten it in thy time and way. After the meeting was concluded, brother John Pawson was in great distress, and alarmed all the house with his cries for mercy. Several others also appear to be struggling for liberty. Blessed be the Lord!

In a letter to the Rev. R. Reece, dated Jan. 21, Mr. E. gives the following account of this extraordinary work of God, which was not confined to the Leeds Circuit, but extended through a great part of the country.

"The Lord has poured out his Spirit plenteously in the Halifax Circuit. They have added upwards of 300 new members the last quarter, most of whom, so far as they

can judge at present, are justified. Their meetings are frequently noisy and long continued, often till midnight, frequently till morning. It is not unusual for persons to be crying out in distress in various parts of the chapel, and others praying for them. Now, a number of stout fellows, kneeling around a sinner in distress, cry aloud, 'Come Lord Jesus, come quickly.' Anon, the captive being set free, they seem to shake the very house with crying, Glory be to God.' The noise and confusion sometimes are very great, and one could wish it otherwise; yet, as the preachers see hundreds of sinners turning from the error of their ways, they very prudently, I think, say little to put a stop to it. The same good work is going on with amazing rapidity in Birstal, Dewsbury, Bradford, and Keighley Circuits. At Keighley, they were brought very low at the Conference; but now their chapel will not contain the congregation. And at Skipton the congregation has increased so much, that Mr. Garforth has enlarged the chapel, so as to contain twice the number it did. It is still filled, and about a hundred have been lately brought to God in that small town.

"The Lord is doing wonders in this neighbourhood. Many at Leeds have lately been awakened, and brought to a clear sense of pardoning love. But the work is most remarkable at Woodhouse. The power of the Highest overshadows them in a most extraordinary degree in their religious assemblies. The Lord is making the proud and self-important like little children. One meeting, held about a fortnight ago, was remarkable. A number of people were assembled in expectation of a prayer meeting. It happened, however, (I suppose by mistake,) that not one of the persons who exercise on such occasions attended. After they had sat in silence for a considerable time, a poor woman fell upon her knees, and with an exceeding loud and bitter cry, pleaded for mercy. While she continued crying, 'God be merciful to me a sinner,' some of the company went out, and called upon one or two of the leaders, who came and held a meeting, in which several were brought into the liberty of the children of God. At other places also our gracious Lord is working much in the same way. He is doing wondrously, and we look on."

In the latter part of February, Mr. Entwisle visited

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