sons against our ever separating from the Church of England, are mine also.

with all my heart."

I subscribe to them

1759. On April 8th, Thomas Walsh, one of Mr. Wesley's preachers, died, aged 28 years. This young man was not only remarkable for earnestness and abundant success in his ministry. but likewise for his almost unparalleled acquaintance with the scriptures in their original tongues. Such a master of bible-knowledge," says Mr. Wesley, “I never knew before, and never expect to see again."

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On August 8th, the sixteenth Conference began in London. The doctrine of christian perfection was again considered; but nearly the whole time of the Conference was occupied in examining the preachers. The result was highly satisfactory, notwithstanding the severity of the scrutiny. "Wednesday, 8th, our Conference began," says Mr. Wesley, "the time of which was almost entirely employed in examining whether the spirit and lives of our preachers were suitable to their profession. On Saturday, in the afternoon, we concluded. Great was the unanimity and love that reigned among us; and if there were any who hoped or feared the contrary, they were happily disappointed."

From this time the moral, religious, and ministerial character of the preachers was closely examined at every annual Conference, and every case of incompetency or delinquency that was discovered was promptly dealt with according to its demerits. Á discipline so strict as this may

be looked for elsewhere, but it will be looked for in vain. The natural consequence was, that the Methodist Conference and Methodist ministry generally, was kept in a state of far greater efficiency and purity than could have been otherwise secured; and for good sense, sterling ability, ardent zeal, and fervent piety, Methodist preachers, as a body, became unsurpassed, if not unequalled, by any other body of men in existence.

CHAPTER IX.-From the year 1760, till 1770.

1760. On August 29th, the seventeenth Conference began at Bristol. Contrary winds detained Mr. Wesley in Ireland about a week beyond the time he had arranged to meet with his preachers. Because of this delay he only spent two days in Conference with them. Mr. Wesley observes that they "had been waiting for him all the week."--Without him the preachers could do nothing. In those days if he were absent, there could not be a Methodist Conference.

On October 25th, George the Third succeeded his grandfather, George the Second, to the British throne. From the young king everything just and honourable was expected; and religion, it was considered, might safely calculate upon the royal favour

and support. These expectations were happily realized. He adhered through life to the noble declaration which he made in his firsť address, viz :— "That it was his fixed purpose, as the best means to draw down the Divine favour on his reign, to countenance and encourage the practice of true religion and virtue, and maintain the toleration inviolable." It is almost needless to remark that this "fixed purpose" of his Majesty was carried out to an unparalleled extent. The Methodists, it is commonly believed, were particularly noticed and favoured by him. Piety is amiable in all, but when found in royalty it is invested with a peculiar charm. Religion in a king-devotion in a monarch-is such an admirable union of amiability and majesty-of moral beauty and power-that we cannot but consider it the perfection of human nature.

This year a most remarkable revival began in the connexion. Methodism itself was but an extensive revival of evangelical religion, but at this time, Methodism itself received a new impulse. Many hundreds of persons who had for several years remained almost stationary in spiritual things, were now blessed with an extraordinary effusion of the Holy Ghost, and became the partakers of the purity and enjoyment of entire sanctification. And wherever" says Mr. Wesley “the work of santification increased, the whole work of God increased in all its branches. Many were convinced of sin, many justified, and many backsliders healed." This "glorious work" rapidly spread through most parts of England, and a

great part of Ireland. But a great revival of genuine religion like this could not be allowed to proceed unmolested. It could not be stopped, but, as Mr. Myles observes, "when Satan could not hinder, he strove to disgrace it." The fervent zeal of some of the leading revivalists in the London society, degenerated into a wild fanaticism. They became religious madmen. This mental disease manifested itself in a variety of ways. Mere feelings and impressions were relied upon, when unauthorised, and even opposed by the bible. The discernment of spirits, and the spirit of prophecy, were claimed, and their opponents were treated with acrimonious contempt. Because of the spirit of prophecy which they pretended was bestowed upon them, they predicted with confidence that the world would be destroyed on February 28th, 1762; but they found, to their confusion, that for some mysterious reason, the conflagration was postponed. Mr. Wesley was, at first, inclined to deal leniently with these enthusiastic dreamers, because of the good mixed up with the evil; but when he saw the extensive mischief they were doing, he zealously and firmly opposed them, both in public and private. A division was the natural consequence; Mr. Maxfield and George Bell, the two leading London fanatics, drawing after them a considerable number of followers. 66 Poor George Bell is still alive," say Messrs. Coke and Moore in the year 1792, "but he makes no pretentions to religion. He has been for many years a deplorable instance of the danger which arises even to truly pious

persons from giving place to any impression that does not agree with the only true standard, the word of God."

1761. On September 1st the eighteenth Conference began in London. Mr. Wesley tells us that the work of God was "swiftly increasing;" and he found it necessary, on account of the fanaticism of some of the men who were connected with the work, to warn his preachers against patronizing and defending their religious extravagance.

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1762. On August 9th the nineteenth Conference began in Leeds. Mr. Wesley remarks our Conference began on Tuesday morning, and we had great reason to praise God for his gracious presence from the beginning to the end."

On November 2nd Mr. Wesley wrote an earnest and powerful letter to Mr. Maxfield, the leader of the fanatical party in London. It had no effect upon him however, his pretended inspirations having raised him far beyond the reach of argu

ment.

1763. On April 7th the Rev. Mr. Grimshaw died, in the 55th year of his age, and in the 21st from his settlement at Haworth. Though a clergyman of the Church of England, he was much attached to the people called Methodists, and wrote a powerful pamphlet in their defence. He even acted in the capacity of "assistant" to Mr. Wesley. His piety was fervent; his zeal in the cause of God untiring; and his usefulness extensive. "His behaviour throughout his last sickness," says Mr. Wesley, was of a piece with