tion of discipline, and his patient, plodding, unquenchable zeal for the salvation of souls and the glory of God.

A homely illustration of the estimation in which he was generally held in that circuit, has been supplied by the kindness of the late Rev. Wm. Leach, who laboured on a part of the same ground about four years after my father left. In a letter to the compiler of this volume

he says:

"Mr. Lomas and I called at a house which stands near a brook, a little way from Todmorden, where the preachers used to lodge when they came in their turn from Colne. Two maiden sisters of the name of Major, lived together in this house. We were in the preachers' room,- -a parlour with a damp stone floor. There they read, prayed, and took their meals; and there was their bed. I knew that Sally, one of the sisters, almost adored your father. I said to her, 'You have had Mr. Entwisle many times in this room.' She lifted up her eyes,sighed, and said, Aye, he was the eiv'nest-spun-threead that ever com into a-ar ha-ase.' Mr. Lomas was a grave man; he seldom laughed; but this moved him."

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During the year which was now nearly closed, the Connexion had been violently agitated by the disputes about the Sacraments. At the Conference of 1793, it had been decided, that "the Societies should have the privilege of the Lord's Supper, where they unanimously desired it." At the Conference of 1794, it was agreed, that "the Lord's Supper should not be administered in future, where the union and concord of the Society can be preserved without it." But permission was given for its administration in about one hundred chapels, which are specified in the Minutes for that year. Among these was Portland Chapel, in the Bristol Circuit. The Lord's Supper had been administered there during the ConferThis was repeated by Dr. Coke, on the day after the Conference broke up. The Rev. Henry Moore, one of the preachers appointed to the Bristol Circuit, assisted Dr. Coke on this occasion; in consequence of which the Trustees of the Old Room and of Guinea Street Chapel, who were much opposed to any deviation from the "Old Plan," sent him an attorney's letter, charging him "at his peril not to trespass on their premises; as they had not appointed him to preach therein, and no other person

ence.

had any authority to do so." This decisive step met with a resistance as prompt and decisive. Almost the whole society withdrew from the chapel from which their preacher was thus excluded, and proceeded to erect another. A serious division took place in the Bristol Society, and a dispute arose, in which a large proportion of the Connexion became involved. At one time, it was thought it would be necessary for the Conference to reassemble to settle the dispute. This, however, was prevented. Many circular letters were printed on both sides of the question. The Trustees of Manchester and Stockport distinguished themselves in this controversy, and addressed a Circular to all the Trustees throughout the Connexion, calling upon them to unite as one man, and oppose any change whatsoever taking place, without their

consent.

My father was by no means an indifferent spectator of these events. He felt exquisitely on the subject. He had seen such melancholy proofs of the mischievous influence of religious strife and division at Dewsbury, that he dreaded the most distant approach to disunion. He carefully read and considered the various circulars, &c. on both sides, that he might be able to form a correct and dispassionate judgment on the subject; he stood on his guard against the spirit of party; strove to keep his own heart right with God; laboured to maintain peace in his circuit; and pleaded with God in frequent and fervent prayer for the Connexion at large, that the breach might be healed, and peace and union restored. The following reply to one of the circulars sent to the Colne Circuit, prepared by himself, and adopted by the Quarterly Meeting of that circuit, may serve to shew his christian moderation, his truly catholic spirit, and the happy extent to which he had cultivated and acquired the character of the peace-maker.

"DEAR BRETHREN,

"WE have often been painfully concerned on account of the unhappy disputes which have for some time agitated a great part of our Connexion; and are willing to do any thing in our power which might have a tendency to restore peace in our Zion.

“We cannot but observe, that the dispute is not about

doctrines or discipline. All parties, we believe, are attached to the Methodist doctrines, itinerant preachers, lovefeasts, class-meetings, &c. which may be considered, under God, as the very soul of Methodism.

"The subject of dispute, therefore, is, in itself, indifferent. O that God would pour upon his people the spirit of brotherly-kindness and mutual forbearance.

"We have not the Lord's Supper administered, or preaching in church hours, in any of our chapels, nor do we at present desire it: nevertheless we think that other societies may be so circumstanced, as to render a deviation from the general plan necessary. Nor do we think that we have any right to interfere with societies in such circumstances.

"Indeed, when we take a dispassionate view of the great body of Methodists, consisting of about ninety thousand persons in the three kingdoms, collected from different sects, and whose views of things are various, we judge it absolutely impossible that there should be a uniformity of sentiment and conduct in non-essentials. It appears to us, that the only way to restore peace, and perpetuate it to generations yet unborn, is, to view indifferent things as such; to submit to one another in the fear of God; and to let LOVE, which is the bond of perfectness, be our cement.

"You desire our opinion on several points, which we shall freely give according to our present light. 1. You ask, 'What authority in the Conference is to be acknowledged-whether of the hundred, or of the whole assembly?' We think this was determined by Mr. Wesley's dying request, and the solemn engagements of the preachers at the first Conference after his decease. We sincerely wish, the question had never been proposed, as we fear it has a tendency to disunite the preachers.

"2. You inquire, 'Whether the Sacraments, &c. should be introduced into any of our chapels without their being first requested by two majorities, one of the Trustees, and another of the Leaders and Stewards?' If a majority of Trustees, Leaders, and Stewards must determine these indifferent things, would it not be better to form them into one collective body, and only have one majority? In many cases, it is probable, the twofold majority would occasion disputes between Trustees, and Leaders and Stewards.

"3. In answer to your third article, we must say, that we have had no preachers as yet, who have infringed on our deeds, and trust we never shall.

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4. We think it might be well, if a respectable person, out of every circuit, attended the District-Meetings; and we should suppose the preachers cannot object to it. We pray and hope, that God will give a healing spirit to preachers and trustees, leaders and people. We lament that there has been a want of christian love discovered in some of the Circular Letters on both sides. Yet, after all, we trust that the great Head of the Church will still preserve the body of Methodists united. Let us rather do or suffer any thing we can with a good conscience, than divide. We are thankful that our whole circuit has been preserved in peace this year, and we hope it will continue so.

"Signed in behalf of the Quarterly Meeting of Colne Circuit, held at Padiham, July 9, 1795.”

The Conference this year was held in Mr. E.'s native town; it was one of the most important that has been held since Mr. Wesley's death. A numerous meeting of Trustees had been summoned for the same time: a division was greatly feared, and by many deemed inevitable. Mr. E. attended this Conference. A few extracts from his letters will not be unacceptable.

"Manchester, July 26, 1795.-A great number of preachers have come already, and there are many trustees. I feel confident we shall have a blessed Conference, there is such an excellent spirit amongst the preachers. All appear to be decidedly against a division, as horrible and destructive. The trustees have met for

two days together, but have done little."

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July 27.-It will afford you pleasure to hear that every thing goes on well. The preachers universally are in a good spirit; and I verily believe will give such proof of their sincere and deep-rooted esteem and affection for each other this Conference, as they never did before. I was afraid, at first, that the meeting of the trustees, which is very numerous, would have had a bad

P

effect; but I think now it will not. They are divided into three parties:-1. A few very high-fliers, who can be satisfied with nothing but a division. 2. A number of moderate men, who profess their attachment to the 'Old Plan,' yet are willing to make some allowances for those who differ from them. 3. The Dissenters, or those who desire the Sacraments. The two last unite in deprecating and opposing division. The trustees who called the meeting, I understand, have more trouble with their high-spirited brethren than they have with the Dissenters. I never saw so much love amongst the preachers before. Mr. Benson preached an excellent sermon on Sunday morning from Eph. iv. 3,- Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. We then had the Lord's Supper. I suppose there were two thousand people at least. In the afternoon Mr. Hopper preached in Salford chapel; but, as I could not get in, I stood under Alexander Kilham, who preached out of doors. Mr. Hanby preached at Oldham Street at night from Eph. iii. 8; an excellent sermon. This day, Monday, is a fast. We met at five this morning, and continued till near seven. Again, we met at eight, till ten. We are to meet once more at twelve, and continue till two; after which the preachers alone, by Mr. Mather's desire, will commemorate the death of their Saviour. It would rejoice your heart to see how all former things seem laid aside; and the persons concerned declare, they will not only forgive but forget former grievances, and never mention them more. A lady, the wife of a trustee from Gloucester, with whom I was acquainted in Oxfordshire, told me this morning, ‘If I had only £1000, I would give £100 of it, for such a journey and season as I have found this to be.'

*

'Mr. Benson, in his sermon, said most awful things against such as talked of dividing the preachers. We begin Conference business to-morrow."

On the day after the above letter was written, a Committee was appointed to prepare a plan of general

When the preachers assembled, so deeply were they impressed with the dangers to which they were exposed, that they agreed to set apart the first day of the Conference, as a day of solemn fasting and prayer; that they might be enabled to keep "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."