Dr. Whitehead observes, "The preachers met with no riotous mobs to oppose their progress in Scotland. Here, all ranks and orders of the people, from the highest to the lowest, had long been remarkable for a decent regard to religion and respect for the ministerial character:" A consequence of that power of religion which once rested on that nation. "But the preachers soon found, that they had prejudices to contend against more difficult to be overcome than the violence of a mob. They found the Scots strongly intrenched within the lines of religious opinions and modes of worship, which almost bade defiance to any mode of attack. Their success was therefore small, when compared with what they had experienced in England and Ireland, where their lives had often been in danger from the mob. Mr. Wesley, however, in his stated journies through Scotland, every where met with the most flattering marks of respect; both from the nobility, (who often invited him to take their houses in his way,) from many of the established ministers, and from the magistrates of the cities. In April this year, (1772,) being on his biennial visit to Scotland, he came to Perth, where the magistrates, as a token of their respectful regard for him, presented him with the freedom of the city. The diploma ran thus : "PERTHI vigesimo octavo die mensis Aprilis, Anno Domini millesimo septingentesimo septuagesimo secundo: "Quo die, Magistratuum illustris ordo, et honorandus Senatorum catus inclytæ civitatis Perthensis, in debiti amoris et affectus Tesseram erga Johannem Wesley, Artium Magistrum, nuper Collegii Lincolniensis Oxonia Socium, Immunitatibus præfatæ civitatis, Societatis etiam ac Fraternitatis Ædilitiæ privilegiis, de omnibus a cive necessario exigendis ac præstandis donârunt," &c.* * "PERTH, the twenty-eighth day of April, in the year of our Lord One Thousand, Seven Hundred, and Seventy Two: "On which day, the illustrious order of Magistrates, and the honourable Assembly of Senators [Alderrien] of the celebrated city of PERTH, in token 254 LIFE OF THE REV. JOHN WESLEY. This diploma was struck off from a copper-plate upon parchment: The arms of the city and some of the words were illuminated, and flowers painted round the borders, which gave it a splendid appearance. And for purity of the Latin, it is not perhaps exceeded by any diploma, either from London or any other city in Europe. Mr. Southey supposes, that the reason why Methodism did not prosper in Scotland as in England, was, that it was not needed; that the religious education of the Scotch, made the foolishness of preaching' unnecessary, and consequently really foolish. It is not surprising, that Mr. Southey should think thus. His opinion of human nature is entirely at variance with the Holy Scriptures, and with the authorised creeds of the Established Churches of both kingdoms. Were Mr. Southey's doctrine true, it would be quite sufficient to direct men how to walk, and no inward renovation would be needful. In that case, the ironical observation of a pious man would be realised-" If a man be born on the other side of the Tweed, he need not be born again." Mr. Wesley, however, painfully found, that the self-righteousness natural to man was mightily fostered by that kind of religious education so common in Scotland. "I am now," says he, speaking of Scotland, "among a people, many of whom hear much, know every thing, and feel nothing." Thus that which might have been for their health, became an occasion of falling.' There is, however, a great and blessed change in this respect. Dr. Chalmers, and other pious ministers, seem to have adopted, in a good measure, Mr. Wesley's views; and their success has been so great, that multitudes have been roused from their self-righteous delusion: So that the simple and powerful religion of the Bible bids fair to become again the religion of Scotland. of their deserved love and affection for JOHN WESLEY, Master of Arts, late Fellow of Lincoln College in Oxford, have bestowed upon him the immunities of the above-mentioned city, and have endowed him with the privileges of the Society and Brotherhood of a Burgess,-with respect to all those things which are necessarily required from and performed by a citizen," &c. CHAPTER III. PROPOSAL TO MR. FLETCHER FULLY TO UNITE WITH MR. WESLEY IN THE WORK-REMARKABLE DEATH OF MR. DOWNS-MR. WESLEY'S DANGEROUS ILLNESS IN IRELAND -DISPUTE CONCERNING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONCURIOUS ANECDOTE CONCERNING MR. WESLEY'S PLATE. MR. WESLEY now saw the religious societies he had been the happy instrument of forming, spread rapidly on every side; and the preachers increasing in an equal proportion. He became, therefore, every day more solicitous to provide for their unity and permanency after his decease, wishing to preserve, at the same time, the original doctrines and economy of the Methodists. From the beginning he had stood at the head of the Connexion, and by the general suffrage had acted as a Father, in matters relating to the government of the societies. He had often found, that all his authority was necessary in order to unanimity, and he wished that authority to be continued. In January, 1773, being at Shoreham, where, no doubt, he had consulted Mr. Perronet on the subject, he wrote the following letter to Mr. Fletcher, whom, of all men, he thought the most proper to fill his place, when the Lord should remove him : "DEAR SIR, "What an amazing work has God wrought in these kingdoms, in less than forty years! And it not only continues, but increases throughout England, Scotland, and Ireland; nay, it has lately spread into New-York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and Carolina. But the wise men of the world say, • When Mr. Wesley drops, then all this is at an end!' And so it surely will, unless, before God calls him hence, one is found to stand in his place. For Ovx ayadov πολυκοιρανίη. Εις κοιρανος εςω.* I see more and more, unless there be one Пpoɛ5ws,† the work can never be carried on. The body of the Preachers are not united: Nor will any part of them submit to the rest; so that either there must be ONE to preside over ALL, or the work will indeed come to an end. Qualified to pre He must be a "But who is sufficient for these things? side both over the Preachers and people? man of faith and love, and one that has a single eye to the advancement of the kingdom of God. He must have a clear understanding; a knowledge of men and things, particularly of the Methodist doctrine and discipline; a ready utterance; diligence and activity, with a tolerable share of health. There must be added to these, favour with the people, with the Methodists in general. For unless God turn their eyes and their hearts towards him, he will be quite incapable of the work. He must likewise have some degree of learning; because there are many adversaries, learned as well as unlearned, whose mouths must be stopped. But this cannot be done, unless he be able to meet them on their own ground. "But has God provided one so qualified? Who is he? THOU ART THE MAN! God has given you a measure of loving faith; and a single eye to his glory. He has given you some knowledge of men and things; particularly of the whole plan of Methodism. You are blessed with some health, activity, and diligence; together with a degree of learning. And to all these, he has lately added, by a way none could have foreseen, favour both with the preachers and the whole *It is not good, that the supreme power should be lodged in many hands: Let there be One chief governor. A person who presides over the rest. people.-Come out in the name of God! Come to the help of the Lord against the mighty! Come, while I am alive and capable of labour Dum super est Lachesi quod torqueat, et pedibus me Come while I am able, God assisting, to build you up in faith, to ripen your gifts, and to introduce you to the people. Nil tanti. What possible employment can you have, which is of so great importance? "But you will naturally say; I am not equal to the task; I have neither grace nor gifts for such an employment.' You say true; it is certain you have not. And who has? But do you not know HIM who is able to give them? Perhaps not at once, but rather day by day: As each is, so shall your strength be. But this implies,' you may say, a ' thousand crosses, such as I feel I am not able to bear.' You are not able to bear them now; and they are not now come. Whenever they do come, will He not send them in due number, weight, and measure? And will they not all be for your profit, that you may be a partaker of His holiness? "Without conferring, therefore, with flesh and blood, come and strengthen the hands, comfort the heart, and share the labour of "Your affectionate friend and brother, "JOHN WESLEY." "This warm and sincere invitation," says Dr. Whitehead, "to a situation not only respected but even reverenced by so large a body of people, must have been highly flattering to Mr. Fletcher; especially as it came from a person he most sincerely loved; whose superior abilities, learning, and labours he admired; and to whose success in the ministry he * While Lachesis has some thread of life to spin, and I walk on my own feet without the help of a staff.-JUVEN., Sat. 3. |