Dead in the midst of life I was; Long did I in the graves remain, I felt not, for I hugg'd, my chain. He call'd; I answer'd to his call, But knew not then a Saviour's blood. For ten long legal years I lay A helpless, though reluctant, prey To pride, and lust, and earth, and hell: And fell, and grieved, and rose, and fell. I fasted, read, and work'd, and pray'd, And constant to the altar drew; Soon as the trying hour return'd My firm resolves did all expire: Hardly at last I all gave o'er, I sought to free myself no more, Too weak to burst the fowler's snare; Baffled by twice ten thousand foils, 'Twas then my soul beheld from far The glimmering of an orient star, That pierced and cheer'd my nature's night; Sweetly it dawn'd, and promised day, Sorrow and sin it chased away, And open'd into glorious light. • He here doubtless refers to the notion of Molther, that there is no true faith where there is any doubt. But O! his tyranny is o'er!— Thy strange, thy unexampled, grace! Help me to show forth all thy praise! Fain would I spread through earth abroad The goodness of my loving God, And teach the world thy grace to prove; Unutterably good thou art! Read, Jesu, read my panting heart; Thou see'st it pants to break with love! I only live to find thee there: I know my struggling nought avails, I need not urge my eager plea; Suffice it, Lord, I now believe: O keep it safe against that day! Thy prayer be heard, I ask no more, CHAPTER VIII. THE difference of opinion between the Wesleys and the Moravian Brethren who met in Fetter-lane, respecting the ordinances of God, and which led to their separation, was quickly succeeded by disputes at Kingswood on the subject of predestination: one of the most perplexing questions, viewed in all its bearings, that ever vexed the Christian church. It was not to be expected that controversy on this topic could be permanently avoided in the religious societies which were now rising up in various directions. It had been mooted in some of the meetings of the young converts in London, when Mr. John Wesley was in Germany; but Charles opposed the Calvinian view with such firmness, as prevented all further attempts at that time to unsettle the minds of the people respecting the universality of God's love to men. He was not equally successful in Kingswood, where strenuous attempts were made, by a man whom the Wesleys themselves had invested with influence, to leaven the society with Calvin's bold and repulsive peculiarities. As Mr. Whitefield was the first that carried the truth to the Kingswood colliers; so a school for the instruction of their children was first proposed in connexion with his pious and disinterested labours there. He knelt down and prayed upon the spot, commenced the fund by means of subscriptions and congregational collections; and then, being on the point of leaving England, he resigned the whole concern into the hands of Mr. John Wesley, who took the entire responsibility upon himself. He completed the design under many discouragements, and with a considerable sacrifice of his own property; upwards of thirty pounds of the sum which had been contributed towards the building having been stolen by a young man, who confessed the fact when under sentence of death for another felony. "You call Kingswood your own house," said Dr. Church: "So I do," rejoined Mr. Wesley; "that is, the school-house there. For I bought the ground where it stands, and paid for the building it, partly from the contribution of my friends; one of whom contributed fifty pounds; partly from the income of my own Fellowship." The school here intended was erected for the instruction of the colliers' children, and of such adults as chose to attend for the purpose of learning to read. The establishment which has long been known as Kingswood School, where the sons of Wesleyan Ministers are educated, was a distinct concern, and not built till several years afterwards. When the school for the colliers' children was opened, Mr. Wesley secured the best teachers that he could obtain; and he also used the place for preaching, the administration of the Lord's supper, and for society-meetings, as well as meetings for prayer. Among other persons whom he engaged to assist in the school was Mr. John Cennick, whom he also employed in visiting the sick, and, in the absence of the brothers, holding meetings for prayer and exhortation. Like Thomas Maxfield in London, he also soon began to preach, and was well received by the congregations. Cennick was a native of Reading; a man of sincere piety and zeal; of respectable education; and though not distinguished by extraordinary power of understanding, was possessed of useful talents. He visited the Wesleys in London in the year 1739; and having then written several hymns, the effusions of his devout feelings, Charles Wesley, pleased with the spirit of the man, corrected these compositions, and prepared them for publication. Cennick was in want of some useful employ; and hearing of the erection of the school at Kingswood, he applied to Mr. Wesley for the situation of master, and was accepted. When he made the application, he confesses that he was treated with great kindness. For some time things went on with smoothness and comfort. He was respected for his piety and usefulness; and the Wesleys especially regarded him with affection and confidence. On the 27th of July, 1740, Mr. Charles Wesley, preaching at Kingswood in his warm and strong manner on the subject of the universal redemption of mankind, declared to the people that John Cennick, whom they all esteemed and loved, was of the same mind with himself on this encouraging point of doctrine. Cennick confirmed this statement, and recited a hymn of his own composing in proof of his cordial belief of this animating truth. "Never," says Mr. Charles Wesley, " did I find my |