read, and I was then questioned respecting the sermon, a part of which I could generally repeat. Dinner, as breakfast, was taken in silent haste, after which we were not suffered to walk, even in the garden, but every one must either read, or hear reading, until the bell gave the signal for afternoon service, from which we returned to private devotion, to reading, to catechising, to examination, and long family prayer, which closed the most laborious day of the week. It was the custom for many of our visiting friends to unite with us in these evening exercises, to the no small gratification of my father; it is true, especially after he became an invalid, he was often extremely fatigued, but, upon these occasions, the more he suffered, the more he rejoiced, since his reward would be the greater, and indeed his sufferings, of every deacription, were to him a never-failing source of consolation. In fact, this devotional life became to him second nature, but it was not so to his family. For myself, I was alternately serious, and wild, but never very moderate in any thing. My father rejoiced in my devotional frames, and was encouraged to proceed, as occasion was given, in the good work of whipping, admonishing, and praying. I continued to repeat my pious resolutions, and, still more to bind my soul, I once vowed a vow unto the Lord,-kissing the book for the purpose of adding to its solemnity,—that I would no more visit the pleasure grounds, nor again associate with those boys, who had been my companions. Almost immediately after this transaction I attended a thundering preacher, who, taking for his text that command of our Saviour, which directs his disciples to "swear not at all," gave me to believe I had committed a most heinous transgression, in the oath that I had taken ; nay, he went so far as to assure his hearers, that to say, upon my word," was an oath, a very horrid oath, since it was tantamount to swearing by Jesus Christ, inasmuch as he was the word, who was made flesh for us, and dwelt among us. This sermon rendered me for a long season truly wretched, while I had no individual to whom I could confide my distresses. To my father I dared not even name my secret afflictions, and my mother, as far as the tenderness of her nature would permit, was in strict unison with her venerated husband. The depression of my spirits upon this occasion was great, and enduring; but for revolving months I continued what they called a good boy, I was attentive to my book, carefully following the directions which were given me, and, on my return from school, instead of squandering the hours of intermission with idle associates, I immediately retired to the

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garden, which constituted one of the first pleasures of my life; in fact, the cultivation of fruits, and flowers, has, in every period of my existence, continued to me a prime source of enjoyment. My paternal grandmother was the Lady Bountiful of the parish; having made it her study, she became an adept in the distillation of simples, she had a very large garden adjoining to my father's, and she cultivated an amazing variety of plants. As I was her favourite assistant, she gradually obtained my father's permission, that I should appropriate to her a large part of my time, and the hours which I consequently devoted to this venerable lady, in her garden, and in her habitation, were to me halcyon hours. It was my study to enrich her grounds with every choice herb, or flower, which met my gaze, and I was ever on the alert to collect plants of the most rare description. This was confessedly an innocent amusement; it would bear reflection, and was therefore delightful. Alas! alas! it was too replete with felicity to be continued. I was soon compelled to relinquish my pleasant occupation. My father found it necessary to remove from the neighbourhood of his mother, and her garden no more bloomed for me.

We were speedily established in the vicinity of a nobleman's seat, in which was instituted an academy of high reputation. It was under the direction of an Episcopalian clergyman, who, being well acquainted with, and much attached to my father, had frequent opportunities of hearing me recite many chapters from the bible, which I had committed to memory, and becoming fond of me, he earnestly importuned my father to surrender me up to his care. "He shall live in my family," said he; "he shall be unto me as a son, I will instruct him, and when opportunity offers, he shall become a member of the University: he has a prodigious memory, his understanding needs only to be opened, when he will make the most rapid progress." But my father, trembling for my spiritual interest, if removed from his guardian care, returned to this liberal proposal the most unqualified negative, and my writingmaster immediately sought, and obtained the situation for his son, who was about my age. In this academy many noblemen's sons were qualified for Trinity College, Dublin, and in a few years one of those ennobled students, selected my fortunate schoolmate as a companion; he passed through Trinity College, and received its honours, from which period I never again beheld him, until I saw him in a pulpit in the city of London.

Though my social propensities, at every period of my life greatly predominated, yet the close attention paid me by my father, greatly

abridged every enjoyment of this description. Yet I did form one dear connexion, with whom I held sweet converse. But of the society of this dear youth I was soon deprived. Recalled by his family, he was to leave town upon a Sunday morning, and instead of going to Church, I took my way to his lodgings, for the purpose of bidding him a last farewell. The ill health of my father prevented him from attending Church on that day, but tidings of my delinquency were conveyed to him by a gentleman of his acquaintance, and my punishment, as I then believed, was more than proportioned to my fault. Still, however, I had sufficient hardihood to run great hazards. A review of several regiments of soldiers was announced; I could not obtain leave to be present, yet, for the purpose of witnessing a sight so novel, I was determined to take the day to myself; I suffered much through the day from hunger, and I anticipated my reception at home. In the evening, I stopped at a little hut, where the homely supper smoked upon the frugal board; the cottagers had the goodness to press me to partake with them; my heart blessed them; I should, like Esau, have given my birthright, had it been mine to bestow, for this entertainment; but, blessings on the hospitable inhabitants of this island, they make no demands either upon friend, or stranger; every individual is welcome to whatever sustenance either their houses, or their huts, afford. I sat down, and I eat the sweetest meal I ever eat in my life, the pleasure of which I have never yet forgotten, although the paternal chastisement, which followed, was uncommonly severe.

He had for

The time now approached when it was judged necessary I should engage in some business, by which I might secure the necessaries of life. The conscience of my father had deprived me of an estate, and of a collegiate education, and it was incumbent upon him to make some provision for me. But what was to be done? If he sent me abroad, I should most unquestionably contract bad habits. Well then, he would bring me up himself; but this was very difficult. some time thrown up business, and new expenses must be incurred. Finally, however, I commenced my new career, and under the eye of my pains-taking father. I did not however like it; yet I went on well, and, dividing my attention between my occupation and my garden, I had little leisure. It was at this period I began once more to experience the powerful operation of religion, and secret devotion became my choice. Perhaps no one of my age ever more potently felt the joys, and sorrows of Religion. The Methodists had followed us to our new

situation, and they made much noise; they courted, and obtained the attention of my father, and he now joined their society. They urged him to become a preacher, but his great humility, and his disbelief of Arminianism were insuperable bars. He was nevertheless a powerful assistant to the Methodists. Mr. John Wesley was a great admirer of my father, and he distinguished him beyond any individual in the society; perseveringly urging him to become the leader of a class, and to meet the society in the absence of their preachers to all which my father consented. I think I have before observed, that I was devoted to the Methodists, and for the very reason that rendered my father apprehensive of them, they were very social. The Methodists in this, as in every other place, where they sojourned, by degrees established a permanent residence. They first preached in the streets, practised much self-denial, and mortification, inveighed against the standing religion of the country, as impious and hypocritical, declaring the new birth only to be found among them. To this general rule, they, however, allowed my father to be an exception; and his open espousal of their cause contributed greatly to building them up. They gained many proselytes, it became the fashion for multitudes to become religious; and it is in religion as in every thing else, where once it is followed by a multitude, multitudes will follow. The very children becamé religious. A meeting-house was speedily obtained, a society was formed, and classes of every description regularly arranged. There was one class of boys; it consisted of forty, and Mr. John Wesley appointed me their leader. Twice in the course of every week this class met in a private apartment. The business of the leader was to see that the members were all present; for this purpose he was furnished with a list of their names, and when they were all assembled, the leader began by singing a hymn. I was once pronounced a good singer, and although I never had patience to learn music by note, I readily caught every tune I heard, and my notes were seldom false. I repeat, that I was delighted with the music introduced by the Methodists. I collected their most enchanting tunes, and singing them frequently in my class, I abtained much applause. Prayer succeeded the hymn; I was accustomed to extemporary prayer, I had usually prayed in sincerity, and my devotion upon these occasions was glowing, and unfeigned. Examination followed the prayer; I examined every individual separately, respecting the work of God upon his heart, and both the questions, and responses, evinced great simplicity, and pious sincerity. A word of

general advice next ensued, a second hymn was sung, and the whole concluded with prayer. This was a most delightful season, both for my parents, and myself. I became the object of general attention, my so ciety was sought by the grey-headed man, and the child. My experience was various, and great; in fact, I had experienced more of what is denominated the work of God upon the heart, than many, I had almost said than any, of my seniors, my parents excepted. Devout persons pronounced that I was, by divine favour, destined to become a burning, and a shining light; and from these flattering appearances my father drew much consolation. I was frequently addressed, in his presence, as the child of much watching, and earnest prayer; this, to my proudlypious parent was not a little flattering; it was then that I derived incalculable satisfaction, from these very legible marks of election: And though the Methodists insisted, that the doctrine of election, before repentance and faith, was a damnable doctrine; yet they admitted, that, after the manifestation of extraordinary evidences, the individual, so favoured, was unquestionably elected. Thus by the concurrent testimonies of Calvinists, and Arminians, I was taught to consider myself as distinguished, and chosen of God; as certainly born again. Yet, as it was next to impossible to ascertain the moment of my new birth, I became seriously unhappy, but from this unhappiness I was rescued, by reading accounts of holy and good men in similar circumstances ; I now therefore lived a heaven upon earth, beloved, caressed, and admired. No longer shut up under my father's watchful care, I was allowed to go out every morning at five o'clock to the house of public worship; there I hymned the praises of my God, and united in fervent prayer with the children of the faithful; meeting several of my young admiring friends, we exchanged experiences, we mingled our joys and our sorrows, and, by this friendly intercourse, the first was increased, and the second diminished. In all our little meetings we were continually com→ plaining to, and soothing each other, and these employments were truly delightful. The mind cannot be intently occupied on contrary matters at the same time, and my mind being filled with devotion, my waking and my sleeping moments were invariably engaged in religious pursuits; it was in truth my meat, and my drink, to do what I believed the will of my heavenly Father. At this period, I should have been wrecked upon the sand-built foundation of self-righteousness, as many of my young friends were, had it not been for the unbroken vigilance of an experienced and tender father. He saw the danger of too great