"To my beloved Brethren at Leeds, &c. "Grace and peace be multiplied! I thank my God on your behalf, for the grace which is given unto you, by which ye stand fast in one mind and in one spirit. My Master, I am persuaded, sent me to you at this time to confirm your souls in the present truth-in YOUR CALLING, in the old paths of Gospel ordinances. O that ye may be a pattern to the flock for your una. nimity and love. O that ye may continue stedfast in the word, and in fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers (private, family, and public) till we all meet around the great white throne!-I knew beforehand, that the Sanballats, and Tobiahs, would be grieved when they heard, there was a man come to seek the good of the Church of England. I expected they would pervert my words, as if I should say, The Church could save you. So indeed you and they thought, till I and my brethren taught you better; and sent you in and through all the means to JESUS CHRIST. But let not their slanders move you. Continue in the Old Ship. JESUS hath a favour for our Church, and is wonderfully visiting and reviving his work in her. It shall be shortly said, Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her. Blessed be God you see YOUR CALLING. Let nothing hinder you from going constantly to Church and Sacrament. Read the Scriptures daily in your families, and let there be a church in every house. The word is able to build you up, and if ye watch and pray always, ye shall be counted worthy to stand before the Son of Man.-Watch ye therefore, stand fast in the faith, quit yourselves like men, be strong: let all things be done in love. I rejoice in hope of present ing ing you all in that day. Look up, for your eternal salvation draweth near. 1 "I examined more of the Society. Most of them have known the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.October 30th, I dined with my candid friend and censor, Dr. Byrom. I stood close to Mr. Clayton in. Church, as all the week past, but not a look would he cast towards me, and so faithfully did he keep his covenant with his eyes, not to look upon an old friend, when called a Methodist.-October 31st, I spake with the rest of the Classes. I refused tickets to J. and E. R. all the rest were willing to follow my advice, and go to Church and Sacrament. The Dissenters I sent to their respective Meetings." These extracts from Mr. Charles Wesley's Journal for the present year, (observes Doctor Whitehead) shew, in the clearest light, that he had a just view of the peculiar Calling of the Methodists, and that he was exceedingly anxious they should abide in it. He was fully convinced, that all attempts to form the people into an independent body, originated in the pride and selfishness of some of the Preachers, and would be injurious to the progress of the work. He saw, however, that, under various pretences, the Preachers would finally prevail, and obtain their purpose, though not during the life of his brother. He was still comforted with the hope, that whenever such an event should take place, there would be found, perhaps, a third part of the people in the Societies who would have judgment and virtue enough left to withstand it, and continue a connexion on the original plan. How How far his expectations will be realized, time must discover. November 1st, Mr. Wesley left Manchester, and on the 6th came safe to his friends at Bristol. This was the last journey he ever took through any considerable part of the kingdom. He afterwards divided his labours chiefly between London and Bristol, and continued to preach till within a short time of his death. He He still continued firmly attached to the Methodists, and laboured by every means which his situation would permit, to promote the good of the Societies. never lost sight of any attempts to detach the people from their former connexions, and unite them into an independent body, and uniformly opposed them with all the influence he had. In 1758, he published his testimony on this subject in the following words: "I think myself bound in duty, to add my testimony to my brother's. His twelve reasons against our ever separating from the Church of England, are mine also. I subscribe to them with all my heart. Only with regard to the first, I am quite clear, that it is neither expedient nor LAWFUL for me to separate. And I never had the least inclination or temptation so to do. My affection for the Church is as strong as ever: and I clearly see my CALLING; which is to live and to die in her communion. This therefore I am determined to do, the Lord being my helper." In 1786, after Mr. John Wesley had been prevailed upon to ordain some of the Preachers, he republished the same testimony. Yet he still continued to preach in the Societies as usual, and to correspond with his brother; not only on matters relating to the new ordination among the Methodists, but on other subjects. In a letter to his brother, dated April 9th, 1787, he observes, "I served West-street chapel on Friday and yesterday. Next Saturday I propose to sleep in your bed. S. B. and I shall not disagree. "Stand to your own proposal: 'Let us agree to differ.' I leave America and Scotland to your latest thoughts and recognitions: only observing now, that you are exactly right: He did nothing before he asked me.', True, he asked your leave to ordain two more Preachers, before he ordained them: but while your answer was coming to prohibit him, he took care to ordain them both. Therefore, his asking you was a mere compliment. This I should not mention, but out of concern for your authority. Keep it while you live; and after your death, detur digniori-or rather, dignioribus.*-You cannot settle the succession: you cannot divine how God will settle it. Have the people of———— given you leave to be E. A. P. J.+" In this letter, speaking of genius, he observes, “I never knew a genius that came to good. What can be the reason? Are they as premature in evil as in good; or do their superior talents overset them? Must every man of a superior understanding lean to, and trust and pride himself in it-I never envied a man of great parts I never wished a friend of mine possessed of them. "Poór J. H.! What has genius done for him? ruined his fortune, and ruined his body. Last night I heard he was dying of a putrid fever. We prayed for him at the table: but I know not whether he is alive Let it be given to one more worthy ; or rather, in the plural, to those who are more worthy of it. He speaks ironically of these worthies, who aimed at the supreme power in the Societies, over the head of his brother. John, Presbyter of the + Ecclesia Anglicana Presbyter Jobannes. Church of England. This signature we believe Mr. John Wesley cometimes used in the early part of his life, when writing to his brother. t alive or dead. His sickness was sent to prepare him either for Paradise, or for Orders. Such a messenger may perhaps take Sam. or Charles from the evil. I never sought great things for them; or greater for thyself, than that I may escape to land-on a broken piece of the ship. It is my daily and hourly prayer, that I may escape safe to land-and that an entrance may be ministered to you abundantly, into the everlasting kingdom of Jesus Christ." Mr. Charles Wesley had a weak body, and a poor state of health, during the greatest part of his life. He laid the foundation of both, at Oxford, by too close application to study, and abstinence from food. He rode much on horseback, which probably contributed to lengthen out life to a good old age. In his last sickness, his body was indeed reduced to the most extreme state of weakness. He possessed that state of mind which he had been always pleased to see in others-unaffected humility, and holy resignation to the will of God. He had no transports of joy, but solid hope and unshaken confidence in Christ, which kept his mind in perfect peace. A few days before his death he composed the following lines. Having been silent and quiet for some time, he called Mrs. Wesley to him, and bid her write as he dictated; "In age and feebleness extreme, Strength of my failing flesh and heart; He |