PREFACE. METHODISM has been justly characterized as a revival of primitive apostolical Christianity. The instruments by which it was effected were distinguished by great disinterestedness, fervent piety, and untiring zeal. It is important that those who have entered into their labours, should be accurately acquainted with the spirit and manner of life of the men whom God so greatly honoured as instruments of spiritual good, and that they should tread in their steps. The generation of ministers contemporary with Mr. Wesley, and employed by him, has nearly passed away. The subject of this Memoir was one of their number,—one of the connecting links between the former and the present race of Wesleyan ministers ;-exhibiting in modern times a fair specimen of the simplicity, the gravity, the spirituality, and the holy fervour, by which the early Methodist preachers were distinguished. Simply to present his character and labours to view, leaving them to make their own impression, is the object of this unpretending volume. The writer could have wished that the task had been committed to abler hands; but he was not left at liberty to submit his father's papers to any other eye. Numerous engagements arising out of the superintendence of the circuits in which he has travelled since his father's death, have prevented the earlier execution of his design. Only short fragments of time-and these often separated by long intervals-could, consistently with the claims of his circuits, be devoted to the examination and transcription of his father's papers. This disadvantage, together with the circumstance that he is unpractised in authorship, must be pleaded as his apology for the many defects which, it is feared, the reader will discover. As far as it has been practicable, the subject of the Memoir has been made his own biographer: and it is hoped, that the copious extracts from his journals and letters will interest and edify the widely extended circle of his surviving friends. Passing notices of contemporary events connected with the history of Methodism, will be found in various parts of the volume. These might easily have been multiplied, had the limits of the work permitted. The difficulty has been to select from a journal and correspondence so uniform in their excellence, and extending over a space of near fiftyeight years; and to compress into one small volume the history of so long a public life. 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 connexion 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, November 1st, 1848. ADVERTISEMENT TO THE SECOND EDITION. THIS Second Edition has been published at the suggestion of several ministers and friends, for whose judgment the biographer entertains great respect, who have expressed an opinion that the work is specially adapted to the present state of the Wesleyan Connexion; and that, if by a slight abridgment and reduction of price it could be put into the hands of the members of society generally, and especially of the office-bearers, much good, by the blessing of God, would be likely to result. Influenced by the opinion thus kindly expressed, and grateful for the favourable reception of the First Edition, the biographer has been induced carefully to revise the whole. By an enlargement of the page, the use of a smaller type for the correspondence, the condensation of some paragraphs, and the omission of a few others expressing sentiments found in other parts of the work, though the bulk of the volume has been diminished, all that is most valuable in the First Edition has been retained, while many pages of new matter relating to the early history of Methodism have been introduced; thus supplying an improved edition at two-thirds of the original price. Encouraged by the numerous testimonies to the usefulness of this Memoir which he has received from all quarters, the writer indulges the hope that, in its present form, it may do yet greater good, and perhaps supply a corrective of some of the evils which have lately afflicted the Wesleyan Connexion. The candid reader will probably be struck with the parallel between the present and former periods of the history of the body, and will be encouraged to hope that the late agitation, deeply as it is to be deplored as the occasion of great spiritual loss to thousands of individuals, will vi ADVERTISEMENT TO THE SECOND EDITION. yet be mercifully over-ruled for the good of the Connexion; for the increased efficiency of its institutions, for the closer union of its members, for the greater spirituality of its office-bearers, and for the consequent extension of the kingdom of Christ. To the candour and kindness of the Wesleyan church and of the Christian public, the writer again commits the volume, with earnest prayer that God may abundantly bless its perusal to every reader. WEST COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT, December 10th, 1853. CONTENTS. Page. CHAP. I.-FROM HIS BIRTH TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS ITINERANCY AS A WESLEYAN MINISTER. 1767-1787. Birth-Parentage-Education -Religious Training-Early religious Impressions-His Grandfather's dying Charge-Providential Interpositions-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-Con- cern to grow in Grace-Improvement of Time-Companions-Diligent Use of the Means of Grace-Class-meetings-Bands-Anxious to ascertain his Foible-Happy Death of a Class-mate-Realizing Views of the Misery of the Damned-Begins to preach-Youthful Appearance-Religious Experience -Writes to the Rev. J. Wesley-Mr. Wesley's Reply-Appointed to the Northampton Circuit-Excused-Labours as a Local Preacher-Extracts from Diary-Appointed to Keighley-Superintends Mr. Wood's Manufac- tory-Caressed-Recollection and Equanimity-Position critical-Health declines-Appointed to the Oxfordshire Circuit-Allowed to attend the Con- CHAP. II.-FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS ITINERANCY TO THE TIME OF HIS ADMISSION 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 com- menced 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 Sab- bath-A good Library-Mr. Atlay's Division-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 Charac- ter-Means of Improvement-Success of Labours-Appointment to Halifax -Anxiety to be useful-Severe Temptation-Learns Greek-Mr. Wesley's Death-Some Change in the Government of the Connexion necessary- Mr. Thompson's Circular-Consultation at Halifax-Meeting of senior Preachers at Leeds-Correspondence-Conversion of Joshua Dickenson- Diary-Manchester Conference-Preparatory Meeting of Seniors-Kingdom divided into Districts-Received into full Connexion CHAP. III.-FROM HIS ADMISSION INTO FULL CONNEXION TO HIS MARRIAGE. 1791, 1792. Re-appointment to Halifax-Diary-Entertains the Design to marry-Providentially led to an Acquaintance with Miss Pawson-Visits Thorner-Secretly injured by a Tale-bearer-Conversion of John Kershaw -Lord's Supper in the Family-Mr. Pawson's Illness-Scrutinizes his own Motives in respect to Marriage-Dissension about the Sacrament-" Old" and "New Plans "-Arguments urged by their respected Advocates- Anxiety to follow Providence-Visits Dewsbury-Correspondence with Miss Pawson-Marriage-They unite in a Covenant with God. CHAP. IV. FROM HIS MARRIAGE TO THE TIME OF HIS REMOVAL FROM LEEDS. 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-Rev. C. Hopper-Extracts from Diary-London Conference-Deci- sion respecting the Sacrament-Appointed to Leeds-Harewood Castle- |