For months he had been convinced of his guilty state before God, and felt the burden of sin. A quarter of a year elapsed after he entered the society before he found the Lord. During this interval he had tasted the wormwood and the gall, but at the time of his spiritual deliverance, he was peculiarly under the kindly drawings of the Father. One evening in his chamber, as he was closing his supplications with the Lord's Prayer, a most comforting sense of the love of God filled his soul, and he was then enabled, through faith in the precious atonement, to call God," Abba, Father." For the space of two years, he was happily permitted to experience almost uninterrupted communion with God, which had a salutary and confirming effect upon his piety, and prepared him for the conflicts and trials of future life. At the close of this period, he was again assailed by temptation; but, knowing in whom his strength lay, he obtained the victory.

He now publicly prayed in meetings convened for that holy exercise on the evenings of the Sabbath. As he had been prominent in the profitless gaieties of the neighbourhood, his first attempt was no sooner known than curiosity prompted many acquainted with him to press into the cottage on the following Lord's day, in the hope of hearing him take a leading part in the worship. The room was full. My father, fearing that he should be called upon to pray, was in great distress lest he should be confounded before the people. When requested, he gave out a hymn; and, contrary to his fears, his heart was filled with deep concern for his own salvation and that of his neighbours around him. Being relieved by tears, he addressed them, on the impulse of the moment, upon the great subject of personal religion, and with such effect, that sighs and weeping were nearly general, and several from that hour turned to the Lord with full purpose of heart. Thus were indications given, in a manner unwonted, of his ultimate designation to that high office in the church of God, which he subsequently and for many years with a blameless reputation sustained. After publicly professing religion, he was anxious for family worship in his father's house. On his urgent solicitations, his parents consented; and he was frequently requested to assist his father, who could not pray without a form, in conducting it. Twice on the Sabbath, but only on the evenings of other days, were the family called to engage in this sacred duty. The subject of this memoir deeply regretted the absence of the morning sacrifice, not conceiving that ordinarily any business arrangements could be a sufficient apology for its neglect, but was thankful for any approach to a better state of things than was previously in existence. As he was not the natural guardian of the family, he did not consider himself responsible for the deficiency; but was cheered by the hope, that as light and religious conviction increased in the minds of his parents, the morning would also not be overlooked as a proper season, invariably, for domestic worship. Almost immediately upon his conversion, he felt it to be his duty to go into the surrounding hamlets and villages on the Sabbath, to call sinners to repentance.

For more than three years he had been thus employed, when it was impressed upon his mind that he ought to give himself wholly to the ministry. He scarcely knew how to act, and his perturbation was great. Having communicated with the Preachers in the Circuit, he was advised to write to our venerated Founder. He did so, and was early favoured with the following reply. As one of the letters which Mr. Wesley

wrote within less than two months of his death, it will be viewed with additional interest. It is marked by his characteristic conciseness of style, and as it now lies before me, evidences, that, on account of the advance of age, his right hand had nearly forgot "her cunning." From its perusal, it may also be inferred, and not unjustly, that the letter my father sent, partook of hesitation, caution, and partial reserve, representing very definably the state of his agitated mind.

"Near London, January 13th, 1791.

"MY DEAR BROTHER,-The speaking to a congregation in Christ is a thing of no small importance. You are therefore in the right, before you undertake it, to consider the matter well. Indeed it may not be improper to speak a little now, when opportunity offers. But I do not advise you to give yourself up to the work till you are proposed and approved at the next Conference.

"I am

"Your friend and brother,

"J. WESLEY.”

At the ensuing Conference he was accordingly proposed, and placed upon the President's List of Reserve. In December of the same year he was called to go to his first Circuit, Northampton, which then extended over country which five or more Circuits now occupy. His father gave him a horse, with all necessary appendages for itinerancy. Thus provided, having preached twice on his journey, on the fifth day after leaving home, he reached Northampton. From this time, for nearly forty-one years, he laboured with more or less success in various Circuits, until the Conference of 1832, when, through age and infirmity, he became a Supernumerary. He was not allowed, in the earlier years of his ministry, to discharge his duty, particularly when preaching out of doors, without interruption and disgraceful annoyance. On some of these occasions, he had the honour (for such he considered it) of being assailed with foul missiles, treatment which the early Preachers constantly experienced. An instance of similar opposition, later in life, and the manner in which it was met, as illustrative of his uniformly equable spirit, and of the gracious purposes the Almighty accomplishes by seemingly insignificant means, may be allowed an appropriate record here. Near his residence was a village, where, by a respectable householder, he was invited to preach. At first he did so without molestation. At length, one evening, when expected to take his stand in a convenient vacancy on the margin of the public thoroughfare, some reckless despisers of religion concerted together, and determined upon a scheme of effective disturbance. A band of musicians, at the appointed time, assembled near the place. As the Preacher commenced, drawing nearer, they were successful, by the noise of their instruments, in drowning his voice, and diverting the attention of the congregation. Under these circumstances, my father deemed it expedient to cease from a contest so unequal and fruitless, and contented himself with distributing a few suitable tracts, after having pronounced the benediction. Thus engaged, he turned his tranquil and benignant eye upon the elated disturbers, accompanying the action with an expressive smile. Two years had scarcely passed away, when a person arose in a lovefeast, held in the town where the subject of this memoir was stationed

when these occurrences took place, and, in repeating the story of his conversion, said, that he was one of the principal performers on the occasion described, and declared that the smile of the man of God, which evinced the untroubled and Christ-like feeling of his mind, produced so powerful an impression, that it was the primary means employed by the Most High in leading him to Himself.

It is unnecessary to name the Circuits where my father was appointed, excepting one, as this will afford opportunity for doing honour to the piety and amiability of one of the most justly admired pulpit-orators, now deceased, of modern times,-the Rev. Robert Hall. Evidently, that great man possessed a pleasure in appreciating spirituality, whether associated with an elegant and comprehensive mind, or with one more limited and unpretending. When residing in Leicester, my father became acquainted with that gentleman, and heard him preach at every convenient time. After leaving that post of labour, he ventured to request his assistance in his new Circuit, on an anniversary occasion. An extract from his reply will be valued.

"March 10th, 1812.

"DEAR SIR, It gave me much pleasure to receive a letter from my highly esteemed friend, Mr. Anderson. I rejoice to hear you go on so comfortably, and I trust successfully, in your work. May the Lord of the harvest' prosper you equal to your most sanguine desires! Your heart, I am persuaded, is greatly set upon extending the Redeemer's kingdom, and persons of this spirit never fail of being succeeded in a greater or less degree.

"I remain, my dear Sir,

"Your affectionate Brother,
"ROBERT HALL."

Before taking leave of the lamented deceased, as an active Minister of Christ, a few features in his character claim a remembrance beyond the circle of his intimate friends. He was, from his entrance upon the ministry, an early riser, and found the practice highly beneficial. He had his select seasons for abstinence and special prayer. Moreover, he was a diligent student, and withal attentive to pastoral visitation. His endeavours to benefit youth are remembered with pleasure by many. In some places he is known to have frequently invited himself to breakfast, that he might commence morning worship in those families, who, although members of the society, habitually neglected this duty. It was his noble distinction to think well of all, until in any case it was shown to be unjust to the interests of truth and virtue. His affectionate care for the young Ministers placed under his superintendency, has already received honourable mention in a memoir by a distinguished deceased Preacher, and requires no additional testimony. He was remarkable for meekness and deep humility. In fine, with him, kindness and benevolence were not sentimental, but, as became an ambassador for Christ, they diffused a healthy and uniform influence through his practice. It now remains, to draw up the curtain from the seclusion into which the subject of this memoir withdrew, on ceasing from the labours of the itinerant ministry.

For some years, Gainsborough in Lincolnshire was the place of his abode. As far as his strength would permit, during his residence there, he devoted himself to the advancement of that cause which he had long

heartily espoused. He preached occasionally, and was diligent in visiting the sick and infirm. For a time he had the care of two classes. In the autumn of 1837, or early part of 1838, he was obliged to desist from undertaking any of the public services, in which it had long been his delight to engage. His testimonies at this period of declining health and strength, and to the close of his stay in Gainsborough, of the maturity of the religion he possessed, given in the Saturday evening band-meeting, were listened to with great pleasure and edification. To one of his members, speaking upon Christian experience, he said, that except at the time, when, being heavily afflicted, he saw his wife and son weeping by his bed, he had not felt a thought contrary to the love of God for many years. His early attendance at the house of the Lord before he became so very infirm, was remarked by many, being generally in his place some minutes before the appointed time. Thus an undecaying and exemplary love for the public services of religion was manifested. In the spring of 1840, he removed to Hull. Here his infirmities rapidly increased. He was now chiefly confined to his house; his body bent under the force of enfeebling disease, and his memory much impaired. His expressions showed, however, that his mind was principally engaged upon spiritual things. On taking leave, after brief visits to the paternal dwelling, towards the close of my father's life, he often assured me of his continued faith in Christ, and hope in him for salvation. He evidently wished, if he never saw me again alive, to bear a strong testimony, since it might be his last, to the scriptural and substantial nature of the confidence which supported his mind. His last illness was short. It is satisfactory, however, to know that, notwithstanding the torpor induced by disease, he exhibited, in moments of consciousness, a joyful assurance of speedy admission into endless rest. On the morning of January 31st, 1843, his happy spirit peacefully departed from its earthly tenement, and entered upon "immortality and eternal life." Long will his memory be embalmed in the recollection of those to whom he was known; for, upon such as place the Lord always before them, the lip of inspiration has pronounced the enduring eulogium, "The memory of the just is blessed." A few prominent features in the moral character of the deceased, as a private Christian, may appropriately close this memoir.

He was habitually serious. He had long accustomed himself to solemn contemplation. In ordinary discourse, his reference to the brevity of human life, and the consequent duties immediately incumbent upon men, showed the view he entertained of the importance of being prepared for so great a change. It was his practice to carry about with him, besides the New Testament, a small volume designed to assist solemn and devout thought. He frequently read a few sentences, when he retired for the night, and before he laid his head upon the pillow. In this manner he cherished and promoted seriousness, and was truly spiritual.

He valued prayer. His voice was often heard early in the morning, when he was engaged in ardent supplication to God, on behalf of his family, his kindred, the interests of religion, and the world. He prayed for all his near relations by name, specifying the peculiarities of their situation, and imploring the divine goodness upon each. Before leaving his family, on his regular Circuit journeys of any

length, they were generally called together, that he might commend them in prayer to God. In all perplexing and painful circumstances he resorted to this devout engagement, and sought counsel of the Lord. By these means, in his household as well as in his soul, the grace of life was diffused.

His faith was unwavering. He has frequently remarked, that the mercy of God was the last thing of which he could despair. His views of the divine compassion, as exemplified in the great scheme of human redemption, must have been very encouraging. He was liable to no fitful fluctuations in his dependence upon the truth and immutability of Jehovah. In him, the trust of the soul for salvation suffered no diminution. He was continually excited to enlarge and confirm it, through past experience and by present manifestations of the divine favour. His faith rested upon that foundation, "What God had promised he was able also to perform."

MEMOIR OF MRS. MARY WILFORD,

OF NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE:

BY THE REV. SAMUEL JACKSON.

THE religious history of a human soul, relating its struggles to return to God, and the success with which these efforts have been crowned, is always deserving of the deepest attention. The late Mrs. Wilford died young, and passed the brief period of her abode on earth in the privacy of domestic life; and having recorded with her own hand the workings of her heart, to persons placed in similar circumstances, it will be more acceptable to read what she has herself written, than to have the same things thrown into the narrative form by another person. This diary was written for her own perusal only, and therefore is written with the simplicity which would render it most fitted for the purposes for which it was designed: the absence, however, of that elaborate care which would be required in any work intended for publication, will be regarded as an advantage rather than otherwise, as furnishing the most satisfactory evidence of truthfulness. Mrs. Wilford was the eldest daughter of Mr. George Bargate, and was born the 16th of October, 1816. From early youth her disposition was marked by great tenderness and affection, mingled with deep seriousness. Under the watchful attention of her parents, who exhibited before her an untarnished example of integrity and piety, the tender plant soon began to put forth buds and blossoms; and in early life she became an exemplification of the truth of Scripture, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." When very young, she gave decided promise of a life of piety; and from the circumstance that she took less delight in those youthful frivolities, by which so many are ensnared, it was not without reason that her parents cherished the hope, that even then the Holy Spirit was working upon her heart.

In the year 1833, the year in which she became a member of the Wesleyan society, she commenced a journal, in which she recorded her Christian experience, together with every particular incident which occurred in the circle in which she moved. This practice she con