our pleasure. Such victory is gained, such salvation is accomplished! We are nothing, and feel it; and we can do nothing without God; hence we give him all the praise of every good thought and action.

666

Keep yourself in the love of God.' I have known several who have received it, and some who have lost it. We need not lose it. We may stand, for God is able to keep us for ever. Live in it, talk about it, preach it, and enforce it with all patience, with all kindness; and if you do this, hell, the world, and numbers among the Methodists, yea, some leaders, if not preachers, will in some artful way seek to hinder your success. But what are you to do in your station? Pray without ceasing.' Be led like a lamb to the slaughter; be dumb, not opening your mouth.' At the same time, never be moved, never give the least way. I have known several who were beaten from their practice. What did the late J. Brown say to me on the subject? He was handled in a strange manner, and by those who should have lifted up his hands.. But there is a day of Judgment! If there should be any thing extravagant in your manner, always be willing to acknowledge it; but take care that you are not unawares drawn from the LIFE, and sink into the common mass of DEATH.

"There never was a time when we preachers had greater need to tremble. And Satan's method now is to keep us in the dark. Labor to show yourself approved as a preacher. I would labor, sometimes night and day, to have

good sermons.

But take care,

that your

end,

There is too much

6

It was said of one

in all your reading and study, be TO SAVE SOULS; keep this ONE END in view. labor now TO BE POPULAR. man at the conference, that he labored for an hour to make the preachers and the people think that he knew something.' O poor labor! Are not numbers now thus laboring? I see them, and I see they do nothing. How shall such give an account to God? A man goes into a circuit with this view, 'I am determined I will make this circuit know I am somebody! My brother Stones, the salvation of souls, and if possible, a soul brought to God in every day's labor, is of the greatest consequence. We shall be glad to see you whenever you can come. Give my love to Mr. and Mrs. Jackson.

"I am yours very affectionately,

"WM. BRAMWELL."

CHAPTER XIII.

Mr. Bramwell's labors in London-His indispositionLetters-His removal to Newcastle-Letters.

In the year 1814 Mr. Bramwell was appointed to labor in the London West Circuit; and from the ideas which he had previously formed concerning the gayety and dissipation of the metropolis, that appointment was to him a source of considerable and painful perplexity. Indeed, his entrance on a new circuit was very generally a time of great conflict; and therefore it

is natural to suppose, that when about to engage in a spiritual warfare among the rich and the great in London, his mind would be unusually affected. However, he requested his Christian friends to unite with him in earnest prayer that the Lord of hosts might accompany him and crown his labors with abundant success. As he was well known in the Methodist connection as an active leader in revivals, there were various and conflicting opinions respecting him; in consequence of which, great numbers soon flocked to hear the new preacher. The fol lowing letter clearly exhibits his views and feelings on his entrance into this circuit :

LETTER LVII.

To Mr. Thomas Crowther.

"MY DEAR BROTHER,-I

"Chelsea, 1814. suppose you will

by this time be returned from Scarbro'. I hope you have kept yourself in prayer, and in the love of God. Many lose ground at the watering places; and one cause may be, some go without reason, or have no proper argument for being there. God will keep us in his own way. Nothing can harm us if we be true followers of him. O that we may increase with the increase of God!

"I had a sore conflict respecting my appointment; but in my first meeting, the Lord poured out his softening Spirit. One man was so filled that he praised God aloud. I perceived at that

time and since, that my coming here is of God. I have had several extraordinary seasons, and have been generally well received. A number have been justified, and some awakened. I have been in all the chapels, and given many tickets. But we want METHODISM, DISCIPLINE, RELIGION. The Lord, the Lord God of Israel, help and bless us in all we have to do! I am weaker than ever, and nothing less than his almighty power can support me in this place. I have found a number of children from different places, who now reside here; several of whom I had not before known. This gives me joy. What shall we meet in the great day of God? Our situation in Chelsea is quite to our minds a pleasant garden, &c. Yet we have a vast population around us. The society here is small and very low. A great debt rests on the chapel, and few seats have been let. We hope to see a change. God is able. We preach only twice on the Sunday, and meet the societies; and on week nights about three times; much the same as at Birstal. My regular walking to my places, &c. is about thirty miles per week. But the friends will provide me beds at some of the places. I am quite satisfied in being here rather than at any of the other places, for several reasons. O what I feel when I consider the state of London! Ten hundred thousand people! Thirty thousand prostitutes! But so few of God-fearing persons! I often think of what the disciples said to our Lord: 'Behold what manner of stones, and what buildings are

here! yet all shall be thrown down!' The thought of such numbers in the way to destruction, is nearly more than I can bear. Yet, with God, it is possible to bear me up. Pour out thy Spirit, O Almighty God! Send us a flood from thy throne, and send it soon! Amen and Amen! Your affectionate brother,

"WM. BRAMWELL."

It was not long, however, before the Lord made bare his arm, and gave his servant to see his good pleasure prosper in his hand. Some letters addressed to his friends, had we room to quote them, would show that all his previous fears concerning his new station were soon removed, and that he was quite satisfied with his appointment.

While he was thus successfully and pleasantly laboring in the Lord's vineyard, he was again called to experience great bodily affliction. From the following letters it will be seen that he had a return of his old complaint, the rheumatism, which, for a short time, rendered him incapable of labor, but which could not for a moment deprive him of the consolations of religion:

LETTER LVIII.

To Mr. William Stones.

"London, January 9, 1815.

"MY DEAR Brother,—I should have written to you long ago; I have only been pre