be able to pay his way. A week after the birth of the twins, he writes thus: 66 'Oct. 11. Ryther.-Since this day week my gracious loving Saviour has been very gracious to me. My soul is lost in God. His late dispensations are greatly sanctified to me; and it seems as if with the two candidates for glory which he has added to my family and committed to my trust, he had given me a double portion of his Spirit. I feel an indescribable satisfaction in this dispensation. My dear wife is now in a fair way of recovery, so that I could leave her yesterday without anxiety. My Master will take care of her, while I am engaged in his work. O may I be faithful. "Yesterday and to-day, I have felt myself much indisposed; but I am in good hands. Were it not for my dear family, I should say, Let me be dissolved and be with Christ. Not because I am weary of life; for I never enjoyed it more. But I enjoy so much of heaven in my soul, that the thought of its full enjoyment is transporting. Whether I live, may I live to the Lord, or whether I die, may I die to the Lord. Then, living or dying, I shall be the Lord's. "Sat. Oct. 19.-This week several important events have taken place in my family. On Monday, the Rev. Mr. Graham baptised our two infants, Thomas and William. Thomas began to be poorly soon after I left home, and grew worse and worse every day. After suffering more than one would think such a little creature could endure, he breathed his last about eleven this morning. Happy innocent! Thou art now among the little children before the throne. Thou hast left our world uncorrupted by its evils; and through Jesu's blood, art admitted to paradise. He shall not return to us, but we shall go to him. William is still likely to live. Blessed be God. May we train up him and all our children for glory. "Mon. 21. We committed the remains of our dear infant to the dust in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life. He was interred in St. Saviour's burial ground, York. "Mon. 28.-There is not much visible fruit of our labour in this circuit. This sometimes gives me great concern, lest it should be owing to my unfaithfulness,at least, in part. O that I may have thy approbation, my God. Though Israel be not gathered, may I obtain mercy to be found faithful. And if it please thee, let me see more fruit of my labours. "Nov. 16.-This week I have enjoyed much of the divine presence, and have also had the happiness to see poor sinners flying to Christ, and anxiously inquiring, What must I do to be saved? O Jesus, ride on, till all are subdued. Dec. 21.-A few weeks ago, the Rev. Mr. Nelson, of Riccal, published a Treatise on Inspiration, in which he represents Methodist preachers as fanatics, &c. I thought it my duty to write an answer, which was this day published. I hope it may be of some use, as I have endeavoured to set the Methodist preachers in a just point of view before the world. Lord, give it thy blessing. 66 Dec. 31.—I hear my old friend and fellow-labourer, Mr. Robert Roberts, is no more. He had another paralytic stroke, lay a week speechless, and then his spirit entered into rest. Another preacher, Mr. Green, in the Bath Circuit,- -a young man, has entered upon his reward. Happy spirits! how do you look down with pity on us still in this imperfect state. May it be my care and constant endeavour so to live, that whensoever and howsoever death may come, I may be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless. "Mon. Feb. 10, 1800.-In the forenoon my soul was drawn out in fervent prayer. I felt much of the spirit expressed in Acts vi. 4,- We will give ourselves continually unto prayer and the ministry of the word.' I see prayer is the better half of my whole work, and that which makes the other part agreeable. My life, my every breath be prayer.' "March 15.-In the course of this week I have read Mr. Whitfield's Life, by Dr. Gillies. He was, indeed, like a flame of fire, constantly glowing with love to God and man. O how have I stood reproved before the Lord. May he give me an increase of zeal for his glory, and burning love to souls. There is nothing in which I am so much wanting as fervent zeal. "I have again to lament that my time has not been duly improved this week. Thieves of time have robbed me. Some who while away' much precious time have intruded on my hours of study and retirement. I must not be so complaisant as to spend my precious moments in a way that leaves my mind barren. Whether people are pleased or displeased, I must redeem time. Lord, help me. Mrs. Pawson having asked Mr. Entwisle's opinion respecting the noise and confusion which prevailed at some of the revival meetings, he sent her the following reply, in which will be found some valuable observations, not inapplicable to present times. 66 MY VERY DEAR AUNT, 66 'York, March 19, 1800. "I HAVE considered the subject of your letter, concerning which I have often thought and prayed; and now my mind is quite satisfied. To form a proper judgment of it, the subject must be fairly stated. 1. It is allowed on all hands that conversions may be, and often are, very sudden, and yet real and lasting. 2. That whenever a sinner appears to be truly awakened, he should be pointed to a present Saviour, as in Acts xvi. 31, and be exhorted to believe now, to venture upon Christ for salvation now. 3. That there may be a great degree of outward agitation of the body, with violent outeries, &c. when sinners are suddenly awakened, and also when they find peace; yea, and much apparent confusion, when the work is of God. This indeed seems to be unavoidable, when a great number are suddenly awakened at one time and place, or enabled to rejoice in God our Saviour. There was much of this when Mr. Percival was in York; great noise and confusion, yet many stand to this day, and are ornaments to their profession. "But it appears to me, that many now have missed their way in several respects. 1. While they pray that God may work in his own way, they are not satisfied with any way but one. If their phraseology, tone of voice, &c. are not used, 'there is no life,'-no good done. But if any one, let him be who he may, use a favourite expression in a certain way, then the meeting begins to be lively. In this we may perceive two evils: first, superstition, making that essential to acceptable devotion which God has not made essential. He is a Spirit. He is affected with neither one form, mode, gesture, expresssion, nor another; but looks into the heart of the worshipper: if that be right, all is right. Secondly. They limit the Holy One of Israel. He delights in variety, both in the works of nature and grace. I shall never forget a saying of Mr. Bramwell,— When I hear two persons pray, &c. alike, I always suspect mimicry.' 2. Many are too hasty in urging persons to say they believe, and are happy. Many who never were awakened have been hurried into something which has been called justification and sanctification. For a while, they have run about to meetings, and their minds have been in a strange ferment; and by and bye, when the paroxysm has subsided, they have concluded there is nothing in religion; they have cast off the profession of it, and the wicked have been hardened thereby. I have had abundant proof of this again and again. These things greatly injure the cause of God. Many who are exceedingly active in this way are truly pious: if their zeal and fervour were under the direction of wisdom and prudence, they might be very useful. They would be careful not to urge those to believe who are not truly awakened, and such as are prepared to receive Gospel blessings would be helped. "I thank God for his great love to me. If I know myself, I get more than usual into the spirit of my station. I want to have my soul always full of holy zeal,— the fire of love. * * * * I am, yours affectionately, His journal proceeds : 66 Tues. April 8.-The Bishop of L- — and his clergy, it seems, are determined, if possible, to ruin Methodism. A Member of Parliament employed by them, is about to bring in a Bill, which if it pass, will oblige us to give up our itinerant plan; unless we prefer going on in our old way till they imprison us. O Lord, we deserve as a people to suffer. If thou call us to it, give suffering grace for suffering times. 66 April 15. This morning I entered upon my thirtyfourth year. How rapid is the motion of time! It seems but yesterday since I was a child, and now nearly half my threescore years and ten are gone! and whether I shall live till the remainder expire is quite uncertain. Nor am I careful about that. The most important point with me is, to improve my time, be it less or more, for eternity. On a careful examination of myself, from time to time, I have had humbling views of my own unprofitableness. I may say, how little walking with God! how little living in heaven! How cold, dull, and stupid in a work in which I ought to be active as fire! I am indeed an unprofitable servant, and no other master would have kept me in his service so long as my Saviour has done. God be merciful to me a sinner! Thou hast mercy on me. Thou dost lift upon me the light of thy countenance. After all, I can call thee mine. Glory be to thee, that all my soul breathes after thee, and burns with desire to be and do whatever is agreeable to thy will. O take, and seal me ever thine! 66 Sat. 19. Milford Hall.-Our aged brethren are dropping off fast. Mr. Mather, I hear, has had another attack of his old complaint, and is very ill. Most likely he will soon leave us. Several others who have had the chief direction of our affairs are infirm. Soon, we may expect, they will go to their reward. The great Head of the church, however, can raise up others. There are men of great abilities, who are very capable of managing the concerns of our large body, under the divine blessing. O may the bond of peace and charity ever unite Should government put a stop to our travelling, indeed, affairs would be in a very different state. Great God, let nothing be permitted that will retard the progress of real religion among us. us. 66 Ryther, June 20.-I am now taking leave of every place in the circuit as I proceed. I was much affected to-day by reading St. Paul's farewell discourse to the elders of the church of Ephesus. O that I could say with as much truth as the apostle, that I am clear from the blood of all men. I have not designedly kept back any thing which I thought would profit the people; but I see very many defects. Glory be to God for a Mediator! I know he is still my God in Christ. Through grace I will give my body and soul, time and talents to him alone. My soul has been much animated by reading Fletcher's Portrait of St. Paul. I perceive how far I have come short in many things; particularly in flaming |