Mr. John Wesley was a man of various learning and unexampled industry. And his extraordinary qualifications were laid under heavy contributions to furnish his societies with the means of useful knowledge. He not only wrote many learned and labored volumes, but prepared a multitude of small tracts, some original, and others selected from the best authors; these he abridged and improved to suit his purposes, and published them in cheap form, that they might go into general circulation, and be read by the poorest. How he ever found time for so much reading and writing, in addition to so much journeying, preaching, and exercise of immediate oversight over the societies, has been a mystery to many. But the fact is in some measure explained by his habit of economizing time. He constantly retired at ten, and rose at four, and did every thing by rule. He sedulously practiced the rules which he left for his sons in the gospel: "Never be unemployed; never be triflingly employed." By these means, while another would be making preparations to commence an enterprise, he would finish it and have it off his hands. Wr. Wesley's strength in argument was known and respected by the most bitter and reckless of his opponents. He was a giant in controversy; his spear was as a weaver's beam; and whithersoever he turned it, the most potent foes quailed, and the most specious systems of error crumbled to dust. And whether he meets in the field of controversy the learned Dr. Taylor, the shrewd Bishop Warburton, or the Jesuitical O'Leary, he has about him the same manly independence and Christian candor. Though shrewd and cutting, he, is still liberal, generous, and kind. To error he gives no quarter; but the erring he is ever desirous to restore. With what Christian charity and forbearance did he respond to the attacks of his quondam friends and companions, Messrs. James Hervey and George Whitefield! With what respect does he treat their Christian character, while he feels compelled to differ from them in some speculative point of theology! As a polemic he possessed the rare quality of leaving extraneous matter, seizing upon the strong points of the argument, and of narrowing down the ground of controversy. In the compass of a very few lines he often answers whole pages, stripping off the veil of sophistry, and leaving truth so bare that a child can see it. He never troubles himself with the rhetorical flourishes, and the personal reflections of his opponent, but meeting his argument directly in the face, he demolishes it with a blow, and then leaves him to his reflections. Any one who will candidly read the controversial tracts of John Wesley, will not set all this down as the mere idle compliments of a too fond admirer, nor will he wonder that the citadel of Methodism, though often fiercely assailed in the days of Mr. Wesley, was never taken. The learned and pious Dr. Doddridge, on reading his "Appeal to Men of Reason and Religion," inscribed upon the back of it, "How forcible are right words!" The practical character of John Wesley's mind is apparent in all his great movements; it is impressed upon all his works. Principles, lying hid under masses of rubbish, were brought out and tested by experiment; truth, connected with error, was separated from it and left unincumbered; books containing much good, but some bad matter, (often enough to neutralize all the good,) were analyzed, and the gold culled out, while the dross was cast away. The properties of steam were discovered long before the days of Fulton, but it was reserved for him to make a practical application of them, which should constitute a new era in the history of the world. And though many of the principles of Methodism had a sort of latent existence before Mr. Wesley's time, and much useful matter found in his writings may be found elsewhere, yet such was their association with antagonist or counteracting principles and influences, that they were often practically inoperative. Mr. Charles Wesley, whom we have hitherto noticed in connection with his brother John, was mostly distinguished for his poetical effusions. He continued to travel and preach at large for several years with great success, but finally settled in life. The following is given as one specimen of numerous instances of heroic Christian gentleness amid the fiercest persecution. Who, in this land and age of freedom and light, can read this without contrasting the circumstances of the Wesleys with our own! Surely "the lines have fallen to us in pleasant places: yea, we have a goodly heritage." "From London Mr. Charles Wesley went to the west of England; and after preaching at Bath, Painswick, Evesham, and other places, on the 20th of May, he says, 'I got once more to our dear colliers at Wednesbury. Here the seed has taken root, and many are added to the church. A society of above three hundred are seeking full redemption in the all-cleansing blood. The enemy rages exceedingly, and preaches against them. A few have returned railing for railing; but the generality have behaved as the followers of Christ Jesus. I preached in a garden, on the first words I met: 1 Cor. ii, 1. While I spake of his suffering He looked upon us, and made us look upon him and mourn. Many wept as one that mourneth for his first-born. I exhorted and entreated the very lively society. Surely among this people I have not run or labored in vain. 66 6 May 21st. At five I commended the woman of Canaan as an example of prevalent importunity. A young man who had been grievously vexed of the devil was now set at liberty. I spent the morning in conference with several who have received the atonement under my brother, &c. I saw a piece of ground, given us by a Dissenter to build a meeting-house upon, and consecrated it by a hymn. "I walked with many of the brethren to Walsal, singing. We were received with the old complaint, Behold, they that turn the world upside down are come hither also." I walked through the town amid the noisy greetings of our enemies. I stood on the steps of the market-house. A host of men was laid against us. The floods lifted up their voice, and raged horribly. The street was full of fierce Ephesian beasts, (the principal man setting them on,) who roared, and shouted, and threw stones incessantly. Many struck without hurting me. I besought them in calm love to be reconciled to God in Christ. While I was departing, a stream of ruffians was suffered to bear me from the steps. I rose, and, having given the blessing, was beaten down again. So the third time, when we had returned thanks to God for our salvation. I then, from the steps, bade them depart in peace, and walked quickly back through the thickest rioters. They reviled us, but had no commission to touch a hair of our heads.' : "Having preached at Birmingham and at Wednesbury, he took his leave of the people in Staffordshire, and hastened to Sheffield, preaching at Melbourne, Coleorton, and Nottingham-cross, on his way. In Sheffield the clergy had succeeded in inflaming the public mind, so that during his stay a mob assembled, and pulled down the Methodist chapel, which had been erected by the liberality of a poor people. He states that, on his arrival, he found them as sheep in the midst of wolves the ministers having so stirred up the people, that they were ready to tear them in pieces.' He adds, 'I went to the societyhouse, next door to our brother Bennett's. Hell from beneath was moved to oppose us. As soon as I was in the desk, with David Taylor, the floods began to lift up their voice. An officer (Ensign Garden) contradicted and blasphemed. I took no notice of him, and sung on. The stones flew thick, hitting the desk and people. To save them and the house, I gave notice I should preach out, and look the enemy in the face. "The whole army of aliens followed me. The captain laid hold of me, and began reviling. I gave him for answer, "A Word in Season, or Advice to a Soldier;" then prayed, particularly for his majesty King George, and preached the gospel with much contention. The stones often struck me in the face. After sermon I prayed for sinners as servants of their master the devil; upon which the captain ran at me with great fury, threatening revenge for my abusing, as he called it, the king, his master. He forced his way through the brethren, drew his sword, and presented it to my breast. My breast was immediately steeled. I threw it open, and fixing mine eye on his, smiled in his face, and calmly said, "I fear God, and honor the king." His countenance fell in a moment; he fetched a deep sigh; put up his sword; and quickly left the place. To one of the company, who afterward informed me, he said, You shall see, if I do but hold my sword to his breast, he will faint away." So perhaps I should, had I only had his principles to trust to; but if at that time I was not afraid, no thanks to my natural courage. "We returned to our brother Bennett's, and gave ourselves unto prayer. The rioters followed, and exceeded in their outrage all I have seen before. Those of Moorfields, Cardiff, and Walsal, were lambs to these. As there is "no King in Israel," (no magistrate, I mean, in Sheffield,) every man does as seems good in his own eyes. Satan now put it into their hearts to pull down the society-house; and they set to their work while we were praying and praising God. It was a glorious time with us. Every word of exhortation sunk deep; every prayer was sealed; and many found the Spirit of glory resting on them. One sent for the constable, who came up, and desired me to leave the town, since I was the occasion of all this disturbance. I thanked him for his advice, withal assuring him, I should not go a moment the sooner for all this uproar; I was sorry for their sakes that they had no law or justice among them: as for myself, I had my protection, and knew my business, as I supposed he did his. In proof whereof he went from us, and encouraged the mob. They pressed hard to break open the door. I would have gone out to them, but the brethren would not suffer me. They labored all night for their master, and by morning had pulled down one end of the house. I could compare them to nothing but the men of Sodom; or those coming out of the tombs, "exceeding fierce." Their outcries often waked me in the night: yet I believe I got more sleep than any of my neighbors." "— Vol. i, pp. 327-329. The vile mobs which the Wesleys so frequently had to contend with were often but the mere tools of the high Churchmen of the day, and were sometimes led on by the clergy. The following are a few specimens of clerical piety and decency prevalent in those days, among the many furnished in these volumes : "Our poor colliers being repelled from the Lord's table by most of the Bristol ministers, I exhorted them, notwithstanding, to continue daily with one accord in the temple, where the wicked administrator can neither spoil the prayers, nor poison the sacrament. 66 6 'Sunday, July 27th. I heard a miserable sermon at Temple church, recommending religion as the most likely way to raise a fortune. After it, proclamation was made, that all should depart who were not of the parish. While the shepherd was driving away the lambs, I stayed, suspecting nothing, till the clerk came to me, and said, "Mr. Beecher bids you go away; for he will not give you the sacrament." I went to the vestry door, and mildly desired Mr. Beecher to admit me. He asked, "Are you of this parish?" I answered, "Sir, you see I am a clergyman." Dropping his first pretence, he charged me with rebellion, in expounding the Scripture without authority, and said, in express words, "I repel you from the sacrament." I replied, "I cite you to answer this before Jesus Christ, at the day of judgment." This enraged him above measure. He called out, "Here! take away this man!" The constables were ordered to attend; I suppose lest the furious colliers should take the sacrament by force. But I saved them the trouble of taking away "this man," and quietly retired.'"-Vol. i, p. 231. "July 24th. I preached near Penzance, to the little flock, encompassed by ravening wolves. Their minister rages above measure against this new sect, who are spread throughout his four livings. His reverend brethren follow his example. The grossest lies which are brought them they swallow without examination, and retail the following Sunday. One of the society (James Duke) went lately to the worshipful the Rev. Dr. Borlase for justice against a rioter, who had broken open his house, and stolen his goods. The doctor's answer was, "Thou conceited fellow! art thou turned religious? They may burn thy house, if they will. Thou shalt have no justice." With those words he drove him from the judgment-seat.'"-Vol. i, p. 394. 66 6 'July 30th. I cried to a mixed multitude of wakened and unawakened sinners, near Penzance, "Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?" and prayed with the still-increasing flock, whose greatest persecutor is their minister. He and the clergy of these parts are much enraged at our people's being so ready in the Scriptures. One fairly told Jonathan Reeves, he wished the Bible were in Latin only, that none of the vulgar might be able to read it. Yet these are the men that rail at us as papists!"—Vol. i, p. 396. "Before Mr. Charles Wesley left Wales, he received another proof of the hostility with which he was regarded by some of his brethren in the ministry. A clergyman refused to admit him to the table of the Lord; while, at the same time, he gave the sacred elements to a man who, at the time of receiving them, was notoriously drunk, and made a disturbance in the church! No sin was so grievous as that of Christianity in the form of Methodism."-Vol. i, p. 421. "Jan. 9th. I talked severally with the little society, who are as sheep encompassed with wolves. Their minister has repelled them from the sacrament, and labored to stir up all the town against them. And they would have worried them to death, had not the great man of the place, a professed papist, hindered these good Protestants from destroying their innocent brethren. By three I came safe to Epworth, and was received by Edward Perronet and the brethren as one alive from the dead.' "—Vol. i, p. 460. These passages constitute an instructive commentary upon the manners of the times, as well as upon the state of religion among the English clergy. And it was from the labors of these ministers of the true apostolical succession that, we are now often told, the Church of England could, and would have been reformed, or, if not by them, certainly by the sermons they might read, and the prayers they might say. The following is the notice taken by our author of the "first conference :" "The walls of Jerusalem were built in troublous times; and it was in the midst of persecution and national perplexity that the Wesleys |