the business of a joiner: his mother was the daughter of James Hargreaves, an ingenious mechanician, who introduced several improvements in the machines used for spinning cotton.

From the humble station which his parents occupied in society, it is not to be expected that he should possess the advantages of early instruction enjoyed by those whose parents hold a superior rank. When about four years old, he was put under the care of a schoolmistress named Ford, in his native town, with whom he continued three years; his parents then removing to the neighbourhood of Barton-upon-Irwell, he attended the school of Thomas Royle at that place until he was ten years of age; when, his parents having again changed their residence to Lowton, in the parish of Winwick, he became the pupil of Robert Horrocks, master of the free-school at that place.

There are few whose infancy and childhood afford any thing remarkable to narrate; and that is the case in the present instance, the editor having nothing to communicate respecting those early periods of William Thompson's life, except that his progress in learning is said to have been equal, if not superior, to that of most his schoolfellows, and that he early manifested a love of reading, combined with a retentive memory, which enabled him to communicate to others the substance of what he had read. He was also distinguished by a grave and solid deportment; and it was a frequent practice with him, when the Scriptures had been read, (as was often the custom in the school at Lowton,) to remain after the other boys were gone, and ask his master questions concerning the sacred writings, and converse with him upon the wisdom and goodness of the Almighty, as set forth in them: and in these con

versations he evinced much solid thought, and a judgment beyond his years.

His regular attendance at school ceased before he had attained the age of thirteen years; for about that period his father became so infirm as to be quite incapable of supporting himself or his family, which being numerous, it was necessary that every member of it, who was of ability, should contribute towards the general support; accordingly, William was sent to labour as a spinner in a neighbouring cotton manufactory, where he remained several years. During that period his health suffered much from the confinement of the situation, and the foundation was probably laid of that disease which was apparently the chief cause of his early death. In this place, so little congenial to his feelings, he passed most of his time in silence and retirement. Ever solicitous of improvement, and of indulging the love of reading which he had now fully imbibed, and which remained unabated till near the end of his life, he frequently placed before him some book of useful knowledge or religious instruction, in such a position, that, whilst pursuing the labour which his bodily wants made needful, he might also improve his mind; always keeping aloof from the greater part of his fellow-labourers, and steadily refusing to join in their conversation, or participate in the nonsense and ribaldry, the folly and profanity, which there prevailed, and which, it is to be feared, prevail but too much in most large manufactories. This conduct gained him the esteem of a few, but by the majority he was treated with ridicule, and became the subject of much scorn and many an idle jest; and from his reserved and serious manners, was esteemed by most to be little better than an idiot.

But this only operated as a trial of his faith; he knew in whom he trusted, and was not ashamed to be accounted a fool for righteousness' sake.

From an early period of life he appears to have had very serious religious impressions, to have been in a great measure weaned from the common amusements and diversions of young persons, and to have sought the company and conversation of serious people. This led him to an acquaintance with several members of the Methodist connexion, and in the thirteenth year of his age he became a constant attender of their meetings. This he continued for some time, and it was probably during this period that he wrote the following sentences, which were found among his papers, without a date :

"I believe that the people called Methodists are a peculiar people of God's own raising up in this age of prevailing infidelity; and I believe that the right hand of His power has been displayed in a very wonderful manner, in raising them up, and in bringing them forth to be a people; and I believe that John Wesley and some others were as evidently raised up to be instruments in promoting this great work, as Moses was raised up to bring forth the children of Israel and I believe that the Lord has raised up and called forth, many hundreds of ministers amongst the Methodists, and has given them ability to preach the word of life to the comfort of their own souls, and to the conversion of many thousands of others; and I believe that the Lord did make use of these weak and feeble instruments, in mightily confounding the wise; and I believe that by their preaching, light and life and immortality, have been made known unto many

thousands and I believe that the fervency of spirit which has characterised many of the Methodists, has diffused itself into thousands of other denominations, and has been largely communicated throughout many parts of the known world; and I believe that the doctrines of the Methodists are many of them scriptural and right; and I believe that the blessed doctrine of sanctification has never, in any age of the world, been more fully proved, nor more earnestly recommended, than since the year 1750; and I am truly thankful that ever the Lord raised up this people, and I do feel a near and dear union with some of them, yea, and with all the Lord's people every where, and under whatsoever name or appearance.

"And [yet] I believe that all the Methodists in the world, can never be of any service to me in pointing out the way of salvation, if I do faithfully adhere to Christ Jesus, whom I desire to have for my teacher, preacher, leader, and guide. "W. T."

Some readers may imagine that for William Thompson to say, he believes the Methodists to be a "people of God's own raising up," &c. and yet in concluding he believes "that all the Methodists in the world can never be of any service to him in pointing out the way of salvation," &c. has some appearance of inconsistency, if not of presumption. There is, however, one supposition, upon the admission of which the whole may be reconciled, a supposition which the editor thinks is justified by the subsequent letter, and the general tenor of W. T.'s writings and conduct afterwards. It is highly probable that after his attendance at the meetings of the MeA 3

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thodists, he retired to commune with himself, and that his mind was then strongly impressed with a conviction of the all-sufficiency of that Saviour whom he desired to have for his "teacher, preacher, leader, and guide,” as well as of the inefficacy of human wisdom and human teaching in guiding him into the way of salvation.

It will appear from the foregoing expressions, that his opinions respecting the Methodists were of a very exalted kind; yet, notwithstanding this, and although he continued to entertain a high opinion of many members of that society, and maintained an intimate friendship with some of them to the end of his life, he became dissatisfied and uneasy with attending their meetings. By renewed visitations of Divine regard, he was made more and more sensible of the necessity of a spiritual and inward mode of worship, and of regeneration of heart; in search of this, he was brought into a low and humble state; when (they are his own words) he "mingled tears with his drink, and looked for the salvation of the Lord more than for the morning light."

In this frame of mind he remained for some time, much retired within himself. He discontinued his attendance at the meetings of the Methodists, and on that occasion, addressed to the preacher of the place he had most frequently attended, the following letter, which cannot fail to be considered as a very extraordinary production, when it is recollected that it is from the pen of an almost uneducated youth, of little more than fourteen years of age.

To J. A.

"August, 1808. "I feel that I can no longer keep silence;