Sivut kuvina
PDF
ePub

unperceived into the school, and had not hearkened long before she began to cry for mercy. The third must needs see and hear for herself, and she also was deeply affected, and has set out, I hope, in good earnest. Thus, by the instrumentality of these dear boys, are three thoughtless girls brought to an acquaintance with themselves, and are determined for heaven. Surely the kind friends who have contributed to this institution, will rejoice to hear that they have been purchasing and furnishing a house for God; and that no sooner had they finished their work, than the Lord came down, took possession of the same, and began his. A blessed work it is. Lord, carry it on; and while we are preparing these children for this world, do thou prepare them for another. My dear Sir, by your advice and prayers, help me to nurse the lambs of this flock. They are brought forth, but they are in the wilderness, and the wolf of hell will be gaping. Yours, &c. J. F.'

"Is not this a token for good, a pledge of greater good, and an expression of God's approbation of the institution? Old John Russell, one of our pious leaders, exclaimed in the lovefeast last Sunday, God is raising us up more preachers!' I remain,

[ocr errors]

"Yours very affectionately, "JOSEPH ENTWISLE."

On the same day on which the preceding letter to Mr. Stanley was written, my father wrote to William and James, expressing his gratitude to God on their behalf, guarding them against the dangers to which their own inexperience and the subtlety of the enemy exposed them, and encouraging them by a reference to God's gracious dealings with himself. He says:

"I was not much older than you when I first knew my sins forgiven; and blessed be the Lord, I have retained it to this hour,-above thirty-one years, and am happier now than ever."

Mr. Entwisle earnestly desired to live at all times "within the vail," as he often expressed himself; he saw with great concern, that many were "kept in the outer court;" and that among the numerous causes which operated to the increase of this evil, one was a too eager engagement in the mere business and ecclesiastical poli

tics of the body. The position he now occupied in the Connexion necessarily brought upon him more and more of this business. The moderation and prudence, also, with which he habitually acted, and the general amiableness of his character, rendered his superintendency an object of desire to the larger and more influential circuits, in which there was usually the greatest amount of such business; and brought upon him many invitations at the period when conditional arrangements are usually made with respect to the appointment of ministers for the ensuing year. His jealousy lest these things should impair the tone of his piety, or withdraw his attention from the great business of "saving himself and them that heard him," appears in the following extracts from his journal; which also evince his disposition to shrink from publicity, and to prefer posts of comparative obscu rity, where his undivided attention might be given to that part of his work which was purely spiritual, and connected with the salvation of souls.

66

April 4.—I see that nothing will suffice for me but the present enjoyment of the divine presence, and a constant living in the Spirit. I am sensible that there is great danger of my mind suffering loss by too much attention to church affairs. The late Mr. was sup

posed at one time to be as holy and spiritual as Mr. Fletcher; but by too eager a desire for office and preeminence in our Connexion, sunk lower in religion. 0 Lord, preserve me from evil: rather let me be of no account amongst thy people, than enter improperly into church concerns. I do resolve, at this solemn moment, to be upon my guard. O Lord, lend me thy aid.

"April 11.-I have received a kind and respectful official invitation to Sheffield, as Mr. Bramwell's successor next year. At the present Methodistical year is almost closing, it is not improper to think and pray on such a subject, yet I could have wished no application had been made to me, I am so incompetent to judge for myself. I should prefer a smaller place; for I long for retirement, and a more southern situation. Yet I am afraid of choosing for myself. Were I in a confined retired situation, my disposition to be still and quiet might be a snare to me. O Lord, I am in thy hands: do unto me as seemeth thee good. Hitherto the Lord has di

rected my paths. I will give myself to prayer for providential appointment. Surely the Lord can fix me in the right place. I trust he will.

"April 25.—This week I have been much profited by a perusal of the Life of the late Mr. Cecil. He was much alone with God, and his face shone before men. He was a great and good man: he faithfully served his God and his generation, and then fell asleep. My mind is stimulated to seek a deeper acquaintance with the Lord, and a more abundant measure of wisdom and holy zeal, that I may do the work of an evangelist, and make full proof of my ministry. I wish to give myself wholly to prayer, and the ministry of the word; and to say with the Apostle, This one thing I do.""

On the 19th of May, the District Meeting was held at Manchester. Forty preachers were present. At this meeting, Mr. Entwisle proposed Mr. Watson's re-admission. He had had much intercourse with him during the last five months, and had heard him preach several times; he perceived that he possessed extraordinary powers of mind, and was eminently qualified for usefulness; and being "persuaded that his weight of talent and deep piety would render him an acquisition to the connexion, and a blessing to the world,' he had proposed that he should allow himself to be recommended to the ensuing Conference, a measure in which his respected colleagues fully concurred with him in judgment. After mature consideration and prayer, Mr. Watson gave his consent. He was accordingly proposed at this District Meeting, and cordially recommended to the Conference; by whom he was as cordially accepted, and, without further probation, placed precisely in the position in which he stood eleven years before, and appointed, with Mr. Buckley, to the Wakefield Circuit.

Mr. Entwisle ever after reflected on this event with the liveliest pleasure he felt it an honour, and a cause of gratitude to God, that he had been in any degree instrumental in restoring to the Connexion one who proved so bright an ornament to it, and so eminently useful. And Mr. Watson ever after cherished towards him a most respectful and affectionate regard.

In the month of June, he received a letter from his esteemed friend Mr. Edmondson, in which he says, in

reference to the sermon preached by my father before the last Conference," I was glad to see your sermon in the Magazine, especially as I was not suffered to hear it. You recollect I was on a Committee, and we were locked up in the Committee Room. I think you should write more than you do. Why do you not?"

Mr. Entwisle writes in reply:-"I could hardly consent that my sermon should be printed. If I was quite sure that your mind was unbiassed by friendship, your favourable opinion would encourage me to write again. I have thought of preparing an Essay for the Magazine, founded on Agur's prayer. Prov. xxx. 7, 8, 9. The principal object would be, to shew the advantages of mediocrity, a condition which would be more common, if men's hearts were right; for their habits of industry and frugality would reduce the number of the indigent; and religion would restrain the excessive and preposterous desire of accumulating immense property in others. Just views of this subject would produce contentment in some who are discontented; would lessen the anxieties of others; and cure the ostentation and high-mindedness of others. Observations which I have made, even in our societies, on this subject, have impressed my mind with a sense of the necessity of bringing it forward. I preached on the text here, and have had the satisfaction to find, not in vain. But an essay that would be inserted in 25,000 copies of the Magazine and be read, perhaps, by 100,000 individuals, might be useful. Tell me at Leeds what you think of it; and in the mean time put down a few hints. Shonld I have more leisure, I purpose to write a little next year." It is to be regretted that this design was not carried into execution. It is probable that the numerous official engagements of the following year compelled him to defer it; and it seems never to have been resumed.

[ocr errors]

CHAPTER XII.

FROM THE CONFERENCE OF 1812, TO THAT OF 1814. BRISTOL.

THE Conference was held in Leeds this year, and Mr. Entwisle was elected President. His mind was graciously affected on the occasion. He loved his brethren, and valued their good opinion next to the favour of God. He could not, therefore, but be gratified with this mark of their confidence and esteem. But the honour conferred upon him had not the effect of lifting him up in his mind, but proved rather an occasion of increased humiliation before God, and a means of spiritual improvement. The responsibilities and arduous duties of this high office precluded the possibility of writing as copiously as usual in his journal; the entries made were necessarily brief; but they are sufficiently indicative of the state of his mind. A few specimens may serve to illustrate his character under the new circumstances in which divine providence had placed him.

"Woodhouse Grove, Sat. July 24.-There is talk of putting me into the chair. Should it be so, O may I be fitted for my work, and assisted in it. May I be preserved from depression and from pride. If depressed, I shall be uncomfortable and unfitted for my work; if proud, I shall fall under the condemnation of the devil. God has given me influence and respectability in the Connexion. O may I improve this talent to his glory, and never seek myself.

"Mon. July 27.-Our Conference began. Three hundred preachers are present. I am elected President, Dr. Coke, Secretary. O Lord, let not the office fall into contempt through me.

"Tues. 28th.-Hitherto hath God helped me. Busi ness goes on well. Peace is enjoyed may it continue. My brethren seem disposed to give me as little trouble

« EdellinenJatka »