A just view of the character of one who shone quite as much in the privacy of the domestic circle, as in his more public sphere of ministerial labour and usefulness, could not be given, without many details which do not usually find their way into the memoirs of public men; but probably these may not be deemed the least useful parts of the work. The sum of human life is made up chiefly of such little incidents; and the exhibition of Christian principle in connection with these, may be instructive to the mass of readers.

To the candour of the Christian public, and to the blessing of God, the writer now commits these pages, though by no means insensible to their defects. If, however, through the Divine blessing, they may be the means of promoting among the ministers and people of the Wesleyan Connexion, (for whose use they are especially intended,) the spirit and practice by which our fathers were distinguished, the object of the biographer will be secured; and the great purpose will be furthered, to which his venerated parent devoted a long, laborious, consistent, and exemplary life.

WAKEFIELD, Nov. 1, 1848.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

FROM HIS BIRTH TO THE TIME OF HIS CONVERSION TO GOD.

1767-1781.

Birth—Parentage-Education-Religious Training-Early Re-

ligious Impressions--His grandfather's dying charge-Preser-

vation from injury by an explosion of gunpowder-In danger of

being drowned-A dangerous fall-Determined to be a sailor-

Bound apprentice-Turned over to Messrs. Wood and Co.-

First hears the Methodists—Mr. Taylor's influence-Joins the

Society-Conversion.

Page 1

CHAPTER II.

FROM HIS CONVERSION TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS

ITINERANCY AS A WESLEYAN MINISTER. 1781-1787.

His concern to grow in grace-Early rising-Improvement of

time—Companions—Diligent use of the means of grace—Anx-

ious to ascertain his foible-Happy death of a class-mate-

Realizing views of the

misery of the damned-Begins to preach

-No printed plans-Youthful appearance—The Boy Preacher

- Religious Experience-Writes to the Rev. J. Wesley-Mr.

Wesley's reply-Appointed to the Northampton Circuit-Ex-

cused–Labours as a Local Preacher-Extent of the Manches-

ter Circuit-Extracts from Diary-Appointed to Keighley-

Superintends Mr. Wood's manufactory-Caressed-Recollec-

tion and equanimity-Position critical—Health declines-Man-

chester Conference- Appointed to the Oxfordshire Circuit-

Allowed to attend the Conference.

p. 12

CHAPTER III.

FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS ITINERANCY TO THE

TIME OF HIS BEING RECEIVED INTO FULL CONNEXION.

1787–1791.

Purchases a horse, &c.—Conversion of his mother—Sorrowful

parting-Fellow labourers—Extent of Oxfordshire Circuit-

Accommodations--Severe temptation—Salaries low-Beneficial
influence of Methodism–Spirit in which he commenced his
ministry— Bierton—The Rev. J. Wesley visits Oxfordshire-
Extracts from Diary—Letter to his mother-Painful exercises

-Covenant with God—Diary-Appointed to Birstal-Rev. W.
Thompson-First Sabbath-A good Library, Rev. J. Pawson
– Mr. Atlay's Division-Preaches out of doors— Letter to the

Rev. R. Reece-Baxter's Reformed Pastor-Learns Latin--

Re-appointment to Birstal-Rev. J. Pawson, Superintendent,

New Chapel built at Dewsbury—Diary—Severe Exercises-

Letter to the Rev. Robert Lomas-Life of Matthew Henry-

Influence of the Dewsbury division in the formation of his cha-

racter-Means of improvement-Influence of Mr. and Mrs.

Pawson-Success of labours--Appointment to Halifax--Anx-

iety to be useful-Visits Mr. Reece-Severe temptation-

Learns Greek-Mr. Wesley's death-Correspondence with the

leading preachers--Meeting of senior preachers at Leeds-

Conversion of Joshua Dickenson-Diary—Manchester Confer-

ence-Preparatory meeting of Seniors --Kingdom divided into

Districts---Received into Full Connexion.

.

p. 29

CHAPTER IV.

FROM HIS ADMISSION INTO FULL CONNEXION TO HIS

MARRIAGE. 1791–1792.

Re-appointment to Halifax—Diary-Extraordinary manifestation

-Entertains the design to marry-Providentially led to an ac-
quaintance with Miss Pawson—Visits Thorner-Secretly in-
jured by a tale-bearer—Conversion of John Kershaw-Lord's
Supper in the family—Mr. Pawson's illness— Visits Leeds and
Thorner-Scrutinizes his own motives in respect to marriage-
Dissension about the Sacrament - Anxiety to follow Providence
Visits Dewsbury--Correspondence with Miss Pawson-Mar-
riage—They unite in a Covenant with God.

p. 78

CHAPTER V.

FROM HIS MARRIAGE TO THE TIME OF HIS REMOVAL

FROM THE LEEDS CIRCUIT. 1792-1794.

Mrs. E.'s early conversion and religious character—They live

with Mr. and Mrs. Pawson-Helpers of each other's prayers
and faith—Remarkably blessed together-In company with the
Rev. C. Hopper-Extracts from Diary-Appointed to Leeds
Visits Harewood Castle—His wife's dangerous fall-Harewood
Church-Gracious manifestation Letter to Mrs. Pawson-Re-
· quested to preach a political sermon-Memoirs of Dr. Doddridge
-Interruption of studies—Dines with a High-Church politi-
cian-Prevalence of party spirit-Opens a new Chapel at Kes-
wick-Review of the year 1792—Birth of a son-Baptized by
the Rev. J. Pawson-Visits Thorner-Humble views of him-
self— Violent temptation—Overpowering sense of the holiness

and love of God - Leeds Conference-Sacramental question-
Twenty-three preachers admitted into Full Connexion-Re-
appointed to Leeds—The Lord's Supper administered at Hol-
beck-Opposition Letter to the Rev. R. Reece-The Vicar of
Leeds and Baptismal Regeneration, Division at Birmingham-
Singular trial from a fallen band-mate — Support - Lessons
learned—Trial increases--Early Rising-Deliverance. Letter
to a Candidate for Holy Orders-Remarkable outpouring of
the Holy Spirit, Woodhouse-Harewood-Confusion at Belisle

-Thorner Letter to the Rev. R. Reece-Visits Lancashire
-Chapel Town, Woodlesford-Rothwell—Birstal—Thorner-

Horsforth-Dun-Keswick – Harewood -- Abundant labours

Delicate health–Increase of numbers-Humbled by success-

Appointed to Colne.

p. 95

CHAPTER VI.

FROM HIS APPOINTMENT TO THE COLNE CIRCUIT TO THE

CONFERENCE CF 1796.

Removal to Colne—A child ill of the small.pox left in the house

-Contrast between Leeds and Colne-Raised above discou-

ragement-Congregations small-Son ill of the small-pox-

Much from home-Trials sanctified-Another son born-Cove-

nant renewed—Thieves of time-Letter from the Rev. T. Han-

by_Unsettled state of the whole world— Brockthorne—Disputes

at Leeds—Collections for Lancaster Chapel- Lost in the fells-

Danger of a division about the Sacraments—Dead state of Cli-

thero-Inclined to be gloomy-Gracious manifestations-Pain-

ful discoveries of inward impurity-Estimation in which he was

held by the people—Sally Major-Division at Bristol-Reply

of the Colne Circuit to a Circular from the Manchester Trus-

tees Manchester Conference, 1795— Meeting of Trustees-

Danger of division—The Rev. J. Benson's Sermon-Day of

fasting and prayer—Plan of Pacification-Beneficence of the

Manchester Methodists—Re-appointed to Colne-Rev. J. Ed-

mondson-Rev. C. Gloyne—Diary-Letter to the Rev. Robert

Lomas—Plan laid down for the improvement of time–Sense of

unprofitableness—Testimonies of the Rev. C. Gloyne, and the

Rev. W. Leach.

p. 142

CHAPTER VII.

FROM THE LONDON CONFERENCE, 1796, TO THE TIME OF

HIS REMOVAL TO YORK IN 1798.

Journey on horseback to London—Mr. Thom—Sheffield singing-

Nottingham- Leicester, Northampton— Conference- Expul-
sion of the Rev. A. Kilham-Appointed to Wakefield—Birth of
a daughter-Family afflictions-Barnsley Society disturbed by
Mr. Kilham-Cultivates a pacific spirit-His views of Mr.
Kilham's New Constitution and the agitation about Church
Government-Death of his son Marmaduke-Profitable inter-