barian begging his bread at another man's door. Nay, they are so far exasperated against such as from among them come over to us, that they ufe to call them Racker, which imports no less than the very dregs of a nation. Hence they do not flick in their furious outrages to perfecute them, to beat them violently, to hurry them away, and now and then to kill them outright; exceedingly imbittered against thofe that are lately become Chriftians.

No lefs is required to carry on, in the midst of so wild and diforderly a people, that Charity-School, which, for facilitating the whole defign, we have fet up of late, according as our circumstances would allow. For the right settling and increasing whereof, we must buy such children, (and this now and then at a high rate too,) as their parents are willing to part with; which one time neceffity obliges them to; another time perhaps fome other reasons, which God knows. For, the EaftIndia Company has made an order, not to buy any children from thofe kidnappers, that fecretly ufe to convey away young children, to the great grief of their parents, and to fell them again, for a little money, to accomplish fome finifter end or other they have in view. Not to enumerate now fome other chargeable circumftances attending our efforts in this country.

Their language is both hard and variable. Whatever of the fundamental points of Chriftianity is neceffary for them to know, muft firft be put into the Portuguefe language, and out of that done again into Malabaric. And whereas the Art of Printing is not known in these parts, tranfcribing muft fupply the place of the Prefs. Upon the whole, you fee, that as our Charity-School cannot well go forward without taking in fome men to affift us: fo the whole design cannot advance, without employing more hands, firft to tranflate, and then with fome iron tools to print upon leaves of palm-trees fuch things as are thought ufeful for edification: that fo at laft, by the concurrence of fuch helps, the word of God may the easier be fpread among them; and, as a living feed, under the gracious influence

of

of the fpirit of God, fpring up in their hearts. In the mean time we apply ourselves intirely to get the language to perfection: and to qualify ourselves, to deliver in time, by word

of mouth, such truths as concern the welfare of thefe poor ig. norant fouls.

The Cafe of DEWSBURY HOUSE: recommended to the confideration of the People called Methodists.

1.

WHEN, about fifty years ago, one and another young

man offered to ferve me as fons in the gospel, it was on these terms, "That they would labour where I appointed," otherwife we fhould have flood in each other's way. Here began Itinerant Preaching with us. But we were not the first Itinerant Preachers in England. pointed by Queen Elizabeth, to travel continually, in order to spread true religion through the kingdom. And the office and falary ftill continues, though their work is little attended to. Mr. Milner, late vicar of Chipping in Lancashire, was one of

them.

Twelve were ap

2. As the number of Preachers increafed, it grew more and more difficult to fix the places, where each fhould labour from time to time. I have often wifhed to transfer this work of ftationing the preachers once a year, to one or more of themfelves. But none were willing to accept of it: fo I must bear the burden till my warfare fhall be accomplished.

3. When Preaching-houses were built, they were vefted immediately in Trustees, who were to fee, that those preached in them whom I fent and none elfe. This, we conceived, being the only way, whereby Itinerancy could be regularly established. But lately, after a new Preaching-houfe had been built at Dewsbury, in Yorkshire, by the fubfcriptions and contributions of

the

the people, (the Trustees alone not contributing one quarter of what it coft) they feized upon the House, and though they had promised the contrary, poffitively refused to settle it on the Methodist Plan requiring, that they thould have a power of refufing any Preacher whom they difliked. If fo, I have no power of stationing the Dewbury Preachers: for the Truttees may object to whom they pleafe. And themselves, not I, are finally to judge of thote objections.

4. Obferve. Here is no difpute about the Right of Houses at all. I have no right to any Preaching-houfe in England. What I claim is, a right of ftationing the Preachers. This thefe Trustees have robbed me of, in the present inftance. Therefore only one of these two ways can be taken; either to fue for this House, or to build another. We prefer the latter, being the most friendly way.

I beg therefore, my Brethren, for the Love of God, for the Love of me, your old and well nigh worn-out fervant, for the love of antient Methodism, (which, if Itinerancy is interrupted, will speedily come to nothing,) for the Love of Juftice, Mercy and Truth, which are all fo grievously violated by the detention of this House that you will fet your fhoulders to the necessary work. Be not straitened in your own bowels. We have never had such a cause before. Let not then unkind, un"juft, fraudulent men, have cause to rejoice in their bad labour. This is a common caufe. Exert yourselves to the utmost. I have fubfcribed fifty pounds. So has Dr. Coke. The Preachers have done all they could. Olet them that have much, give plenteoufly. Perhaps this is the last labour of love I may have occafion to recommend to you: let it then stand as one more monument of your real gratitude to,

My dear Brethren,

Your old, affectionate Brother,

JOHN WESLEY.

LETTERS.

222

2

ETTER S.

LET

LETTER DXX.

[From Mr. J. V. to the Rev. J. Welley.]

Rev. and dear Sir,

Jan. 1, 1782.

NCLOSED, I tranfmit to you a quarterly plan of this Cir

cuit. A fortnight's interruption of my labour, through illnefs, has rendered it not fo compleat as I could wish. Bands have been made, claffes divided and reduced; and the Societies regulated. I make the rules of the Society my rules, and hope by next Conference to have the Circuit prepared; like Manchester, for a bleffed work the enfuing year. Two or three weeks ago the Lord gave me the affurance of a revival in this Circuit, and I am looking for his gracious word.

I have the pleasure to inform you, that on receiving Dr. C's letter concerning a faft, I gave notice of it through the Circuit, fixing five, nine, one, and half past seven, as the general hours of prayer. I believe many fafted till evening and found it a bleffed day to their fouls. Thanks be to God, my dear people love King George, and I endeavour to promote it.'

I have fixt twice a year to meet all the local Preachers in the Circuit at Daw-Green. We had our firft meeting laft Wednesday, when we spent fome hours together. I proposed tø their confideration, 1. The neceffity, nature, means of attaining, and the time when we receive juftification and its fruits following. 2. The same respecting fanctification. We were all of one mind, and heart; then, after giving them an exhortation, we parted, like giants refreshed with wine.

VOL. XIII.

I muA

I must now defire you, dear Sir, if you can poffibly do it, let two wives be fent next year into this Circuit that can lead a Clafs. It is an inconceivable good to have useful women, under a Preacher, that will encourage them. I remain, Rev. and dear Sir, your most affectionate, though unworthy fon in the gospel,

J. V.

[From the Rev. T. D. to the Rev. J. Wesley.]

Rev. and dear Sir,

Jan. 4, 1782.

AVING already (though imperfectly) described to you my cafe, I know you will eafily excufe my freedom. Though I am forbidden to truft in an arm of flesh, yet I believe and fee that God works by inftruments, agents, and fecond causes.

I fometimes find a greater liberty of praying and believing, even to a degree of rejoicing: but at intervals, the burthen is grievous indeed: flaming juftice looks ftern, and displays a horrid fcene of complicated guilt.

The terms of juftification are too clear to be doubted; but the apprehenfion of having out-lived the day of acceptance, after calls and warnings, is a powerful weapon in the hand of the enemy.

Fear is a ftrong human paffion; but I apprehend there is a ftronger, more than human (for which my foul pants) that is able to caft it out."

I have been lately advised to perufe attentively a book written by Mr. Walter Marshall, intitled "The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification opened." Your opinion of that work will have great weight with me, and therefore I humbly beg it.

In