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your leifure to perufe: but now I have fome hopes of making you glad in a small degree, by what I have to relate.

I was convinced about half a year ago, that I had been too retentive of money. Bedford rofe firft in my thoughts, and when I had concluded what to offer there, the Lord vifited me with gladness, as at the facrament or other means of grace: fo that I doubted not it was his will I fhould proceed: wherefore, May 24, I went to Bedford, and found many had left off hearing, because hogs were kept under the room; and Alderman Parker's own nephew took care to have them fed, (that the noife as well as stench might interrupt his uncle) at the flated hour of preaching. I quickly propofed building a Chapel by fubfcription, (fuppofing none had mentioned it before me.) Mr. Pearfon, of Bedford, was glad to hear my propofal, and faid he fhould endeavour to help it forward. Alderman Walker was very glad, and no doubt will affift, but as the Society in Bedford is poor in general, little can be expected from it: for my own part, I intend to give thirty guineas.

While I was here, Brother Parker told me of the Reverend Mr. Berridge, who preaches the gospel at Everton, ten miles eaft of Bedford, to whom I went with Brother Tanfley, on Friday June 2. He rejoiced to find us of your Society: he has read feveral of your Works, and greatly longs to see you.

He informed us, his education was more pious than usual: wherefore he had never fell into grofs fin of any kind; but ftudied to please the Lord from his infancy: he was early made Curate, and laboured, as he worded it, for twenty years to build a ladder up to heaven: but the Lord would not let this innocent man go down to the pit in his own righteoufnefs. He read a hymn of your Brother's, and was convinced; but again fought to juftify himfelf by works, 'till his trouble of foul increased, and he afked knowledge of the Moft High: then he fat meditating, and a folemn reverence fell upon him,

while the Lord uttered these words, "Ceafe from thy own works," the fcriptures were at this inftant laid open to my understanding, and I believe his own foul fet at liberty; but he counts himself not fully juftified, but he rejoiced in God. foon after; and being, like Mr. Pocock, to preach for another to a great Congregation; he then firft found, and with diftruft and trembling employed, the talent of preaching the gospel extempore: what followed was much the fame as in Mr. Pocock's cafe. He had many great friends and admirers before, who now turned enemies and perfecutors. They attempted to deprieve him of his Living, but failed. They have nicknamed him the Apoftle of Clare-Hall, of which he is Fellow. He meets little companies of his Converts from feveral towns and villages, at his own house. He was once ashamed of the word Methodist, but takes it to himself now as freely as I do. The country feems to kindle round him.

O Sir, your prayers have often been heard for me: let me be remembered ftill. I truft that nothing but death fhall cause me to discontinue the daily prayers offered up to God for you, by your

Unworthy Son in the Gospel,

J. W-h.

LETTER

CI.

[From Mr. James Deaves to the Rev. Mr. Wesley, giving an Account of the Rev. Mr. Sh-y's setting out.]

My very dear and Rev. Sir,

Caftlebar, Aug. 25, 1758.

WHEN your Letter came to Limerick, I was danger

oufly ill; but the Lord fuddenly restored me. When I was able I fet forward for this place, according to your di rection. In my way I ftayed a few days at Aghrim, where I VOL. III.

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was well employed in reconciling the Brethren who were at odds, and in danger of tearing the Society to pieces. Here are fome things which I hope will be removed. I fear there is a want of difcipline in the whole Rounds. There are fome precious fouls here, and fome Tares.

There is a revival of the work at Birr: fome few have lately joined, and fome have tafted of the Love of God.

When I left Brother Walsh he was but very poorly, having been for a few days worfe than ufual. He had fome thoughts of going to Athlone, or Brother Charles' and I of ftaying in the Round, to have an opportunity of being often with him. He has been a bleffing to me. I want to be a new creature ; to love God with all my heart. I can't be happy I find without it. Pray for me dear Sir. I hope you are thoroughly re

covered, and that God has bleffed the meeting of the Preachers.

I am,

Most respected, and dear Sir,

Your greatly obliged and obedient Son,

JAMES DEAVES.

P. S. As I know it will caufe you to rejoice at the good tidings, I will juft fend you the copy of a Letter from a Clergyman in Longrea, (feven miles from Aghrim.) He is but lately come from England, and has parted with his RaceHorfes, Hounds, &c. and has made much noife in this pro

vincé.

Aug. 15, 1758.

Dear Sir,

YOUR

Letter which speaks you to be a truly spiritual perfon, affords me great fatisfaction, in that my poor endeavours in fupport of the gospel doctrines are acceptable to the faithful in Chrift Jesus.

Alas! I am but a babe in the Lord, having received his faving grace not quite three months; and unless I am very

powerfully

powerfully fupported by his fpirit, I can never acquit myself of the weighty charge that is laid upon me. But in weakness there is ftrength, and in the might of my blessed Master I may encounter thousands of opponents. The spirit of abuse and perfecution which lately threatened me, has now pretty nearly fubfided; but I don't doubt it will break out again, and (if it be God's will) I welcome it with all my heart. So long as I have the Articles and Homilies of the Church for my fupport, I don't apprehend my enemies can lawfully disturb me; but if wickedness and injustice should prevail, if they were able to difpoffefs me of my Living to day, I would publickly preach the gospel in the ftreets to-morrow; yea, woe is me if I preach not the gospel. May the God of all bleffings pour down plentifully of the sweet influences of his holy spirit on all the Believers of Caftlebar, and may their number continually be increased! I most humbly take my leave of you, defiring you most earnestly to remember in your prayers,

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W.

LETTER

CII.

[From Mr. John Hodges to the Rev. Mr. Wesley, on writing

Controversy.]

Dear Sir,

Wenvoe, Sept. 4, 1758

I Had not time while I was with you at Cardiff, to read over the answer which you put into my hands: but in what I read of it, there appeared to be fomewhat of a harsh spirit, which I think I have obferved in fome other of your Controverfial Writings.

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Whenever any one brings a falfe or a railing accufation against me, if I can but poffefs my foul in patience, and continue to love him not a whit the lefs for it; whatever harm he may have done himself, he hath done me none at all. For I count that nothing harms me, but what difturbs the peace of my mind, or causeth me to lose love, or fome way or other difpoffeth me of myself.

If upon the occafion I find wrath or bitterness ftirring in me; as foon as I can recollect and recover myself, I see that which happened, was good to prove and fhew me what I have in my heart: and I cannot think that I am in a temper or difpofition either to speak or to write to the man that hath done me this fervice, 'till all the gall of bitterness fubfides, and a better spirit can have room to arise.

If a man be angry with me without a caufe, and afperfes or treats me ill, fhould I in order to justify myself, say or do any thing to provoke him more? Is this a likely way to win. my Brother? And ought not that to be the great end one fhould aim at? Will faying or writing any thing that may grate upon and gall him, be a likely means to accomplish it? Rather than burn his fingers, would it not be much better to heap coals of fire upon his head and to pull him down (if posfible) with kindness and love? Would not such a spirit and fuch treatment be the most likely way to gain his heart and to bring him to a better mind, and at the fame time recommend Methodism in the best manner to the world?

I fhall be glad to hear from you whenever you can find leisure to write to

Your affectionate Friend,

JOHN HODGES.

LETTER

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