to England: Where, his father having bought him a cornetcy of horse, he purchased many ornaments for the wedding; and returning to Ireland, let us know that he would be at our house in Charleville, in a few days: On this the family was busied to prepare for his reception, and the ensuing marriage; when, one night, my sister Molly and I being asleep in our bed, I was awakened by the sudden opening of the side curtain, and, starting up, saw Mr. Mercier, standing by the bed side. He was wrapped up in a loose sheet, and had a napkin folded like a night-cap on his head. He looked at me very earnestly, and lifting up the napkin, which much shaded his face, shewed me the left side of his head, all bloody and covered with his brains. The room, mean time, was quite light. My terror was excessive, which was still increased by his stooping over the bed, and embracing me in his arms. My cries' alarmed' the whole family, who came crowding into the room. Upon their entrance, he gently withdrew his arms, and ascended, as it were, through the ceiling. I continued for some time in strong fits. When I could speak, I told them what I had seen. One of them a day or two after, going to the postmaster for letters, found him reading the news-papers, in which was an account, that cornet Mercier, going into Christ-church belfry, in Dublin, just after the bells had been ringing, and standing under the bells, one of them, which was turned bottom upwards, suddenly turning again, struck one side of his head, and killed him the spot. On further enquiry, we found he was struck on the left side of his head."

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Sunday 6, I gave my last exhortation to the Society in Cork, and setting out early on Monday 7, in the evening, came to Limerick.

Saturday 3, The account which one of our sisters gave of Ann Beauchamp was as follows:

፡፡ August 18, 1753, I went to see Ann Beauchamp, who had been ill for about a week. I asked her in what state she found her soul; she answered, 'I am quite happy. I know that my Redeemer liveth, and has taken away all my

sins; and my heart is comforted with the presence of God: I long to die, that I may be with him.' I asked, 'But are you resigned, either to live or die, as he shall see fit?' She answered, 'I cannot say I am willing to live; it would go hard with me to live now. Pray that the Lord may perfect his work of sanctification in my soul.'

"Being asked, if she could freely part with all her friends; she said, 'Yes: and as to my children, I have cast them upon the Lord. I know he will take care of them, and I give them freely up to him, without one anxious thought. She then prayed for her friends and acqua tance, one by one, and afterwards fervently and with tears, for each person in her Band: Then for Mr. John Wesley, desiring she might be found at his feet in the day of the Lord.

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"Soon after, she called her mother, desired forgiveness for any thing wherein she had ignorantly offended her, and exhorted her not to grieve; adding, God will comfort you, and give you strength to bear your trial. It is your loss; but it is my everlasting gain; and I am going but a little before you.' She then prayed over her, and kissing her, took her leave. In the same manner she took leave of all about her, exhorting, praying for, and kissing them, one by one. Afterwards she called for, and took her leave of her

servants.

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66 Seeing one of her neighbours in the room, she called her and said, 'O Mary, you are old in years, and old in sin. The Lord has borne long with you, and you know not the day or the hour when he will call you. I am young, and he is calling me away and what should I do without an interest in Christ? Were my work now to do, it would never be done but blessed be God, it is not. I know the Lord hath washed me from my sins in his own blood, and is preparing me for himself. O flee from the wrath to come, and never rest, till you rest in the wounds of Jesus! I am almost spent but had I strength, I could exhort you all till morning.'

"To another she said, 'Martha, Martha! thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful;

and this one thing you have neglected: O seek God, and he will supply all your wants. It is time for you to begin : your glass is almost run, and what will all your toil profit, when you come to be as I am now? Find time for this, whatever goes undone. My neighbours used to wonder, how I could find time, and think me foolish for spending it so: but now I know it was not foolishness. Soon I shall

receive an exceeding great reward.

'Perhaps some of you will say, you were never called. Then remember, I call you now. I exhort every one of you, to seek the Lord, while he may be found. Think not to make excuses in that day: God will have his witnesses. And I shall appear as a witness against you. If you repent not, these my dying words will rise up in judgment against you.'

"To her she said, 'I forgive you all that you have done against me. And I have prayed the Lord to forgive you. Return to him now, and he will receive you: for he desires not the death of a sinner. I am a witness of this: for he has forgiven all my sins. O! I want strength to sing his praise! But I am going where I shall sing his praise for ever.'

"Then calling for her husband she said, 'My dear, God has given you many calls even in dreams. And when we will not hear his call, it is often his way to make us feel his rod by removing our darling from us. I was your darling. And seeing you refused the many calls of God, he is now taking me away from you, if by any means he may bring you to himself.' She then prayed for, and took her leave of him.

"The next day when I came in, and asked, 'How do you find yourself now?' She answered, 'Blessed be God, very well. I known that my Redeemer lives. He is dear to me, and I am dear to him. I know he is preparing me for himself, and I shall soon be with him.

"She then prayed earnestly for entire sanctification; till a friend coming in, she said, 'The Lord has brought you and all my dear friends to my remembrance: I have not forgotten you in my prayers. You must come and pray my

Let

last prayer. When you see me near my deliverance, go all to prayer, and continue therein, till my spirit is gone. there be no crying over me, but all of you sing praises and rejoice over 'me.'

"She never once complained of her pain; but behaved from the beginning with that patience, sweetness, and love to all, that bespoke a soul which knew herself just entering into the joy of her Lord. This she did the next morning, August the 20th, after crying out as in an ecstacy:

• Bold I approach the eternal throne,

And claim the crown through Christ my own." "

Wednesday 16, I rode over to New-Market, and preach. ed to an earnest congregation of poor people. In the morning, at the request of some of the neighbouring gentry, I deferred preaching till ten o'clock. Many of them were then present, and seemed not a little astonished: perhaps they may remember it-a week.

In the afternoon I rode to Ballygarrane, a town of Palatines, which came over in Queen Ann's time. They retain much of the temper and manners of their own country, having no resemblance of those among whom they live. I found much life among this plain, artless, serious people. The whole town came together in the evening, and praised God for the consolation. Many of those who are not outwardly joined with us, walk in the light of God's countenance; yea, and have divided themselves into classes, in imitation of our brethren, with whom they live in perfect harmony.

Friday 18, In examining the Society, I was obliged to pause several times. The words of the plain, honest people, came with so much weight, as frequently to stop me for awhile, and raise a general cry among the hearers. I rode back through Adare, once a strong and flourishing town, well walled and full of people: now without walls, and almost without inhabitants: only a few poor huts remain. At a small distance from these are the ample ruins of three or four convents, delightfully situated by the river, which runs through a most fruitful vale.

Monday 21, I talked with one who was in deep distress. She had been represented to me, as in despair: but I soon found her disorder (natural or preternatural) had nothing to do with religion. She was greatly troubled, but knew not why not for her sins, they scarcely came into her mind. I know not that prayer will avail for her, till she is troubled in quite another manner: till she cries out from her inmost soul, God, be merciful to me a sinner!"

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Tuesday 22, I called on Mrs. F., whom I saw some years since in despair of quite another kind. Between nine and ten years ago, her daughter married without her consent. This was followed by other distressing circumstances, in the midst of which she cried out, "God has forsaken me." She was immediately seized with violent pain. She could not see the sun, or the light, only a dim twilight. She could not taste her meat or drink, any more than the white of an egg. She had a constant impulse to kill herself, which she believed she must do, and attempted several times. After having continued thus three years, and a half, she resolved to endure it no longer. Accordingly she procured a knife to cut her throat, and did cut through the skin, but could get no farther. It seemed to her as if the flesh were iron. She threw down the knife, burst into tears, fell upon her knees, and began (what she had not done all that time) to pour out her soul before God. Fear and sorrow fled away. She rejoiced in God. She saw the light of the sun. Her natural taste returned, and she has been ever since in health of body and peace of mind.

Wednesday 23, I took my leave of Limerick, and rode to Six-mile-bridge. There I left T. Walsh to preach in Irish, and went on to Rathlahine.

Thursday 24, I went on to Ennis, a town consisting almost wholly of Papists, except a few Protestant gentlemen. One of these, (the chief person in the town) had invited me to his house, where I preached to a huge, wild, unawakened multitude, Protestants and Papists, many of whom would have been rude enough, if they durst.