purity, through the greater part of their lives. By his private exercises he was fitted for public labours; and by the holy discipline to which he submitted himself without any reserve, he was trained to spiritual eminence in the school of Christ. To those who perfectly knew him in this state of retirement, he appeared as a 'polished shaft,' hid indeed for a season in the quiver of his Lord, yet ready for immediate service, and prepared to fly in any appointed direction.

11. He was not without promises of preferment in the Church; but these served rather to retard, than to hasten, his entrance into it. Having a sacrifice to perform, and not a fortune to secure, he was fearful lest his intention should be debased by views of an interested nature. At length his humble reluctance was overcome, and, after the most mature deliberation, he solemnly determined to offer himself a candidate for holy orders. And to this solemn determination he was urged by the increasing force of two powerful motives,-gratitude and benevolence: gratitude to God impelled him to declare the name of his great Benefactor, and bear public testimony to the word of his grace; while benevolence towards his fellow-creatures incited him 'to spend and be spent' in promoting their best interests. Constrained by these sacred motives, he publicly dedicated himself to the work of the holy ministry in the year 1757, when he received Deacon's orders on Sunday, the 6th of March, and Priest's orders on the following Sunday, from the hands of the Bishop of Bangor, in the Chapel-Royal, at St. James's."

12.

66

The same day that he was ordained a Priest,” says Mr. Wesley," being informed that I had no one to assist me at West-street chapel, he came away as soon as ever the ordination was over, and assisted me in the administration of the Lord's supper. He was now doubly diligent in preaching, not only in the chapels at West-street and Spitalfields, but wherever the providence of God opened a door to proclaim the everlasting Gospel. This he frequently did, not only in English, but likewise in French, his native language; of which he was allowed by all competent judges to be a complete master."

13. The following letter, written to Mr. Wesley

soon after his taking orders, manifests what a mean opinion he then had of himself, both with respect to his grace and gifts. It is dated London, May 26,

1757.

"REV. SIR,

"IF I did not write to you before Mrs. Wesley had asked me, it was not that I wanted a remembrancer within, but rather an encourager without. There is generally upon my heart such a sense of my unworthiness that I sometimes dare hardly open my mouth before a child of God; and think it an unspeakable honour to stand before one who has recovered something of the image of God, or sincerely seeks after it. Is it possible that such a sinful worm as I should have the privilege to converse with one whose soul is sprinkled with the blood of my Lord? The thought amazes, confounds me; and fills my eyes with tears of humble joy. Judge, then, at what distance I must see myself from you, if I am so much below the least of your children; and whether a remembrancer within suffices to make me presume to write to you, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear.

"I rejoice that you find everywhere an increase of praying souls. I doubt not but the prayer of the righteous hath great power with God; and cannot but believe, that it must tend to promote the fulfilling of Christ's gracious promises to his church. He must, and certainly will, come at the time appointed; for he is not slack, as some men count slackness; and although he would have all to come to repentance, yet he has not forgot to be true and just. Only he will come with more mercy, and will increase the light, that shall be at evening-tide, according to the promise in Zech. xiv. 7. I should rather think that the visions are not yet plainly disclosed; and that the day and year in which the Lord will begin to make bare his arm openly are still concealed from us.

"I must say of Mr. Walsh, as he once said to me concerning God, 'I wish I could attend him everywhere, as Elisha did Elijah.' But, since the will of God calls me from him, I must submit, and drink the cup prepared for me. I have not seen him, unless for a

few moments, three or four times before divine service. We must meet at the throne of grace, or meet but seldom. O when will the communion of saints be complete? Lord, hasten the time; and let me have a place among them that love thee, and love one another in sincerity.

66

I set out in two days for the country. O may I be faithful! Harmless like a dove, wise like a serpent, and bold as a lion for the common cause! O Lord, do not forsake me! Stand by the weakest of thy servants, and enable thy children to bear with me, and wrestle with thee in my behalf. O bear with me, dear Sir, and give me your blessing every day, and the Lord will return it to you seven-fold. I am, Rev. and dear Sir, your

unworthy servant,

"J. F."

14. In less than three weeks, it seems, from the time of his going into the country, he had an opportunity of preaching. This, according to Mr. Vaughan, quoted by Mr. Wesley, was on the 19th of June following. His text was James iv. 4, (a very bold beginning!) "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of this world is enmity against God?" "The congregation stood amazed, and gazed upon him as if he had been a monster. But to me he appeared as a messenger sent from heaven."

66

"It was not soon," proceeds Mr. V., that he was invited again to preach in Atcham church. But he was invited to preach in several other churches in the neighbourhood; as at Wroxeter, and afterwards at the Abbeychurch in Shrewsbury; having preached twice before in St. Alkmond's in that town. But not being yet perfect in the English tongue, he wrote down all the sermons he delivered in churches. But I doubt whether he preached above six times in the six months which he spent in the country. On my telling him, I wished he had more opportunities of preaching in this unenlightened part of the land, he answered, 'The will of God be done : I am in his hands. And if he do not call me to so much public duty, I have the more time for study, prayer, and praise.'

15. On this subject he signified his mind, in the

following letter, written at this time to his friend Mr. Edwards, before mentioned :

"I THANK you for your encouraging observations. I want them, and use them by the grace of God. When I received yours, I had not had one opportunity of preaching; so incensed were all the Clergy against me. One, however, let me have the use of his church, the Abbey-church at Shrewsbury. I preached in the forenoon with some degree of the demonstration of the Spirit. The congregation was very numerous; and I believe one half at least desired to hear me again. But the Minister would not let me have the pulpit any more. The next Sunday, the Minister of a neighbouring parish lying a dying, I was sent for to officiate for him. He died a few days after; and the chief man in the parish offered to make interest, that I might succeed him. But I could not consent. The next Sunday, I preached at Shrewsbury again; but in another church. The next day I set out for Bristol, and was much refreshed among the brethren. As I returned, I called at New-Kingswood, about sixteen miles from Bristol. The Minister offering me his church, I preached to a numerous congregation, gathered on half an hour's notice. I think the seed then sown will not be lost."

16. In the spring of this year (1758) we find him in London; from whence he wrote as follows, to Mrs. Glynne, of Shrewsbury, the pious lady of his acquaintance, before mentioned. His letter is dated April 18, and is here inserted to show the state of his mind at this time.

"MADAM,

"As it is never too late to do what multiplicity of business, rather than forgetfulness, has forced us to defer, I am not ashamed, though after some months, to use the liberty you gave me, to inquire after the welfare of your soul; and that so much the more, as I am conscious I have not forgotten you at the throne of grace. O may my petitions have reached heaven, and forced from thence, at least, some drops of those spiritual showers of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, which I implore for you!

"Though I trust the unction from above teaches you all things needful to salvation, and especially the necessity of continuing instant in prayer, and watching thereunto with all perseverance; yet, I think it my duty to endeavour to add wings to your desires after holiness, by enforcing them with mine. O were I but clothed with all the righteousness of Christ, my prayers would avail much; and the lukewarmness of my brethren would not increase my guilt, as being myself an instance of that coldness of love which puts me upon interceding for them.

Though I speak of lukewarmness, I do not accuse you, Madam, of having given way to it: on the contrary, it is my duty, and the joy of my heart, to hope that you stir up more and more the gift of God which is in you; that the evidences of your interest in a bleeding Lord become clearer every day; that the love of Christ constrains you more and more to deny yourself, take up your cross in all things, and follow him patiently through bad and good report; in a word, that continually 'leaving the things which are behind,' you 'stretch forward,' through sunshine or darkness, towards the prize of your high calling in Jesus Christ,'-I mean a heart emptied of pride, and 'filled with all the fulness of God.'

"I have often thought of you, Madam, in reading the letters of a lady,* who was a Christian, and an eminent Christian, not to say one of the brightest lights that God has raised since the late revival of godliness. The reproach of Christ was her crown of rejoicing; his cross, her continual support; his followers, her dearest companions; his example, the pattern of her conversation. She lived a saint, and died an angel. Each one of her letters may be a pattern for Christian correspondents, by the simplicity, edification, and love they breathe in every line. O when shall I write as she did? When my heart shall be as full of God as hers was.

66

'May the Lord enable you to walk in her steps, and grant me to see you shining among the humble, loving Marys of this age, as she did but a few months ago. Her God is our God: the same Spirit that animated her, is waiting at the door of our hearts, to cleanse them, Mrs. Lefevre.