Keep to than you are aware of. our one point, present inward salvation by faith, by the divine evidence of sins forgiven." At this time, the work of God ("It is no cant word, says Mr. Wesley, it means the conversion of sinners from sin to holiness,") was both widening and and deepening, not only in London and Bristol, but in most parts of England: there being scarcely any county, and not many large towns, wherein there were not more or fewer witnesses of it. Mean time the greatest numbers were brought to the great Shepherd of their souls (next to London and Bristol) in Cornwall, the West-Riding of Yorkshire, and Newcastle upon Tyne. But still they were obliged in many places, to carry their lives in their hands. Several instances of this have already been related; and many more might still be added. February 15, 1748, he left Bristol, and proceeded through Wales on his way to Ireland. On the 24th, he reached Holyhead, where he was detained about twelve days. He did not remain idle; but preached every day at some place in the neighbourhood. "I never knew men, says Mr. Wesley, make such poor Jame excuses, as these captains did, for not sailing. It put me in mind of the epigram. "There are, if rightly I may think, Five causes why a man should drink. "Which, with a little alteration would just suit them. "There are, unless my memory fail, } March March 8, about one o'clock in the morning, they sailed, and came to Dublin in the evening, where Mr. Wesley found his brother meeting the society. On the 16th, he inquired into the state of the society. "Most pompous accounts, (says Mr. Wesley) had been sent me from time to time, of the great numbers that were added to it; so that I confidently expected to find therein, six or seven hundred members. And how is the real fact? I left three hundred and ninetyfour members; and I doubt if there are now, three hundred and ninety-six ! "Let this be a warning to us all, how we give into that hateful custom of painting things beyond the life. Let us make a conscience of magnifying or exaggerating any thing. Let us rather speak under than above she truth. We, of all men, should be punctual in all we say, that none of our words may fall to the ground." Wednesday the 23d, he preached to the prisoners in Newgate. On the 30th he left Dublin, and rode to Philip's-Town, the assizes town of the King's-County. The street was soon filled with those who flocked from every side And even at five in the morning, he had a large congregation. After preaching he spoke severally to those of the society; of whom forty were troopers. At noon he preached to a larger congregation than in Dublin; and adds, "I am persuaded, God did then make an offer of life to all the inhabitants of Philip's-Town." The following days he preached at Tullamore, Tyrell's-Pass, Clara, Temple-Maqueteer, Moat; and on Saturday, April 2d, came to Athlone. His brother Charles had been here some time before; though it was with the imminent hazard of his life. For within about a mile of the town, he was war-laid by a very numerous Popish mob, who discharged a shower of stones, which he very narrowly escaped.* "This, (says Mr. J. Wesley) had an exceeding happy effect, And prejudicing all the Protestants in our favour. this seemed to increase every day. The morning I went away, most of the congregation were in tears. Indeed almost all the town seemed to be moved; full of good-will, and desires of salvation. But the waters were too wide to be deep. I found not one under strong conviction, much less had any one attained the knowledge of salvation, in hearing above thirty sermons. After re-visiting the towns I had seen before, on Tuesday the 16th, I returned to Dublin. Having staid a few days there, I made another little excursion through the country societies. May the 14th, I returned to Dublin, and had the satisfaction to find, that the work of God, not only spread wider and wider, but was also much deepened in many souls. Wednesday the 18th, we took ship, and the next day landed at Holyhead." Notwithstanding Mr. Wesley's daily employment in preaching, often morning, noon, and night, and his continual travelling from place to place; yet, he had some years before this, formed the design of making collections from the most approved writers in the English language, on the subjects of practical divinity, and of printing them under the title of, A Christian Library. The letter which Dr. Doddridge sent him, with the list of books he had requested, greatly facilitated his labour, and he had now large materials ready for the work. He wrote to a friend, and mentions an intention of immediately executing the design. "Are you (says he) still pressing toward the mark, the prize of your high calling? Is your hope See vol. i. page 300. Do you continue to count hope full of immortality? all things loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus? Some time since I was in much concern for you, lest you should be swallowed up in the things of earth. But I trust God has wrought a great deliverance for you, and given you to choose him for your God, and your all. O seek him with an undivided heart, till you see him as he is! "I have often thought of mentioning to you, and a few others, a design I have had for some years, of printing a little library, perhaps of fourscore, or one hundred volumes, for the use of those that fear God.* my purpose was to select whatever I had seen most valuable in the English language, and either abridge, or take the whole Tracts, only a little corrected or explained, as occasion should require. Of these I could print ten or twelve, more or less every year, on a fine paper and large letter, which should be cast for the purpose.-As soon as I am able to purchase a printing-press and types, I think of entering on this design. I have several books now ready; and a Printer who desires nothing more than food and raiment. In three or four weeks I hope to be in London, and if God permit, to begin without delay." - He at length accomplished his design in fifty duodecimo volumes. “June 24th, (says Mr. Wesley) being the day we had appointed for opening the school at Kingswood (that is, for boarders) I preached there, on, Train up a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. My brother and I then administered the Lord's supper to who came many from far." The following is an abstract from Mr. It is evident enough from Dr. Doddridge's letter, that the first inten tion was, the benefit of the Preachers. Wesley's "Short Account of the School in Kings wood near Bristol," which was printed some years after this period. "Our design is, with God's assistance, to train up children in every branch of useful learning. "The school contains eight classes : "In the first class the children read, Instructions for Children, and Lessons for Children; and begin learning to write. "In the second class they read The Manners of the Ancient Christians, go on in writing, learn the Short English Grammar, the Short Latin Grammar, read Prælectiones Pueriles: translate them into English, and the Instructions for Children into Latin: part of which they transcribe and repeat. "In the third class they read Dr. Cave's Primitive Chriss tianity, go on in writing, perfect themselves in the English and Latin Grammar; read Corderii Colloquia Selecta and Historia Selecta: translate Hisoria Selecta into English, and Lessons for Children into Latin: part of which they transcribe and repeat. "In the fourth class they read the Pilgrim's Progress, perfect themselves in writing: learn Dilworth's Arithmetic: read Castellio's Kempis and Cornelius Nepos: translate Castellio into English, and Manners of the ancient Christians into Latin: transcribe and repeat select portions of moral and sacred poems. "In the fifth class they read the Life of Mr. Haliburton, perfect themselves in arithmetic; read Select Dialogues of Erasmus, Phædrus and Sallust: translate Erasmus into English, and Primitive Christianity into Latin: transcribe and repeat select portions of moral and sacred poems. "In the sixth class they read the Life of Mr. De Renty, and Kennet's Roman Antiquities: they learn Randal's Geography: read Cæsar, Select Parts of Terence and Velleius Paterculus: translate Erasmus into English, and the Life of |