Entering the chapel, the younger fon (forty-two years of age, and in Deacon's orders) made a low obeisance; a few paces further, a lower; and coming to the half-pace, which was at the east end, where the table stood, he bowed to the ground; then went up into a fair large reading-place, a preaching-place being of the fame proportion, right over against it. The mother, with her train, had a fair island-feat. He placed me above, upon the half-pace with two fair long window-cushions of green velvet before me. Over-against me there was fuch another feat so suited, but no body to fit in it. The daughter's four fons kneeled all the while at the edge of the half-pace, all in black gowns, and as they went to Church in round Monmouth caps (as my man faid, for I looked not back) the reft all in black, fave one of the daughters, who was in a green gown.

We being thus placed, the Deacon (for fo I must now call him) with a very loud and distinct voice, began with the litany, read divers prayers and collects in the book of. Commonprayer, and Athanafius' creed, and concluded with the peace of God, &c.

All ended, the mother, with all her company, attended my coming down; but her fon, the Deacon, told her I would stay awhile, to view the chapel: fo (with all their civil falutations towards me, which I returned them a far off) they departed home.

Now, none but the Deacon and I being left, I observed the chapel in general to be fairly and sweetly adorned with herbs and flowers, natural in some parts, and artificial upon every pillar thereof along both fides, such as are in the cathedrals,

with tapers on every pillar. The half-pace at the upper end (for there was no other division betwixt the body of the chapel and the east part) was all covered with tapestry, and upon the half-pace stood the communion-table, with a very large rich carpet hanging upon the half-pace, and some plate, as a

chalice and candlestick, with wax candles.

VOL. III.

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By By the preaching-place stood the font, the leg, laver and cover, all of brass, cut and carved. I asked for the organs; he told me they were not there, but in their house. Being now near twelve o'clock, we ended our discourse, and I called for my horses, hoping thereupon, that he would have invited me to stay dinner, that I might have gained more time to have observed their fashions: but instead of making me stay, be alfo called for my horfes, accompanying me even to my stirrup; as we met friends, so we parted. Many more queftions I thought on, when it was too late, and yet, you fee, I was not idle for the short time I stayed.

They are extraordinary well reported of by their neighbours, that they are very liberal to the poor, at great cost in preparing of physic and surgery for the fick and fore, whom they alfo vifit often, and fome, sixty, or eighty poor people they task with catechistical questions, which, when they come, and can make answer thereunto, they are rewarded with money and a dinner, by reason of which the poor Catechumens learn their lessons well, and their bodies and fouls are well fed. I find them full of humanity, and liberality, and others speak as much of their charity, which I alfo verily believe, and therefore am far from cenfuring them, of whom I think much better than of myself.

[From Mr. J. Walsh, to the Rev. Mr. Wefley.]

Dear Sir,

Knightsbridge, Oct. 16, 1759.

IN N my m letter, of April 30th, you received a circumftantial account of my fister's departure for Antigua. Wherefore I now tranfcribe a few passages out of a letter which I received from her, the gth instant.

"From

"From Portsmouth, we weighed anchor, about ten o'clock; the day quite clear and pleasant: I spent most part of it upon deck, to take a long leave of land. Our fleet confifled of about seventy fail. After two days, we entered the mouth of the Bay of Biscay; and the fame evening, God was pleased to try us by a storm, which continued twenty four hours: the preparations for it were very alarming, orders being given by the Officers to fasten down the hatches, lash more fecurely the guns, and put up dead lights at the cabin windows. Mrs. Gilbert, the children, and myself, went to bed, being very fick; nor did we rise till it was quite over: but Mr. G-, who is certainly the tenderest and best of men, spent most of the time with us in prayer; and at other times in looking out, informing us of the situation of our own and other ships. We found great reason to give God thanks for the blowing weather we met with in the river, as it had been a means of our taking in more ballast; without which, nothing less than a miracle could have preferved us from perishing. Our ship being still very crank, lay gunnel-to, with the forecastle under water; and the fea running in at the port-holes, made a dismal appearance. Before I proceed, I know my brother will be defirous of knowing what state my foul was then in: and may I ever remember it with humility and gratitude! I had my foul filled with such peace, joy, and refignation, as entirely cast out all fear. I was happy beyond expreffion. Mr. G often asked me, if I feared? or, if I was forry I came with them? To both which questions I could truly, and constantly answer, "No." I faw they laboured under distress of foul: and hereby the work was alfo carried on in them. For these mercies, and for deliverance from the danger, help us in praising our good God. I am much delighted with the fea, in all its forms; but particularly after a storm, when the waves run up and down in mountains and vales, with the white foam that breaks at the top. I have fat an hour or two at a time, alone in the gallery,

S$ 2

!

lery, to see the fun setting and the ships failing; and my meditations have been sweet. How have I then exulted in the thought, "This awful God is mine; my Father, and my Friend!" I thank God I was not sea-sick three days, put it all together, the whole voyage; but I found my head a little heavy in the hot weather, and was let blood. Mr. Gconftantly preached, and the people attended: some seemed affected. Since our arrival he has only done it in his own family; as there has been no opening to preach in public. On the 13th of June we arrived in English Harbour. Here we met a very alarming circumstance: a ship of war, which lay quite near, taking fire. This made us haften áshore, as our danger would have been great, had she blown up.

"I was much tried upon land, for this only reason, my being a Methodift.

All is strange: the place, the produce; the cuftoms, and manners. I am, as if in a new world! I should have been glad to have wrote a longer, and more correct letter; but must acquaint my dear brother, I am but just recovered from a pretty sharp fit of the fever; and am very weak.

" I find my foul still happy in God: and I trust your foul grows in grace. I am much enlarged in prayer for you; and for the whole church of God. Surely we meet often in spirit, at the fame throne. Here is the christian's privilege; and this lessens the lengths of distance that lie between us.

" May you, if it please God, enjoy health of body; but above all, may you be daily renewed in the spirit of your mind, and more and more enjoy the love and power of God, which is, and shall be, the prayer of

Your truly affectionate Sifter,

In the dear Lord Jefus,

MARY LEADBETTER."

LETTER

[From the Hon. and Rev. Mr. S-r-y, to the Rev.

Mr. Wefley.]

Rev. and most dear Sir,

January 12, 1760.

Though I had not the happiness of feeing you when I was

in England, yet I do not the less retain the fincerest love and esteem for your person, whom I know in my heart to be a chofen vessel to the Lord; who feem indeed in a peculiar manner to be fet as a mark, at whom the devil may shoot his empty shafts, warded off by the shield of faith, through the grace of God, given unto you.

In my way to this place, I passed some time among the Chriftians at Dublin, Athione, and Aghrim; though at the latter of these I had little conversation with any but Mr. and Mrs. Wade. I trust they are in earnest, and that Mr. Wade will speedily make a noble struggle in the strength of the Lord, to burft the bonds that hold him.

I am grieved to say, I met with heavy complaints of coldness, and deadness in the things of God at Athlone; and the reason that was given me for it, will perhaps startle you. Many told me, that four or five years ago, there was the sweetest harmony and love among them conceivable; but that fince that time, a little narrow spirit broke out, much to the prejudice of the work of God.

The generality of the Methodists (especially those who are properly speaking of the Established Church) have ever been, and are still perfuaded, that the intention and defire of your heart, was to fee the Church (or rather the members of the Church) of England reformed, but not divided; and that you constantly pressed the people to attend the public service. But certain at Athlone, have not only refrained from going to Church themselves, but have likewise prevailed on others so to