CHAPTER IX.

We have already seen the part which Mr. Charles Wesley took in the controversies concerning predestination, and the nature of Christian ordinances as means of grace, which agitated the societies in London, Bristol, and Kingswood. In full concurrence with his brother, he steadily adhered to the doctrine of general redemption; and, with the exception of a momentary hesitation, occasioned by the smooth and self-pleasing representations of Mr. Hall, Gambold, and Stonehouse, he not only enforced the duties of religion with unflinching fidelity, but was an example of what he taught. There is a chasm in his journal from January 1st, to the 4th of April, 1741; when we find him at Bristol, Kingswood, and the vicinity, preaching with undiminished zeal and success. He did not return to London till the autumn. During the summer he paid three visits to Wales, not for the purpose of finding relaxation in its mountain scenery, but to minister the word of life to dying men.

Many were the spiritual children which he had in Bristol and its neighbourhood, whose improving piety and upright conduct he witnessed with gratitude, and who, he was pleased to believe, would be his joy and the crown of his rejoicing in the day of the Lord. He was now called to visit many of them on the bed of death, and to witness their departure from the toils and afflictions of mortality. Several of them died during his stay in Bristol; and their "latter end" was indeed such as to strengthen his conviction, that the conversions which had taken place in connexion with his ministry, and that of his fellow-labourers, were, as he had ever regarded them, "the work of God." The people died in the faith and hope of the Gospel, "looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life;" and their funerals, like those of the primitive Christians, were celebrated as solemn festivals, where tears of sorrow were mingled with tears of joy. The members of the society used to assemble in considerable numbers, and follow the remains of their departed

friends to the grave. Mr. Charles Wesley often attended; he composed hymns suited to the occasions, which he called upon the people to sing; and he addressed them on the subject of death and eternity. The civil authorities in Bristol were then remiss, and unfriendly to the Wesleys and their converts; so that when the Methodist funerals passed along the streets of that ancient and pious city, the mourners and their friends were pelted with mud and stones, by persons of "the baser sort," who knew that they could perpetrate the outrage with impunity. A few examples, selected from Mr. Charles Wesley's journal, will show the power of religion among the Methodists at this period.

"April 11th. I found a dying sinner rejoicing in God her Saviour. At the sight of me she cried out, 'O how loving is God to me! But he is loving to every man. He loves every soul as well as he loves mine.' Many like words she uttered in triumphant faith, and witnessed in death the universal love of Christ Jesus.

"April 12th. To-day He called forth another of his dying witnesses: the young woman whom at my last visit I left in utter despair. This morning she broke out into, 'I see, I see it now, that Jesus Christ died for me, and for all the world.' From that time she testified, with much assurance, that Christ gave his life a ransom for all. Some of her words to me were, 'Death stares me in the face; but I fear him not. He cannot hurt me;

'And Death may shake his dart in vain!'

Your report is true. God is love; pure love; love to every The Spirit which is in me tells me, that Jesus Christ

man.

died for me, and the whole world.'

"The next I saw was our brother S―,

'With joyful eyes, and look divine,

Smiling and pleased in death.'

He likewise had in himself the witness of God's allredeeming love; and could stake his soul upon the truth of it.

April 20th. Returning from Baptist-mills, I heard that our sister Richardson had finished her course. My soul was filled with strong consolation, and struggled as it were to go

out after her, as heavenward endeavouring.' Jesu! my time is in thy hand. Only let me so follow her, as she has followed thee. The voice of thanksgiving was in the congregation while I spake of her death. Our sister Parnel has proved a true prophet, that many of the society would quickly follow her; but God would first finish his work, and cut it short in righteousness.

"April 22d. I hastened to the joyful funeral of our sister Richardson. The room was crowded within and without. My subject was, 'I know that my Redeemer liveth,' &c. (Job xix. 25.) I spoke searchingly to the hearsay believers; and then largely of her whose faith they might safely follow. Great was my glorying and rejoicing over her. She being dead, yet spoke in words of faith and love, which ought to be had in remembrance. Surely her spirit was present with us, and we were in a measure partakers of her joy; a joy unspeakable and full of glory.

"The whole society followed her to her grave, through all the city. Satan raged exceedingly in his children, who threw dirt and stones at us; but the bridle was in their mouths. After the burial we joined in the following hymn :

Come let us who in Christ believe,

With saints and angels join;
Glory, and praise, and blessing give,
And thanks, and grace divine.

Our friend, in sure and certain hope,
Hath laid her body down,

She knew that Christ will raise her up,
And give the heavenly crown.

To all who his appearing love,
He opens paradise;

And we shall join the hosts above,
And we shall grasp the prize.

Then let us wait to see the day,

To hear the welcome word,
To answer,- Lo! we come away,
We die to meet our Lord!'

"May 1st. I visited a sister dying in the Lord; and then two others, one mourning after, the other rejoicing in, God her Saviour.

"May 4th. I passed an hour in weeping with some that wept; then rejoiced over our sister Hooper. The more the outward man decayeth, the inner man is renewed. For one whole night she had wrestled with all the powers of darkness. This is that evil day, that fiery trial. But having done all, she stood unshaken. From henceforth she was kept in peace, and that wicked one touched her not.

"I saw my dear friend again, in great bodily weakness, but strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. "The Spirit,' said she, 'bears witness every moment with my spirit, that I am a child of God.' I spoke with her Physician, who said he had little hope of her recovery: 'Only,' added he, she has no dread upon her spirits, which is generally the worst symptom. Most people die for fear of dying; but I never met with such people as yours. They are none of them afraid of death; but calm, and patient, and resigned to the last.' He had said to her, 'Madam, be not cast down.' She answered, smiling, 'Sir, I shall never be cast down.'

"May 6th. I found our sister Hooper just at the haven. She expressed, while able to speak, her fulness of confidence and love; her desire to be with Christ; her grief at their preaching the other Gospel. Some of her words were, 'Does Mr. Cennick still preach his wretched doctrine? O what has he to answer for, for turning his poor sister out of the way! But my Lord will pity, and not suffer her to die in that delusion.'

"At my next visit I saw her in her last conflict. The angel of death was come; and there were but a few moments between her and a blessed eternity. We poured out our souls to God for her, her children, and ourselves, the Church, and Ministers, and all mankind. I had some perception of her joy. My soul was tenderly affected for her sufferings; yet the joy swallowed up the sorrow. How much more then did her consolations abound! The servants of Christ suffer nothing. I asked her whether she was not in great pain. 'Yes,' she answered; but in greater joy. I would not be without either.' 'But do you prefer life or death?' She replied, 'All is alike to me. Let Christ choose. I have no will of my own.' This is that holiness, or absolute resignation, or Christian perfection.

"Two days ago I asked her if she expected to recover. She answered, God had, at the beginning of her sickness, given her notice of her departure. And I now remember, she told me, some months ago, that Mrs. Parnel on her death-bed said, 'You shall shortly follow me.'

"A few moments before her last, I found such a complication of grief, joy, love, envy, as quite overpowered me. I fell upon the bed, and in that instant her spirit ascended to God. I felt our souls were knit together by the violent struggle of mine to follow her.

"When I saw the breathless temple of the Holy Ghost, my heart was still, and a calm resignation took place. We knelt down, and gave God thanks from the ground of our heart.

"After her death they found a memorandum in her handwriting: On such a day Mr. Wesley came to town. The next day I received a fresh witness. Nov. 2d, early in the morning, I received such a manifestation of God's love as is not to be expressed.'

"One night, I remember, she told me, she knew, while coming to us, we should have that extraordinary power among the bands: that in the way, God had given her a sight of the new Jerusalem. This she did not mention to others, nor indeed many manifestations of Christ, being exceedingly jealous lest she should take any glory to herself. O that all who tell what God hath done for their souls would tell it with like humble reverence!

"May 8th. We solemnized the funeral of our sister Hooper, and rejoiced over her with singing; particularly that hymn which concludes,

'Thus may we all our parting breath

Into the Saviour's hands resign!

O sister! let me die thy death,

And let thy latter end be mine!'

'My text was, 'Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace.' A great multitude attended her to her grave. There we sang another hymn of triumph; and I found myself pressed in spirit to speak to those who contradicted and blasphemed. While I reasoned on death, and judgment to come, many trembled. One woman cried out in horrible