shire; for, at Halifax, when his appointment there was notified, a remonstrance from the female members was sent forthwith, objecting to him, as being "dull, though learned." So once more he was displaced. The same process followed

as at Leeds. The men at Halifax wished him to come, and wrote a letter of explanation to that effect, which drew forth a reply from Mr. Clarke, reiterating the sentiment he had already pronounced: "the same principle must guide his movements on this as on the former occasion; his call, he conceived, not extending to any place in which women were the governors, because he was certain that Christ had not truly the rule where the women held the reins!" These little annoyances were, however, controlled for the best; and at the close of the Conference he held a confirmed appointment to the city of Bristol.

This sphere of duty was one of the most important that could have been assigned him, next to London. The circuit held the pre-eminence in Methodism, and numbered, even at that time, the city and outlying places included, more than two thousand members. The necessities of the circuit would admit of but a very short vacation, and with the opening of the year Mr. Clarke was at his post. As in imagination we see him enter the pulpit at Broadmead, on the first Sabbath morning, amid the silence, the prayer, and devout expectations of the crowded congregation, we insensibly call to mind the time when he first visited Bristol. The hungry, ill-clad youth, who had eaten his frugal supper of bread and water in the kitchen of the inn just opposite, and whose apparition had so disturbed the powers who reigned at Kingswood, now reappears, a man in all the majesty of intellect, a husband and father, alive to the most sacred affections of our nature, and a minister of Jesus Christ, with the full seal of spiritual power, in the evidences with which heaven had attested his vocation, as well as the solemn concurrence and approbation of him who held the office of scriptural bishop in that communion of the Church. Every young man should see in this example a type and pledge of the success which

awaits him in whatever condition of life Divine Providence may have cast his lot, if, with the subject of our memoir, he will live and act in the spirit of the prayer, "Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on Thee."

But the duties of the Bristol Circuit were so extensive and heavy as to tax Mr. Clarke's physical powers to the utmost. Unhappily, he entered on this new stage with enfeebled and shattered health. His life in the Norman Isles had been too sedentary for a constitution habituated to violent out-door exercise. To almost unremitted study were added the wasting effects of a cough which had harassed him for years, ever since sleeping in a damp bed in the Trowbridge Circuit. This complaint had now become so heavy as to threaten his life. Mr. Wesley, who came to Bristol in an early part of the year, was struck with the change in his appearance, and intimated, in one of his addresses to the Society, his apprehensions that they would not long have the benefit of their minister's services. Some hope was entertained that the waters of the Hotwells, which at that time were in high medical repute, would tend to restore him; but this benefit was seriously interfered with by the severity of his labors, and the disadvantage of living in the rooms appropriated to the preachers over the chapel, which, pervaded with the effluvium from the crowded congregations, were altogether unwholesome as a place of residence. withstanding these drawbacks, he nevertheless struggled on, though life with him was all that year little better than a protracted martyrdom. He had two colleagues, Messrs. Wadsworth and Hodgson; and to these three men were allotted the working of a circuit comprising a large number of congregations, and the pastoral care of more than two thousand members. The quarterly visitation of the classes, carried on simultaneously with the pulpit and other duties of the circuit, drained their strength to the uttermost. a note to his friend Brackenbury, in January, Mr. Clarke says: "For a month I have been employed in visiting the classes. This close work has proved more than I could well

Not

In

sustain. I need not say, that preaching three or four times a day,* and giving tickets to two or three hundred people, regulating the concerns of the Society, etc., is more than any common strength is able to perform. From what I now feel, and the increase of the work, I have every reason to believe that I shall either be in eternity before Conference, or be fully invalided. In visiting the classes I have diligently endeavored to root out all apparent offenses and offenders; and, as the foundation is clearer than it has been for some time, I expect a more durable building. I see such fruit of my labor as causes me almost to rejoice in the martyred body which the most merciful God has in his condescension made an honored instrument in helping forward so good a work."

So, in the June quarter: "I am now so exceedingly busied, that I have not time to take my necessary food. We are visiting the classes, in which I am employed from six o'clock in the morning to five in the evening:" all this, followed by preaching either in the city or the country. Mr. Wesley, on a visit to Bristol, gave him all the help he could. Thus in his Journal at this time we read the entry; "On Monday, and the three following days, I visited the classes at Bristol." Mr. Clarke mentions that he took one class, and Mr. Wesley another, alternately; thus proceeding during four successive days. As to his circuit-work, we take the following specimens of its fidelity and heartiness: "I set out for Westbury, walked thither, and preached with great liberty to a large, attentive congregation. At five I preached at the Room, and the Lord gave me an hour's work of very convincing speech. I felt in my soul that much good was done. I may not know to what extent; but this the Lord has favored me with, that a notorious sinner was thoroughly convinced, and has since been earnestly wrestling with God, that he may escape eternal fire. Glory be to thee, O God!

* He must mean Sundays, when, with heavy pulpit duty, the necessity of meeting several classes is most painfully oppressive. Superintendents should avoid it, if any other arrangements are possible.

I then met the Society and spoke all my mind; the lazy rich I did not spare. On Monday morning I had at five o'clock such a congregation as I think I never saw in Bristol; several of the great folks, too, were hearing for life. These things are tokens for good. Our friends tell me there is a great stir all round Bristol. In such a large place it cannot be so palpable as in a smaller; but, thank God, this is no matter. Glory, glory to God and to the Lamb!" The next Sunday: "I preached at Donkerton, to a very simple, pleasing people; and God was in the midst: at noon and night, in Bath. He gave me liberty, and I have no doubt much good was done. I had one soul for my hire at the last preaching: such a power from on high rested on all as I have seldom seen. God seemed to have given the people into my hand."

"Yesterday rode from Bath to Bristol, and back again this morning. Met five classes, and preached once: have yet to meet six classes, and preach twice. To-morrow morning return to Bristol, as we begin to meet classes at six in the morning, and continue with short intervals the whole of the day to the end of the week. I feel willing, but am almost knocked up.

"Went last Sunday to Kingswood, preached twice, gave an exhortation, and met nine classes. Thence to Guineastreet, where preached, met Society, and gave tickets to one class." Again: "At seven, A. M. met the Bridge-street Society; preached at Guinea-street, thence to Westbury, preached at two o'clock, and gave tickets; then back to Bristol, fatigued and wet; preached at five, and met the Society. Next morning at five preached again; and then rode to the Marsh, where, scarcely able to speak, I preached again, and gave tickets. From Marsh the next morning back to Pensford; from thence to Clutton, through a severe tempest, wet to the skin. Thursday to Kingswood; preached at five, and returned home to assist Mr. Hodgson to hold a watchnight, but was scarcely able to move for more than an hour after I got home. At length I went to lend some

aid, and brother Hodgson and I held on till about eleven o'clock, when we made an apology for retiring. . . . . Just as I was passing to my bedroom, I thought I would go to the lobby-window, and take a last view of them, at which moment one of the singers was giving out a hymn. I thought, 'The meeting will close for lack of persons to pray. I will go down." Mr. Hodgson at that moment joined me, and advised me not. I hesitated a moment; but, finding my soul drawn out in pity to the multitudes, I said, 'I will go down in the name of the Lord. Mr. Hodgson would not be left behind. I had before felt much of the power of God, but now it was doubled. We continued singing, praying, and exhorting until half-past twelve, during which time strong prayers, cries, and tears bore testimony to the present power of God. How excellent the Lord is in working! How wondrous are his ways of mercy! I am thine, save me.' I am willing to breathe my last in thy work." In his personal intercourse with the Methodist people of Bristol, Mr. Clarke now formed friendships which were lifelong; and those friendships were cherished for the poor of Christ's flock, as well as the rich. Among the former class was an eminent Christian named Summerhill; and we mention her case on account of its extraordinary character. Dame Summerhill was at that time a hundred and four years old. Relating her experience one day to Mr. Clarke, she said that Mr. Wesley was her father in the Gospel. "When he first came to Bristol, I went to hear him preach; and, having heard him, I said, 'This is the truth.' I inquired of those around, who and what he was. I was told that he was a man who went about everywhere preaching the Gospel. I further inquired, 'Is he to preach here again?' The reply was, 'Not at present.' 'Where is he going to next?' I asked. 'To Plymouth,' was the answer. 'And will he preach there?' 'Yes.' 'Then I will go and hear him. What is the distance?' 'One hundred and twenty-five miles.' I went, walked it, heard him, and walked back again!"

When a hundred and six years old she was accustomed