genius; and of life itself, comparatively speaking, he made no account. Among the papers left by him is a small manuscript volume, containing the names of the subscribers to these two volumes of hymns, written by himself with singular neatness. Of the persons who thus encouraged him in his authorship five hundred and thirteen lived in London; one hundred and thirty-six in Bristol; three hundred and sixty-seven in other parts of England and Wales; and one hundred and twentynine in Ireland: making, in the whole, eleven hundred and forty-five. Many societies, as such, subscribed for these admirable volumes, particularly in Leeds and its neighbourhood. Hence we infer, that they had circulating libraries for the use of the members: an arrangement which must have been attended with many important advantages, especially where the people were poor, and unable to purchase books for themselves. The following societies appear in this honourable list:-Leeds, Armley, Hunslet, Rothwell, Oulton, Woodside, Seacroft, Woodhouse, York, Acomb, Thirsk, Hornby, and Selby. They were supplied by the agency of William Shent. CHAPTER XVII. Ar the beginning of the year 1750 Mr. Charles Wesley was at Bristol, as was also his friend Mr. Grimshaw, of Haworth. Though he was greatly blessed in his ministry, especially on particular occasions, yet at times he was subject to strong mental depression. To this indeed he was constitutionally prone, and from this period to the end of his life he was more or less affected by it. When he was daily employed in preaching, and in travelling from place to place, he was carried above all feelings of despondency, and lived in a state of high spiritual enjoyment; but when he sat down in domestic quiet, those feelings often returned in unabated power. At this period the situation of his wife, who expected ere long to be a mother, prevented him from taking those extensive journeys to which he had been accustomed. "Jan. 1st. At four in the morning," says he, 66 our room was excessively crowded, while I proclaimed the Gospel year of jubilee. We did not part without a blessing. "Jan. 12th. I preached, with the old power, on, 'Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?' Generally my hands hang down, and I am so feeble in mind that I cannot speak. "Jan. 14th. The Spirit helped our infirmity at Kingswood sacrament. A daughter of our brother Grimshaw was just departed in the Lord, being perfected in a short space." On the 31st of this month, at two o'clock in the morning, Mr. and Mrs. Wesley were awakened by "a clap of thunder, unusually loud and terrible." She was greatly frightened; so that the next day he accompanied her to consult a Physician. They were overtaken by a shower of rain, which induced them to quicken their pace; and the consequence was a premature birth. Her life, however, was mercifully preserved. Under this affliction, he says, "I brought my friend Grimshaw home with me, comforted for his happy daughter. "Feb. 8th. There was an earthquake in London. + "Feb. 13th. I preached with a little strength at Bearfield, and the next day with more at Freshford. The spirit of the people helped me. An old lady of fourscore received me into her house. We spent the time in prayer and singing. Stephen Naylor, a poor backslider, had another call to repentance, and seemed resolved to close with it. I invited at night many burdened souls to Christ; and his healing power was present, and refreshed every weary spirit. "Feb. 18th. I carried my sister Betsy to Kingswood, where the Lord visited us again, and feasted us at his table. "Feb. 19th. My wife had recovered strength for her journey. We set out with our sisters Betsy and Peggy. We could not reach Newenham-passage till past seven. It was then quite dark. The boat on the other side refused to come over. We were got to the edge of the bank, the usual place of embarking, when Providence sent a man to stop us. He informed us, that the rains had choked up the river with two banks of sand; and where we were going was all quicksands. We followed him, with great difficulty, to another part of the river. My horse sunk up to the shoulders, but with a violent plunge struggled out. The boatmen at last took pity on us, came over, and with much pains carried us into the boat, and landed us safe on the opposite shore. By noon, Feb. 21st, God conducted us safe to Ludlow. For the five following days I received fresh strength for the work, and rejoiced in some measure that the Gospel had free course. "Feb. 27th. I preached in their new room at Evesham, and not without a sensible blessing. I met my brother the next day at Oxford. "March 1st. I rode to London. Ned Perronet supplied me with a lodging. "March 4th. I visited old Lydia White, on her death-bed. She accosted me, 'Thou blessed of the Lord, art thou come? I did not expect to see my dear Minister till we met in paradise. You and your brother are the instruments of my salvation. I have known the grace of the Lord Jesus long ago: now I am entering into his glory. He has told me so. I am full of his joy now.' Her words strengthened my hands, as I found at the chapel, speaking on those words, 'Blessed is the man that endureth temptation.' They sunk into many hearts." + Mr. Charles Wesley's visit to London at this time was one of peculiar interest. He remarks, as we have seen, that, on the 8th of February, "there was an earthquake in London." He was then in Bristol; but his brother, who was in London, or its immediate neighbourhood, gives the following account of this alarming event:-"It was about a quarter after twelve that the earthquake began at the skirts of the town. It began in the south-east, went through Southwark, under the river, and then from one end of London to the other. It was observed at Westminster and Grosvenor-square a quarter before one. Perhaps, if we allow for the difference of the clocks, about a quarter of an hour after it began in Southwark. There were three distinct shakes, or wavings to and fro, attended with a hoarse, rumbling noise, like thunder." On the 8th of March Charles, who was now in London, addressed the following account to his brother in Bristol :"This morning, at a quarter after five, we had another shock of an earthquake, far more violent than that of February 8th. I was just repeating my text, when it shook the Foundery so violently, that we all expected it to fall upon our heads. A great cry followed from the women and the children. I immediately cried out, 'Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be moved, and the hills be carried into the midst of the sea for the Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.' He filled my heart with faith, and my mouth with words, shaking their souls, as well as their bodies.” The earth moved westward, then east, then westward again, through all London and Westminster. It was a strong and jarring motion, attended with a rumbling noise, like that of distant thunder. Many houses were much shaken, and some chimneys thrown down, but without any farther hurt. The alarm which it occasioned, as might be supposed, was deep and general; many apprehending a return of the calamity in a more destructive form. The following selections from Mr. Charles Wesley's journal give a striking view of the excitement which prevailed : "March 9th. Many flocked to the morning word, and were yet more stirred up thereby. I have scarce ever seen so many at intercession. At the chapel I preached on the occasion, from Psalm xlvi., with very great awakening power. March 10th. I expounded Isaiah xxiv., a chapter I had 十 not taken much notice of, till this awful providence explained it: 'Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof. The foundations of the earth do shake. The earth is utterly broken down; the earth is clean dissolved; the earth is moved exceedingly. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.' I preached at Snowsfields, and urged them to enter into the Rock, now the Lord is risen to shake terribly the earth. "March 11th. My spirit, and many others', seem revived by the late judgment. The word is with the accustomed power, both at London, and Deptford, and wherever I minister it. April 4th. Fear filled our chapel, occasioned by a pro phecy of the earthquake's return this night. I preached my written sermon on the subject with great effect, and gave out several suitable hymns. It was a glorious night for the disciples of Jesus. "April 5th. At four I rose, after a night of sound sleep, while my neighbours watched. I sent an account to Mrs. Gwynne, as follows:-The late earthquake has found me work enough. Yesterday I saw the Westminster end of the town full of coaches, and crowds flying out of the reach of divine justice, with astonishing precipitation. Their panic was caused by a poor madman's prophecy. Last night they were all to be swallowed up. The vulgar were in almost as great consternation as their betters. Most of them watched all night; multitudes in the fields and open places; several in their coaches; many removed their goods. London looked like a sacked city. A lady, just stepping into her coach, to escape, dropped down dead. Many came all night knocking at the Foundery door, and begging admittance for God's sake. Our poor people were calm and quiet, as at another time.'" This account is confirmed by a letter which was written on the same day, by Mr. William Briggs, the son-in-law of Mr. Perronct, and addressed to Mr. John Wesley, who was still in Bristol. "This great city," says he, "has been, for some days past, under terrible apprehensions of another |