"I write to you, my dear friend and companion in the tribulation of Jesus, our common Lord and Saviour; who is, and shall be, our glory, in this world, and in that which is to come! I am waiting for my place with earnest longing; and am truly desirous of being near my blessed Lord. I am more than ever couvinced of this truth, that the degrees in heaven will astonish thousands. And should not we see our privileges on earth? O! let us labor with this view every day. We have not long to work; and, therefore, may we suffer all his will!

"I am enabled to consider your calling, and how much you may be drawn from your own purpose. In this I say, 'Thy will be done!'

"Please inform us of the time of your coming, and so abide; because many are kept in a state of suspense, which is rather uncomfortable for us.

Yet God

"We are unworthy: I feel this! is among the people, saving and filling. But we want you; and God will come with you. Do come immediately, and let me know the time. Our love to you and all friends.

"Yours, &c.

"WM. BRAMWELL."

LETTER XIII.

To Miss Barrett.

Taghill, Nottingham, October 16, 1800.

"MY DEAR SISTER,-I was much affected when I came home and found you were gone; especially as we had both promised for Dunnington circuit and Leicester, and thousands were waiting for you at Mount Sorrel.

There is such an opening for you in that country as I never saw before.

"I bless God that you ever came among us. Were it in the order of God, I should not have the least objection to stand by you in every place till we take our seats in glory. Pray for us every day. I trust I shall ever pray for you. "I have had a powerful season at Bulwell; several souls saved. The same at Watnal, and last night at Eastwood. Glory, glory, glory to God! Please write to me soon, and tell me of your journeys and labors in every place. The Lord bless you all! and may thousands be saved! "Yours, &c.

"WM. BRAMWELL."

CHAPTER X.

Mr. Bramwell is appointed to travel in Leeds-His great popularity and usefulness-His qualifications for the ministry-Letters-Some severe trials-Begins to travel in the Wetherby circuit, and afterward in Hull— Anecdotes-Letters.

IN 1801, the conference was held at Leeds. Many of the friends in this town were particu

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larly desirous of having Mr. Bramwell stationed here. Their request was granted by conference, as a favor and Messrs. Barber and Reece were appointed his colleagues. Previous to his arrival, many had entertained unfavorable sentiments concerning his ministerial talents; and, indeed, the opinion has perhaps been too prevalent, that if a man enter heartily into what has been termed THE REVIVAL, or, in other words, if he encourage prayer meetings, and exhort plain simple people to unite in carrying on the work of God, this is a manifest proof of his being a person of only ordinary abilities. Now, were this sentiment actually correct, it would only prove, that the Lord is pleased at times to "choose the foolish things of the world to confound the wise." But the sentiment is extremely erroneous; for it is a fact which none will be disposed to question, that Mr. Wesley was a man of the most profound erudition, and it is well known that he was the decided friend and advocate of the work of God. No one can

peruse his journals, which have been very properly called a " History of Revivals," without being convinced of the truth of this remark. Mr. Bramwell had not, however, been long in the circuit before the mist of prejudice was completely dispelled; and he was soon regarded as an eminent minister of the Gospel.

From my great and close intimacy with him I had frequent opportunities of judging of his intellectual qualifications, and I think it proper here to state, that he had acquired an extensive acquaint

ance with the arts and sciences, could read the Scriptures in their original tongues,* and had obtained a knowledge of the French language.

Considering his disadvantages during the early part of his life, it will be readily granted that he could not have mean ideas of human learning. How many laborious days, perhaps years, must he have spent in obtaining those ministerial abilities which, through Divine grace, rendered him so useful in the Church. He was a good sermonizer, and no one was more orthodox or pure in the doctrines which he taught. They who did not attend minutely to his sermons, not readily perceiving his divisions, the formality of which he always despised, considered them as rhapsodies without connection. But he never preached without a plan; and his mode of treating subjects was often ingenious and original. His ardor for the salvation of sinners, and the assistance which he received from the Holy Spirit, frequently exalted him above all formal preachers. Because he was eminently holy and faithful, the Most High condescended to render his preaching effectual to an amazing and unwonted exThat he had good natural talents, is unquestionable; but the entire abandonment of the wish to shine, was the most consummate victory he ever achieved over the flesh. It was his glory to render himself a servant to all, so

tent.

* To render the Hebrew letters familiar to him, he was accustomed for some time to write his journal in the characters of that language.

that he might win souls. He saw that the heart remained unchanged after the most studied harangues and eloquent orations. The weapons he wielded were, the mighty arms of faith and prayer; and when he beheld Satan's kingdom falling, and crumbling beneath their powerful energy, he scorned all adventitious aids, considering ornament as the destruction of their simplicity and effect.

He was frequently consulted both concerning temporal and spiritual things; and many derived peculiar benefit from his judicious and very friendly advice. He well knew how to "condescend to men of low estate," and the poorest members of a society could approach him without the least embarrassment. Far from assuming an air of consequence or superiority while in the company of the humblest followers of Christ, he endeavored by his endearing and affable conduct, to convince them that he was a friend and a brother. Abhorring the fashionable practice of pretending not to know a poor man in the streets, he heartily greeted him. And if his advice was sought about any matter, he would, if disengaged, stand and give it: if he was busy, he would kindly inform the person, that he could not then be detained, but would see him at any other opportunity. Some who were poor and godly, occasionally invited him to take tea with them. He always went if he was at liberty. Several friends and neighbors usually assembled, and great was the enjoyment which they had in each other's company.

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