true, cultivated as it had been by the study of the character and attributes of his Maker, that the smallest deviations from rectitude were readily detected by him, and the internal springs of human action readily deduced.

"The peculiar plainness of his dress, he used to remark, gave him opportunity frequently for detecting the petty foibles that dwell in the heart of man.

"He was a delegate to the General Conference of 1828, which held its sittings at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. When he came forward to have his quarters assigned him, the committee looked at him, then looked at each other, seemed rather nonplussed, and turned aside to deliberate; all of which resulted in sending Wilkerson away off across the river, perhaps to the village of Alleghany. He made no remonstrance, but quietly submitted. In a few days, through a friend, an invitation was procured for him to go and dine at a wealthy man's table. He went; and after the usual courses of the dinner had been dispatched, wine was brought out. All the other guests were served first, when the host turned to him:

"Will you have port, sir?'

"No, I thank you, sir.'

"Will you have sherry?' "No, sir.'

"Perhaps, then, you will take a glass of small beer?'

"If you please, sir.'

"Ah, yes!' rudely responded the host, 'that is

about as high as we can elevate a backwoods Methodist preacher.'

"Wilkerson felt, but, with characteristic meekness, did not resent the ill treatment.

"The Committee on Public Worship waited upon him, and informed him that he was appointed to preach at a certain time and place. He told them, no; that he was out of the corporation, beyond their jurisdiction, and they must get some one else to do their preaching. They waited upon him a second time, and received the same reply. A third time they came, and mentioned his appointment, and fortified their authority by telling him that Bishop George said he must preach. He told them that if the Bishop said so he had no more to say, for he belonged to the Bishop and respected his authority. The appointment assigned was in one of the most prominent churches of the city, and it was a Sabbath-evening occasion. A great many of the preachers were present, and a great many citizens. The Holy Spirit aided him in a remarkable degree. He lashed the follies and vices that he daily saw exhibited, both among the preachers and the laity; and, after having fully secured the attention of the congregation, he burst forth into one of those appeals of melting tenderness which his heart was so capable of uttering, and to which the Spirit gave unusual power, and the whole audience was melted into tears. Mourners were invited to the

altar of prayer. Numbers came. A time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord appeared, and sinners were happily converted. Wilkerson's

star reached the ascendant; and now came what he disliked more than all the ill treatment his homespun had brought upon him.

"The man who had insulted him at his table met him on the street, and, extending his hand, exclaimed, in a very cordial manner: Why, how do you do, Brother Wilkerson? I have just found you out. You must come and make my house your home,' etc., etc. The preachers, very charitably, determined to make up a purse and buy him a suit of clothes. Several of them were speaking of it in the presence of good old Bishop George, who knew Wilkerson at home. A mischievous twinkle played in the corner of the old Bishop's eye as he remarked to them: Why, brethren, if you were blacked, he could buy half of you.'

"But above all the other characteristics of this estimable old man, his piety shone resplendent. It was a piety that begat meekness, gentleness, temperance, patience, long-suffering, brotherly kindness, charity; a piety that lived and breathed in all his words and acts; a piety that made him a most estimable citizen, a kind neighbor, a feeling and tender master, a devoted husband; a piety conspicuous in the pulpit, palpable in the social circle, resplendent around the fireside; a piety that maintained his spirits in cheerfulness and hope through the vicissitudes and reverses of a long life of eightythree years; that enabled him to bear with meek resignation the loss of dear friends, and to say, despite the tears that bedimmed his eyes, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away: blessed

thunders resound, war with iro grave above; but my body sh has use for it, and he will tak judgment. My soul is his. I blessed be his name! it will re ful of grieving the Spirit by b depart. He said: "The grav place; death is a pleasant s weary of life's long labors. words he uttered were: "If go over, I would preach di have. I would preach more would strive to keep eternity minds of my people. What is Eternity is all.Ӡ

We close this sketch by th letter from the Rev. W. G. E. Holston Conference:

* Rev. George E. Naff, in Home Circle, +General Minutes M. E. Church, South

"He died at his residence, three miles east of Abingdon, Virginia, February 3, 1856, in the eightyfourth year of his age. His death was peaceful and beautiful, as his life had been pure and useful. His sun went down calmly, in as bright a sky as ever faded into night. He had for years been standing on the margin of the river, waiting his time to pass over. He used to say, when talking on the subject of death: 'Its bitterness has long been past with me. The grave is but a subterraneous passage to a better world. I shall suffer only a momentary obscuration, and then rise with my Lord, to die no more.' He died in the midst of his family, surrounded by sympathizing and devoted friends. He was buried in rear of the Methodist Church in Abingdon, where he sleeps quietly, in company with four fellow-laborers of the Holston Confer

ence.

"Father Wilkerson was a man of well-balanced character, distinguished for a sound understanding, lively fancy, tender sympathies, and profound piety. As a preacher, he was classed among the best of his day. To a thorough acquaintance with the Scriptures and Methodist theology, he added a deep knowledge of human nature, especially in its more profound and subjective experiences. Gentle and persuasive in manner, clear and logical in statement, his sermons were pleasing and instructive, and often overwhelmingly convincing. When inspired by his theme, he rose into the higher regions of pulpit eloquence. At such times he was one of the finest specimens of a gospel preacher ever