of

heathen temple, and almost scrupled preaching there at first;
but we found, the earth is the Lord's and the fulness
thereof.' His presence consecrated the place. Never have I
seen a greater awe, or sense of God, than while we were
repeating his own prayer.
I set before their eyes Christ
crucified, and crying from the cross, 'Is it nothing to you, all
ye that pass by?' The rocks were melted into gracious
tears. We knew not how to part. I distributed some books
among them, which they received with the utmost eagerness,
begged me to come again, and to send our Preachers to
them.

"Nov. 30th. I went into the streets of Newcastle, and called the poor, the lame, the halt, the blind, with that precious promise, Him that cometh unto me, I will in nowise cast out.' They had no feeling of the sharp frost, while the love of Christ warmed their hearts. I took my leave of the weeping flock at Burnup in that of Jude, 'Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling,' &c. Nothing can be more comfortable than our parting, except our last meeting to part no more. I preached before the usual time at Newcastle yet the mob paid their usual attendance; our Lord still permitting them to try us.

"Dec. 10th. I waked between three and four in a temper I have rarely felt on my birth-day. My joy and thankfulness continued the whole day, to my astonishment. I rode to Hexham, and preached, at the Cross, repentance toward God, and faith in Jesus Christ. All opposition was kept down, and the Lord was with us. of a truth. At four I attempted to preach at the cockpit. Satan resented it, and sent, as his champions to maintain his cause, the two butlers of the two Justices. They brought their cocks, and set them a fighting. I gave them the ground, and walked straight to the Cross, where we had four times as many as the other place could hold. Our enemies followed, and strove all the ways permitted them to annoy us. Neither their fire-works, nor their water-works, could stop the course of the Gospel. I lifted up my voice like a trumpet, and many had ears to hear.

"Dec. 19th. I took my leave of the dear people at the cockpit. I called upon Mr. -, at Wickham, whose countenance was changed. He had been with the Bishop, who

forbade his conversing with me. I marvel the prohibition did not come sooner." ""

The following very spirited hymn was written by Mr. Charles Wesley" after preaching to the Newcastle colliers; and most probably during his present visit to that town. Under the date of Sunday, Nov. 30th, it will be observed, he uses in his journal the phraseology upon which the hymn is founded. On that day he preached in one of the streets of Newcastle to listening crowds, who forgot the sharpness of the frost while engaged in the worship of God, and hearing the word of life and mercy.

Ye neighbours, and friends of Jesus, draw near;
His love condescends, by titles so dear,

To call and invite you his triumph to prove,
And freely delight you in Jesus's love.

The Shepherd who died his sheep to redeem,
On every side are gather'd to Him
The weary and burden'd, the reprobate race,
And wait to be pardon'd through Jesus's grace.

The publicans all, and sinners, draw near,
They come at his call their Saviour to hear,
Lamenting and mourning their sin is so great,
And daily returning, they fall at his feet.

The poor and the blind, the halt and the lame,
Are willing to find in Jesus's name
Their help and salvation; which still they receive :
There's no condemnation to them that believe.

The drunkards, and thieves, and harlots return;
For Him that receives poor sinners they mourn :
The common blasphemer on Jesus doth call,
His loving Redeemer, who suffer'd for all.

The outcasts of men their Saviour pursue;
In horror and pain the profligate crew
Cry out for a Saviour, a Saviour unknown,
And look to find favour through mercy alone.

They seek Him, and find; they ask, and receive
The Friend of mankind, who bids them believe :
On Jesus they venture, his gift they embrace,
And forcibly enter his kingdom of grace.

The lepers from all their spots are made clean;
The dead by his call are raised from their sin;
In Jesu's compassion the sick find a cure;
And Gospel salvation is preach'd to the poor.

To us and to them is publish'd the word;
Then let us proclaim our life-giving Lord,
Who now is reviving his work in our days,
And mightily striving to save us by grace.

O Jesus, ride on till all are subdued;
Thy mercy make known, and sprinkle thy blood;
Display thy salvation, and teach the new song,
To every nation, and people, and tongue.

The very animated and emphatic hymn beginning,

"See how great a flame aspires,
Kindled by a spark of grace,"

was also written by Mr. Charles Wesley, on the joyful occasion of his ministerial success, and that of his fellow-labourers, in Newcastle and its vicinity. Perhaps the imagery was suggested by the large fires connected with the collieries, which illuminate the whole of that part of the country in the darkest nights.

CHAPTER XIV.

MR. CHARLES WESLEY entered upon the year 1747 with a zeal which shunned no labour, feared no reproach, and met every form of opposition with meekness and unswerving fidelity. Much persecution he had already endured, in various parts of the kingdom, especially from misguided mobs, sometimes urged to deeds of violence by Clergymen, and even by Magistrates, as well as by their own misconception and hatred of the truth. Perils equally formidable still awaited him in various directions; yet he cheerfully went, in the name of his great Master, wherever the wants of the people required his aid, and the providence of God pointed out his From Newcastle he travelled to Lincolnshire, and was rudely treated at Grimsby, where he forced unwelcome truth upon the attention of many who were in love with error and sin.

"Jan. 6th, 1747. We got to Grimsby," says he, " by three, saluted by the shouting mob. At six I began speaking at the room; and the floods lifted up their voice. Several poor wild creatures, almost naked, ran about the room, striking down all they met. I gave myself to prayer, believing God knew how to deliver us. The uproar lasted near an hour, when I told the poor wretches that I shook off the dust of my feet against them. Several of them caught at me, to drag me down. Others interposed, and kept their companions off. I laid my hand on their captain; and he sat down like a lamb at my feet the whole time. One struck at me, and J. Crawford received my blow, which left on his face the mark of the Lord Jesus. Another of the rebels cried out, 'What, you dog, do you strike a Clergyman?' and fell upon his comrade. Immediately every man's hand was against his fellow. They fell to fighting and beating one another, till, in a few minutes, they had all driven one another out of the room. I then preached without molestation for half an hour, and walked into the next room. I stayed reading the Scrip

ture, while the rioters at the door cried they would come in, and take their leave of me. I ordered them to be admitted; and the poor drunken beasts were very civil, and very loving. One of the ringleaders, with a great club, swore he would conduct me to my lodgings. I followed him, and he led me through his fellows, to our brother Blow's. They threw but one stone afterwards, which broke the windows, and departed.

"Jan. 7th. All was quiet at five. I met the society, and expelled two disorderly walkers, by reason of whom the truth had been evil spoken of. Immediately the Lord returned to his people, and began reviving his work, which had been stopped among them some time. At eight I preached again, no man opposing. I heard an excellent sermon at church, it being the national fast-day. I preached repentance the third time at the room, where many of the rioters stood bound by the restraining hand of God. God never lets Satan shut the door in one place, but that it may be opened in another. The violence of our enemies at night drove us to preach in the neighbouring towns, where the seed fell into good ground.

"Jan. 8th. I preached at Grimsby in the morning, and strongly exhorted our society to adorn the Gospel of Christ in all things. At parting, our friend the rabble saluted us with a few eggs and curses only. At Hainton I set forth Jesus Christ before their eyes, as crucified. My congregation was mostly Papists; but they all wept at hearing how Jesus loved

them.

"Jan. 9th. I talked severally with the little society, who are as sheep encompassed with wolves. Their Minister has repelled them from the sacrament, and laboured to stir up all the town against them. And they would have worried them to death, had not the great man of the place, a professed Papist, hindered these good Protestants from destroying their innocent brethren. By three I came safe to Epworth, and was received by Edward Perronet and the brethren as one alive from the dead."

From Epworth Mr. Charles Wesley went to Sikehouse, Leeds, Birstal, and Haworth. At the last of these places he preached in a large house, which was not sufficient to contain the people who came to hear; Mr. Grimshaw being afraid to