"To the Editor of Lloyd's Evening Post.

«Sir,

"Many times the Publisher of the Christian Magazine, has attacked me without fear or wit. And hereby he has convinced his impartial readers, of one thing at least, that (as the vulgar say) his fingers itch to be at me;' that he has a passionate desire to measure swords with me: but I have other work upon my hands: I can employ the short remainder of my life to better purpose.

."

"The occasion of his late attack is this: Five or six and thirty years ago, I much admired the character of a perfect Christian drawn by Clemens Alexandrinus. Five or six and twenty years ago, a thought came into my mind, of drawing such a character myself, only in a more Scriptural manner, and mostly in the very words of Scripture: this I entitl ed the Character of a Methodist,' believing that curiosity would excite more persons to read it, and also that some prejudice might thereby be removed from candid men. But that none might imagine I intended a panegyric either on myself or my friends, I guarded against this in the very title page, saying both in the name of myself and them, Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect. To the same effect I speak in the conclusion, "These are the Principles and Practice of our Sect; these are the marks of a true Methodist,' (i. e. a true Christian, as I immediately after explain myself.) By these alone do those, who are in derision so called, desire to be distinguished from other men, p. 11. By these marks do we labour to distinguish ourselves from those whose minds or lives are not according to the Gospel of Christ,' p. 12.

Upon this Rusticulus, or Dr.Dodd, says, ‘A Methodist, according to Mr. Wesley, is one who is perfect, and sinneth not in thought, word, or deed.'

"Sir, have me excused. This is not according to Mr. Wesley. I have told all the world I am not perfect: and yet you allow me to be a Methodist. I tell you flat, I have not attained the character I draw. Will you pin it upon' me in spite of my teeth?

"But Mr. Wesley says, the other Methodists have.' I say no such thing. What I say, after having given a Scriptural account of a perfect Christian, is this: "By these marks the Methodists desire to be distinguished from other men; by these marks we desire to distinguish ourselves.' And do not you yourself desire and labour after the very same thing?

"But you insist, 'Mr. Wesley affirms the Methodists, i. e. all Methodists, to be be perfectly holy and righteous.' Where do I affirm this? Not in the tract before us. In the front of this, I affirm just the contrary; and that I affirm it any where else, is more than I know: be pleased, Sir, to point out the place; till this is done, all you add (bitterly enough!) is mere brutum fulmen. And the Methodists so called may still 'declare, (without any impeachment of their sincerity,) that they do not come to the holy table trusting in their own righteousness, but in God's manifold and great mercies.'

"I am, your's, &c.

"JOHN WESLEY."

Sunday 8, In the evening I left London, and reached Bath on Tuesday in the afternoon, time enough to wait on that venerable man, the Bishop of Londonderry. After spending an agreeable and a profitable hour with him, my brother read prayers, and I preached at Lady Huntingdon's Chapel. I know not when I have seen a more serious, or more deeply attentive congregation. Is it possible? Can the Gospel have place, where Satan's throne is ?

Thursday 12, And the two following days, I examined the Society in Bristol. Still I find the greatest part to be in peace and love, and none blamable as to their outward conversation. But life, power, and struggling into God are wanting. Few are agonizing to be altogether Christians.

Monday 16, Finding no ship which could take me over, I set out with Thomas Dancer for Liverpool. Wednesday 18, I reached Wednesbury, but with difficulty. For my horse, which I left in October, to rest for six months, had been rode all the winter, and was now galled, jaded, and worn to skin and bones.

Thursday 19, Pushing through the rain and violent wind, we came in the evening to Nantwich. But I knew not where to go, till a good woman in the street asked me if Mr. Wesley was come: and conducted me to the place where the people were waiting. Many were noisy at first, because they could not get in. But when they did, all were silent.

Friday 20, I rode on through more storms to Liverpool. But here too, I found no ship to carry my horses. So Monday 23, I set out for Portpatrick. This day we rode but about forty miles: the next, to Kendal, where I preached at six, and spent a comfortable evening at Serjeant Southwell's. Wednesday 25, the rain, which began yesterday noon, continued till noon to-day, without intermission: but though driven against us by a strong wind, it was nothing so troublesome as the piercing cold, while we rode between the snowy mountains, the road also being covered with snow. However, after a short bait at Keswick, we reached Cockermouth in the afternoon.

The mare T. Dancer rode being now quite lame, I left him, to cross over at Whitehaven. And Mr. Atlay, who came just in time, offered to accompany me to Portpatrick. Thursday 26, we rode through miserable roads to SolwayFirth but the guides were so deeply engaged at a cockfight, that none could be procured to shew us over. We procured one, however, between three and four. But there was more sea than we expected: so that notwithstanding all I could do, my legs, and the skirts of my coat were in the water. The motion of the waves made me a little giddy: but it had a stranger effect on Mr. Atlay. He lost his sight, and was just dropping off his horse, when one of our fellowtravellers caught hold of him. We rode on nine or ten miles, and lodged at a village called Ruthwell. Friday 27, we rode by Dumfries and the Bridge of Orr, over the Military way, to Gatehouse of Fleet. But the house was filled with such noisy company, that we expected little rest. Before eleven, however, I fell asleep, and heard nothing more, between three and four in the morning.

till

Saturday 28, We rode to Portpatrick. Sunday 29, the packet-boat was ready in the morning; but waited for the mail, hour after hour, till past three in the afternoon. Hereby we avoided a violent storm, and had only what they called a fresh breeze. However, this breeze drove us to Donaghadee, thirty miles in three hours.

Monday 30, I rode to Newton, and in the evening preached in the Market-house to a large number of serious hearers. The Society, I found, had been shattered in pieces, but were uniting again. To these I spoke more particularly in the morning. It may be they will yet have ears to hear.

Tuesday 31, After meeting the Society at Belfast, I rode on to Lisburn. At six I preached in the linen-hall, (a small square so called) as also the two following evenings. We had many people of fashion there, and the congregation increased continually. Friday, April 3, at the end of Dromore I met Robert Williams, who shewed me the way to Newry. A little after six I went to the Market-house: but when I began I had only four hearers. A good number assembled before I had done: only none of the gentry. They were hindered by a business of more importance! dressing for the assembly.

Sunday 5, I was in hopes of reaching Tandragee, before. the Church began. But it was farther off than we expected. At five in the evening we had the largest congregation I had seen in Ulster. And I believe many found much of the presence of God, but still more at the meeting of the Society. Monday 6, the congregation was surprisingly large this morning, and still larger every morning and evening. Wednesday 8, I preached at noon to our old Society at Terryhugan, the Mother-Church of all these parts. Thursday 9, the house would not contain the people at Tandragee, even at five in the morning. So I went to the Market-house, where God gave us a solemn and affectionate parting.

I was not glad to hear that some of the Seceders had settled in these parts also. Those of them who have yet fallen in my way, are more uncharitable than the Papists

themselves. I never yet met a Papist, who avowed the principle of murdering heretics. But a Seceding Minister being asked, "Would not you, if it were in your power, cut the throats of all the Methodists?" replied directly, Why did not Samuel hew Agag in pieces before the Lord?" I have not yet met a Papist in this kingdom, who would tell me to my face, All but themselves must be damned. But I have seen Seceders enow who make no scruple to affirm, None but themselves could be saved. And this is the natural consequence of their doctrine : for as they hold, 1, That we are saved by faith alone; 2, That faith is, the holding such and such opinions: it follows, all who do not hold those opinions, have no faith, and therefore cannot be saved.

About noon I preached near Dawson's grove, to a large and serious congregation: but to a far larger in the evening at Kilmararty. I do not wonder the Gospel runs so swiftly in these parts. The people in general have the finest natural tempers I ever knew they have the softness and courtesy of the Irish, with the seriousness of the Scots, and the openness of the English.

Friday 10, At one I preached at Portadown, a place not troubled with any kind of religion. I stood in the street and cried, Now God commandeth all men everywhere to repent. The people gathered from all sides, and when I prayed, kneeled down upon the stones, rich and poor, all around me. In the evening I preached again at Kilmararty. At five in the morning the house was well filled and a little after six I cheerfully commended them to the grace of God.

Saturday 11, About three I preached at a village called The Grange. The people came from several miles round, and seemed to hear with the spirit, and with the understanding also. At six I preached near Cock-hill: where, at nine in the morning, Sunday 12, we had a congregation from all parts. But this was more than doubled at five in the evening. All were serious, and, according to the custom of the Country, when I went to prayer, immediately kneeled,