assisted Mr. John Wesley in the year 1741, by reading prayers for him at Wapping; and is spoken of as "a Clergyman from the Isle of Man." A few weeks before the Conference was held, Mr. Charles Wesley met with him in Bristol, and thus speaks of him: "I dined at Felix Farley's, with Mr. Meriton, longing to escape to us out of the hands of Calvin." He was a man of sincere piety, and of ardent zeal, and for several years travelled extensively, both in England and Ireland, as a Preacher of the Gospel.

These six Clergymen constituted the first Methodist Conference. They agreed, during their sittings, to avoid all visits, except to the sick; to conduct all their deliberations as in the immediate presence of God; and to improve every opportunity, in the intervals of their meetings, for secret prayer. In discussing the question of justification they express a fear that they had "unawares leaned too much towards Calvinism," and even "Antinomianism." They mean, that they had done this, not by speaking lightly of holiness and good works, as the fruit of faith, and as following justification; but by inadvertently speaking of the imputation of Christ's personal righteousness, literally and strictly. They had not always represented the perfect righteousness of Christ, (including his active and passive obedience,) as that by the merit of which believers are justified before God; but as formally transferred to them. This was true, especially so far as Mr. Charles Wesley was concerned. No man was more strenuously opposed to the tenet of absolute predestination; yet in speaking of justification, in these early periods of his itinerant ministry, he often used a Calvinistic, and even an Antinomian, phraseology, which he had derived from the writings of Saltmarsh and Dr. Crisp, as he afterwards confessed. This objectionable phraseology occurs in some of his early hymns, and he sometimes inadvertently countenances the unscriptural notion of universal pardon. Great benefit doubtless resulted from the free and confidential intercourse which these devoted men had with each other in the course of this memorable week. They learned the necessity of expressing themselves with precision, and of avoiding extremes.

On various questions of practice the conclusions which were adopted by the Conference were eminently liberal, and very remote from what is usually called high Churchman

ship. With respect to "a false or railing sermon " that might be inflicted upon them at church, they say, "If it only contain personal reflections, we may quietly suffer it, If it blaspheme the work and Spirit of God, it may be better to go out of the church. In either case, if opportunity serve, it would be well to speak or write to the Minister." In answer to the question, "How far is it our duty to obey the Bishops?" it is said, "In all things indifferent. And on this ground of obeying them we should observe the canons, as far as we can with a safe conscience."

In regard of the suggestion, that the Methodists might ultimately become a distinct sect, especially when their clerical leaders were no more; these servants of God declare, "We cannot with a safe conscience neglect the present opportunity of saving souls while we live, for fear of consequences which may possibly or probably happen after we are dead" thus assuming, that the salvation of souls is of far greater importance than external unity, or the maintenance of any system of ecclesiastical order whatever: a principle which few men will dispute, who take into the account the joys of heaven, and the misery of perdition. It was better that the people should be awakened out of the sleep of their sins, and turned in penitence and faith to Christ, thus attaining to Christian holiness, even if they should never enter their parish church again, than that they should remain nominal Churchmen, seldom or never attending public worship, the slaves of ignorance, vice, and wickedness,-drunkards, profane swearers, and Sabbath-breakers,-till they should lift up their eyes in hell. It was upon this ground that the first Methodists proceeded, when by preaching in the open air, forming societies, building chapels, and calling in the aid of pious and gifted laymen, they endangered the external unity of the established Church. They knew that "without holiness no man shall see the Lord," whatever may be his profession. It was their hope ultimately to secure external unity, in connexion with the advancement of spiritual religion; and they laboured with all their might to do this; but they were defeated, chiefly by their clerical brethren, who in many places repelled the converted outcasts from the Lord's table, and preached against them with greater vehemence than against sin in its worst forms.

CHAPTER XII.

WHEN the business of the Conference was ended, Mr. Charles Wesley hastened to Cornwall, accompanied by Mr. Meriton, whom he calls his "friend and companion." They spent a few days at Bristol, preaching to the people, and enjoying much of the divine presence in their assemblies. On their arrival at Middlesey they found a fresh instance of the hateful spirit of persecution which was so extensively abroad in the country. "We set out," says Mr. Charles Wesley, "with our guide, John Slocome, a poor baker's boy, whom God has raised up to help these sincere souls; and not only to labour, but also to suffer for them. When the presswarrants came out, the world would not lose the opportunity of oppressing the Christians. He was taken, and by his own uncle dragged away to prison. They kept him a week, and then brought him before the Commissioners, who could find no cause to punish or detain him; being of Zaccheus's stature, and nothing terrified by his adversaries. They were obliged at last, notwithstanding all their threatenings, to let him go."

John Slocome, the interesting youth here mentioned, whose low "stature" was a means of exempting him from a military life, afterwards became an Itinerant Preacher. He finished his course at Clones, in Ireland, in the year 1777; and is described by Mr. John Wesley as "an old labourer, worn out in the service of his Master."

At Sticklepath Mr. Charles Wesley called upon some Quakers. He says, "My heart was drawn out towards them in prayer and love; and I felt, 'He that doeth the will of my Father, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.' We met an aged Clergyman, whom Mr. Thompson had sent to meet us, and found, in conversing, that he had been an acquaintance and cotemporary with my father. Upon Mr. Thompson's preaching salvation by faith, he had received the kingdom of God as a little child; and has ever since owned

the truth in its followers. He conducted us to his house, near Trewint."

The following selections from Mr. Charles Wesley's journal will show his spirit, and the success of his labours, during this visit in Cornwall :

"July 17th. I came by nine at night with Mr. Bennet and Meriton, through the pits and shafts, to our host near Gwennap. Here a little one has become a thousand. What an amazing work hath God done in one year! The whole country is alarmed, and gone forth after the sound of the Gospel. In vain do the pulpits ring of Popery, madness, enthusiasm. Our Preachers are daily pressed to new places, and enabled to preach five or six times a day. Persecution is kept off till the seed takes root. Societies are springing up everywhere; and still the cry from all sides is, 'Come, and help us!'

"I preached near Gwennap to about a thousand followers of Christ, on, 'Fear not, little flock.' Love and joy appeared in their faces, such as the world knoweth not of. When I came to meet the society, I found almost the whole congregation waiting quietly without the door, longing to be admitted with the rest. I stood at the window, so as to be heard of all. I felt what manner of spirit they were of, and had sweet fellowship with them, and strong consolation.

"July 19th. I found the same congregation at five, and pointed them to the Son of man, lifted up as the serpent in the wilderness. I spake to each of the society, as their state required. I breakfasted with one who was a fierce persecutor when I was last in the country, but is now a witness of the truth she so bitterly opposed. I preached at Crowan to between one and two thousand sinners, who seemed started out of the earth. Several hid their faces, and mourned inwardly, being too deeply affected to cry out. I concluded with a strong exhortation to continue in the ship, the shattered, sinking Church of England; and my brother Meriton, whose heart I spake, seconded and confirmed my saying. The poor people were ready to eat us up, and sent us away with many a hearty blessing.

"We then set our faces against the world, and rode to St. Ives. Here the mob and Ministers together have pulled down the preaching-house; and but a fortnight ago went

round in the dead of the night, and broke the windows of all who were only suspected of Christianity. We entered John Nance's house without molestation. Four of our sisters there, on sight of me, sunk down, unable to utter a word through joy and love: but they welcomed me with their tears. It was a solemn, silent meeting. In some time we recovered our speech for prayer and thanksgiving. I got an hour by myself in the garden, and was suffered to feel my own great weakness. Without were fightings; within were fears; but my fears were all scattered by the sight of my dear brethren and children. I rejoiced over them with singing; but their joy and love exceeded. We all rejoiced in hope of meeting Him in the air. The Spirit of glory rested upon the sufferers for Christ's sake. My brother Meriton added a few words to mine, and their hearts clave to him. Such a feast I have not had for many months. Even our Father's hired servants had at this time bread enough, and to spare. We laid us down in peace, and took our rest; for the Lord only made us dwell in safety.

"July 20th. While I applied our Lord's most comfortable words, (John xiv. 1,) we were all dissolved in tears of joy, desire, love; and seemed on the wing to our heavenly Father's house. I walked through the town, to church, with Mr. Meriton. Our warm friend, the Curate, saluted us courteously, and none opened his mouth against us. Mr. Meriton's stature and band kept them in awe. Or, rather, the fear of God was upon them, restraining them, though they knew it not. We met at one, in obedience to our Church, and lifted up our voice for the remnant that is left. We tasted the blessedness of mourning, and doubt not, however God may deal with this sinful nation, but our prayers for Jerusalem will one day be answered.

"July 21st. While we were walking near the quay, our friend the mob set up a shout against us; and gave plain marks of their Cainish disposition, if permitted. Only one stone was cast at us. We passed through the midst of them, and set out for St. Just. I preached on the plain, and brother Meriton after me. Our Lord rides on triumphant through this place. Upwards of two hundred are settled in classes, most of whom have tasted the pardoning grace of God.