m .•'f , S'/'* ^^'? 1 k ' ^ ^'i' 1 1 Jifss! YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY THE ORPHAN-HOUSE. ERECTED BY MR WESLEY, 1742, OUTSIDE THE PILGEIM-STREET GATE, NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE. THE OEPHAN-HOUSE OE WESLEY; NOTICES OF EARLY METHODISM NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, AND ITS VICINITY. BY THE REV. WILLIAM W. STAMP. LONDON; PUBLISHED BY JOHN MASON, 2, CASTLE -STREET, FINSBUEY; SOLD AT 66, PATEENOSTEE-EOW. 1863. MU6^ ^l4- 12 \5 LONDON ; PRINTED BY R. NEEDHAM, PATERNOSTEE-ROW. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. In the attempt here made to trace the establishment and spread of Wesleyan Methodism in the northern districts of the country, the Orphan-House of Wesley, erected in the year 1742, outside the PUgrim-street Gate, New castle-upon-Tyne, is taken as an historic centre. In the early annals and subsequent appropriation of this ancient structure, and in the evangelizing influences emanating thence, when religious apathy or open ungod liness characterized the whole of the surrounding neigh bourhood, Wesleyans in general, it is apprehended, will feel a lively interest; whilst to those resident in the immediate vicinity few spots will appear surroimded with such a halo of pleasing and hallowed reminiscences as the "quaint old building," which was for a lengthened period the home of Wesley and his " helpers" when sojourning in the north. Its erection by the founder of the Body; the truly eminent and devoted men, giants-ecclesiastic of their day, who proclaimed within its walls the word of life; the impulse thereby given to surrounding churches ; the results attendant on its Sabbath-school, — the first, and for many years, the only institution VI INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. of the kind in the north of England ; the number of the sainted dead once associated with its worship and service; all render the "Old House" a place replete with interest. For much interesting information the Author is in debted to the "Journals of Wesley;" the earlier volumes of the " Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine;" the "Lives of Early Methodist Preachers;" various authentic bio graphic records still extant; Smith's "History of Wesleyan Methodism;" and also the valuable "Life of Charles Wesley," from the pen of the venerable Thomas Jackson, S.T.P. CONTENTS. CHAPTEb I. 1742, 1743. PAGE Mr. Wesley's first visit to Newcastle — Preaches in Sandgate — Great excitement — Mr. Charles Wesley labours for some weeks in Newcastle and its vicinity — Eobert Fairlamb — Jonathan Simpson — Matthew Errington — Mr. Wesley's second visit to Newcastle — Examination of the Society — Singular outward manifestations — Preaching at Whickham and Swalwell— Erec tion of the Orphan-House — The building described — Mr. Wesle/s study — The Quaker's dream — Friendliness of the vicar — Provisions of the Orphan-House Deed — Probable design of the erection — The Orphan-House at HaUe — Northern Daily Express 1 CHAPTEB II. 174a. Centres of Wesleyan effort — Origin of class-meetings — Lay-helpers — Examination of the Orphan-House Society — Kepeated out ward manifestations — Withdrawals and expulsions from the Society — ^Wesley preaches at Ohowden-Fell, South-Biddick, and Plessey — Cases of bodily excitement scrutinized by Charles Wesley — Preaching at Sunderland and Shields — First lovefeast held in Newcastle — The mob in Sandgate— Low-Spen Society organized — John Brown — Christopher Hopper — Jonathan Eee ves — Thomas Meyrick— Grace Murray 27 vm CONTENTS. CHAPTER III. 1743—1745. PAGE Methodism on the stage — Mobbing in Newcastle— Watson, the town-serjeant— Francis Scott— William Shent— John Nelson —John Downes— Thomas Beard, the Methodist proto-martyr — -Letter from WiUiam Briggs — Severe winter — An easily- besetting siu— Case between the Church and the Methodists stated- Singular introduction of Methodism into Osmotherley —Capture of Edinburgh by the Pretender— Great consterna tion in Newcastle — Means taken to defend the town — The Orphan-House in peril — Wesley at the camp on the town- moor 55 CHAPTER IV. 1746—1750. Fearful pestilence in Newcastle — Letter from John Nelson — Newcastle the head of a Circuit — Charles Wesley's visit — Methodism in Hexham — Letter of invitation from Mr. Ward robe, a pious Dissenting minister — Charles Wesley's hymns — Mr. Wesley's examination of the Orphan-House Society — An odd hindrance of brotherly love — Jeannie Keith — Joseph Cownley — Sacramental controversy — Certificate of Mr. Moore's ordination — Methodism in Morpeth, Alnwick, and Berwick — First Quarterly Meeting in Newcastle — Functions of Quar terly Meetings stated — Whitehaven added to the Newcastle Circuit 76 CHAPTER V. 1751—1769. Prosperous state of the Orphan-House Society — Jonathan Maskew — Thomas MitcheU — Difficulty of forming a Society at Alnmouth— Case of Mrs. Armstrong of Whickham— Singular custom at Alnwick — First formal appointment of preachers to the Newcastle Circuit — ^Death of Mrs. Hopper Efforts of Mr. Wesley to put down the practice of smuggUng at Sunder land — Pastoral letters of Mr. Grimshaw — WUliam Darney CONTENTS. ix PAGE Thomas Olivers— Entire sanctification sought after — Tendency towards Dissent — Miss Lewen, of Durham — Her legacy to Mr. Wesley— Matthew Lowes— Moseley Cheek— Death of Alexander Coates — Henry Jackson — WiUiam Mackford — John Haughton — Thomas Richards — Henry Thornton — Total extinction of chapel-debts — EUzabeth Hobson — Mr. WiUiam Smith — The step-granddaughters of Mr. Wesley — Remarkable preservation of Mr. Wesley, with Mrs. Smith and her children 100 CHAPTER VI. 1770—1791. Mr. Wesley at Morpeth — Thomas Eutherford — Eenewal of Orphan-House Deed — Wesley on attendance at class — Case of Quietism — Smuggling rife at Sunderland and Shields — Wesley's " Word to a Smuggler" — Singular case of John Reed — IUustration of Luke xvi. 31 — Re-arrangement ofthe Orphan- House classes — Sunderland the head of a Circuit — Foundation- stone of Alnwick chapel laid — A preaching-house without ( windows — Large congregations in Newcastle, and its vicinity j — Margaret Barlow and her angel — Abstract of quarter-day ' accounts, AprU, 1788 — Wesley's letter to WiUiam Percival — Chapel at North-Shields aUenated from Methodism — Second chapel at Shields claimed by the Earl of CarUsle — Alnwick the head of a Circuit — Sacramental disputes revived — ^Brian Bury CoUins — Orphan-House Sunday-school estabUshed — Letter from Wesley to Charles Atmore — School at Byker — Wesley's last northem tour — Sermon to Sunday-school cluldren — New form of settling preaching-houses — Orphan-House premises let on lease to WiUiam Smith and others — ^Alteration in Orphan- House gaUery — ^Erection of pews — ^Death of Wesley — Funeral sermon by Mr. Atmore 127 CHAPTER VII. 1791—1794. Mr. Wesley's Deed of Declaration — Conflicting views as to the economy of Methodism — Sacramental controversy — The HuU : CONTENTS. PAGE address — Reply from Newcastle to the HuU circular — First Conference after Wesley's death — District-Meetings instituted —Plan left by Mr. Wesley at his death differently viewed— Sacrament administered at Byker, by Mr. Cownley — Secession at Newcastle— Orphan-House property surreptitiously trans ferred—Mr. Atmore's version of the affair— Ordination of Messrs. Pritchard, Gaulter, and KUham, at the Orphan-House — First monthly appointment of preachers — The two sets of trustees combuied — Letter of trustees to Mr. Gaulter— Case of Newcastle Orphan-House presented to the District-Meeting— Dr. Coke directed to visit Newcastle — Terms of conoiUation agreed to — Suggestions as to the future economy of Methodism — The Lord's Supper aUowed to be administered at Byker and North-Shields 159, CHAPTEB VIII. 1795—1851. Articles ' of Pacification — 3jilham, an agitator — " Progress of Liberty" pubUshed — Letter of London preachers demanding investigation — Kilham's cynical "Examination" — Trial of KiUiam by Newcastle District-Meeting — The Newcastle "Address" — Benson's reply — Kilham's expulsion — Robert Johnson's letter to trustees — Their answer — Refusal of trustees to aUow service -in Church-hours — Cordwainers' HaU rented for Sabbath-worship — Early morning service conducted by trustees — Ebenezer chapel rented — Chapel in Westgate taken on lease — Death of Eobert Grey— Orphan- House opened in Church-hours— Appointment of new trustees — Erection of chapel in the New Eoad — First Missionary Meeting in Newcastle— Brunswick-place chapel opened— The Duke of Northumberland a contributor towards its erection —Ann Nichol — The Newcastle Circuit divided — District Sunday-School Society — Blenheim-street chapel opened — Centenary Meeting for the northern Districts — First Wes leyan Conference held in Newcastle — Ashanti princes- — Parker's Centenary picture presented to the Conference- Reform agitation ;[g]^ CONTENTS. XI CHAPTER IX. 1854—1857. PAGE Depressed state of affairs in the Newcastle Circuit — Scheme of relief sanctioned by the Orphan-House trustees — First day- school effoi-ts referred to — Appointment of provisional com mittee — Grant from Wesleyan Chapel-committee — Letter from Cliarity Commissioners reporting complaint of Orphan-House misappropriation — Answer of trustees' treasurer — School and chapel scheme submitted to the Charity Commissioners — Their sanction withheld — The Orphan-House declared a chaiitj per se — Embarrassing position of the trustees — Their case further stated to the Commissioners — Powers of the Board defined — Proposal of trustees to re-purchase the Orphan-House property — Notice and authorization of sale — Proceeds of sale transferred to the Official Trustees of Charitable Funds — Section of the Orphan-House land vested in trustees for the erection of Wesleyan day-schools — Names of trustees — Eenewal of the Brunswick-place and Blenheim-street chapel Deeds 216 CHAPTER X. 1856—1868. Farewell-sei'vice at the Orphan-House — Charles Hutton, LL.D. — WiUiam A. Hails— WUliam Potter— Mrs. Potter— John Simpson — Thomas Heath — John Todd — Walter Stone — John DagUsh — Charles N. Wawn — Jane Gibson — Thomas Stanley — Margaret Morrison — Ralph Wilson — Elizabeth Bargate — Richard Grainger — Public breakfast at the Exchange Hotel — Embryo Bible Society at the Orphan-House — Public procession — Foundation-stone of new Orphan-House schools laid by Mr. Falconar — Copy of document placed in the stone — Addresses by John B. Falconar, Esq., and Eev. John Scott — Architectural description of the school-building — Successful schools'-bazaar ¦ — Opening of the new Orphan-House schools — Concluding remarks 244 xn CONTENTS. APPENDIX. PAGE A. Copy of the Trust-Deed of Mr. Wesley's Orphan-House 267 B. The Eules of the Society, as first published by Mr. Wesley 272 C. Eeflections upon past Providences : a poem, by Mr. Wesley 277 D. Names of ministers successively appointed to the Newcastle Circuit, together with the number of members in Society, as pubUshed annually in the Minutes of the Conference 284 E. Plan of the Newcastle Circuit, issued in 1802 290 F. Abstract of the Model Chapel-Deed 292 G. Hymn sung at the laying of the foundation-stone of the Orphan-House schools, composed by Mr. Gough 294 H. Treasurer's balance-sheet of the school and chapel effort ... 295 I. The Orphan-House schools' bazaar 296 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. CHAPTEE L 1742, 1743. Mr. Wesley's first visit to Newcastle — Preaches in Sandgate — Great excitement — Mr. Charles Wesley labours for some weeks in New castle and its vicinity — -Eobert Fairlamb — Jonathan Simpson — Matthew Errington — Mr. Wesley's second visit to Newcastle — Examination of the Society — Singular outward manifestations — Preaching at Whickham and SwalweU — Erection of the Orphan- House — The buUding described — Mr. Wesley's study — The Quaker's dream- — Friendliness of the vicar — Provisions of the Orphan-House Deed — Probable design of the erection — The Orphan- House at Halle — Northem Daily Express. Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the metropolis of the north of England, was one of the earliest scenes of the venerated Wesley's public ministrations and success. Within three years from the rise of the " United Society," (which consisted in 1739 of "eight or ten persons,") Methodism was planted there. On Friday, May 28th, 1742, Mr. Wesley, accompanied by John Taylor, (who then acted as his travelling com panion, but soon after settled in London,) paid his first visit to Newcastle, taking up his abode at a smaL. inn, on the Gateshead side of the old bridge. What specially induced him to wend his way northward is not known ; -unless, indeed, his unexpected success among the col- B 2 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. liers of Kingswood had awakened sympathy and hope as to their equally degraded and neglected brethren-of-the- pit elsewhere. In his " Short History of the People called Methodists," he states that he had long had a desire to visit the poor colliers in Newcastle-upon-Tyne ; and, having at this period journeyed northward as far as Birstal, he was, it would seem, induced to proceed. To the kreligion and licentiousness then unhappily prevalent, Newcastle presented no exception. " So much drunkenness, cm'sing, and swearing, even from the mouths of little children," observes the stranger-evangelist, "do I never remember to have seen and heard before." A new heathendom — another Kingswood, in spiritual destitution akin to the former — lay before him : yet, so far from awakening a feeling of despair, or leading him to regret the errand on which he had come, the abounding and almost unexampled wickedness nerved his spirit to prompt and zealous effort. "Surely," he congratulates himself, "this place is ripe for Him who 'came not to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.'" Nor was he disappointed. Acting upon the maxim which in after years he urged upon his "helpers" in the ministry, — "Go always, not only to those who want you, but to those who want you most," — Mr. Wesley, with his companion, was found the Sabbath morning following, at seven o'clock, in Sandgate ; then "the poorest and most contemptible part of the town," and still maintaining that sad distinction. Taking their stand at the end of the street, the two unite in singing the hundredth Psalm. Three or four of the residents quickly turn out to see what is the matter ; and soon, attracted by the novelty of the scene, some four to five hundred others throng around. To their great astonishment, one of the strangers, habited as a clergyman, opens a Bible in his hand, and begins to preach, taking as his text the solemn announcement of the evangelical ; THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 3 pfbphet : " He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities : the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed." Ere the service closes, not less, perhaps, than fifteen hundred persons are congregated. The benediction is pronounced ; but, unwilling to disperse, the whole assemblage stand "gaping and staring" on the preacher "with the most profound astonishment ;" when, to his own relief, as well as theirs, he announces, " If you desire to know who I am, my name is John Wesley. At five in the evening, with God's help, I design to preach again." At the appointed hour, a stQl larger concourse of people covered the hill, — now densely built upon, but then an open space, — "from the top to the bottom;" more in number, as a congregation, than Mr. Wesley had hereto fore seen, either in Moorfields, London, or on the Common at Kennington, where Mr. Whitefield and he had fre quently preached to immense multitudes. Though unable to reach them all with his voice, he stood so as to have the whole at least in view, as he expounded the cheering declaration given in Hosea: " I will heal their back sliding, I will love them freely." "After preaching," Mr. Wesley records, " the poor people were ready to tread me under foot, out of pure love and kindness. It was some time before I could possibly get out of the press. I then went back another way than I came ; but several were got to om* inn before me, by whom I was vehemently importuned to stay with them at least a few days, or, however, one day more. But I could not con sent, having given my word to be at Birstal, with God's leave, on Tuesday night." Some of those who strongly " importuned" Mr. Wesley to remain were members of a religious society which had subsisted in Newcastle for many years ; though, as to their tenets and usages, no record is extant. From the statements then volunteered by some of their number, we b2 4 THE OR1*H/VN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. , can scarcely regard them as having advanced beyomt JjC sphere of religious externalism. They " had gone on," according to their own testimony, "in a prudent, regular manner," and were "well spoken of by all men;" uncon scious, it would seem, of any "woe" denounced against such. The observation of the stranger, after listening to then- statements, was at once fitting and admonitory: " How many of the publicans and harlots will go into the kingdom of heaven before these ! " Great and general excitement was produced by Mr. Wesley's unexpected visit. Various conjectures were quickly rife, as to the character of the preacher, and the object of his coming. The seriously-disposed of other churches, who had hitherto rested in the form of godliness, heard strange tidings — doctrines to them altogether new ; yet awakening serious thought, and almost leading them to call in question the faith in which they had been brought up. Among the masses of the openly abandoned and profane, many listened with intense in terest, and not a few with susceptible and obedient hearts, to the announcement for the first time heard, that men might know their sins forgiven ; that, through Him who was " wounded for their transgressions," pardon might be gained, and holiness, and heaven. " The thing," writes Christopher Hopper, (subsequently an eminent and useful minister of the Body,) " made a huge noise. Few, if any, could teU the motive on which he came, or the end he had in view. He made a short blaze, soon disappeared, and left us in great consternation." Nor was the excitement lessened, but greatly increased, by the visit of Mr. Charles Wesley, accompanied by Mr. Greaves, some months after ; when for several weeks he laboured with great success in Newcastle and its im mediate vicinity. Soon after his arrival, he preached at Tanfield-Oross, to a large auditory, " some gaping, some laughing, some weeping." Mr. Hopper, who was pre- THE OKPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 5 sent, states : " I wondered what this could mean. When he had concluded, some said, ' He is a good man, and is sent to reform our land.' Others said, ' Nay, he is come to pervert and deceive us, and we ought to drive him from OUT coasts.' " No record is found of this northern visit, either in his Life, or published Journal ; yet, from other som'ces we learn that the power of God in a remarkable manner accompanied his zealous and awakening promul gation of Gospel truth. Hundreds, roused to a sense of their need of salvation, and earnestly desiring to " flee from the wrath to come," were united in religious fellow ship, as the fii'st Methodist Society in the north. A sermon preached by Mr. Charles Wesley at Ryton, on the parable of the Great Supper, was more than ordi narUy accompanied by " the demonstration of the Spirit." Among those who were then led to consider their ways, and with true contrition to devote themselves to God, were Eobert Fairlamb and Jonathan Simpson ; whose cases may be taken as illustrative of results often pro duced in that day. Fairlamb was then in his seventeenth year ; and, with Hopper, heretofore his associate in sin and folly, was led from sheer curiosity to the spot. The sight of Wesley greatly affected him ; and, under the sermon, such was the sense of guilt with which he was seized, that, heedless of those around him, he was led there and then to cry out, " What must I do to be saved?" All his sins were placed in sorrowful array before him, and for some months he had little or no rest either day or night. He felt himself unfit for heaven, and unprepared to die. The remem brance of broken resolutions, vows unheeded, and a sad career, notwithstanding his youth, of open profanity and vice, often led him in agony of spirit to exclaim, " 0 wretched man that I am ! who shall deliver me ? " In May, 1743, in compliance with an invitation given by Mr. Meyrick, after preaching at Low-Spen, near Ryton, b3 6 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. Hopper and Fairlamb, with others, gave in their names as desirous of " helping each other forward in the way to heaven ; " and soon after, while they were pleading in deep distress before God, . in the open field, the cry of the latter was heard, and his sorrow turned into joy. His Christian fidelity was soon severely tested. By an ungodly father he was threatened, flogged, and at last driven from the parental roof ; yet in him was verified the word, — " When my^father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up." For sixty-nine years he remained a constant meinber of the Methodist Society ; his life being that of a Christian, his death the triumph of a saint. One who knew him well bears testimony, that " his honesty and integrity, his upright life and conversation, would have been no discredit even to the apostolic age." Jonathan Simpson and his excellent wife were mem bers of a Presbyterian church at Horsley; persons of unblemished reputation, and, according to the light they had, serving God. Under the sermon at Eyton, they were made aware of privileges to be enjoyed, to which they had heretofore been altogether s.trangers ; and searching diligently the Scriptm-es, whether the things they heard were so or not, they were awakened to a sorrowful conviction that with all their profession, and notwithstanding their conscientious observance of the ordinances of religion, they were not Christians ! On their inquiring of their minister, " whether they might know that God for Christ's sake had pardoned all their Bins;" he went so far as to admit, that "some did so;" and, taking from hence encouragement, they sought by fasting and prayer this Christian privilege. " According to their faith" it was done unto them. " We could now say," writes Mrs. Simpson, " ' Come, all ye that fear the Lord, and we will tell you what He hath done for our souls. As far as the east is from the west so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.' " In the THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 7 simplicity and freshness of her religious feelings, she stated to her friends the pleasing change which had taken place ; but" to her great sm'prise found they were as persons who heard not : her experience appeared to them a strange thing, and one unheard of. Their minister, alsOj was equally incredulous. On the Sunday following, the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was to be administered ; but, (strange to say,) for the simple reason that they professed to know their sins forgiven, they were not permitted to unite in that me morial of Him whose blood was shed to take away our sins ! Simpson, moreover, having, as precentor of the congregation, sung with more than ordinary zest and heartiness, the elders were offended at this also, and dismissed him from his office. In so serious a light was the heresy regarded, which had thus been introduced, that a special meeting of the minister and elders was deemed imperative to consider and decide thereon. Tlie com-t, if such it may be termed, being duly formed, Simpson was interrogated, — " Do you hold the same principles now, as you did before you heard those people ? " In reply, with the Bible in his hand, he declared his readiness, not only to state what tenets he held, but also to prove the same from Scripture. The minister objected, that this was but evading the point before them. Simpson replied, that, unless they allowed him to state his whole case, he should give no answer at all. After some hesitation, he was permitted to proceed; when, on his declaring with all simplicity and frankness "what God had done for his soul," the minister, and some of the elders gravely proposed his excoimnunication ; but, the meeting being divided in judgment, no decision was reached. Thus, in effect, repudiated by the church of their early choice, they joined the " sect" then "every where spoken against ; " and, to the close of their earthly pilgrimage, they were consistent and devoted members of the Methodist Society. O THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. Mr. Charles Wesley, on this his first visit to New castle, was accompanied also by Matthew Errington, a native of Houghton-le-Spring, and subsequently for nearly forty years an inmate of the Orphan-House, New castle. Of this good man a short account may here be given, though by anticipating the order of time. Remov ing in early life to London, he was induced on the National Fast-day, February 4th, 1741, to attend the early service at the Foundery; when, on hearing Mr. Wesley preach on the awakening words, — " Shall not I visit for these things ? saith the Lord ; shall not my soul- be avenged on such a nation as this ? " — he saw the evU of his heart as he had never done before. At ten o'clock that morning, he worshipped elsewhere, but met with nothing suited to his case. At one, he was again at the Foundery, at which hour Mr. Wesley had appointed a special meeting to be held for intercession and prayer ; but, finding the house overflowing with people, he changed his purpose, and expounded the parable of the Barren Fig-tree. Matthew, though from childhood restrained by preventing grace from outward sin, and careful to pre serve the form of godliness, was under this sermon shorn of that in which he trusted, and given to feel that he had been a cumberer of the ground, not simply for three years, but for more than twenty. So great was the mental wretch edness induced, that he was constrained, under the word, to cry out for mercy. Hearing that Mr. Wesley would preach that evening at Deptford, he, in his eagerness to obtain deliverance, walked thither without breaking his fast, "praying all the way as he went along." WhUe he listened to the message of mercy then proclaimed his burden of condemnation was removed, and his spirit fiUed with peace and joy. So joyously was the transition felt, that, although he had fasted all the day, the want of food was scarcely apprehended. His subsequent deportment evidenced the reality of the change : he at once joined the THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 9 " Society at the Foundery, and afterwards constantly at tended the religious services held there. At Mr. Wesley's request, he gave up the situation he then occupied, " where his wages and perquisites were very considerable," and removed to the Foundery, " to rise at four in the morning, call the preachers, clean their shoes, and mend their clothes, for a little plain food and raiment ; " acting thus in the sjoirit of the Psalmist's declaration, — "I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." After having, at Newcastle, witnessed with joy the spread of the truth under Mr. Charles Wesley's faithful ministrations, he set o^on/ootj-withMT. Thomas Meyrick, one of Mr. Wesley's earliest " helpers," (who, however, afterwards received episcopal ordination,) for Cornwall; " in which journey he suffered much, partly from weari ness, and partly from hunger and thirst." Sometimes he was in imminent danger of his life from violent mobs : once especially, when " some were for killing him at once," he only escaped martyrdom by wading through water up to the breast. " After some time, having spent all his money, worn out his clothes, and suffered much in body, he re turned to London ; " whence, on recruiting his finances, he came back to Newcastle in the year 1749, and resided in the Orphan-House tUl the day of his death. He was eminently a man of peace, "labouring to heal every breach," and promoting brotherly love to the utmost of his power ; yet, at the same time, a faithful reprover of sin,* and zealous in the service of his heavenly Master. In his last affliction he suffered much ; but " patience" had * One day, as he was walking on the Sandhill, a few gentlemen were conversing together, one of whom swore very freely. Matthew went up, and mildly reproved him. The gentleman turned short upon him, 'and said, " You should have caUed me aside, and not have spoken to me-thus before company." " Sir," said Matthew, " you did not step aside to swear." 10 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. its "perfect work." With the petition on his lips, " Come, Lord Jesus ; come quickly," he entered into rest. Toward the close of the year 1742, Mr. Wesley pays a second visit to the north, reaching Newcastle on Satur day the 13th of November, his brother Charles returning to London a few days before his arrival. His stay on this occasion being prolonged for some weeks, Newcastle and its neighboiu-hood were privUeged for upwards of three montlis with the continuous ministrations of these devoted and honoured men; whilst, in the steps then taken toward the erection of " the Orphan-House," the foundation was laid of yet more extended and permanent success. Mr. Wesley's chief and first solicitude is directed to the Society which under his brother's ministry and care had been gathered together. On the evening of his arrival, they are summoned to meet him ; but, so many strangers being present, who could not be persuaded to retire, his purpose of specially addressing them was defeated, and the hour was spent in prayer. The demeanour of the newly-gathered flock must, in this brief interview, have been somewhat singular ; since, on referring to his Journal, we find him designating them " a wild, staring, loving Society." The place of their meeting was, in aU likelihood, " the Room," situate in Lisle-street, opposite the site of the Orphan-House, which had been hired for their use. Here, on the morning following, about five o'clock, — an hour of service hitherto unheard of in that locality, and hence exciting great sm"prise, — Mr. Wesley preaches on the text, " I came not to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance ; " and " the victorious sweetness of the grace of God" is "present with His word." At ten, with numbers of his flock, he is found at All-Saints' church, swelling greatly the number of the communicants there. In the afternoon, at four, he preaches in the large square of the Keelmen's Hospital, a little above Sando-ate an THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 11 enclosure, surrounded by the dwellings of the keeknen, and giving standing-room to several thousands of per sons. ' At six he meets the Society, exhorting all who had " set their hand to the plough" not to " look back." Such were the engagements of the day of rest ; and so of his subsequent Sabbaths in the north. The afternoon of each day during the week is spent by Mr. Wesley in speaking " severally with the members of the Society :" a task most arduous ; their numbers hav ing increased, during his visit, to upwards of eight hundred, " beside many both in the towns, villages, and lone houses, within ten or twelve mUes " of Newcastle. The step thus taken pleasingly illustrates the character of Wesley as a " wise master-builder " of the church. Not content with the simple promulgation of Divine truth, and with gathering into outward fellowship those who purposed to devote themselves to God, he institutes minute and searching inquiries as to their individual state and character. Some are found walking disorderly, and receive reproof. The greater number appear to have been but partially awakened ; few being thoroughly convinced of sin, and stiU fewer being able to witness that " the Lamb of God had taken away their sicts." Under the ministrations which followed, — ministrations designedly adapted, whilst strengthening their convictions, to unfold the way and manner in which God through Christ is pleased to save man, — ^many were enabled to testify that the Lord is " mercifal and gracious, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin." The outward manifestations which attended this work were, in many instances, singular, and not easy to be accounted for by reference to merely physical causes. One individual, Margaret H , was suddenly deprived of sight, and suffered for a season the total loss of mus cular energy ; whUst, " at the same time the love of God so overflowed her soul, that she could neither speak nor 12 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. move." Others trembled exceedingly; some fell down as dead ; others roared aloud from disquietude of soul. Nor were open sinners alone thus affected; " the very best people, so called," being in many instances as deeply agitated as they. " Some," writes Mr. Wesley, " I found, could give no account at all, how or wherefore they had done so, only that of a sudden they dropped down, they knew not how ; and what they afterwards said or did they knew not. Others could just remember they were in fear, but could not tell what they were in fear of. Several said, they were afraid of the devil, and this was all they knew. But a few gave a more intelligible account of the piercing sense they had of their sins, both inward and outward, which were set in array against them round about ; of the dread they were in of the wrath of God, and the punish ment they had deserved, into which they seemed to be just falling without any way to escape." " What wis dom," inquires he, " is that which rebuketh these, that they should hold their peace ? " These singular occur rences, however, must be regarded as the exceptional results of the preaching of the word. In the over whelming majority of instances, " the work of God was evenly and gradually carried on." " It continually rises," observes Mr. Wesley, " step by step. Not so much seems to be done at any one time, as had frequently been at Bristol, or London ; but something at every time. It is the same with particular souls : I saw none in that triumph of faith which has been so common in other places ; but the believers go on, calm and steady. Let God do as seemeth Him good." The truth which saves was at this period preached in seve ral of the neigTibom-ing villages, and with various results. At Whickham, on Friday, November 26th, " rough words" were spoken; but the people were "exceeding quiet," only kept from falling asleep by the excessive cold. At Tanfield-Leigh, the Sunday following, Mr. Weslev ex- THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 13 pounds to a large company the former part of the flfth chapter to the Romans. " So dead, unaffected a congre gation," he writes, " have I scarce seen, except at Whick ham. Whether the gospel, or law, or English, or Greek, seemed all one to them. Yet the seed sown even here was not quite lost ; for on Thursday morning, between four and five, John Brown, then of Tanfield-Leigh, was waked out of sleep by the voice that waketh the dead ; and, ever since, he has been ftUl of love and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost." Whether from aberration of mind, or the influence of powerfiU temptation, this plain farmer manifests, in the course of a few days, what Mr. Wesley terms " a genuine instance of enthusiasm." Riding through Newcastle, " haUooing and shouting," he drives all the people before him, " telling them God had told him he should be a king, and should tread all his enemies under his feet." Whatever may have been the cause of this erratic movement, Mr. Wesley prescribes the only rational and effectual remedy; sending him home immediately to his work, and counseUing him " to cry day and night to God, that he might be lowly in heart ; lest Satan should again get an advantage over him." Horsley and SwalweU are also visited by Mr. Wesley; where, in spite of wind and frost, he preaches in the open air. The service at the latter place is thus referred to : — " The wind was high, and extremely sharp ; but I saw none go away tUl I went. Yet I observed none that seemed to be much convinced ; only stmmed as if cut in the head." The most important points secured by Mr. Wesley's protracted visit were, the purchase of land outside the PUgrim-street Gate, Newcastle, for the erection of the Orphan-House, and the commencement of the buUding mider his immediate supervision. The following extracts from his Joumal furnish our oiUy information as to the successive steps then taken : — c 14 THE OEPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. "Wednesday, December 1st.— We had several places offered on which to build a room for the Society ; but none was such as we wanted. And perhaps there was a Provi dence in our not finding any as yet ; for by this means I was kept at Newcastle, whether I would or no." " Saturday, 4th.— To-day a gentleman, Mr. RiddeU, called, and offered me a piece of ground. On Monday an' article was drawn, wherein he agreed to put me into possession on Thursday, upon payment of thirty pounds." " Tuesday, 7th. — I was so ill in the morning, that I was obliged to send Mr. Williams to the room. He after wards went to Mr. Stephenson, a _ merchant in the town, who had a passage through the ground we intended to buy. I was willing to purchase it. Mr. Stephenson told him, ' Sir, I do not want money ; but if Mr. Wesley wants ground, he may have a piece of my garden, adjoining the place you mention. I am at a word. For forty pounds he shall have sixteen yards in breadth, and thirty in length.' " " Wednesday, 8th. — Mr. Stephenson and I signed an article, and I took possession of the ground. But- I could not fairly go back from my agreement with Mr. Riddell. So I entered on his ground at the same time. The whole is about forty yards in length ; in the middle of which we determined to build the house, leaving room for a court-yard before, and a little garden behind the buUding." " Monday, 13th. — I removed into a lodging adjoining the ground where we intended to build ; but the violent frost obliged us to delay the work. I never felt so intense cold before. In a room where a constant fire was kept, though my desk was fixed within a yard of the chimney, I could not write for a quarter of an hour together, without my hands being quite benumbed." " Monday, 20th.— We laid the first stone of the House. Many were gathered from all parts to see it; but none scoffed or interrupted, while we praised God, and prayed that He would prosper the work of our hands THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 15 upon us. Three or four times in the evening I was forced to break off preachiag, that we might pray and give thanks to God." "Thursday, 23d. — It being computed that such a House as we proposed could not be finished under seven hundred pounds, many were positive it would never be finished at all ; others, that I should not live to see it covered. I was of another mind, — nothing doubting, but, as it was begun for God's sake. He would provide what was needful for the finishing it." The Thursday foUowing, Mr. Wesley, after preaching in the forenoon a farewell sermon in the Hospital-square, to a larger congregation than had previously been seen there, journeys southward. The service is protracted from eleven to one o'clock ; and, even then, not without difficulty could he get away ; men, women, and children so hanging upon him. And when at length he took horse, " a muckle woman," as one in anger termed her, " kept her hold, and ran by the horse's side down to Sandgate." Three months after, the building was so far advanced, that on the evening of Friday, March 25th, 1743, Mr. Wesley preached a kind of opening sermon " in the shell of the new House," on the subject of " the Rich Man and Lazarus," and afterwards held a watchnight. " A great multitude " assembled on the occasion ; but no record is found of any collection then made. The woodcut-Ulustration of this ancient House* is inter esting, not only as a remembrancer of the second preaching-house erected by the venerated Wesley, but as furnishing a striking contrast to the architecturally- correct and stately structures of the present day. The first chapel in Methodism was erected by Mr. Wesley, in the Horse-Fair, Bristol, during the year 1739 ; the foundation-stone being laid by him on Saturday, May 12th. " The Foundery," in Moorfields, London, purchased on * See Frontispiece. c 2 16 THE ORPflAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. lease some months after, was the second edifice thus occupied. The third place appropriated for Methodistic worship, being the second in order of erection, was the Orphan- House, Newcastle. The lower part of the " House " was the chapel, fitted up with pulpit and forms ; the men and women sitting apart. Galleries were subsequently erected; the en trance to which, in 1790, was by a broad staircase on the outside, commencing at the left corner of the space in front, and leading to the covered way above, as shown in the woodcut. Above the chapel was a large compartment lighted from behind, the centre of which was used as a band-room ; opening from which, on either side, were several class-rooms for the use of the Society. On the highest story — a kind of Scotch "flat" — were suites of apartments, subsequently appropriated for the residence of the preachers and their famUies ; while on the roof was a wooden erection,* about eleven feet square, with tUed covering, generally known as " Mr. Wesley's study." A narrow staircase, little more than two feet wide, led from the preachers' dwelling below, to a small floor in the actual roof of the building, opening from which was the doorway to the study. This apartment, even in the tidiest days of the Orphan-House, must have been of the most homely description. The fire-place (the grate of which is stUl preserved) would, in this day, be repudiated by the most humble cottager. In strict keeping with it were the door and furniture of the room. Its exposure to the wintry blasts of the north would also render it an undesirable retreat for any to whom warmth and comfort were matters of moment. Such, however, was the apartment * On taking down the old Orphan-House, (1857,) the materiel of this study was carefuUy preserved ; and it was afterwards sold for the benefit of the School-Bazaar fund, to Solomon Mease, Esq. Cleveland- House, North Shields ; in whose grounds the study has been re- erected, as far as possible, in its original form. 17 ME. WESLEY'S OEPHAN-HOUSE STUDY. In the above woodcut-Ulustration, taken from a painting in the possession of John B. Falconax, Esq., Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the letter S denotes the narrow staircase, leading from the preachers' apartments below, to a smaU floor in the roof of the buUding ; the letter D, the entrance to the study. C3 18 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. designed and appropriated by the self-denying Wesley for his special residence when sojourning in Newcastle. Here, at different periods, much of his valuable time was spent : here also, as various intimations in his Journal show, he loved to be. Take for instance the following :— "Newcastle, Wednesday, June 23d, 1779. I rested here. Lovely place, and lovely company ! But I believe there is another world. Therefore, I must arise and go hence." On Friday, June 4th, 1790, (only eight months before his removal to the house above,) he writes : " We reached Newcastle. In this and Kingswood House, were I to do my own wUl, I should choose to spend the short remainder of my days. But it cannot be : this is not my rest." Several interesting incidents may be connected with the study of the Orphan-House. Here, in part at least, was written the correspondence with Dr. Thomas Seeker, then Bishop of Oxford, and afterwards Archbishop of Canter bury, who, under the assumed name of John Smith, controverted Mr. Wesley's views on some of the most important points of evangelical truth. Here, in 1748, Mr. Wesley formed the purpose of publishing, " in three score or fourscore volumes, all that is most valuable in the English tongue, in order to provide a complete Library to all that fear God." His " Instructions for ChUdren," and his second Letter to the Bishop of Exeter, (written in refutation of various slanders on Methodism, in which his lordship had indulged,) with much of his instructive correspondence, are dated from Newcastle-upon-Tyne. One or two circumstances connected with the erection of the Orphan-House are weU deserving record here. The fear expressed by some, that, as seven hundred pounds would be requisite for its completion, " it would never be finished at all," was not, perhaps, without foundation. The buUding was commenced as a matter of imperative necessity ; the large numbers associated in religious feUow- THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OP WESLEY. 19 ship requiring some such erection. No funds, however, were in hand ; nor does it appear that any effort in the way of general subscription was then made. Yet, not withstanding, the buUding progressed; trust being placed in God, that what was " needful for the finishing of it " would be forthcoming. And here, as in the erection of the celebrated Orphan-House at Halle, in Saxony, by Professor Francke, that confidence was not misplaced. In addition to £50, collected after a "rough charity sermon," preached by Mr. Wesley at the Foundery, a pious Quaker, whUst the buUding was in progress, for warded £100, accompanied by the foUowing letter : — " Friend Wesley, " I HAVE had a dream concerning thee. I thought I saw thee surrounded by a large flock of sheep, which thou didst not know what to do with. The first thought after I awoke was, that it was thy flock at Newcastle, and that thou hadst no house for them. I have enclosed a note for £100, which may help thee to buUd thee a house." This munificent donation was most opportune ; Mr. Wesley, in the exuberant kindness of his spirit, having just advanced to a member in distress the money he had brought with bim to Newcastle, to pay the workmen; trusting in Providence for a further supply.* The Rev. Mr. Turner, then Vicar of Newcastle, had also his dream ; which, if not equally productive as to finan- * " Mr. Thomas Dixon," the preacher who accompanied Mr. Wesley on this occasion, ventured to remonstrate, and "expressed his concern lest inconvenience should ensue, when appUcation was made for the money, and none should be forthcoming. On the Saturday foUowing, an unex pected supply of the sum of ^100 (supposed to have been the Qua ker's donation) was received by Mr. Wesley, by post ; upon which he said to Mr. Dixon, ' 0 ! Tommy, where was your faith 1 ' Mr. Dixon himself related the above to Mr. Honeyman, an aged Methodist, now (a. d. 1843) living." — Wesl^am-Meihodist Magadne, 1843, p. 548. 20 THE OEPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. cial results, was yet indicative of what is of infinitely higher moment, — the continuous promulgation of gospel truth, and the restoration, through this Divinely ap pointed agency, of successive generations to fellowship with God. Passing by the site soon after the com mencement of the building, and learning that a preaching-house for Mr. Wesley was there in course of erection, the vicar expressed his pleasure and surprise ; stating that a few nights before, when " deep sleep" was on him, he had seen in a vision " angels ascending and descending on a ladder, on that very spot." Regarding his dream as thus fulfilled, he, in the kindliness of his spirit, gave utterance to an earnest wish and hope, that the services there held might issue in the awakening and salvation of many. A wish this, in after days, pleasingly realized. No sin of presumption wUl be committed, when, in language of holy writ, we venture to assert, " The Lord shall count, when He writeth up the people, that this man was born there." Others, however, regarded Mr. Wesley and his move ments with far less friendly feelings. One clergyman of Newcastle published a pamphlet anonymously, during the year following, entitled, "The Notions of the Methodists disproved, by setting the Doctrine of the Church of England concerning Justification and Regeneration in a true Light." After allowing that Mr. Wesley was one " of strict life, and in all appearance of mortified temper," he charges him " with compassing sea and land to make proselytes," — ^with making "unwarrantable dissensions in the Church," " prejudicing the people wherever he comes against the clergy, and the doctrine they teach ; " and strongly insists that Mr. Wesley and his clerical helpers could not be friends to the Church, inasmuch as they did not obey its governors, and submit themselves, as at their ordination they promised, to all their " godly admonitions and injunctions." He then gives what he terms the true THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 21 doctrine of the Church as to the points at issue, and attempts to fix on Mr. Wesley the charge of " avowedly transgressing the laws both of the Church and State," and of being " guUty both of schism and rebellion ; two very grievous and damnable sins." To all this, Mr. Wesley, in his " Earnest Appeal to Men of Reason and Religion," merely repUes : " I have read, and believe it quite needless to take any further notice of, this perform ance ; the writer being so utterly unacquainted with the merits of the cause, and showing himself so perfectly a stranger both to my life, preaching, and writing, and to the word of God, and to the Articles and HomUies of the Church of England." This caUs forth fi-om his clerical censor a second pamphlet, bearing the title, "The Notions ofthe Method ists further disproved ; in Answer to their Earnest Appeal, &c. ; with a Yindication of the Church of England from their Aspersions." In this the author expresses surprise that his former production should have been so contemptuously dismissed ; and, after indulging in several grossly personal remarks, seeks to subvert the reasoning of his opponent. To this Mr. Wesley replies at some length in his " Farther Appeal," simply premising, — " So much as relates to the merits of the case, I wUl endeavour to consider calmly. As to what is personal, I leave it as it is. ' God be merciful to me a sinner.' " By Deed,* bearing date March 5th, 1745, the Orphan- House property was vested by Mr. Wesley in the following persons as trustees : — Henry Jackson, Newcastle, weaver ; WiUiam Mackford, Newcastle, cornfactor; John Nelson, John Haughton, Thomas Richards, Jonathan Reeves, then " assistants " in connexion with Mr. Wesley; and Henry Thornton, solicitor, London. The provisions of the Deed clearly show, that at that period Mr. Wesley had not the remotest idea of forming * A verbatim copy of the Deed is given in Appendix A. 22 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. any society, or religious organization, separate from the Church of which he was a minister. It was not till after the erection of the Orphan-House, that any Conference was held ; nor is any reference to Methodism or its people given in the Deed. The purposes in view appear to have been, to fix a centre for evangelical effort in the northern districts ; to secure a home for his itinerant " helpers " in the work of the ministry ; and, as Providence might open his way, to give instruction to the chUdren of the destitute poor. Tlie semi-conventual arrangements of the place might, indeed, have been designed for the residence and support of certain widows and orphans ; but in the Deed no reference whatever is made to persons of this class. The trustees were by the Deed placed under obli gation to allow Mr. Wesley, and, after his death, his brother Charles, to nominate and appoint the preachers of the Orphan-House, as well as to have the general jurisdic tion of the place ; and, on their decease, the trustees, or a majority of them, were to " nominate and appoint monthly, or oftener, one or more fit person or persons to preach and expound God's holy word in the said House, in the same manner, as near as may be, as God's holy word" was then "preached and expounded there." A school was also to be kept up, to " consist of one master and one mistress, and such forty poor children " as the Wesleys, and, after their death, the trustees, might appoint. The preacher or minister appointed, " so long as he shall continue in his said office," is to " preach twice every day ; to wit, in the morning and again in the evening, in or at the House aforesaid, as has been usual and customary to be done." No provision was made, in the Deed, for the sale, or mortgaging, or transfer of the premises ; none for the salary of the master or mistress, or the sustenance of the schools : nor is any evidence forthcoming, that such schools were ever instituted during the lifetime of Wesley, or since his death. From the THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 23 defectiveness of the Deed, as well as the singularity of its provisions, many difficiUties subsequently arose. The delay in vesting the property ia trustees was occasioned mainly by the hesitancy of Mr. Stephenson,* of whom part of the land was purchased, to , execute the necessary deed of transfer. Not till upwards of two years after Mr. Wesley had taken possession of the land, and proceeded with the buUding, was this done. The foUow ing characteristic letter, f though without date, was evidently written about this period : — " Sir, " I AM surprised. You give it under your hand, that you wiU put me in possession of a piece of ground, specified in an article between us, in fifteen days' * It is an interesting coincidence, that some of the descendants of this gentleman (who, though at first promptly offering land to Mr. Wesley, was subsequently far from friendly to the Methodistic move ment) are now highly-respected and influential members of Society in the Newcastle Circuit. Miss Nixon, of Barlow, — whose father frequently entertained Mr. Wesley, and opened his house for some ofthe reUgious services, — was united in marriage with a grandson of the above. Their eldest son, WiUiam Stephenson, Esq., of Throckley-House, near New castle, has for many years been the leader of the Throckley Society ; and more than once has sustained with honour the responsible office of Circuit-steward. The chapel at Throckley was erected by him ; and to the buUding-fimd of " the Orphan-House schools " he was one of the most Uberal contributors. His second son, WUUam HasweU, is a highly-acceptable and useful local preacher. WhUst these pages were preparing for the press, Elizabeth, the beloved and faithful wife of Mr. Stephenson, exchanged mortality for life. Firm and unwavering in her reUgious profession, — a safe coun- seUor, — the stay and exemplar of a large fanuly, by aU of whom her restraining yet genial influence was happUy felt, — she sustained for upwards of forty years the Christian character. Of her it may be truly said, " She looked weU to the ways of her household, and ate not the bread of idleness. Her chUdren arise up, and caU her blessed ; her husband also, and he praiseth her." On the morning of Tuesday, August 5th, 1862, she was suddenly summoned to the inheritance above. + Southey's Life of Wesley, voL L, p. 362. 24 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. time. Three months are passed, and that article is not fulfiUed. And now you say you can't conceive what I mean by troubling you. I mean to have that article fulfilled. I think my meaning is very plain. " I am. Sir, " Your humble servant, " John Wesley." Nor was this plain dealing without its effect. " Satur day, April 6th, 1745," Mr. Wesley writes : " Mr. Stephen son, of whom I bought the ground on which our House is built, came at length, after delaying it more than two years, and executed the writing. So I am freed from one more care. May I in everything make known my request to God! " As to other circumstances attendant on the erection of this ancient House, the cost of the buUding, or the debt which, after settling with the buUder, stiU re mained, we have no sources of adequate information. That some liabUity rested on its projector, is suggested by the fact, that in 1771, on the distribution of certain moneys in extinction of the " debt for buUding" incurred by the Connexion at large, the sum of £75. Is. 3d. was appropriated to Newcastle, in liquidation or extinction of the Orphan-House debt. StUl, the whole effort — especiaUy when the current expenses of the House, including the support of the widows from time to time residing tiiere, the salary of the housekeeper, and the shelter and main tenance of many a weather-beaten herald of the Cross, are glanced at — may be viewed as one of religious daring, and, perhaps, only justified by the confident persuasion that the whole was of God. It seems more than probable, that, although in the Orphan-House Deed reference is simply made to the instruction of " poor chUdren " as part of the original design, Mr. Wesley had in view the establishment, though THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 25 on a smaUer scale, of an institution similar to the one at Halle : hence the name given from the very outset of the undertaking. In one interesting point the steps of Mr. Wesley were strictly in unison with those of Professor Francke, — the confident reliance placed on God, that the means necessary for the completion of the building would be forthcoming. When the foundation of the Orphan- House was laid at Halle, in July, 1698, its founder states, he had " not as much money as would erect a small house, much less a large hospital ;" yet " in singleness of heart, and in entire dependence upon God," he proceeded. " Week by week," the requisite supplies, often from very unexpected sources, flowed in. " The building ran up amain," and in the space of one year was ready for the roof; whUst, soon after its opening, the number of students and chUdren, with necessary officers, was upwards of two hundred. Mr. Wesley's purpose as to the establishment of a school for orphans, or others, proved a failure, either from want of funds, or the lack of suitable agents : yet, in aU other respects, the objects originally contemplated were successfully carried out. One writing from another standpoint than our own, in an interesting article, headed, " The Orphan-House and its Associations," states the matter correctly: — "The erection ofthe Orphan-House,* — the quaint old building which afterwards became one of the landmarks, not only of evangelism, but of civiliza tion, in the north of England, — did for Newcastle that which the rise of a spring does for the desert. That supply of fresh and living water is just what the desert needs to reclaun it. On its brink the seeds of vegetation settle ; the sand is gradually overgrown, or beaten back ; the palm-tree grows to overshadow the fountain, and it becomes the resting-place of every passer-by. Other springs, no doubt, as well as that of Methodism, have * Northern DaUy Express ; Friday, May 15th, 1857. D 26 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. helped to neutralize the aridity of the last century, and to cover the face of modern society with freshness, and purity, and beauty. And the greatness of the change effected can only be realized in proportion to the vividness with which we realize the spiritual condition of England a hundred years ago. The Church of England, as she existed throughout the earlier part of the eighteenth century, presents an almost unbroken stretch of stagnor, scarcely redeemed by a single ripple denoting that the Spii-it had ever ' moved on the face of the waters ;' scarcely redeemed by a single growth denoting the presence of vitality Nor did Dissent escape the prevailing lethargy. John Wesley, in many places, found his chief opponents in the ranks of Dissenters ; for Church and Dissent, agreeing in nothing else, agreed in cherishing an instinctive horror of innovation. It was precisely to break this stagnor that Methodism burst into light Let us hope, that, although the old buUding, to which so many interesting memorials clung, has given way to one which will be more in keeping with the necessities of education, the mystic ladder, which Vicar Turner dreamed of, may still be found in the old place ; and that the Orphan-House will still be the medium of conveying humanizing influences into the social atmo sphere around it." 27 CHAPTER IL 1743. ' Centres of Wesleyan effort — Origin of class-meetings — Lay-helpers — Examination of the Orphan-House Society — Eepeated outward manifestations — Withdrawals and expulsions from the Society — Wesley preaches at Chowden-FeU, South-Biddick, and Plessey — Cases of bodily excitement scrutinized by Charles Wesley — Preach ing at Sunderland and Shields — First lovefeast held in Newcastle— The mob in Sandgate — Low-Spen Society organized — John Brown- Christopher Hopper — Jonathan Eeeves — Thomas Meyrick — Grace Murray. During the erection of the Orphan-House, the found ations of Methodism, as to its church-organization, were in course of being unostentatiously, yet surely, laid. London, Bristol, and Newcastle were at that period the centres of effort and enterprise. There extensive Societies had been formed, and various agents of usefulness raised up. The " United Societies," which took their rise in 1739, consisted of persons who, having obtained the " knowledge of the truth " under the ministrations of the Wesleys and their " helpers," had placed themselves under Mr. Wesley's immediate pastoral care; on whom, till their organization into classes, an immense burden of anxiety and care was necessarUy imposed. This great event, tending as it certainly did, more than any prior or subsequent step, to the consolidation and permanency of the Methodist fabric, appears to have been the result of circumstances, rather than of design. In this, as in the step-by-step formation of our ecclesiastical system, we recognise the intervention of a more than human superintendency. The class-meetings of Method ism are its church-bond of union ; scriptural in their d2 28 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. basis, and in the highest degree promotive of a true Christian fellowship; necessary, too, it would almost seem, to the successful carrying out of the apostolical injunction, — " Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed." Mr. Wesley, after dwelling upon several inconveniences and evils which had arisen from the want of religious oversight and direction, — the Society in London -alone numbering, at that day, upwards of a thousand members, — thus records the circumstances which led to the forma tion of this important branch of our church-economy : "At length, while we were thinking of quite another thing, we struck upon a method for which we have had cause to bless God ever since. I was talking with several of the Society in Bristol, (15th February, 1742,) con cerning the means of paying the debt there, when one stood up and said, ' Let every member of the Society give a penny a week tUl all are paid.' * Another answered, ' But many of them are poor, and cannot afford to do it.' ' Tlien,' said he, ' put eleven of the poorest with me, and, if they can give nothing, I wUl give for them, as well as for myself. And each of you call on eleven of your neighbours weekly ; receive what they give, and make up what is wanting.' It was done. In a while, some of these informed me, they found such and such an one did not live as he ought. It struck me immediately, ' This is the very thing we have wanted so long.' I called together all the Leaders of the classes, — so we used to term them and their companies, — and desired that each would make a particular inquiry into the behaviour of those whom he saw weekly. They did so. Many disorderly walkers were * Little did this humble financier dream of the extent to which, in after years, this simple mode of doing good would be carried out. Hundreds of thousands of pounds are at this day annually raised for religious and benevolent purposes, by means of weekly if not indeed, of penny-a-week, subscriptions. THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY, 29 detected ; some turned from the evil of their ways ; some were put away from us." The calling weekly on the several contributors was erelong found to be a task too onerous for the Leadefi-s, so designated, to perform ; and an hour was fixed for their meeting together, for the purposes just named. These little assemblies soon assumed a directly religious character ; and the class-organization of the Societies at large quickly followed. Classes in New castle are not spoken of tUl the sjiring of 1743. Several zealous and devoted men, prompted by the all- constraining love of Christ to seek the salvation of Others, were at this early period employed as " lay -helpers " in the important task of calling sinners to repentance. A step this, certainly not premeditated by Wesley, but rather in contravention of his Church-principles and procedure. Yet in this, as in other instances, where cir cumstances seemed to indicate Divine direction, he at once and hopefully concurred. In the list of those who, in 1742, were thus recognised and employed, are found the names of William Briggs, Alexander Coates, WUliam Crouch, William Darney, John Hale, John Houghton, Thomas Hardwick, Samuel Larwood, Thomas Maxfield, John Maddern, Henry Millard, Thomas Meyrick, John Nelson, WUliam Prior, Jonathan Reeves, Robert Swindells, David Taylor, Thomas Westall, Thomas Williams, James Wheatley, and Enoch Williams.* By the assistance thus gained, stated Teligious services were established among the Societies already formed, and new aggressive action was taken in places and neighbourhoods where " the prince of this world " held almost undisputed sway. On the 19th of February, 1743, Mr. Wesley is again found at Newcastle ; where, for nearly two months, he is zealously engaged in building up the Societies, as well as ' in superintending the erection of the Orphan-House, * Smith's History of Methodism, vol. i, p. 195. d3 30 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. recently begun. On Sunday, March 6th, he reads over in the Society certain Rules,* which, as he informed them, all associated with him were expected to observe ; and on the following day he commences a second scrutinizing examination of the members, now divided into classes : before which, in consequence of their disorderly walking, he had put away not less 'Ca.dX^ fifty of their number ; stiU leaving upwards of eight hundred enrolled. His attention, in this second visitation, was directed specially to two points ; namely, the case of those who were affected in an extraordinary manner under the religious services then held, and the reasons which had induced so large a number to withdraw from the newly- formed Society. As on his former visit, many, though in perfect health, were, under the preaching of the word, singularly affected. Some were seized with violent pain, and, under the entire loss of physical energy, suddenly dropped down : others described then- feelings, as though a sword were running through them, or a great weight pressed upon them, sinking them to the earth ; giving rise, in many instances, to piercing and alarming cries. After careful examination, Mr. Wesley reaches the conclusion, — " These symptoms I « These, which constituted the first edition of the Eules' of " the United Societies," had just been pubUshed by Mr. Wesley, under date of February 23d, 1743. An exact copy, for which I am indebted to the kindness of the Eev. Dr. Osborn, is inserted in Appendix B. The pecuUarities of this edition may be stated in a few words. The name of Mr. Wesley only is subscribed. Hence, in the concluding sentences, " I " is found instead of " We," as administering pastoral admonition and disciphne. The contributions of the members are directed to be received for the relief of the poor. FamUy-prayer is not specificaUy enjoined ; whUst several of the paragraphs are differently arranged. " A Prayer," in eighteen stanzas, " for those who are con vinced of sin," is also appended. A subsequent edition, similar tothe one now in circulation, and bearing the signature of Charles as weU as of John Wesley, is dated May 1st, 1743. THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 31 can no more impute to any natural cause, than to the Spirit of God. I can make no doubt, but that it was Satan tearing them as they were coming to Christ. And hence proceeded those grievous cries, whereby he might design both to discredit the work of God, and to affright fear ful people from hearing that word whereby then- souls might be saved." This judgment Mr. Wesley in some measure qualified at a later period, when, referriug to simUar if not even more extraordinary manifestations, which occurred in the church at Everton, under the preaching of the Rev. John Berridge, he expresses his conviction that in many in stances, the sudden outcries and strong bodily convulsions then witnessed were the natural result of " sudden and Divine convictions for sin ; " that, " to strengthen and encourage those who believed, and to make His works more apparent," God favoured several with Divine dreams, others with trances and visions ; but that in some instances " Satan was permitted to mimic this part of the work of God, in order to discredit the whole work." But he con cludes, that " it is not wise to give up this part, any more than to give up the whole." The scenes of that time, as well as those which have recently taken place in the " sister isle," and those which, indeed, have more or less characterized religious revivals for centuries gone by, are, it may be, difficult of interpretation; while weU con sistent with the testimony of St. Paul, in his Epistle to the Ephesians : " We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against priacipalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wicked ness in high places." As to the second subject of inquiry, Mr. Wesley writes : " The number of those who had left the Society since December 30th, I observed, was seventy-sis. Four teen of these, chiefly Dissenters, said, they left it because otherwise their ministers would not give them the sacra- 32 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. ment." (On inquiry it was found, that three of the Dissenting ministers of the town had agreed together to exclude from the holy communion all who would not refrain from hearing the Wesleys ; one of them publicly aflii-ming, that the Methodists were all Papists, and that their doctrine was mere Popery.) "Nine more," the record proceeds, had left "because then- husbands or wives were not wUling they should stay in it. " Twelve, because their parents were not willing. " Five, because their master aiid mistress would not let them come. " Seven, because their acquaintance persuaded them to leave it. " Five, because people said such bad things of the Society. " Nine, because they would not be laughed at. " Three, because they would not lose the poor's aUow ance. " Three more, because they could not spare time to come. " Two, because it was too far off. " One, because she was afraid of falling into fits. " One, because people were so rude in the street. " Two, because Thomas Naisbit was in the Society, " One, because he would not turn his back on his baptism. " One, because we were mere Church of England men : and " One, because it was time enough to serve God yet. " The number of those who were expeUed the Society was sixty-four : — " Two, for cursiag and swearing. " Two, for habitual Sabbath-breaking. " Seventeen, for drunkenness. " Two, for retaUing spirituous liquors. THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 33 " Three, for quarrelling and brawling. " One, for beating his wife. " Three, for habitual, wilful lying. " Four, for raUing and evU-speaking. " One, for idleness and laziness : and " Nine-and-twenty, for lightness and carelessness." Such were the results of personal examination, in refer ence to not less than eight hundred individuals, who, for the sake of mutual religious edification, had associated them selves with the Founder of Methodism. The process of expulsion may appear, in our day, somewhat harsh and summary ; and in some instances, at least, the fault com mitted can scarcely be regarded as justifying the sentence. It - must, however, be borne in mind, that Methodism at that period, and for years subsequently, had no du-ect church-organization. Its members were rather persons who, although connected with other churches, thankfully avaUed themselves of the new arrangement, as supplying a lack not otherwise met. " A desire to flee from the wrath to come," evidenced by a corresponding spirit and deport ment, was the only term of membership. In all cases, therefore, where the condition was unfulfilled, the right to this particular fellowship necessarily ceased. Three coUiery-villages in the neighbourhood are visited, dm-ing this sojourn in the north, by Wesley. Chowden- FeU, where he is found on the 8th inst., is described as " the Kingswood of the north." On his arrival there, twenty or thirty children, who could not " properly be said to be either clothed or naked," run round him, wondering at the intrusion of beings so differently attired from those with whom they had to do. " One of the largest " — a girl about fifteen — has nothing for clothing, but " a piece of a ragged dirty blanket, some way hung about her, and a kind of cap on her head, of the same cloth and colour." In painful keeping with this state of things, was the general character of the neighbourhood. The half-savagism of 34 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. the place excites the deepest sympathy of the preacher ; and, with enlargement of heart, he proceeds to announce, — " Be it known unto you, therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgive ness of sins." At South-Biddick, where he preached on the 20th of the month, a somewhat higher state of civilization presents itself. Standing " at the bottom of a semicircular hill, on the rising sides of which many hundreds stood," he cries to a deeply-attentive congregation, " 0 ye dry bones, hear ye the word of the Lord." On Good Friday, April 1st, the " savage ignorance and wickedness " of the colliers at Plessey attract him thither. Their lawless habits had rendered them, indeed, a terror to the neighbom-hood. The Sabbath was with them a season of special profanity and sin ; dancing and fight ing, with games, altogether demoralizing in then- tendency, filled up the sacred hom-s of the day. How great the charity that cared for outcasts such as these ! In spite of storm and cold, — a strong north wind driving the sleet in their face, which, freezing as it fell, soon " cased " them over, — Wesley and his companions wend their way. Reaching " the square," he at once proclaims the lovingkindness of Him who "was wounded for our transgressions," and " bruised for our iniquities." The heretofore-neglected pitmen gather round, and give " ear nest heed " to the things they hear. On the following Monday and Tuesday, Mr. Wesley preaches there again. " And as most of these," concludes he, " had never in their lives pretended to any religion of any kind, they were the more ready to cry to God, as mere sinners, for the free redemption which is in Jesus." During the temporaryabsenceof the Wesleys, careappears to have been taken to secure a regular supply of preaching as well as a kind of pastoral oversight of the Societies in the north. Jonathan Reeves and Thomas Meyrick two of THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 35 Mr. Wesley's earliest lay-helpers, are at this period found at Newcastle, preaching, and, as opportunity served, forming Societies in the neighbourhood. Toward the end of May, Mr. Charles Wesley, having on his way thither had his " head stunned " by a fall from his horse, which, as he records, " spoiled his making hymns," (a practice in which he frequently indulged when on horseback,) reaches Newcastle, and on the evening of his arrival preaches in the room ; " God giving testi mony to the word of His grace." His attention, like that of his brother, was quickly and almost necessarily directed to the instances of bodUy excitement, into which many of the new converts had been thrown, and repetitions of which were stUl witnessed. The elder Wesley, when dealing with cases of this kind, was hesitating and cautious ; fearing to destroy, or to lessen, the good which was unquestionably produced. Charles was characteristically prompt and decided. That which did not appear to him immediately connected with the work of God, he at once discountenanced, and endeavoured to put down. As to the cases in question, he admits that many — doubtless, as the result of sudden and strong convictions — were " struck down, both soul and body, into the depths of distress : " yet, regarding these outward affections as liable to be counterfeited by mistaken or designing persons, he sets himself to detect and expose such impositions whenever presented. With what success he pursues this method, the following exti-act from his Journal shows : — " To day, one who came from the ale-house, drunk, was pleased to fall into a fit for my entertainment, and beat himself heartily. I thought it a pity to hinder him : so, instead of singing over him, (as had often been done before,) we left him to recover at his leisure. A girl, as she began to cry, I ordered to be carried out. Her convulsion was so violent as to take away the use of her limbs, tUl they laid her without the door : then, immediately, she found her 36 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. legs, and walked off. Some very unstill sisters, who always took care to stand near me, and try which should cry loudest, since I had them removed out of my sight, have been as quiet as lambs. On the first night I preached here, half my words were lost through their out cries. Last night, before I began, I gave public notice, that whosoever cried so as to drown my voice should, without any man's hurt, or judging them, be gently carried to the farthest corner of the room. But my porters had no employment the whole night ; yet the Lord was with us, mightily convincing of sin and righteousness." Thursday, June 16th, Mr. Charles Wesley preaches at Sunderland to about " a thousand wild people." " Never," he remarks, " have I seen greater attention in any at their first hearing." Some weeks after, his brother preaches in the High-Street of that town. The assem blage is at first tumultuous ; yet, on securing then- attention, he explains without further interruption " the one true religion, — '¦ righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.' " From Sunderland, Mr. Charles Wesley proceeds to Shields ; and, amid much opposition and tumult, declares " the truth as it is in Jesus." "We rode to Shields," writes he. "I went to church, and the people followed in crowds after me. The minister could not be heard in reading prayers ; but I heard him loud enough after wards, calling for the churchwardens to quiet the dis turbance which none but himself had raised. I fancy he thought I should preach there, like some of the first Quakers. The clerk came to me, bawling out, it was consecrated ground, and I had no business to preach on it ; was no minister ; &c. When he had cried himself out of breath, I whispered him in the ear, that I had no intention to preach there ; and he stumbled upon a good saying,—' Sir, if you have any word of exhorta tion for the people, speak it to them without.' " THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 87 " I did SO at my leisure ; a huge multitude waiting in the churchyard ; many of them fierce, and threatening to drown me, and what not. I walked quietly through the midst of them, and discoursed, in strong awakening words, on the jailer's question, — ' What must I do to be saved ? ' The churchwardens and others laboured in vain to interrupt, by throwing dirt, nay, and money, among the people. Having delivered my message, I rode to the ferry, crossed, and met as rough friends on the other side. The mob of North-Shields waited to salute me, with the miuister at their head. He had got a man with a horn, instead of a trumpet, and bade him blow, and his companions shout. Others were almost as violent in their approbation. We went through honour and dishonour, but neither of them hurt us ; and by six, with God's blessing, came safe to Newcastle." * From such unpromising beginnings what glorious results have followed ! With the general state of the Orphan-House Society Mr. Charles appears to have been satisfled. Many back sliders had during his visit been reclaimed ; so that, when taking his leave, June 20th, it was a " hard parting with the Society." The first lovefeast held in Newcastle, it may be noted, had taken place the evening before. " Jesus was with His disciples." The week following, Mr. Wesley succeeds his brother in the oversight of the northern Societies ; but finds that, from various causes, only six: hundred were now " striving together for the hope of the Gospel." A spirit of con tention had unhappily prevaUed, so that the minds of many had grown faint, whilst others had turned back. For the first time, also, open opposition now appears in Newcastle. During preaching in Sandgate, on Sunday, July 10th, when thousands upon thousands were crowding * Jackson's Life of Charles Wesley, vol. i., pp. 335, 336. E 38 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. together, " the prince of this world," Mr. Wesley records, " fought with all his might, lest his kingdom should be overthrown. Yet the very mob of Newcastle, in the height of their rudeness, have commonly some humanity left. I scarce observed," continues he, " that they threw anything at all ; neither did I receive the least personal hurt. But they continued thrusting one another to and fro, and making such a noise that my voice could not be heard. So, after spending near an hour in singing and prayer, I thought it best to adjourn to our own House." At Lower-Spen, on the 14th inst., (John Brown, of Tanfield-Leigh, having recently removed thither,) Mr. Wesley organizes the little Society which had been gathered together, appointing Christopher Hopper as the leader. The " plain farmer," an instance of whose " genuiue enthusiasm" has been noted, appears to have profited greatly by the counsels then given. Truly consistent in his deportment, he is now, with greater discretion, zealous for God. Though somewhat rude in speech, and often using strong words, this worthy man bears an artless testimony to the truth, which is productive of much good ; many of his neighbours being convinced of the error of their way, and led to seek salvation in the blood of Jesus. A church is quickly formed in his house ; and there, at every opportunity, the truth which saves is faithftdly proclaimed. Under his roof the heralds of the Cross, often weather-beaten and weary, find a home, and receive a farmer's welcome.* Christopher Hopper, the Low-Spen leader, was sub- * For upwards of sixty-five years Farmer Brown continued a devoted member of the Methodist Society. The last ten or eleven days of his mortal life were spent in praise and prayer. " As the lamp of hfe began to bum dim, the Ught of the Lord shone brighter and brighter on his soul." A few hours before the spirit left the body, a friend, after praying with him, said, " John, is Jesus now precious ? " The dying saint replied, " Very precious." " John," added his friend, " I think the^ump is leavened." "Yes," said he, "it is finished ¦" and immediately feU asleep in Jesus. the orphan-house of WESLEY. 39 sequently one of the most eminent and useful of the early Methodist preachers. He was born at Coalburne, in the parish of Ryton, Durham, on the 22d of December, 1722. His early days were spent in youthful folly ; but under the ministration, first of Mr. Charles Wesley, and after wards of Mr. Jonathan Reeves, the true light shone upon him ; he felt that he was undone. " Sick of sin, sick of himself, and sick of the worM," he fled to Christ and His atonement, as the one and only remedy ; and, placing there his confidence and hope, found, as he expresses him self, " a glorious and undeniable change. God, Christ, angels, men, heaven, earth, and the whole creation, ap peared to him in a new light, and stood related to him in a manner he never knew before." AU his idols fell to the ground before the ark of God. He found a perfect hatred to sin, and a complete victory over it; and went on his way rejoicing. Having received for that day a good education, he sought a livelihood by tuition. As were his Sabbaths, so also were his vacant hours, day by day, spent in " preaching, reading, praying, and visiting the sick ; " and in con versing with all with whom he had to do, on things "pertaining to the kingdom of God." Such was the course of preparation for toils and successes in his future ministerial life. His itinerant career may be regarded as commencing as early as 1747, when he is found going " from town to town, and from house to house," wherever hearers could be gathered together, "singing, praying, and preaching the word." Great numbers are awakened, and flnd peace with God through the blood of the Lamb. For a season he sustained himself and his family by his tutorial duties, preaching as opportunity served in Newcastle, Sun derland, Durham, and the towns and vUlages for thirty mUes around his dwelling ; in many of which, he was instrumental in the formation of Societies which continue E 2 40 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. to this day. He met with much opposition, and was often in circumstances of great perU. Yet, as his sufferings for the sake of Christ abounded, his " comfort abounded more and more." In the year 1749 he was wholly separated to the work in which his soul delighted ; yet engaging therein with out any certain means of subsistence for his wife and family. " In those days there was no provision made for preachers' wives, no funds, no stewards. He that had a staff might take it, or go without, or stay at home." * His labours in Newcastle and the neighbourhood almost lead us to regard him as being, MethodisticaUy, the apostle of the north. There his earliest and most successflil preaching-efforts were put forth. By Conferential appoint ment, nine ministerial years were, at intervals, spent in connexion with the Orphan-House and its circuit. He accompanied Mr. Wesley on his first visit to North Britain, and in after years laboured there successfuUy. In Ireland, also, several years of his life were usefidly spent ; tUl, in 1790, from growing infirmity he was obliged to desist from his itinerant duties. Yet, in the comparative retirement of his after life, as strength permitted, he endeavoured to do good. He was a man of strict integrity ; sustaining, throughout his religious career, an unblemished reputation. He had • Hopper, with others, was occasionaUy, on this point, the subject of severe temptation. " I weU remember," writes he, " once on the top of a cold mountain, in a violent storm of snow, when the congealed flakes covered me with a white mantle, Satan assaulted me, and pushed me hard to return to my school, or to some other busmess, to procure bread. I staggered through unbeUef, and almost yielded to the tempter. But as the attack was sudden, so the battle was soon over. The Lord sent these words to my heart Uke Ughtning ; ' When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye anything ? And they said. Nothing, Lord.' I answered with a loud voice, ' Nothing, Lord ! nothing. Lord ! ' AU my doubts and fears vanished in a moment, and I went on my way rejoicing." THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 41 considerable natm-al ability, and was an eloquent and successful " dispenser of the word of God," — in his de nunciations of evil "a son of thunder," but to the tempted and sorrowing " a son of consolation." A dUigent student of holy Scripture, he sought, in all his public ministrations, "rightly to divide the word of truth," " Often did it happen, whUst he was delivering his message to tumultuous assemblies, with an energy which strongly marked the interest which he himself had in it, that giddy triflers, impious despisers, ringleaders of mobs, and the most abandoned reprobates, have wondered, trembled, and given signs, as convincing as they were sudden, of the deepest compunction and sorrow of heart. The bitter waUings of the penitent prisoners have been turned into songs of deliverance, and the whole assembly has been solemnly impressed by a deep sense of the presence and majesty of God. And that Divine unction which rendered -his word so efficacious, during the earlier years of his ministry, continued to attend him, both in his public and more private exercises, to the end of his life." His de parture hence was eminently peaceful. " I have not the shadow of a doubt," said he to a friend ; " and as for the enemy, I know not what has become of him : I have neither seen nor heard of him for a long time. I think he has quitted the field." Almost his last words were, " Come, Lord Jesus ! come quickly." On Friday, March 6th, 1802, he entered into rest. Jonathan Reeves was, for some years, an eminently useful and acceptable preacher, though often called to " endure hardness as a good soldier." His zealous and successful ministrations more than onqe provoked the ire of those in authority. A writ issued December 4th, 1745, by the Rev. Henry Wickham, one of His Majesty's justices of the peace for the West-Riding of Yorkshire, directs the constable of Keighley " to convey the body of Jonathan Reeves to His Majesty's gaol and castle at e3 42 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. York ; "—his real crune being that of warning sinners to "flee from the wrath to come:" but he was "sus pected," the writ states, " of being a spy among us, and a dangerous man to the peace and government of His Majesty King George." The grand jury of Cork, some years after, go a little farther ; when, with Charles Wes ley and seven of the lay-helpers. Reeves is presented as "a person of ill fame, a vagabond, and common disturber of His Majesty's peace ; " the presentment ending with the prayer, that he might be transported ! ProvidentiaUy, in both instances, these proved to be idle words. Wearied, however, by constant harassing, and having as a preacher no fixed or sufficient means of livelihood, Mr. Reeves seeks episcopal ordination, and for some years officiated at the ¦ Magdalen Hospital, London. But, with increased outward comfort, his sphere of usefulness is greatly abridged; the governors of the establishment, more effectually to prevent the introduction of the " new doctrine," requiring him to read the sermons of Tilletson, rather than any lucubrations of his own I He afterwards obtains a curacy at Whitechapel. Mr. Wesley's con fidence in him was shown in selecting him as one of the first trustees of the Orphan-House, and in requesting his attendance at the third Methodist Conference, held in 1746, at Bristol. Thomas Meyrick, by bu'th a Cornishman, and designed for the legal profession, devoted himself, soon after receiving " the grace of God in truth," to the work of the ministry. For several years, though in the midst of much privation, and often in perU from wicked men, he zealously discharged, as one of Mr. Wesley's helpers, the duties of an evangelist. Obtaining afterwards ordination in the Church, he is employed as a curate, at or near Halifax, The end of his ministerial career was, unhappily, not as its beginning. About this period, (July, 1743,) the new erection being THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 43 ready for occupancy, Grace Mltreay, subsequently known as one of the celebrities of early Methodism, enters, at Mr. Wesley's request, upon the charge of the Orphan-House establishment, in the capacity of housekeeper, or matron ; the duties of which office, involving no smaU amount of care and responsibUity, she discharges with fidelity and zeal, tUl her marriage, in October, 1749 ; excepting, perhaps, an interval of eighteen months, when she appears to have been otherwise engaged. Her maiden name was Norman. Robert and Grace, her parents, both God-fearing persons, resided at Newcastle ; where, on the 23d of January, 1715, their daughter Grace was born. Almost from reason's dawn, she appears to have been the subject of deep religious impressions. To her infant imagination, when she was scarcely four years of age, God was presented in a dream, as "sitting upon His throne, and coming to judge the world : " she thought He smiled upon her. An earnest and intense desire to serve Him sprang up in the breast of the chUd, so that, as soon as capable of so doing, she read the Scripture with frequency and delight, though at the time unable rightly to understand its truths. The record of our Saviour's sufferings deeply affected her. Nor was she, even at that early age, (her son remarks,) a stranger to the drawings of Divine love ; which sometimes filled her heart with rm- speakable pleasure in the house of God, so that she wanted to be there always. One special instance of this kind occurred to her in St. Andrew's church, when little more than seven years old. Her youthful mind was strangely drawn, in thought and desire, toward God ; a sense of His love was felt; and impressions were produced, which never afterwards, even in her days of worldly pleasure, were whoUy eft'aced. Being placed at a school where dancing was taught, that fascinating folly proved to her " a great snare; " and, in the company and frivolity to which it led, her good im- 44 the ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. pressions died away. Her principles and hopes were well- nigh stranded. In after life, her sense of the danger and evU of that practice was strong and lasting. In May, 1736, she was united in marriage with Mr, Alexander Murray, a master-mariner, nearly related to a considerable family of the same name in Scotland, His father, being concerned in the Rebellion of 1715, forfeited his estate, and, with several brothers, was banished from the kingdom. Alexander, thus disinherited, and altogether unacquainted with business-pursuits, " turned his atten tion to a seafaring life," in which for several years he was successfully engaged.* " Superior personal accomplishments " being combined with " an imagination brilliant and lively in the highest degree," with a voice peculiarly sweet and of great com pass, and great proficiency in her favourite accomplishment of dancing, the company of the newly-married one was much sought after in gay circles. With her husband, by whom she was tenderly beloved, she associated in all the vanities 'of the day. Soon, however, she was painfully given to feel, — " Attempt how monstrous, and how surely vain. With things of earthly sort, with aught but God, With aught but moral excellence, and truth, and love, To satisfy and fill the' immortal soul." Her first-born child — on which, with a mother's fond ness she had doted — sickened and died. Recognising in this visitation the warning voice of God, she lost at once her relish for the vain pursuits in which she had hitherto fruitlessly indulged : an aching void was felt within, " I wanted," says she, — "but I knew not what. The Lord had made a wound, which no earthly balm could heal." Being resident in London, she embraced every oppor tunity of hearing the word, and of mingling with good people. Under the ministry of Whitefield and Wesley, » When retuming from Virginia, in 1742, Mr. Murray found a watery grave. THE OEPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 45 her convictions of sin were deepened. Her need of Christ was sorrowfully felt ; till one day, when reading the fifth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans, she was " filled with light and love." Her lips were now opened to praise God; every energy of soul and body was at once consecrated to His service ; the same exuberance of spirit, and cheerful ardour, which had marked her worldly movements, now characterizing aU her religious exercises and engagements.* * In a letter, written May, 1740, in compUance with the request of Mr. Charles Wesley, she thus details to him the particulars of her conversion : — "Eeverend Father in God, " Mt heart being now open before God, I wUl write as in His presence. " The flrst gift of faith I received after I had seen myself a lost sinner, bound with ten thousand chains, and dropping into hell. ,1 then heard the voice, ' Be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee ; ' and could say, ' The Son of God loved me, and gave Himself for rne.' I thought I saw Him at the right hand of the Father, making inters cession forme. I went on in great joy for four months : then pride crept in, and I thought the work was finished, when it was but just begun. There I rested, and in a little time feU into doubts and fears, whether my sins were reaUy forgiven me, tUl I plunged myseK into the depths of misery. I could not pray ; neither had I any desire to do it, or to read, or hear the word. My soul was Uke the troubled sea. Then did I see my own evQ heart, my cursed devilish nature ; and feel mjf help lessness, that I could not so much as think a good thought. My love was tumed into ha,tred, passion, envy, &c. " I felt a thousand heUs my due, and cried out, in bitter anguish of spirit, ' Save, Lord, or I perish ! ' " In my last extremity I saw my Saviour fuU of grace and truth for me ; and heard His voice again, whispering, ' Peace, be stUI.' My peace retumed, and greater sweetness of love than I ever knew before. " Now my joy is calm and soUd ; my heart drawn out to the Lord continuaUy. I know that my Eedeemer Uveth for me ! He is my strength and my rock, and wiU carry on His work in my soul to the day of redemption. "Dear Sir, I have spoken the state of my heart, as before the Lord. I beg your prayers that I may go on, from strength to strength, from conquering to conquer, tUl death is swaUowed up of victory." 46 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. By Mr. Charles Wesley she was admitted into the Society at the Foundery ; and some months after, whUst prostrate in prayer before God, she was favoured with a peculiarly gracious manifestation ofthe Divine presence and regard. We quote her own record of the solemn scene : — " Whether I was ' in the body or out of the body,' I know not ; but I saw what no human tongue can express, neither durst I utter, concerning the glory of the Divine Persons in the Godhead. I was also made sensible, that God the Father accepted me in His Son, as if I had not committed one sin ; and that the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ was imputed to me for justffication, with all that He had purchased by His life and death ; and, at the same time, those words were applied to my soul with the greatest power, — ' Peace I leave with thee ; my peace I give unto thee; not as the world giveth give I unto thee.' Now, also, the Lord sent the ' Spiritof adoption,' ' crying, Abba, Father,' ' The Spirit itself bore ' witness ' with my spirit, that I was a chUd of God ; I rejoiced with 'joy unspeakable and full of glory,' The sense of this Divine manifestation the enemy could never tear away from me, in all my violent temptations after wards : even when I was almost driven to despair, this would come again and again to my mind, — God cannot change," The sincerity of her profession, and also her confidence in God, were, on her husband's return from sea, severely tested. This "new way" he strongly opposed; pro hibiting, with fearfully profane asseveration, all attendance on the services of Methodism, as well as all further intercourse with her religious fi-iends. Steps indeed were taken, under the plea of lunacy, to shut her up in " the Mad-house, West Gardens," Yet, under treatment thus harsh and painful, her mind was graciously sustained; and, continuing steadfast in the hour of trial, she soon had her way providentially made plain. THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY, 47 The more than ordinary qualifications for usefulness, possessed by this devoted woman, were quickly appre ciated. In connection with the Society in London, she is appointed by Mr. Wesley the "leader of a band," and also a visiter of the sick, — an office to which, in that day, suitable persons were speciaUy appointed. On removing to Newcastle, in October, 1742, her sphere of usefulness was greatly extended, "On my arrival," she states, "I found that Mr, Wesley had been preaching both in the town and in the fields, and that the people flocked to hear the Gospel ; which caused my spirits to revive, when I saw how the arm of the Lord was stretched out to save sinners in my native county. The word was attended with Divine power, and souls were daily added to the church. Mr. John Wesley being called up to London, his brother Charles came in his room, and the work of God increased wonderfully. A Society was formed, consisting of several hundreds ; so that there was ample work for those who knew anything of the work of grace on their hearts. Soon afterwards Mr, John returned, and laid a plan for a preaching-house in the town, having purchased a plot of ground for that purpose. The Society at Newcastle was divided into classes with their respective leaders, like those in London. Mr. Wesley fixed me in that part of the work which he thought proper ; and when the house was finished, I was appointed to be the housekeeper. Soon also the people were again divided into bands, or small select Societies; women by themselves, and the men in like manner, I had full a hundred in classes, whom I met in two separate meetings, and a band for each day of the week, I likewise visited the sick and backsliders, which was my pleasant meat. The work of God was my deUght ; and when I was not employed in it, I seemed out of my element. We had also several Societies in the country, which I regularly visited ; meeting the women in 48 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. the day-time, and in the evening the whole Society. And oh ! what pourings out of the Spirit have I seen at those times ! It warms my heart now, while I relate it. I doubt not but I shall meet some of those precious souls, amongst whom I was so often refreshed in prayer, to sing the high praises of God and the Lamb for ever." The Society-engagements of the matron were noii, however, permitted to interfere with the skilful ahd efficient management of the Orphan-House, when regarded as the temporary domicile of Wesley and his " helpers." Dr. Stevens, in his History of Methodism,* presents a very correct estimate of her matron-qualifications : — " For several years, by her rare skill, her piety, and womanly amenities, she rendered the Orphan-House a hallowed and favourite home, though always a brief one, for the great evangelist, and his laborious itinerants. Here they paused to refresh themselves, among its warm-hearted Methodists, before passing on to the cold receptions of Scotland ; and returned to recruit their strength from the bleak winters of the Highlands." A wider sphere of action soon presented itself. Acting under Mr. Wesley's direction, Grace visits the Societies, not only in several counties of her native land, but also in the sister isle. In this her intercourse with the people of Methodism, she becomes an instrument of great good. Her apprehension and knowledge of the things of God, her ready utterance, her affectionate and winning address, cause her to be welcomed, wherever her lot is cast, as an angel of light. She never indeed attempted to preach ; but her gifts were much honoured of God, abounding as she did in works of faith and love. Mr. Wesley was accustomed to speak of her as his " right hand." She generaUy travelled on horseback, and frequently without any companion. Her equestrian skUl was matter * Vol. U,, p. 125. THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 49 of notoriety. " An old man once told, how he saw her take her leave at a house-door in Yorkshire. ' Her horse stood waiting. She came out. A glance of her eye quickly told her all was right. No man might touch, even to help her, for she was on God's , errand : so she laid her hand upon the conscious beast, and it knelt to receive her. She sprang lightly into the saddle, waved her arm, and, as in a moment, was out of sight ; and the old man saw her no more, except in dreams." * More than ordinary spiritual manifestations have been referred to, as vouchsafed to the subject of this brief memou-. These were, however, counterbalanced by more than ordinary scenes of mental conflict, — of sore tempta tion, through which it was her lot to pass. In advanced Ufe, she considered these as having been permitted of God, " to correct the bad effect of those undue caresses she met with among the Societies ; to humble her, and to make her know what was in her heart ; as well as to teach her how to sympathize with and comfort the souls of the distressed ; " for which, by painful experience, she was eminently qualified. For two years, even when most successful in promoting the religious comfort and edifica tion of others, she was herself sorely " buffeted of Satan," haunted incessantly by atheistic and even " horrible suggestions," till almost disposed to disbelieve every thing- contained in the Scriptures. Such was the corroding influence then exerted, that she was " reduced almost to a skeleton : " yet, throughout the whole, her confidence in God was never wholly gone. The darkening clouds at length withdrew; the peace and joy of former days returned. One interesting episode in the history of Grace Murray cannot, perhaps, be better introduced than by quoting the words of the Rev. Henry Moore, the personal friend, as well as the biographer, of the founder of Methodism : — * Life of Dr. Bunting, by his Son, vol. i, p. 5. F 50 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. "Mr. Wesley, who knew all her proceedings, and greatly esteemed her labom-s, thought he had found ' a help meet' for him. But while he indulged these pleasing prospects, in which he was encouraged by his highly- valued friend, the vicar of Shoreham, and others, they were dashed in pieces by the intelligence of Mrs. Murray's marriage, on the 3d day of October, 1749, with Mr. John Bennet, one of the itinerant preachers, in the presence of Mr. Charles Wesley and Mr. Whitefield." That Mr. Wesley regarded Grace Murray with a lover's eye, and had made overtures of marriage, to which she was a consenting party, may be received as an undoubted fact ; and that his hopes were painfully frustrated by the interference of his brother, is equally matter of historic record. John Bennet, too, was a suitor of the matron- evangelist. In AprU, 1746, he was desired by Mr. Wesley to assist him in Newcastle ; and hence he became, for a season, an inmate of the Orphan-House. During a severe and lengthened affliction with which he was visited, he regarded himself as little less than miraculously restored to health, in answer to the matron's prayer. His life had been pronounced by the physician to be in imminent danger ; yet, whilst she was pleading with God on his behalf, he suddenly cried out, "All myjpain is gone! I am well," — and recovered from that hour ; an impression being at the same time felt, that " God in that prayer had given her to him for a wife." A correspondence was subsequently kept up between them. To Mr. Charles, the idea of his brother's marrying at all, and especially of his being so united with one who, in some sense, had acted in the capacity of servant to him,* * Such was, doubtless, the opinion of Charles. Yet the position of Grace Murray, as the superintendent of a religious house, and especiaUy as connected with her Society-engagements, seems scarcely compatible with the idea of ordinary servitude, and stUl less so in any humiUating sense of the expression. THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY, 51 was distasteful in a high degree. He argued, also, that a step of that kind would prove offensive to the Societies at large, if indeed it did not arrest at once " the whole work of God." Entertaining views of this kind, he set himself, whether rightly or wrongly, to contravene his brother's strong desire and aim. As to the influences brought to bear on Grace Murray, leading to her somewhat sudden marriage with Mr. Bennet; and as to questions more directly affecting the lady herself, and tending to show whether the charge of vacUlation, to any censm-able extent, could be sustained, — no end would in this day be answered by theii- recapitu lation. A perusal of Mr. Wesley's clear and artless narrative of the case, — and also (through the kindness of the Rev. Dr. Hoole) of Mr. Charles Wesley's views, as recorded in his private Journal, — has left upon the mind of the writer but one impression ; — that, granting it to have been desirable, that the founder of Methodism should enter into the hymeneal bond, no lady more suited to himself personally, or more adapted to sustain the duties and responsibilities of so important a relation as that of the wife of Wesley, could possibly have been selected, than the Orphan-House matron, Grace Murray; — that, throughout the whole, Mr. Wesley acted conscientiously, and with the most honourable intentions ; — but that the propriety or kindness of Mr. Charles's interference may be justly called in question. How keenly Mr. Wesley felt the disappointment, appears from the following letter, addressed to Mr. Thomas Bigg, of Newcastle, and bearing date, " October 7th, 1749:"— " My DEAR Brother, " A Lovmet husband is a very amiable character. A fond one, I think, is not so. But, if I had a wife, I f2 52 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. believe I should be the latter; and perhaps you may lean to the same extreme. To you, therefore, I can fully speak my mind. ~ " Since I was six years old, I never met with such a severe trial as for some days past. For ten yeajs, God has been preparing a fellow-labourer for me, by a wonder ful train of providences. Last year, I was convinced of it; therefore, I delayed not, but, as I thought, made all sm-e beyond a danger of disappointment. But we were soon after torn asunder by a whirlwind. In a few months, the storm was over. I then used more precaution than before; and fondly told myself, that the day of evil would retm-n no more. But it too soon returned. The waves rose again since I came out of London. I fasted, and prayed, and strove all I could; but the sons of Zeruiah were too hard for me. The whole world fought against me ; but above all, my old familiar friend. Then was the word fulfilled : ' Son of man, behold I take from thee the desire of thine eyes at a stroke ; yet shalt thou not lament, neither shall thy tears run down,' " The fatal irrecoverable stroke was struck on Thursday last. Yesterday, I saw my fi-iend (that was), and him to whom she is sacrificed. I believe you never saw such a scene. ' But why should a living man complain ? a man for the punishment of his sins ? ' " I am " Yours affectionately, " John Wesley." "The disappomtment," Mr, Moore justly remarks, "was a most severe one to Mr, Wesley's feelings; and perhaps the forgiveness and love which he manifested on that occasion was the highest proof of the power of the religion he possessed, that he was ever called to exercise THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 53 toward man."* Mr. Bennet was stUl continued as one of Mr. Wesley's "helpers," and treated by him with his former kindness. Subsequently, however, embracing Calvinistic sentiments, he, at Bolton, in 1752, publicly renounces aU connection with the Wesleys, and shortly after is settled as a Dissenting minister at Warburton, in Cheshire, where he continues tUl removed by death in 1759. The widowhood of Mrs. Bennet was in perfect keeping with the consistency and devotedness of her previous career. On removing to Chapel-en-le-Frith, near Buxton, she again associates with the people of her eai-ly choice ; and, as a leader of two important classes, as a counseUor of the young, and a dUigent visiter of the sick, is recognised and honoured as a "widow indeed," a " mother in Israel." She died in peaceful triumph, February 23d, 1803, in the eighty-ninth year of her age. A sermon, on the occasion of her death, was preached by the Rev. Jabez Bunting, from Psalm xxvii. 13, 14 ; a text which had been selected by herself. In the memoii- then read, it was characteristicaUy stated, — " The word of God was, above aU things, her delight and daUy meditation. In aU circumstances, she had recourse to it for counsel and comfort ; and the Lord did, by means of His word, * See, in Appendix C, an interesting poem, written on the occasion by INIr. Wesley, in which the warm and tender feelings of his nature are touchingly breathed forth. After its date Mr. Wesley saw Mrs. Bennet only once ; when, at her request, accompanied by Mr, Moore, he, in 17S8, visited her at the residence of her son, in Cole- brook-row, London. She had then, for nearly thirty years, lived in widowhood. "TThe meeting," Mr. Moore records, " was affecting ; but jMj:. Wesley preserved more than his usual self-possession. It was easy to see, notwithstanding the many years which had intervened, that both in sweetness of spirit, and in person and manners, she was a fit subject for the tender regrets expressed in those verses. The interview did not continue long, and I do not remember that I ever heard l^Ir. Wesley mention her name afterward." —JM/e of Weslei/^ vol. u., p. 171. f3 54 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. reveal Himself in a wonderful and gracious manner to her soul ; so that with respect to her the words of the psalmist were strikingly verified, — ' The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him, and He will show them His cove nant.' The spirit of prayer was peculiarly shed forth upon her ; and, in this holy exercise, the enlargements of her heart, and the breathings of her spirit towards God, very frequently surpassed what is common among Christians." She being dead, thus speaketh. 55 CHAPTER HI. 1743—1745. Methodism on the stage — Mobbing in Newcastle — Watson, the town-serjeant — Francis Scott — ^WiUiam Shent — John Nelson — John Downes — Thomas Beard, the Methodist proto-martyr — Letter from WiUiam Briggs — Severe winter— An easily besetting sin — Case between the Church and the Methodists stated— Singular introduc tion of Methodism into Osmotherley — Capture of Edinburgh by the Pretender — Great consternation in Newcastle — Means taken to defend the town — The Orphan-House in peril — Wesley at the tf camp on the town-moor. Methodism in Newcastle having successfully withstood all opposition, both in the form of domestic annoyance' and persecution, and in that of mob-intimidation and misrule, was, toward the close of the year, subjected to the test of theatrical misrepresentation and burlesque. On Wednesday, November 2d, 1743, the foUowing advertisement appeared :^ " FOE THE BENEFIT OF ME. ESTE ; BY THB Edinburgh Company of Comedians, ON Friday, November 4th, WILT. BE acted A CoMEDY, CALLED THE CONSCIOUS LOVEES : TO WHICH WILL BE ADDED A Farce, called TEICK UPON TEICK, OR, METHODISM DISPLAYED." On the day appointed, a large concourse -of people assembled in the Moot-Hall, to witness the irreligious exhibition ; " some hundreds of whom sat on rows of seats erected on the stage. Soon after the comedians had 56 the orphan-house of wesley. begun the first act of the play, on a sudden all those seats fell down at once, the supporters of them breaking like a rotten stick. The people were thrown upon one another, about five feet forward, but not one of them hurt. After a short time, the rest of the spectators were quiet, and the actors went on. In the middle of the second act, all the shilling seats gave a crack, and sunk several inches down. A great noise and shrieking fol lowed ; and as many as could readily get to the door, went out, and returned no more. Notwithstanding this, when the noise was over, the actors went on with the play. In the beginning of the third act, the entire stage suddenly sunk about six inches. The players retned with great precipitation ; yet, in a while, they began again. At the latter end of the third act, all the sixpenny seats, without any kind of notice, fell to the ground. There was now a cry on every side; it being supposed that many were crushed in pieces. But, upon inquiry, not a single person (such was the mercy of God) was either kUled or dangerously hurt. Two or three hundred remaining stUl in the hall, Mr. Este (who was to act the Methodist) came upon the stage, and told them for all this he was resolved the farce should be acted. While he was speaking, the stage sunk six inches more ; on which he ran back in the utmost confusion, and the people, as fast as they could, out of the door, none staying to look behind him." "Which is most sm-prising," proceeds Mr. Wesley, " that these players acted this farce the next week, or that some hundreds of people came again to hear ? " * No lasting injury, however, accrued from efforts of this kind. Mr. Wesley, on speaking severally to the mem bers of Society, finds their number not diminished, whUst many had " increased in the knowledo-e and love of God." » Wesley's Works, vol. i., p. 44-5. THE orphan-house OF WESLEY. 57 The year 1744 was by no means barren of incident as to the movements of Methodism in the north. In sympathy with other parts of the kingdom, great political excitement pervaded the masses of society in Newcastle and the neighbourhood. War had been declared by the British government against France and Spain. A French invasion was threatened, and was confidently looked for ; the object of which was supposed to bethe plac ing on the throne of these realms an exiled representative of the house of Stuart ; thus securing the ascendency of Popery and arbitrary power. A state of feverish anxiety ensued; and in many places, especially in St, Ives and Wednesbury, occasion was taken, under pretext of then- being Papists, or jiartisans of the Pretender, t^ persecute and harass the followers of Wesley. To the prevalence of feelings of this kind may, perhaps, be traced the more than usual opposition manifested when, in the spring, Mr. Charles Wesley spent some weeks in New castle. The Orphan-House, when opened for worship, was frequently besieged by an outrageous mob, who were with difiiculty tamed. On March 4th he places the following on record: — " The people of Newcastle were in an uproar, through the expectation of victory. They got their candles ready, and gave thanks, — ^that is, got drunk beforehand, and then came down to make a riot amongst us. Some of the brethren they struck, and threatened to pull down the desk. We were sensible that the powers of darkness were abroad, and prayed in faith against them. God heard, and scattered the armies of the alien." Yet, in the midst of outward tumult, " the word of the Lord " had " free course," Among those who were brought under the influence of the truth was a Mr. Watson, one of the town-serjeants, — said to be the greatest swearer in Newcastle ; against whom it was now objected, by some of the corporation, his masters, that they could neither make him drink nor swear ! The Societies, too, were 58 the orphan-house of wesley, quickened, and led from trouble without to greater cir cumspection and zeal. Mr. Wesley, on securing, shortly after his brother's visit, a quiet week in Newcastle, expresses his conviction, that " there was not only not a disorderly walker, but hardly a trifler, left among them," The pulpit of the Orphan-House was supplied at this period, to a great extent, by Francis Scott, the cabinet maker, of Wakefield ; by William Shent, the "peruke- maker," of Leeds ; and also by the mason-preacher, John Nelson ; who, after being released from his soldier-impress ment, on the 28th of July, is found, the next evening, proclaiming to a rejoicing people in the Orphan-House the word of life. William Briggs, too, one of Mr. Wesley's accredited helpers, was for a season located in Newcastle. Francis Scott may be regarded as the father of Methodism in Wakefield,* where he resided ; and where, in his evangelistic efforts, he was rendered extensively useful. His house was the preacher's home. The first preaching-room in Wakefield was a building in his yard, fitted up by him as a chapel. In the work of preaching he greatly delighted ; and, although not recognised form ally as a " helper," was frequently from home " ten days or a fortnight at once, riding his own horse, and paying his own expenses." He thus "took turn" with William Shent and others, in visiting Newcastle ; occasionally journeying as far as Musselburgh, in North Britain. William Shent, whose wife, Mary, was the first Methodist in Leeds, was also a zealous and useful local preacher. Nelson, in his Journal, speaks of- " three women " who came from Leeds to Birstal to hear him preach; "Mary Shent, and two others." The names of the latter were Ma-ry Weddale and Mary Maude. These, who were frequently designated " the three Marys," were the fii'st Methodists in Leeds. Shent, moved by the * Smith's History of Methodism, vol. i, pp. 220 221. the orphan-house of WESLEY, 59 representations of his wife, was induced to hear the " new doctrine," and soon became a convert to the truth. " His conversion," says Nelson, " made an uproar in Leeds ; " j the reason of which was, that he professed to know his i sins forgiven ! The hame of Nelson, the stone-mason of Birstal, is with Methodists a household word. The cu-cumstances attendant on his conversion to God, — his preaching-efforts in the West- Riding of Yorkshire, — his incarceration in the dungeon at Bradford., when, at the iniquitous instiga tion of the vicar, (Coleby by name,) he was pressed for a soldier, — ^his lengthened and useful services in the Wesleyan Itinerancy, — are points on which neither illustra tion nor remark is needed.* His liberation from the army was, at the request of Wesley, effected by the Countess of Huntingdon's influence ; not, however, in acknowledgment of the gross injustice of his impress ment, but on the terms of providing a substitute. In the endurance of this arbitrary persecution. Nelson was not alone. The case of John Downes was equally marked by rancour and injustice. For the sole crime of preaching the Gospel of salvation, the bench of magistrates sitting at Kirton-in-Lindsey, sign his impressment into the army, and send him as a prisoner to Lincoln gaol ! Downes, if not a native of Horsley, was yet one of the first Methodists there. He entered upon the duties of the Itinerancy in 1743 ; having previously been often engaged as a reader of sermons at the Orphan-House, when no preacher was present. He is spoken of as "a man of sincere and unaffected piety, of great affliction, and pos sessing an uncommon genius." Mr. Wesley regarded him as little inferior, either in native genius or strength of mind, to Sir Isaac Newton. " When he was at school," * See " Extract from the Joumal " of Nelson, " pubUshed by himself." 60 the orphan-house of WESLEY. writes he, " learning algebra, Downes came one day to his master, and said, ' Sir, I can prove this proposition a better way than it is proved in this book,' His master thought it could not be ; but, upon trial, acknowledged it to be so. Some time after, his father sent him to New castle, with a clock which was to be mended. He observed the clockmaker's tools, and the manner how he' took it to pieces, and put it together again ; and, when he came home, first made himself tools, and then made a clock, which went as true as any in the town. I suppose, such strength of genius as this has scarcely been known in Europe before. Another proof of it was this : — Thirty years ago, while I was shaving, he was whittling the top of a stick. I asked, ' What are you doing ? ' He answered, ' I am taking your face, which I intend to engrave on a copper-plate!' Accordingly, without any instruction, he first made himself tools, and then engraved the plate. The second picture which he engraved was that which was prefixed to the Notes upon the New Testament." After labouring as a preacher, with occasional intervals, thirty- one years, he was seized with mortal illness in the pulpit, when preaching in West-street chapel, London ; and, in a few hours, breathed out his soul to God. So little had he gained as a preacher of the Gospel, that, on his decease, his widow, a most worthy woman, " had one sixpence in the world, and no more !" Thomas Beard, another simple-minded, useful preacher, and the proto-martyi- of Methodism, is on the same ground " torn from his trade, and wife, and children, and sent ¦ away as a soldier ; that is, banished from all that was near and dear to him, and constrained to dwell among lions, for no other crime, either committed or pretended, than that of calling sinners to repentance. But his soul was in nothing terrified by his adversaries. Yet the body, after awhile, sunk under its burden. He was then lodged in the hospital at Newcastle, where he stUl praised God THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 61 continuaUy. His fever increasing, he was let blood. His arm festered, mortified, and was cut off ; two or three days after which, God signed his discharge, and called him up to his eternal home."* " Servant of God, weU done ! WeU hast thou fought The better fight ; who singly hast maintain'd. Against revolted multitudes, the cause Of God, in word mightier than they in arms !" The following letter, -f bearing date " Berwick-upon- Tweed, September 17th, 1744," and addressed to the Rev. George Whitefield, is perhaps " the only document extant which proceeded fi-om the pen of this persecuted man." In it the spu-it of the Christian sufferer is pleasingly exemplified. "Sir, " It has often been on my mind to write to you, since I have been in this state of life, which is not at all agreeable to my inclinations. I Tiave but little acquaint ance with you ; yet I hope you will not be offended at my writing. The children of God, while on this side the grave, always stand in need of • one another's prayers : especially such of them as are under persecution or temptations for the truth's sake. I find I stand in need of the prayers of all the chUdren of God. I was pressed in Yorkshire, for preaching, and so sent for a soldier. I earnestly pray for them that were the occasion of it. All my trust and confidence is reposed in Jesus my Saviour. I know He will not leave nor forsake me. His blood has atoned for my sins, and appeased His Father's wrath, and procured His favour for such a sinfiU worm as I ; and herein is my comfort, though men rage at me, tlvit my Saviour did not leave me nor forsake me. I have lately • Wesley's Works, vol. i., p. 467. , t Jackson's Life of Charles Wesley, vol. i., p. 386. G (52 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. been on a command in Scotland, and met with many that inquired concerning you, I preached at Cowdingham. Some of your friends came to see me from Coppersmith. Many thought it strange to see a man in a red coat preach. I beg you would write to me, in General Blakeney's regiment of foot, in Captain Dunlop'e company. "lam " Your unworthy brother, " Thomas Bbaed." Soon after the above was written, this godly man exchanged the sorrows of earth for the rest of heaven. Mr. Charles Wesley wrote two beautiful hymns on the occasion of his death, from one of which we extract the following : — " Soldier of Christ, adieu ! Thy conflicts here are past ; Thy Lord bath brought thee through, And given the crown at last : Eejoice to wear the glorious prize, Eejoice with God in paradise. " Torn from thy friends below, In banishment severe ; A man of strife and woe. No more thou wanderest here ; Join'd to thy better friends above. At rest in thy Eedeemer's love. " No longer now constrain'd With human fiends to dwell, To see their evil, pain'd Their blasphemies to feel ; Angels and saints thy comrades are, And all adore the Saviour there. " Thy victory we share, Thy glorious joy we feel ; Parted in flesh we are. But join'd in spirit stiU ; And stUl we on our brethren call To praise the common Lord of flJL THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 63 " Then let us stiU maintain Our feUowship Divine ; And tiU we meet again In Jesu's praises join ; Thus, tiU we aU your raptures know, Sing -you above, and we below." The winter this year was excessively severe, and the mob of Newcastle " bitterly hostile and riotous." But " neither the heavy falls of snow, the piercing winds of the north, nor the fierce opposition of blaspheming mobs, could restrain Mr. Charles Wesley, then sojourning in Newcastle, from the exercise of his itinerant ministry, or prevent inquiring multitudes from attending it at the early hour of five in the morning." He departs for London in the middle of December, leaving John Nelson in care of the Orphan-House and its Circuit. The state of the Society, and the sedulous care taken to promote the spiritual advancement of its members, are strikingly shown in the following letter addressed by William Briggs to Mr. Wesley : — " Newcastle, December 28th, 1744. " Honoured Sir, " I HAVE since yesterday morning had close conversation with thirty-six of the women, and nine of the young men, here. Such a company of earnest souls I hardly ever met together. One and all seem to have freedom from all outward sin, and are greatly desirous of being delivered entirely from all sin. Most of them are truly blessed mourners, and hungerers and thirsters after spiritual life and power, and in much misery without it ; and seem resolutely bent to forsake all other comforts, to enjoy the abiding Spirit of Christ dwelling in them. Those who seem less in earnest are often under strong convictions. All seem very steadfast in coming in the mornings and evenings, and most of them break through the various and odd obstacles which are set against their g2 64 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. praying at the hour (five) appointed ; in which they find great power and many blessings. All, except three or four, opened their hearts to me (only not as freely, I believe, as they would to God Himself,) and in great simplicity told me all their troubles. And nothing seems so grievous to them as the evU of their own hearts, their unfaithfulness to the grace given, and their want of love to God. I was amazed, that people whom I never saw before should be so wonderfully plain and open to me a stranger. " The Lord has wonderfully manifested His convincing power, whilst and since Mr. Charles was here. Many told me, weeping, that they were going careless, and back into the world, before he came; and now they were earnestly seeking the work of God to be finished in their souls. Though many of them are in exceeding great perplexity, and suffering great temptation, yet are they very willing to endure, so that they may but hold out to the end, "I fully intended to have come away next Monday; but, through the earnest request of Brother Nelson, I am constrained to stay and visit the classes with him. By the return of the post, we should be glad of your advice, whom to put out and whom to take in, 0, pray for us all I " All join me in duty to yourself and Mr, Charles, and love to all the church, " I am. Sir, ¦ " Your son and servant in the Lord, "WiLLLAM Briggs." Two months after, Mr. Wesley, on visiting Newcastle, finds great difficulty, from the more than ordinary severity of the weather, in reaching the place ; the whole country presenting " one great pathless waste of white." " Many a rough jom-ney," writes he, " have I had before ; but one like this I never had ; between wind, and hail, and THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 65 rain, and ice, and snow, and driving sleet, and piercing cold. But it is past. Those days wUl return no more, and are therefore as though they had never been. ' Pain, disappointment, sickness, strife, Whate'er molests or troubles life ; However grievous in its stay, It shakes the tenement of clay ; When past as nothing we esteem. And pain, like pleasure, is a dream.' " He sets himself, on his arrival, to clear up various inis- understandings which had marred the peace, and put in peril the unity, of the Society ; bearing testimony at the same time, that the being soon offended was " the sin which, of all others, most easily besets the people of Newcastle." For the first time, (at least, as found on record,) he is the subject of personal disrespect and insult : one Robert Young, who had long signalized himself, as opportunity served, by abusing and throwing stones at the Orphan- House family, assaults Mr. Wesley in the street; " using most abusive language, intermixed with many oaths and curses." A letter of rebuke and intimidation leads, however, to promises of amendment and reform. In a letter to a friend, Mr. Wesley now di-aws up "a short Statement of the Case between the Church and the Methodists ; " in which, after stating that for preaching "inward, present salvation, as attainable by faith alone," they had been forbidden to preach in the churches ; and hence were compelled, as occasion offered, to preach in private houses, and in the open air ; although for so doing many of the clergy had stigmatized them as heretics and schismatics, — as introducing Popery, and raising sedi tion, — and had also stirred up the people to treat them as " outlaws and mad dogs ; " he inquires, " What can be mutually done towards healing the breach?" For himself, and those associated with him, he engages to do whatever the clergy might desire, provided it could be g3 66 THE OEPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY, done with "a safe conscience." But he insists that, from an imperative sense of duty, they must still preach as their way opened ; their Societies, too, must be cared for, and watched over. From the clergy he simply desu-es fair treatment ; — the not being condemned without proof of what is alleged against them ; and that their opponents refrain from a persecuting spirit, and also from instigating others to riotous and bitter opposition. Little benefit, if any, resulted from the overture. Previously to Mr. Wesley's leaving Newcastle, a singular incident occurs, which in its attendant circumstances leads to the establishment of Methodism in Osmotherley, an ancient village in the North-Riding of Yorkshire. A Mr. Adams, who resided in the old Popish HaU there, having heard various " strange accounts " of Wesley and his followers, was anxious by personal observation and inquiry to test their truth. He presents himself at the Orphan- House in the character of an inquirer, and for ten or twelve days shares in the "lenten fare" of its inmates. A week after his departure, — Monday, April 15th, — Mr. Wesley, having held a religious service in the Orphan- House at half-past four in the morning, (when "many of the rich and honourable were present,") preaches at Chester-le-Street at eight, and again in the evening " at the inn in Northallerton;" where he is met by Adams and some of his neighbours. At their earnest solicitation, he accompanies them to Osmotherley, and, between ten and twelve o'clock that night, preaches in a chapel formerly belonging to a convent of Franciscan friars, to an attentive company ; many of whom, it is likely, had been roused from their beds to hear him. Midnight arrives ere he retires to rest ; yet, at five o'clock the following morning he is found addressing a large congregation, most of whom were or had been Papists ; several having sat up all night, lest they should not be in time for the morning service, " How wise," writes he, " are the ways of God ! How THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY, 67 , am I brought, without any care or thought of mine, into the centre of the Papists in Yorkshu-e! 0 that God would arise and maintain His own cause ; and aU the idols let Him utterly abolish ! " After the sermon, an elderly woman asks abruptly, " Dost thou think water-baptism an ordinance of Christ ?" Wesley answers, " What saith Peter ? ' Who can forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost even as we? '" Little more was necessary in order to produce conviction. " 'Tis right, 'tis right !" cries she : " I will be baptized," The rite took place that very hour. Jenny Meek, a resident in Osmotherley, and intimately acquainted with the parties concerned, informed the Rev, Luke Tyerman, also a native of the place, (to whose kind- ~ness I am indebted for several interestiug incidents recorded in this volume,) that the name of this good woman was Elizabeth Tyerman, a Quakeress, who had accompanied Adams to Northallerton, for the purpose of inducing Mr, Wesley to visit the village. The baptism was performed in a private house, two or three doors from the old Hall, Michael Snowden, Elizabeth's son-in-law, was one of the first Methodists in Osmotherley, Adams had been in the Romish priesthood ; but, taking to himself a wife, was no longer permitted to officiate in that relation. He retained possession of the Hall, and some landed property in connexion with it, to the day of his death. In May, 1777, Mr, Wesley, on visiting Osmotherley, records : " I found my old friend Mr. Wat son," (the Adams hei-e spoken of,) " who first brought me iuto this country, was dead, after Uving a recluse life for nearly fifty years. From one that attended him, I learned that the sting of death was gone, and he calmly delivered up his soul to God." This vUlage-introduction of Methodism is, perhaps, unique; Mr. Wesley preaching in a Popish chapel nearly at the noon of night, having been invited thither 68 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. by a priest and a Quakeress! His favourite theme, " Salvation by faith," is successfully dwelt upon. Whilst the Wesleys, amid honour and dishonour, were seeking the establishment of a kingdom which iS " not of this world," political agitation became increasingly rife on every side. The horrors of invasion and of civil strife seemed to approach with hasty steps. Charles Stuart, grandson of James the Second, having unsuccessfully attempted to land a French army ou the coast of Kentj makes his appearance in Scotland, for the purpose of regaining the British crown. Many of the disaffected clans flock to his standard ; and, being but feebly opposed by General Cope, the commander of the Royal army, (whose plans were unskUfuUy laid, and feebly executed,) Charles quickly makes himself master of the city of Edinburgh. The news of this, reaching Newcastle, throws the whole town into a state of extreme consternation and alarm. To the Orphan- House flock, the appearance of their spiritual instructor and guide was at this juncture most opportune. On the evening of his arrival, Wednesday, September 1 8th, Mr. Wesley expounds to a great concourse of people the third chapter of Jonah, dwelling particularly on the verse, — " Who can tell, if God will turn and repent, and turn away from His fierce anger, that we perish not ? " WhUst fear and darkness were on every side, all that human precaution and skill could devise to place the town in a posture of defence was quickly done. The mayor, Mr. Ridley, summons all the householders of the town to meet him, for the purpose of giving a written pledge* that at the hazard of then- goods and lives they * The following, copied from Brand's History of Newcastle, vol. iiL, p. 525, is the document they were requested to sign : — " The town of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in the coimty of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. "Whereas an actual rebeUion is begun in Scotland and the city of Edinburgh is now possessed by a Popish Pretender, and his THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 69 will defend the town against the common enemy. The townsmen are ordered to be under arms, and to mount guard by turns. The Pilgrim-street gate, near which the Orphan-House stood, is directed to be walled up ; and shortly after, on hearing of the defeat of the Royal army at .Preston-pans, in which disastrous struggle Colonel Gardiner bravely fought, and nobly fell, similar directions are given as to the Pandon and Sally-port gates. Mr. Wesley's unflinching loyalty, as well as his strong desire to arrest the progress of surrounding ungodliness, is well expressed in the following letter : — " To THE Worshipful the Mayor of Newcastle, " Sir, " My not waiting upon you at the Town-Hall was not owing to any want of respect, I reverence you for your office sake, and much more for your zeal in the execution of it, I would to God, every magistrate in the land would copy after such an example I Much less was it owing to any disaffection to His Majesty King George. But I knew not how far it might be necessary or proper for me to appear on such an occasion, I have no fortune at Newcastle : I have only the bread I eat, and the use of a little room for a few weeks in the year. adherents ; we, whose names are hereunto subscribed, being duly sensible of the many blessings we enjoy under His Majesty's happy administration ; and that the continuance thereof can in no wise be, expected, but by supporting His Majesty King George on the throne of these realms, and his Eoyal famUy ; and as it is to be apprehended, ; that the rebels may proceed to make an attempt upon this town, do voluntarily oblige ourselves to appear in person, or to provide daUy, or when we shall be required, an able man to act in concert with His Majesty's forces in this town, for the defence thereof against aU His Majesty's enemies. "Dated this Fifteenth day of September, 1745. " M. EiDLET, Nath. Clattost, Ed. Collingwood, Ealph Sowbrbt, Cuthbert Smith, Aubone Surtees, GEOReE Cuthbeetson," and 806 others. 70 the orphan-house of WESLEY. " All I can do for His Majesty, whom I honour and love, — I think, not less than I did my own father, — is this : I cry unto God, day by day, in public and in private, to put all his enemies to confusion ; and I exhort all that hear me to do the same, and in their several stations to exert themselves as loyal subjects ; who so long as they fear God cannot but honour the king. " Permit me. Sir, to add a few words more out of the fulness of my heart. I am persuaded you fear God, and have a deep sense that His kingdom ruleth over all. Unto whom, then, (I may ask you,) should we flee for succour, but unto Him, whom by om- sins we have justly displeased? 0, Sir, is it not possible to give any check to these overflowings of ungodliness ? to the open, flagrant wickedness, the drunkenness, and profaneness, which so abound, even in our streets ? I just take leave to suggest this. May the God whom you serve direct you in this, and all things ! " This is the daily prayer of. Sir, " Your obedient servant, for Christ's sake, " John Wesley," The day following, September 22d, in a letter to his brother, he states : — " I have only just time to inform you, that since the account is confirmed by an express to the mayor, that General Cope is fled, and his forces defeated, — all that did not run away, — the consternation of the poor people is redoubled. The townsmen are put under arms ; the walls planted with cannon ; and those who live without the gates are removing their goods with aU speed. We stand our ground as yet, (glory be to God !) to the no small astonishment of our neighbours. Brethren, pray for us, that, if need be, we may ' True in the fiery trial prove, And pay Him back His dying love ! ' " The Orphan-House, being situate beyond the walls of THE orphan-house OF WESLEY. 71 the town, was exposed not only to the attack of the enemy, in the event of his approach, but also to the fire of the Loyalists, when defending the town. " Many wondered," observes MJr. Wesley, "we would stay without the walls : others told us, we must remove quickly ; for, if the cannon began to play from the top of the gates, they would beat all the house about our ears. This made me look how the cannon on the gates were planted, and I could not but adore the providence of God : for it was obvious, 1. They were all planted in such a manner that no shot could touch our house. 2. The cannon on Newgate so secured us on one side, and those upon PUgrim-street gate on the other, that none could come near our house, either way, without being torn in pieces." Thus, confiding in the God of battles, Mr. Wesley not only maintained his position at the Orphan-House, but pursued with greater diligence his wonted course ; at every opportunity calling sinners to repentance ; appointing special seasons for fasting and prayer, and visiting the Societies in the immediate neighbourhood; even though at one period, whilst thus engaged, the rebels were within seventeen miles of the town. In answer, doubtless, to the prayers of the pious in that day,* the town of Newcastle was spared the pain and desolation of civil war ; the Pretender and his forces, in journeying toward Derby, having taken another route. In one important point, the providence of God was strikingly displayed. The scheme of the Pretender embraced the seizure of Tynemouth Castle, which was * The scene which occurred at the Orphan-House on Sunday, September 29th, was by no means an exceptional one. "In the afternoon," writes Mr. Wesley, " I expounded part of the lesson for the day, — Jacob wrestling with the angel. The congregation was so moved, that I began again and again, and knew not how to conclude. And we cried mightUy to God, to send His Majesty King George help from His holy place, and to spare a sinful land a Uttle longer, if haply they might know the day of their visitation." 72 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. well supplied with cannon and ammunition. The capture might have been easily accomplished; and, marching hence to the hill on the east side of Newcastle, Charles mig-ht have taken the town almost without a blow. A spy from the rebel army, named Nixon, who, on being apprehended, had cut his throat, and was hence unable to speak, wrote down, as well as he could, what was thus contemplated ; and, by order of the mayor, the cannon and ammunition were at once removed to a safer place. The Orphan-House, too, though from a different quarter, appears to have had a narrow escape. In the judgment of the commanding officer, the battlements of the place stood in the way of his military arrangements, and were therefore ordered to be taken down. Mr. Wesley, though ready at once to comply, was far from pleased with the discourteous manner in which the notice was served ; and, in the spirit of a Roman citizen, he remonstrated (Tues day, October 8th) with General Husk, as follows : — " A surly man came to me this evening, as he said, from you. He would not deign to come upstau-s to me, but stood in the yard till I came, and then obliged me to go with him into the street ; when he said, * You must pull down the battlements of your house; or, to morrow, the General will pull them down for you.' " Sir, to me this is nothing. But I humbly conceive it would not be proper for this man, whoever he is, to behave in such a manner to any other of His Majesty's subjects, at so critical a time as this. " I am ready, if it may be for His Majesty's service, to pull not only the battlements, but the house, down; or to give up any part of it, or the whole, into Your Excellency's hands." Here, fortimately, the matter ended. All danger being regarded as over, Mr, Wesley, leaving John Trembath in charge of the Orphan-House Society, visits Doncaster, Birstal, and Leeds; and returning, on the 22d inst, finds THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 73 " all things calm and quiet ; the consternation of the people being over, whilst the seriousness which it had occasioned had continued and increased." The extreme profanity of the soldiery " vexes his righteous soul," and calls forth the following letter to Alderman Ridley, ia which his intense ¦ desire to be " instant in season, out of season," in his Master's work, is pleasingly apparent : — "Sir, " The fear of God, the love of my country, and the regard I have for His Majesty King George, constrain me to write a few plain words to one who is no stranger to these principles of action. " My soul has been pained day by day, even in walking the streets of Newcastle, at the senseless, shameless wickedness, the ignorant profaneness, of the poor men to whom our lives are entrusted. The continual cursing and swearing, the wanton blasphemy of the soldiers in general, must needs be a torture to the sober ear, whether of a Clnristian or an honest infidel. Can any that fear God, and love their neighbour, hear this without concern? especiaUy, if they consider the interest of our country, as weU as of these unhappy men themselves. For, can it be expected, that God should be on their side, who are daily affi:onting Him to His face ? And, if God be not on their side, how little wiU either number, or courage, or strength avaU! " Is there no man that careth for these souls ? Doubt less, there are some who ought to do so. But many of these, if I am rightly informed, receive large pay, and do just nothing. " I would to God, it were in my power, in any degree, to supply their lack of service. I am ready to do what in me lies, to call these poor sinners to repentance, once or twice a day, (whUe I remain in these parts,) at any hour, h 74 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. or at any place. And I desire no pay at all for doing this ; unless what my Lord shall give at His appearing. " If it be objected, (from our heathenish poet,) ' This conscience wUl make cowards of us all,' I answer. Let us judge by matter of fact. Let either friends or enemies speak. Did those who feared God behave as cowards at Fontenoy ? Did J. H., the dragoon, betray any cowardice before or after his horse sunk under him ? Or did W, C, when he received the first ball in his left, and the second in his right arm ? Or John Evans, when the cannon-baU took off both his legs ? Did he not call all about him, as long as he could speak, to praise and fear God, and honour the king ? as one who feared nothing, but lest his last breath should be spent in vain ? " If it were objected, that I should only fill their heads with peculiar whioas and notions, that might easUy be known. Only let the officers hear with their own ears; and they may judge whether I do not preach the plain principles of manly, rational religion, " Having myself no knowledge of the General, I took the liberty to make this offer to you, I have no interest herein ; but I should rejoice to serve as I am able my king and country. If it be judged that this wUl be of no real service, let the proposal die, and be forgotten. But I beg you. Sir, to believe, that I have the same glorious cause, for which you have shown so becoming a zeal, earnestly at heart ; and that therefore " I am, with warm respect, "Sir, " Your most obedient servant, " John Wesley." This offer of service does not, indeed, appear to have been entertained ; since, a few days after, we find him preaching frequently on the town-moor, " at a smaU distance from the English camp." At first, he faUs to THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 75 rivet the attention of the abandoned soldiers, " the words of a scholar not affecting them like those of a dragoon or grenadier ; " yet shortly he perceives some fruit of his labour, " not only in the number of his hearers, but in the power of God, which was more and more among them, both to wound and heal." His last visit to the neighbour hood of the camp is thus recorded : — " Sunday, November 3d. Between one and two in the afternoon, I went to the camp once more. Abundance of people now flocked together, horse and foot, rich and poor ; to whom I declared, ' There is no difference : for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.' I observed many Germans standing disconsolate at the skirts of the congregation : to these, I was constrained (though I had discontinued it so long) to speak a few words in their own language. Immediately, they gathered up close together, and drank in every word." The day following Mr, Wesley journeys southward, " Loyalty," Wesley was wont to say, was with him "an essential branch of religion," Not only were his movements in Newcastle, but all his steps in after life, in perfect keeping with this profession. His offer to discharge gratuitously, whilst resident in the neighbourhood, the duties of chaplain to the soldiery in Newcastle, as well as his proposal made some years subsequently, when the kingdom was in imminent danger, to provide men for the army, is in evidence that he had but little sympathy with those would-be philanthropists who venture, in circum stances of national peril, to discom-age or oppose the arming of om- citizens in defence of country and home. To the Volunteer-movement of the present day, Wesley would, from principle, have been a willing party. He feared God; and hence both loved his country, and honoured the king. h2 76 CHAPTER IV. 1746—1750. Fearful pestUence in Newcastle — Letter from John Nelson — Newcastle the head of a Circuit — Charles Wesley's visit — Methodism in Hexham — Letter of invitation from Mr. Wardrobe, a pious Dissenting minister — Charles Wesley's hymns — Mr. Wesley's examination of the Orphan-House Society — An odd hindrance of brotherly love — Jeannie Keith — Joseph Cownley — Sacramental controversy — Certificate of Mr. Moore's ordination — Methodism in Morpeth, Alnwick, and Berwick — First Quarterly Meeting in Newcastle — Functions of Quarterly Meetings stated — Whitehaven added to the Newcastle Circuit. The spriug of 1746 was characterized, in Newcastle, by the visitation of a deadly sickness, which raged in every quarter of the town. So fearful were its effects among the soldiery, that, in the course of a few months, nearly two thousand of their number were swept away. Religious good seems, however, to have resulted. "When Thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world wUl learn righteousness." The following letter, addressed to Mr. Wesley by John Nelson, to whom the care of the Orphan-House Society was again entrusted, refers to an extension of the work of God in Newcastle and the immediate vicinity : — "Newcastle, July 16, 1746. " Dear Father in the Lord, " This comes with my duty to you, and to let you know how I find all in these parts. God is greatly reviving His work, both in town and in the country, as far as I can find. There have been more justified within THE orphan-house OF WESLEY. 77 these five weeks, than for several months past. To God be all the glory ! — for I see, more clearly than ever, that the good that is done upon the earth He doeth it Himself, and He wUl not give His honour to another. " I have lately been at Brother Brown's, at Newlands. There were a great many hearers, and we were blessed with peace ; so that I believe it wUl be well to visit that place, as the people seem wUling to hear. But Sunder land should not be neglected, as the sacred fire is already kindled there. Several have found redemption in the blood of Christ ; and many more cannot rest day or night, but are crying out, ' Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me ! ' I see the necessity of using great plainness of speech ; for, till a man sees that he is a condemned sinner, he will not forsake all and foUow the despised Jesus. All our preaching seemed to be as the words of one having a pleasant voice to this people, till a month ago. On the Lord's day I went and preached to them on these words, — ' Prepare to meet thy God ! ' The Lord enabled me to speak such sharp words, that my own mind was greatly affected, and many that heard me started, as if the earth was about to open her mouth under them, and let them drop down into hell. Since then, many have been sensible of their sin and misery ; and others have been delivered from the spirit of bondage, and have received the Spirit of adoption. Sister Mm-ray has been greatly blessed to them. She visited them twice ; and there were two set at liberty the first time she went, and five the second. " My best prayers attend you. " I am yom- unworthy son, to serve in the " Gospel of Christ, " John Nelson." The above, though from the pen of an uneducated man, strikingly exemplifies the spirit by which the early " helpers " of Wesley were actuated. " To turn men h3 78 the orphan-house of wesley. from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God," was regarded by themselves as their special voca tion, and their one business. Nothing was, in fact, deemed to be accomplished, tUl in the forgiveness of sin, and in the consecration of the heart and life to God, those to whom they ministered became the subjects of that "king dom " which is " not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." In the earliest Circuit-record now extant, Newcastle appears this year as one of seven Circuits into which the country was divided. The following arrangement — not, perhaps, the first of the kind— was adopted at the thhd Methodist Conference,* held in the month of May at Bristol : — - 1, London, including Surrey, Kent, Essex, Brentford, Egham, Windsor, Wycombe, 2. Bristol, including Somersetshire, Portland, WUts, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire. 3. Cornwall, 4. Evesham, including Shrewsbury, Leominster, Here ford, and from Stroud to Wednesbury. 5. Yorkshu-e, including Cheshire, Lancashhe, Derby shire, Nottinghamshire, Rutlandshire, and Lincolnshire, 6. Newcastle, 7. Wales. The extentf of the Newcastle Circuit is not stated. * This Conference was attended by John Wesley, Charles Wesley, John Hodges, Jonathan Eeeves, (one of the Orphan-House trustees,) Thomas Maxfield, Thomas WesteU, Thomas WUUs, Samuel Taylor, and Thomas Glascot. t At the Conference of 1748, held at the chapel-house in Tower- street, London, when WUUam Briggs, WiUiam Welsh, and Patrick Thompson (of Newcastle), were present as stewards, Newcastle is pubUshed as one of nine Circuits, into which England and Wales were then divided; "including, 1. Osmotherley. 2. Newcastle itself. 3. Sunderland. 4. Biddiok. 5. Burnupfield. 6. Spen. 7. SwalweU. 8. Horsley. 9. Plessey. 10. Berwick-upon-Tweed." THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY, 79 Although, perhaps, more restricted than the Yorkshire f Round," which embraced not less than seven counties, the Circuit of which the Orphan-House was the centre, whUst extending northward as far as Edinburgh, took in the counties of Northumberland, Durham, Cumberland, and Westmoreland, Itinerancy was at that period a toilsome reality. Toward the close of the year, Mr. Charles Wesley, accompanied by Edward Perronet, spends little less than three months in Newcastle and the neighbourhood. The principal incident connected with this visit is the intro duction of Methodism into the ancient town of Hexham ; where, at the pressing instance of Mr. Wardrobe, a pious Dissenting minister, he preaches frequently during his protracted stay. A letter addressed to the elder Wesley, some months before, and endorsed by him as "an artless invitation to preach from an Israelite indeed," presents so pleasing an instance of true catholicity of spirit, that its insertion here wUl not by any be regarded as intrusive : — " Hexham, March 4th, 1745-6. "Reverend Sir, " I AM no Methodist, neither indeed can I adopt several of the principles that you seem to hold, but must needs judge the truth to be clouded with many erroneous mistakes. Notwithstanding, it manifestly appears that a good work has been begun and carried on under your ministrations. Should I challenge the wisdom of the Sovereign of heaven, who takes His own method of working ? " I should make apology for this trouble from a stranger, but shall make no other than this : That it is to desire you not to confine your ministrations to the place where you now are, exclusive of some other parts of the neigh bourhood which loudly call for a visit ; if so be, God may 80 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. thereby think upon them, that they perish not. Who knows, but even in Hexham some trophies of a Re deemer's conquest are by such means to be set up — some poor sinners to be called home to Christ ? If one soul might get good, you would not, I am persuaded, judge it lost labour. Nay, methinks, you would submit to reproach, to shame, yea, even to death. " I am one of the brethren of the Nonconformity, It might, perhaps, raise prejudice in the breasts of those among whom you will have access to preach if you come here, should it be known that I have solicited you, 0 that they might be caught by guile ! I can see scarce the shadow of scriptural Christianity in this place, if it be not in their going to church on the Lord's day, and some attending public prayers on the week-days. The gene rality of Dissenters are Uttle better; and I should have melancholy days here, were I not now and then refreshed among the societies of some praying friends. It would -affect any tender heart to pass through this place, to look into houses, to hear their conversation, to see their behaviour, to find in some parts a bare outside civUity, but no religion : and yet it would be taken very ill to say, ' Is this a Christian town ? ' Ministers and people are asleep amidst a more terrible storm than that which alarmed the pagan ship-master and crew. What num bers of souls are dying in ignorance and deceit! I see not but people are ready to hear, if Christ was preached : though the many partitions, raised by the lusts of men's passions, hinder their receiving the word gladly, but from the mouth of those of theu- own denomination ; which is a consideration of weight with me in desiring you to take a torn- to Hexham. " Tuesday is the market-day in this town. That after noon, when the market is partly over, might be a suitable opportunity; or, if it was on the Lord's-day evening, when people plainly give proof of reigning carnality, under the THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 81 dominion of sin. But I care not when it be, if you do but come : I doubt not but people will hear a stranger any day. " Some, I find in my observations, oppose the Me thodists out of ignorance, because they are generally spoke against; others, out of strong prejudice ; some, because their craft is in danger ; and others, because really they neither know nor care for the religion of Jesus Christ ; and, it may be, some, from conscience. But, if Christ be preached, and sinners converted, I shaU rejoice, whoever may be employed as the instruments. I think I could rejoice to see sinners awakened, and seeking after a Saviour, going Zionward in crowds, though I should find myself obliged to worship in a manner somewhat different from them. " I have wrote you these, when I was musing what might be the most likely methods for reviving and spreading reUgion. A line by the post would oblige me. In the meantime, I am, ' "Reverend Sir, " Yours in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, ^ " T. Wardrobe." "0 that aU our Dissenting brethren were likeminded!" exclaims Mr. Charles Wesley, after spending an evening in the company of this good man : " then would aU dissensions cease for ever." Mr. Charles Wesley's first sermon at Hexham was delivered on the 27th of November, in the market-place; none interrupting, save one unfortunate magistrate, — " Squire Roberts," who could get no one, either by com mand or entreaty, to second him. Even the constable, who was ordered to take the preacher down, ventured to remonstrate. " Sir," said he, " I cannot have the face to doit; for what harm does he do?" In the evening, service was held in the cock-pit, where the magistrate's son laboured hard " to raise a mob," but in vain. " I 82 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. called," writes Mr. Charles, " in words then first heard in that place, ' Repent, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.' God struck the hard rock, and the waters gushed out. Never have I seen a people more desirous at the first hearing." "November 28th," continues he,* "at six, we assembled again in our chapel, the cock-pit. I imagined myself in the Pantheon, or some heathen temple, and almost scrupled preaching there at first. But we found ' the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.' His presence consecrated the place. Never have I seen a greater awe, or sense of God, than while we were repeating His own prayer. I set before their eyes Christ crucified, and crying from the cross, ' Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by ? ' The rocks were melted into gracious tears. We knew not how to part. I distributed some books amongst them, which they received with the utmost eagerness, begging me to come again, and to send our preachers to them." A fortnight after, Mr. Charles is again at Hexham, preaching in the market-place at the Cross. At four in the afternoon he attempts to preach in the cock-pit, but the territory of the enemy is claimed by his own servants. The butlers of Sir Edward Blackett, and of the magistrate, bring their cocks, and "set them a-fighting." "I gave them the ground," says Mr. Wesley, "and walked straight to the Cross, where we had fom- times as many as the other place could hold. Our enemies followed, and strove all the ways permitted them to annoy us. Neither then- fire-works nor their water-works could stop the progress of the Gospel. I lifted up my voice like a trumpet, and many had ears to hear." Several of Mr. Charles Wesley's most spirited hymns are supposed to have been written during this sojourn in the north. That, for instance, numbered 40 in the * Jackson's Life- of Charles Wesley, vol. i, p. 455. THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 83 Wesleyan Hymn-Book,* in which the triumphant progress of the Gospel is noted in glowing verse, he himself states to have been penned " after preaching to the Newcastle colliers." The hymn was in all likelihood written on the occasion thus referred to in his Journal : — " Sunday, November 30th. I went into the streets of Newcastle, and called the poor, the lame, the halt, the blind, with that precious promise, ' Him that cometh unto Me I will in no wise cast out.' They had no feeling of the sharp frost, while the love of Jesus warmed their hearts." " The very animated and emphatic hymn," observes Mr. Jackson, "beginning, ' See, how great a fiame aspires, Kindled by a spark of grace,' was also written on the joyful occasion of his ministerial success, and that of his fellow-labom-ers, in Newcastle and its vicinity. Perhaps the imagery was suggested by the large fires connected with the collieries, which illuminate the whole of that part of the counti-y in the darkest nights." Indeed, many of these incomparable hymns would be read with tenfold interest, if the circumstances in which they were at first penned were generally known. To his heaven-inspired muse om- Societies and congrega tions owe much. In the well-known " Collection of Hymns," the greater part of which was composed by him, well nigh every doctrine of revelation, as well as every phase of religious experience, is presented in pleasing verse; whilst by this "metrical liturgy" the wants of our church, whether as to the requirements of social or of public devotion, are folly met. To the constant use of these truly scriptural and beautiful lyrics * The first stanza runs thus, — - " Ye neighbours and friends, to Jesus draw near ; His love condescends, by titles so dear. To caU and invite you His triumph to prove. And freely deUght you in Jesus's love." 84 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. an almost uniforni correctness of religious sentiment among the Wesleyan Methodists may, to a great extent, be traced. In the spring of 1747, Mr. Wesley spends several weeks at his favourite domicile, the Orphan-House, The stewards of the Society, as well as the inmates of that establishment, give him perfect satisfaction. The former he represents as being " of one heart and mind ; " whUst all in the House he finds " of the same spirit, pouring out their souls to God many times in a day together, and breathing nothing but love and brotherly kindness." But the Society, though formerly twice as many in number, is found, on a somewhat rigorous examination, to be reduced to four hundred members. Some consola tion is, however, derived from the old proverb, that " the half is more than the whole." " We shall not he ashamed," writes he, " of any of these, when we speak with our enemies in the gate." His mode of conducting these examinations is graphi- caUy presented, when, in answer to an objection, that it was impossible to distinguish between the precious and the vile, he remarks that only two things are requisite : " First, courage and steadiness in the examiner; secondly, common sense, and common honesty, in the leader of each class, I visit, for instance," continues he, "the class in the Close, of which Robert Peacock is leader. I ask. Does this and this person in your class live in drunkenness, or any outward sin ? Does he go to church, and use the other means of grace ? Does he meet you as often as he has opportunity ? Now, if Robert Peacock has common sense, he can answer these questions truly ; and if he has common honesty, he wUl. And if not, some other ia the class has both, and can and wUl answer for him. Where is the difficulty, then, of findmg out if there be any disorderly walker in this class ; and consequently in any other ? The question is not concern- THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 85 ing the heart, but the life. And the general tenor of this, I do not say, cannot be known, but cannot be hid without a miracle." Mr. Wesley's perfect serenity of mind, and his entire satisfaction with the religious state and co-operation of those around him, are pleasingly manifest in the following entry made in his Jom-nal, on Thursday, the 19 th of March : — " I considered, 'What should I do now, if I was sure I had but two days to live ? ' All outward thiugs are settled to my wish : the houses at Bristol, Kingswood, and Newcastle are safe ; the Deeds whereby they are con veyed to the trustees took place on the 5th instant ; my wUl is made : what have I more to do, but to commend my .soul to my merciful and faithful Creator?" Happy they who thus live in holy readiness to exchange worlds ! — who, with the poet of our Israel, can truly sing, — " When Thou wUt, the blessing give, CaU us up Thy face to see ; Only let Thy servants Uve, And let us die, to Thee !" After visiting the several Societies in the neighbour hood, Mr. Wesley repeats his scrutiny of the members connected with the Orphan-House ; and finds what he calls "an odd hindrance of brotherly love" creeping in among them ; " namely, a fancy that they must not justify themselves. Just contrary to the scriptural injunction, ' Be ready to give a reason of the hope that is in you,' For want of doing this in time, some offences were now grown incurable. I found it needful to tear up this by the roots ; to explain this duty from the founda tion ; and to require aU who desired to remain with us, to justify themselves whenever they were blamed unjustly, and not to swallow up both peace and love in their voluntary humUity." The care thus taken to preserve his Societies right, docArimdly, as weU as practically, is deserving of notice : nor was his sphere of ministerial I 86 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. influence and effort confined to them. At his fareweU sermon, on Monday, AprU 20th, so many of " the finest people " were present, that he was led to exclaim, " Surely, God is working a new thing in the earth. Even to the rich the Gospel is preached." What number of persons constituted the Orphan-House famUy,* or by what means they were supported, we have now no means of ascertaining. Several were, doubtless, maintained at Mr. Wesley's sole expense ; others, whUst allowed a residence there, supported themselves by their own exertions. Of this latter class, was Jeannie Keith, a poor but eminently pious woman, whose name is perpetuated with honom- in the early volumes of the " Arminian Magazine." Two letters, addressed by her to Mr. Wesley, are there given. The first, bearing date, May 17th, 1747, fully corroborates the representation aa to the highly satisfactory state of the Orphan-House establishment. The second is characterized by such artless simplicity of spirit and style, that no hesitation is felt in presenting it without curtaUment. This letter is inscribed by Mr. Wesley, " From a poor, happy woman, then living in the Orphan-House." " Newcastle, November 1, 1748. " Reverend and dear Sir, " I THINK we never had a more blessed time in this house, since it was a house. I know of nothing amiss between Sister M and me; but we cannot be of one soul, as you express it ; for you know she must * Of two of the number, the foUowing record is found in Mi, Atmore's MS. Journal : — "Sunday, January 31st, 1790. I buried at ' the BaUasf^HUls ' poor old NeUy Dixon, who has been in the Orphan- House nearly thirty years. « May 2d, 1790. This morning, about eight o'clock, old Eebecca Proctor exchanged the cross for a crown of glory. She has Uved in the Orphan-House above forty years, and has been a worthy member of the Society. She died in much peace, and now rests from her labours." THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 87 have a Uttle pre-eminence. I am exceeding willing that she should ; and so we live in great peace, and, I believe, in love. " You may expect plain dealing from me ; and if I thought you distrusted me, I would not write ; but I am fully persuaded you do not ; and therefore, why should I hide a heart from you, that is quite uncovered before the all-seeing eyes of God? I may possibly deal too openly with others ; but I am fully convinced, I never can with you. Nay, I could heartily wish that you saw all that is in my heart : you could then be a better judge of it than I am myself. " I know not how to agree to the not working. I am stUl unwUling to take anything from anybody. I work out of choice ; having never yet learned howlong a woman can be idle and innocent. I have had as blessed times in my soul, as ever I had in my life ; especially in the night time, when I see nothing but the light of a candle and a white cloth, and hear nothing but the sound of my own breath : with God in my sight, and heaven in my soul, I think myself one of the happiest creatures below the skies. I do not complain that God has not made me some fine thing to be set up to be gazed at ; but I can heartUy bless Hun that He has made me just what I am, — a creature capable of the enjoyment of Himself. K I go to the window and look out, I see the moon and stars ; I meditate awhUe on the sUence of the night, consider this world as a beautiful structure, the work of an Almighty hand; then I sit down to work again, and think myself one of the happiest beings in it. I do not murmur because I have not what they call ' goods of fortune, or a little skin-deep beauty ; but I am happy, because as long as God lives, I shall enjoy Him ; so long as there is a heaven, I shall possess it. If this thought cannot make me happy, without anything else, 1 deserve to be miserable. Then, how can I enough adore that i2 88 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. Redeemer, who bought aU these privUeges for me with His own blood ? But here words faU me, and I can say no more. I sink deep into my own nothingness, and cry out -snth astonishment, ' 0, what has God done for me ! ' " 0, pray for me, that I may no more be found unfaith ful. Dear Sfr, pray for me, that I may be always watchful and serious ; that aU my conversation may adom the Gospel. To the Divine protection I commit that which is dearest to me on earth, and remain " Your affectionate loving chUd, " Jeannie Keith," Respecting the subsequent career of this interesting woman, but little is knoAvn, The letters to which refer ence is just made, were inserted in the Magazine some years after her decease; yet, in a communication from Mr, Wesley to John Downes, intimation is given that she had previously ceased to be the eminently devoted Christian she once was. Some days before Mr, Wesley's departure from New castle, Joseph Cownley, one of his earliest and most successful helpers, had reached the Oi-phan-House ; and to him the care of the Society and congregation was, for upwards of sixteen months, entrusted. This eminently placid yet devoted minister was born at Leominster, in the year 1723, and in early life became the subject of strong religious impressions. Although restrained by preventing grace from gross and outward sin, the evU tendencies of his heart gave him great uneasiness : under a painful apprehension of the Divine displeasure, he suffered much. WhUst visiting Bath, in the capacity of magistrates' clerk, his mind, under the preaching of Wesley, was graciously enlightened. The righteousness in which he had previously trusted was felt to be a false foundation for his hope; and, whUst pleading in the language of the publican, " God be merciful to me, a THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 89 sinner ! " he realized " the righteousness which is of God by faith." Soon after, he felt it to be his duty, as opportunity served, to call sinners to repentance ; and at the Conference of 1746 he was formally received by Mr. Wesley, as an accredited " helper." A kind of ordination, not afterwards continued, then took place. Mr. Cownley having kneeled down, Mr. Wesley placed a copy of the New Testament in his hand, and, after pronouncing, "Take thou authority to preach the Gospel," gave his solemn benediction. Mr. Cownley's first appointment was at Bristol, where his labours were greatly owned of God. Early in the year 1747 he encountered the persecution then raging at Darlaston and Wednesbury; and, after visiting the Societies in Cornwall, took up his abode at the Orphan- House, Newcastle. By the Methodists throughout the north he was cordially welcomed ; and under his affec tionate yet faithful ministrations many were converted from the error of their ways. On leaving Newcastle, Mr. Cownley spent some months in Ireland, labouring chiefly in Dublin and Cork. At the latter place, the mob, headed by a barbarian baUad-singer, named Butler, attacked the congregation " with stones, and clubs, and swords ; " so that the lives of all were placed in imminent peril. Here, with Mr. Charles Wesley, and others, he is presented by the grand jury as " a person of ill fame and a vagabond ;" though, by a singular misnomer, termed in the indictment "Joseph McAuliff." In 1752, Mr. Cownley was associated with the Messrs, Wesley and others in the foUowing agreement ; which, Mr, Jackson justly observes, " is a fine illustration of the spirit of those blessed men whom the God of all grace employed as a means of reviving religion in these lands ; and is worthy of being preserved for the moral benefit of Christians in general, and especially of those who are united together in the holy ministry :" — i3 90 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY, " January 29, 1752, " It is agreed by us whose names are underwritten, " 1, That we wUl not listen or wUlingly inquire after any iU concerning ea'ch other. "2. That if we do hear of any Ul of each other, we wiU not be forward to believe it. " 3. That as soon as possible, we will communicate what we hear, by speaking or writing, to the person concerned. " 4. That tUl we have done this, we will not write or speak a syllable of it to any other person whatsoever. " 5. That neither will we mention it, after we have done this, to any other person. " 6. That we wUl not make any exception to any of these rules, unless we think ourselves absolutely obliged in conscience so to do. " John Wesley, Jonathan Reeves, John Downes, Chas. Wesley, Joseph Cownley, John Jones, JohnTrebebath, Chas. Perronet, John Nelson, Edw. Perronet, Thomas Maxfield, Willm. Shent, John Haime." In the month of October, 1755, Mr. Cownley is united in marriage with Miss Massiot, an eminently pious and devoted member of the Society at Cork, The year follow ing, being incapacitated by illness for the toilsome duties of the Itinerancy, he returns to Newcastle, where for a season he had apartments in the Orphan-House. With the exception of one year spent in Scotland, under the direction of Mr. Wesley, this distinguished preacher laboured, as strength permitted, to the close of an extended life, in the northern Districts.* " Wherever * " In one of his excursions into the Dales, he was insulted by a mob, headed by a clergyman. Warm from the viUage-tavern, this zealous son of the Church, with the coUected rabble, advanced to the field of action. Mr. Cownley was preaching near the door of an honest Quaker, when the minister insisted that he was breaking the order of the THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 91 he came, he was received as a servant of God, The Lord owned and blessed his labours among the people : " so that, for years after his removal to a happier world, his name was held in highest esteem. To the preachers, when visiting the Orphan-House, or when itinerating in the neighbourhood, he was a " centre of union:" by them he was treated "with tbe reverence due to a father," rathet than with the famUiarity inspired and sanctioned by the brotherly relation. In the Sacramental controversy, which commenced as early as the year 1755, and was not finally settled till some time after the Wesleys had terminated their life and labours, Mr. Cownley felt a lively interest. He was, indeed, one of the foremost in claiming for the Methodist Societies, in this respect, their right and privilege, as a section of the church of Christ, Associated with him iu this movement were Edward and Charles Perronet, sons of the venerated vicar of Shoreham ; and also Thomas Walsh, eminent alike for biblical scholarship and piety, and possessing in a high degree Mr, Wesley's esteem and confidence. These good men, and other preachers also, not only absented themselves from the services of the Established Church, but went so far as to adminster the Lord's Supper to those who were like-minded with them, and also to one another.* Church, and began to read the canon against conventicles. Mr. Cownley replied, ' If I am disorderly, you are not immaculate ; ' and reminded bim of the canon ' for sober conversation, and against frequenting ale-houses.' Confounded with the apphcation, the parson retired for awhile ; but, mustering up his courage, he returned, and, with threats of prosecution, began to take down the names of the hearers. A Quakerj who was one of the congregation, hearing the alarming denunciation, stepped up, and with unruffled gravity clapped the parson on the back, and said, ' Friend John, put my name down first ! ' This ended the contest. Quite disconcerted, the clergyman withdrew, and left Mr. Cownley to finish his discourse in peace." — Lkes of Earll/ Methodist Preachers, vol. i., p. 108. * On the points then in dispute, the Society at Newcastle was also 92 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. The uneasiness then felt and manifested wUl excite but little surprise, when it is borne in recollection that many of the clergy of that day were not only strangers to vital godliness, but grossly immoral in their lives and conver- ¦ eation. Others were instigators of persecuting mobs, and authors of many painful annoyances, under which the Methodists suffered greatly. In numerous instances, moreover, the followers of Wesley were not permitted, how much soever they might desu-e it, to participate in the Sacraments of the Church; but, when daring to approach the table of the Lord, were rudely repeUed. Many became Dissenters, not from any change of senti ment as to the rites or constitution of the Church, but in order to obtain that spiritual edification which " the Church as by law established " faUed to impart. " I caimot," writes Mr. Wesley to his brother Charles, " answer the arguments on this side of the question. Joseph Cownley says, ' For such and such reasons, I dare not hear a drunkard preach, or read prayers.' I answer, ' I dare ; ' but I cannot answer his reasons." For a season, through Mr. Wesley's influence, these offending brethren engaged to refrain from administering the Lord's Supper, even among themselves; yet, eventuaUy, the question assumed so serious an aspect, that he was led to ordain several of his preachers, to administer the Sacraments in England and Scotland, wherever they might deem it necessary. The first ordinations performed by Mr. Wesley had reference to the provinces of North America, when agitated. "Tuesday, May 13th, 1755," Mr. Wesley writes, "I rode on to Newcastle. I did not find things in the order I expected. Mbbj were on the point of leaving the Church, which some had done abeady, and, as they supposed, on my authority. In the foUowing week, I spake to the members of the Society generaUy, and find far fewer than I expected prejudiced against the Church. I think, not forty in all ; and I trust the plague is now stayed." THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY, 93 separated from the mother-country, and erected into independent States, On the 2d of September, 1784, by imposition of hands, and by prayer, he set apart Dr. Coke, to act in conjunction with Mr. Asbury, as General Superintendent of the Societies there. On the same day he also ordained Richard Whatcoat and Thomas Vasey, to officiate as elders, under their direction. The foUowing year, to meet the necessity which had arisen at home, he set apart, on the 2d of August, by solemn ordination, Messrs. Pawson, Hanby, and Joseph Taylor, " for the office of presbyter in the church of God." In 1786, July 29th, William Warrener, Charles Atmore, WUliam Emmett, and Joseph Keighley received a simUar ordina tion ; — that of Mr. Cownley taking place on the 4th of June, 1788, and that of Mr. Mather, shortly after. The last ordination by Mr. Wesley occurred on the 27th of February, 1789, when Messrs. Moore and Rankin received a sunilar designation and appointment. All these ordina tions took place at the early hom- of four in the morning ; and, with the exception of that of Dr. Coke, were preceded by ordination to the office of deacon. The foUowing copy of the certificate of Mr. Moore's ordination, as published by himself, wUl be read with interest : — " Know aU men by these presents, that I, John Wesley, late FeUow of Lincoln College, in Oxford, Presbyter of the Church of England, did on the day of the date hereof, by the imposition of my hands and prayer, (being assisted by other ordained ministers,) set apart Henry Moore, for the office of a Presbyter in the church of God ; a man whom I judge qualffied to feed the flock of Christ, and to administer the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, according to the usage of the Church of England; and, as such, I do hereby recommend him to all whom it may concern. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this twenty-seventh day of February, 94 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine. " John Wesley. " Present and assisting : " James Creighton, ) Presbyters of the Church of Peard Dickenson, j England." Mr. Cownley was indeed one of the excellent of the earth ; " of eminent piety, and remarkable seriousness." " His love to his brethren and the church of God," writes one who knew him well, " is as worthy of imitation, as it is above all praise." Mr. Wesley was wont to characterize him as " one of the best preachers in England." " Per suasion hung upon his lips, and at times he appeared to speak with an authority more than human. Alternately he was a son of thunder and of consolation. By the terrors of the Lord he persuaded men ; and by the appli cation of the promises he conffi-med the wavering, and comforted the doubting believer." For nearly forty years, he may be regarded as the Orphan-House minister; having delivered in that hallowed spot several thousands of sermons. Every Tuesday and Thursday evening he was wont to occupy the pulpit, and frequently also on the Lord's-day morning: yet it was generaUy remarked, " Mr. Cownley has always something new." His end was suited to his life ; exhibiting unwavering confidence in God, and, although in constant pain, patient submission to His will. To his physician, who exhorted him in the extremity of his pain not to be afraid, he said, "^The fear of death has long since been removed. I am not afraid to die ; but I am afi-aid lest I should become impatient under this affliction." When the doctor with drew, he exclaimed with great fervour, "Jesus! I am Thine. Thou art my Physician ! But, if it be Thy wUl, and I have finished the work Thou hast committed to me, then take me to Thyself." On the evening of Monday, the orphan-house of WESLEY. 95 October 8th, 1792, he reclined his head on the chair, and without a struggle or a groan entered into rest. " Death broke at once the vital chain, And forced the soul the nearest way."* From 1747 to 1750 the Orphan-House Society, under the successive oversight of Joseph Cownley, Christopher Hopper, and John Downes, not only increased in number, but, on the testimony of Mr. Wesley, had " more of the life and power of religion" than he had ever found before. Monthly watchnights — that is, meetings for exhortation and prayer, commencing at seven in the evening, and ending between nine and ten o'clock — were established, not only in Newcastle, but in the several Societies of the neighbourhood. In the month of July, 1748, Mr. Wesley journeys north ward as far as Berwick. On his way thither, he preach'es at the Cross in Morpeth ; several at first' opposing, but " the congregation softening more and more, till toward the close the far greater part " are " exceedingly serious and attentive." In the evening, at Widdrington, under the shade of large trees, a large company is gathered to gether. " Every man hung upon the word; none stirred his head or hand, or looked to the right or left, while the preacher declared in strong terms ' the grace of our Lord * In the Conference obituary of 1793, his ministerial associates record : — " This venerable man began his ministry in 1744. In filling up the duties of his station, he was fervent and diligent. In doing this, he had to combat some ofthe most, painful infirmities of human nature. His abilities as a preacher were very uncommon ; a pecuUar unction generaUy attended his word ; hi^ seriousness was almost proverbial ; and he lived and died a copy of the truths he taught. He Bought out the retreats of wretchedness, and was found ' Where hopeless anguish pour'd his groan. And lonely want retired to die.' In him the Society lost a faithful pastor, and the world a burning and shining Ught." 9Q THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. Jesus Christ.'" At Alnmouth, the day following, he finds the people " sinners convict, having nothing to pay." To these, also, he makes known the salvation which is in Christ. In the evening, he preaches at Alnwick Cross, to a large congregation. "All were moved a little, but none very much. The waters spread wide, but not deep." At Berwick, on the 20th, by permission of the commander of the garrison, he preaches on a green place, near the officer's house, to nearly two thousand people, and finds the generality of them just such as he expected, — " serious and decent, but not easy to be convinced of anything. For who," inquires he, " can tell them what they did not know before ? " In none of these places has Methodism exerted any extensive influence or taken deep root. At the Conference held this year in London, November 16th, one of the helpers in each Circuit (then designated the assistant, but now the superintendent) was appointed to take charge of the several Societies therein. In this capacity, John Downes appears as the first "assistant" in the Newcastle Circuit ; part of his duty being, " to hold Quarterly Meetings, and therein to inquire diligent y into the spiritual and temporal state of each Society." But, as meetings of this kind were of very recent date, John Bennet is directed to go " as soon as may be, to Newcastle and Wednesbury," and teach the Societies " the nature and method " of such assemblies. Other engagements, it would seem, prevented this ; since, under date of May 4th, 1753, Mr. Wesley records, — " We had the first general Quarterly Meeting of all the stewards round about Newcastle, in order thoroughly to understand both the spiritual and temporal state of each Society." The Quarterly Meetmg, though possessmg no discipU- nary powers, may now be regarded as one of the most important Circuit arrangements of Wesleyan Methodism.* * The functions of the Quarterly Meeting are, in brief, as foUows:— The finances of the Circuit are under its direction and control No THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 97 When first established, it comprised simply the preachers and stewards of the respective Circuits. In process of time, — as a right established by usage, — other office-bearers were considered as entitled to attend, and take part in the proceedings ;,tiU, at the Conference of 1852, it was declared that the following parties and no others should be recog nised as members of the Quarterly Meeting : — "1. All the ministers and preachers on trial in the Circuit, and the supernumeraries whose names appear in the printed Minutes of the Conference. " 2. The circuit-stewards, all the society-stewards, and the poor-stewards. " 3, All the class-leaders in the Circuit. • " 4. All the local preachers of three years' continuous standing, after having been twelve months on trial ; they being resident members of Society in the Circuit. " 5. All the trustees of chapels situate in places named on the Circuit-Plan; such trustees being resident members of Society in the Circuit." The platform of the Quarterly Meeting is thus extended quite as far as is consistent with the scriptural exercise of ministerial authority and influence. In September, 1749, Whitehaven is added to the New castle "round;" Mr, Wesley having preached there on the chapel or school can be erected or enlarged without its sanction. Its approval is necessary in order to any candidate for the ministry being recommended by the superintendent to the Conference. No division of the Circuit, involving the formation of a new Circuit, can be carried into effect without its consent. The operation of any new rule, affect ing the Societies at large, can by its decision be set aside in the Circuit for one year. No circuit-steward can be appointed without its concur rence. — The Quarterly Meeting possesses tbe right of ma-king prelimi nary engagements as to the ministerial supply for the Circuit, and of petitioning the Conference in reference thereto ; and also, at its June session, of memorializing the Conference on any Connexional subject. If in any Circuit no local-preachers' meeting is held, the candidate must be proposed and approved at the Quarterly Meeting. K 98 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 22d instant. "The work," he remarks, "runs with a swift and a wide stream, but it does not go deep. A con siderable part of the town seems moved, but extremely few are awake ; and scarce three have found a sense of the pardoning love of God, from the time, of the first preaching to this day." In October of this year, after the marriage of Grace Murray with John Bennet, Mr, Wesley spends a few days in Newcastle. The following extract from his Journal, whilst indicating the satisfactory state of the Orphan- House Society, gives evidence how quickly he had risen superior to a disappointment, which must have been to him most painful : — " Wednesday, October 11th. I rejoiced to find that God was stUl carrying on His work. Both in the morning and evening, the hearts of many burned within them, while they were assembled in His name ; and they felt His word to be ' the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.' "Friday, October 13tli, — ^At the meeting of the select Society, such a flame broke out as was never there before. We felt such a love to each other as we could not express ; such a spirit of supplication, and such a glad acquiescence in all the providences of God, and confidence that He would withhold from us no good thing." From a letter addressed by Mr. Charles Wesley to "Mr. Blackwell, banker, in Change-alley, London," — the mu tual friend of the Wesleys, — it appears that the paroxysm of painful feeling, caused by the part taken by Mr. Charles Wesley and Mr. Whitefield in the marriage of Grace Mm-ray, was soon subdued. Southey, in his Life of the founder of Methodism, observes that " resentment was a plant that could never take root in the heart of Wesley." The whole of his history is certamly in evidence that it never did. The letter here given is interesting, also, as presenting the only reminiscence of the celebrated White- field in connexion with the Orphan-House, Newcastle :— THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY, 99 " Sheffield, Sunday morning, October 8th, 1749. "My DEAR Friend, " I SNATCH a few moments before the people come, to tell you what you will rejoice to know, — that the Lord is reviving His work as at the beginning ; that multitudes are daUy added to His church ; and that George White- field, my brother, and I, are one — a threefold cord which shall no more be broken. The week before last I waited on our friend George to our house in Newcastle, and gave him full possession of our pulpit and people's hearts, as full as was in my power to give. The Lord united all our hearts. I attended his successful ministry for some days. He was never more blessed, or better satisfied. Whole troops of the Dissenters he mowed down. They also are reconciled to us, as you cannot conceive. The world is confounded. The hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. At Leeds we met my brother, who gave honest George the right hand of fellowship, and attended him everywhere to our Societies. Some at London will be alarmed at the news ; but it is the Lord's doing, as they, I doubt not, will by and by acknowledge. " My dear friends, Mrs. Blackwell and Mrs. Dewal, shall have the full account not many days hence, if the Lord bless my coming in as He has blessed my going out. On the next Lord's day I shall rejoice to see you at His table. Remember, at all times of access, " Your faithful and affectionate servant in the Gospel, " Charles Wesley." e2 100 CHAPTER V. 1751—1769. Prosperous state of the Orphan-House Society— Jonathan Maskew — Thomas MitcheU — Difficulty of forming a Society at Alnmouth — Case of Mrs. Armstrong, of Whickham — Singular custom at Alnwick — First formal appointment of preachers to the Newcastle Circuit — Death of Mrs. Hopper— Efforts of Mr. Wesley to put down tha practice of smuggling at Sunderland — Pastoral letters of Mr. Grim shaw — WiUiam Darney — Thomas OUvers — Entire sanctification sought after — Tendency towards Dissent — Miss Lewen, of Durham — Her legacy to Mr. Wesley — Matthew Lowes — Moseley Cheek — Death of Alexander Coates — Henry Jackson — WilUam Mackford — John Haughton — Thomas Eichards — Henry Thornton — Total extinc tion of chapel-debts — Elizabeth Hobson — Mr. WilUam Smith — The step-grand-daughters of Mr. Wesley — Eemarkable preservation of Mr. Wesley, with Mrs. Smith and her chUdren. A LONGER interval than usual took place, ere the Orphan- House was again visited by its founder. On Sunday, April 21st, 1751, Mr. Wesley, after preaching there morn ing and afternoon, states in his Journal, — " The spirit of the people refreshed me much, as it almost always does. I wish all our Societies were likeminded; as loving, _ simple, and zealous of good works." During his protracted absence, the northern Societies, as previously intimated, were successively under the care of Messrs, Cownley, Hopper, and Downes ; " helpers," who enjoyed the entire confidence of their ecclesiastical head. The tax imposed upon then- mental energies must have been somewhat severe, if each, during his location at the Orphan-House, was expected to tread in the steps of the zealous Hopper. "I preached," writes he, "every evening at seven, and every morning at five o'clock, and often at noon-day ; the common work of a Methodist preacher," the ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY, 101 The year following, Jonathan Maskew and Thomas Mitchell are appointed to this northern sphere of labour. The former, by " his plain and pathetic preaching,* is generally acceptable, and useful to many;" the latter, hav ing recently suffered unwonted persecution at Wrangle, in Lincolnshire, where he narrowly escaped with his life, finds, in his appointment to the "canny" Societies ofthe north, a most gratifying change. "After aU the storms I had gone through," writes he, " I was greatly refreshed among a loving, peaceable people, with whom I laboured with much satisfaction." During the summer, Mr. Wesley spends several weeks ia Newcastle and the neighbourhood. The Society at Sunderland is characterized by him as " one of the live liest in the north of England;" and this he regards as "the effect of their being so much 'under the law,' as to scruple, one and all, the buying even of mUk on a Sunday." At Alnmouth, he is led to exclaim, " How plain an evidence have we here, that even our outward work, even the Socie ties, are not of man's building ! With all our labour and skUl, we cannot, in nine years' time, form a Society in this place ; even though there is none that opposes, poor or rich : nay, though the two richest men in the town, and the only gentlemen there, have done all which was in their power to further it." At Whickham, he records an inter esting incident in the case of Mrs. Armstrong, before whose door he preached. Her husband, in consequence of a debt contracted by his son, had been thrown into • Of this good man Mr. Wesley was wont to say, " Ten such preachers as Jonathan Maskew would carry the world before them." He remained in the Itinerancy only a few years ; but to a good old age was usefully employed as a local preacher in the neighbourhood of Eochdale. His last hours presented one unbroken scene of holy triumph. When sinking in the arms of death, he appeared to be favoured with a glimpse of the heaven that awaited him. His coun tenance became radiant with joy ; and, raising one of his hands, he exclaimed to his son, " Look, James, look ! " and passed away. k3 102 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. gaol, and had there died. At fourscore years of age, she was thus on the point of losing all that she had. StiH the oracles of God, which she had loved from a child, were her delight, and her counsellors. But one day, when she put on her spectacles to read, she could not see a word. She was startled at first, but soon said, ' It is the Lord ; let Him do what seemeth Him good.' She laid her spectacles down, and, casting her eye on the corner of the Bible, thought she could discern some letters. Taking up the book, she read as well as her daughter could; and from that hour, she could not only read without spectacles, but sew, or thread the finest needle, with the same ease as when she was thirty years of age." In April, 1753, Mr. Wesley, on his route from Edin burgh to Newcastle, calls at Alnwick on the day (St, Mark's) when those who had served their apprenticeship, as well as the sons of freemen who had attained their majority, were made free of the corporation. " Sixteen or seventeen, we were informed," writes he, " were to receive their freedom this day; and, in order thereto, (such is the unparalleled wisdom of the present corporation, and their forefathers,) to walk through a bog, (purposely preserved for the occasion ; otherwise, it might have been drained long ago,) which takes up some of them to the neck, and many of them to the breast." Through the operation of the Municipal Corporations' Act, this foolish custom is now abolished. The ceremony, in its compulsory aspect, is traced to an order of King John ; who, when hunting in the neighbourhood, was set fast in a bog. On learning that the land belonged to a freeman of Alnwick, he declared that every one who in future should be constituted a free man of the town should pass through the self-same bog ! The &vst forinal appointment * of preachers to the New- * In Appendix D a Ust is given of the preachers successively appointed to the Newcastle Circuit, together with the number in Society, as reported' from year to year. THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 103 castle Circuit occurs in a MS. record of the Conference which began, in Leeds, on the 22d of May, 1753 ; when Christopher Hopper, John Hampson, Jonathan Catlow, and Jacob Rowell were entrusted with the care of the northern Societies : but whether each remained in the Newcastle " round " throughout the year, is, perhaps, uncertain. Many changes took place at this period, under Mr, Wesley's sanction, during the interim of the assem bling of the Conference; The arrangement thus made seems to have rendered less necessary Mr. Wesley's per sonal supervision of the work. Not till May, 1755, is he again at Newcastle : when, " to the astonishment of some of the warm men," and to the " no small amaze ment and displeasure of some of their zealous country men," Mr. Wardrobe, minister of Bathgate, in Scotland, and Mr. Gillies, of Glasgow, occupy at his request the Orphan-House pulpit. The ministerial appointment for 1755 was Christopher Hopper, (who also had resided at the Orphan-House the year preceding,) James Massiott, Matthew Lowes, James WUd, and John Turmough. The death of Mrs. Hopper, which occurred on the 15th of August, when she triumph antly entered into rest, elicited from Mr, Wesley the following letter, dated " September 12th, 1755;" in which his sympathy for the bereaved gives rise to suggestions and counsel admirably adapted to sustain the mind in every season of providential darkness : — " My dear Brother, " The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; and wise are all His ways. The great point is, to under stand the design of His gracious wisdom, and to answer and fulfil that design. One thing is certain : He caUs you to a more full and absolute dedication of your soul and body to Him. He calls you to converse with Him more in prayer and meditation. In the former, we more 104 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY, directly speak to God ; in the latter, He speaks to us. And every possible loss is gain, if it produces this blessed effect. " Consider yourself as now more than ever married to Christ, and His dear people : then for this kindly severe dispensation you shall praise Him for ever," In another 'communication, dated "October Sth, 1755," he adds : — " You have one business on earth, to save souls. Give yourself wholly to this. Fulfil the work of a preacher, and an assistant, as you never did before. Be another Thomas Walsh. Pursue the whole of scriptural Chris tianity, Stand upon the edge of this world, ready to take wing; having your feet on earth, your eyes and heart in heaven. "I am " Your affectionate friend and brother, " John Wesley," For some years subsequent, little is on record as to progress at the Orphan- House, The Society of colliers at Plessey — a place Mi-. Wesley loved to visit — are spoken of as "a pattern to all the Societies in England. No person ever misses his band or class : they have no jar among them, but with one heart and one mind provoke one another to love and good works," In Sunderland, an evU often prevalent in seaport-towns gives Mr, Wesley some uneasiness, " I met the Society," he writes, June 16th, 1757, " and told them plain, none could stay with us un less he would part with all sin ; particularly, robbing the king, selling or buying run goods ; which I could no more suffer than robbing upon the highway. This I enforced on every member the next day, A few would not promise to refrain : so these I was forced to cut off. About two hundred and fifty were of a better mind." The fearless- THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 105 ness with which Mr. Wesley attacked sin in every form and under every guise, together with his unflinching resolve to keep his Societies pure, tended greatly to the stabUity and permanency of that revival of scriptural Christianity of which, under God, he was the great instrument. Yet, in many instances, the courage and fidelity of this devoted man were severely tested ; especially in the putting down of certain evils, the sinfulness of which was scarcely ap prehended, and with which the popular mind had long been famUiarized. After a lapse of two years, when spending some weeks in Newcastle and the neighbourhood, he preaches on the 9th of June, 1759, in the shell of the "new house" at Sunderland; and some days after, on speaking " to each of the Society" there, he states, "Most of the robbers, commonly called smugglers, have left us ; but more than twice the number of honest people have already come in their place. And if none had come, yet should I not dare to keep those who steal either from the king or subject." The Societies connected with the Orphan-House and its Circuit number at this period about eighteen hundred members. Of the coUier-society at Gateshead Mr. Wesley speaks in terms of high approval, " In earnestness they utterly shame the colliers at Kingswood ; scarce thirty of whom think it worth their while to hear the word of God on a week-day, not even when I preach. And here, the house will scarce contain the week-day congregation of a local preacher." The Rev, William Grimshaw, the somewhat eccentric yet highly-useful incumbent of Haworth, near Keighley, having been solicited to visit the northern Societies, finds himself unable to comply with their request; and, in lieu of advices from the pulpit, addresses several pastoral letters " to the Christian brethren in Newcastle-upon- Tyne, and elsewhere in the north." From one of these, dated, " Haworth, January 27th, 1761," we extract the 106 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OP WESLEY. following, not only as illustrative of the spirit and bearing of the whole, but as offering suggestions which every Christian reader would do weU to ponder; though the hours prescribed for certain duties may scarcely be in unison with the altered habits of the age : — . . . . " Permit me to prescribe to you a method to live one day well ; and this may serve for every day after. Nor wUl I presume to lay a burden upon you which I am averse to myself, or neglect to practise. Rise every morning at four o'clock, if you are well ; but not later than five. Bless God for the mercies of the night past ; praise Him for a new day, and pray for His blessing upon it. Examine weU your own heart ; meditate upon some spi ritual subject ; and, lastly, plan the business of the day. Then spend some time in private meditation, praise, and prayer. Next, call your famUy together ; read a chapter in the Bible, and, as you have ability and leisure, expound a little of it; then sing a hymn, and conclude with prayer. Seek the blessing of God upon your food; and praise Him before and after every meal, for the mercies He provides for you. Begin and conclude every work with prayer. TMien you are employed in business, exercise your mind in meditation, prayer, and praise ; or converse seriously and religiously with those about you. While you thus endeavour to devote every hour and every moment to God, instead of hindering your work, you wUl find the Divine blessing upon all the labour of your hands. As often as business wUl permit, retire a little for private prayer. It would be well to spend a few minutes in prayer with your famUy immediately after dinner. In the evening, constantly observe the same form of devotion with your family as in the morning. When you retire to rest, review the thoughts, words, and actions of the day. What you discover to have been amiss, humbly supplicate pardon for it from God ; and do not dare to drop asleep, untU THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 107 you have obtained forgiveness and peace : and give God all the glory for what has been right. Never neglect this, or some such method of daUy walking with God." One of the letters, to which reference is made above, was transmitted by William Darney, then on his tour northwards. This eccentric individual, though not sta tioned at Newcastle tUl some years after, preached occa sionaUy in the neighbourhood, and in some instances with much success. He is spoken of as "a man possessing few personal attractions ; of a broad Scottish dialect ; and, when dwelling on the terrors of the Lord, terrible to behold ; but a man of deep piety, strong sense, and burn ing zeal, with a courage that fearlessly defied all opposi tion." The following incident, related in a memoir of Mr. Edward Stanley,* one of the first Methodists in Alnwick, is in proof that Darney's courageous temper was some times of service to him : — ^When he was preaching about this period at Alnwick, the word was made "the power of God " to the salvation of many. A company of strolling players, then in the neighbourhood, finding their craft in danger, were greatly annoyed: so much so, that when Darney was one day riding past their temporary theatre, — a barn which had been fitted up for the pm-pose of exhibition, — several of their number, who were lounging and basking in the sun, said in a tone sufficiently loud for him to hear, "Here is Scotch Will! let us mob him." On hearuig this, Mr. Darney, (who was a man of prodi gious size, and, when he chose, of a terrffic countenance,) being mounted on a spirited horse, immediately rode up to them, and, making his horse stand upon its hinder feet, — at the same time elevating his whip, — said with a voice of thunder, " Ye sons of Belial, come on ! " The poor actors became sadly frightened, and were thankful * Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine, 1826, p. 797. 108 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. to atone for their insolence by individually begging his pardon, and promising to behave better in all time to come. This they were careful to do ; for no one after this ventm-ed to insult him. Darney's movements as an itinerant were somewhat erratic. Several Societies, formed by him in Yorkshire, bore for a season his name. He was in the habit, when in the pulpit, of giving out hymns composed by himself,* — frequently on the spur of the moment ; which, though rarely rising beyond the level of what might be termed " doggerel," added greatly to his popularity as a preacher. Rough work had in those days to be performed; and Darney was one of the rough ecclesiastical tools, — usefully, as well as providentially, employed. He died in peace at Colne, in Lancashire, about the year 1780. At the Conference of 1760, Thomas Olivers is appointed to the charge of the Newcastle Circuit; a man of consider able ministerial abUity, well skilled in controversy, and (as his celebrated poem, "The God of Abraham praise," indicates) no mean poet. During his administration, much uneasiness, the cause of which is now unknown, existed in the Circuit. " Here," says he, "I had many • As a specimen of his poetic style, we give the foUowing verses, taken from a "hymn" composed by him in 1751, and entitled, "The Progress of the Gospel in divers places of Great Britain :" — 19. " Newcastle in Northumberland, A church there planted is ; Which by the grace of God shaU stand. His holy name to praise. 20. " Her branches now around doth spread, The country towns aU o'er ; They reach to Berwick-upon-Tweed, Upon the Scottish shore. 21. " In Whitehaven, we now do hear, A glorious work's begun : Eide on. Thou glorious Conqueror ! Thy work there carry on." THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 109 mercies and comforts, and a few trials. In one place I was obliged to put thirty-five members out of the Society; and if I had not laboured hard, and exercised much patience, we should have lost about two hundred in that one place. But, though I had the express order of Mr. Wesley for what I did, and acted with great integrity on the one hand, and tenderness on the other, I lost many of my dearest friends, who from that time became my bitterest enemies. But I must say, in honour of the grace of God, that friends and enemies have always been alike to me, when I thought the glory of God was concerned." The foUowing year Mr. Hopper is specially appointed, with a view to the restoration of peace and order. " If you do not establish good order in the Orphan-House," writes Mr. Wesley to him, " it is pity you should go there. This is the very design of your Master. For this end you are sent. Do just as I would do, in every in stance, if I were in your place. Act just the thing that is right, whoever is pleased or displeased. I hereby give it under my hand, I wiU stand by you with aU my might." From the 14th of May, 1761, to the 14th of the month following, Mr. Wesley preaches in Newcastle and places adjacent. In several members of the Orphan-House Society he finds "a vehement desire" to be wholly con formed to the word and image of the Saviour; to realise what is so beautifully expressed in the sacramental collect of the Established Church, — " Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit; that we may perfectly love Thee, and worthily magnify Thy holy name." On inquiring how it was, that in aU those parts there was scarce a living witness of this " fuU salva tion,"* "I constantly received," says he, "fi-om every * Mr. Wesley's views on this important point are thus expressed : — "A Christian is so far perfect as not to commit sin. This is the glorious privilege of ewry Christian ; yea, though he be but a babe in L 110 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. person one and the same answer : ' We see now, we sought it by our works; we thought it was to come gradually; we never expected to receive it in a moment, by faith, as we did justification.' What wonder is it, then," adds he, "that you have been fighting aU these years as one that beateth the au- ? " Some time after, he found many who bore pleasing testimony to the truth, that " the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." In 1765 he makes this record : " I scarce ever saw the people here so much alive to God ; particularly those who believe they are saved from sin. I was ready to say, ' It is good for me to be here :' but I must not buUd taber nacles. I am to be a wanderer on earth, and desire no rest tUl my spirit returns to God," Two entries in Mr. Wesley's Journal during this visit might awaken surprise, that, in opposition to the wishes and remonstrances of so many of his people, he still urged their continuing to attend the services of the Church, Not until convinced that otherwise the spiritual work of God would greatly suffer, if not, indeed, be altogether destroyed, did he at all relent. In Weardale, the Societies, " disgusted at the curate, whose life was no better than his doctrine," were just on the point of becoming Dissenters ; and only in deference to Mr. Wesley's strongly-expressed judgment, to the contrary, were they restrained from doing so. On Monday, May 25th, he preaches at Shields, in an open place, to "a Ustening multitude;" and in the evening at South-Shields, to almost double the number. " How ripe for the Gospel," exclaims he, " are these also ! " — and then adds, — what, from the lips of another, might almost be received as justifying secession from the Christ. But it is only of grown Christians it can be affirmed, they are in such a sense perfect as to be freed from evil thoughts and evU tem pers, .... to be sanctified throughout ; even to have ' a heart so flaming with the love of God,' (to use Archbishop Usher's words,) 'as continu aUy to offer up every thought, word, and work, as a spiritual sacrifice, acceptable to G-od through Christ."' THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. Ill Church, — "What is wanting but more labourers ? More ! Why, is there not here (as in every parish in England) a particular minister who takes care of all their souls ? There is one here who takes charge of all their souls ; what care of them he takes, is another question. It may be, he neither knows nor cares whether they are going to heaven or hell. Does he ask man, woman, or child any question about it, from one Christmas to the next ? 0, what account wUl such a pastor give to the Great Shepherd in that day !" Nor was the case of Shields and its minis ter a solitary one ; but rather Ulustrative of the moral destitution of the country at large. Hence are we led devoutly to adore the providence of God, in raising up, in the Wesleys and their zealous coadjutors, a band of noble men to sound the trumpet of alarm, and to rouse from semi-infidelity a slumbering church and nation. On a subsequent visit to Newcastle, in 1764, Mr, Wesley becomes acquainted with Miss Lewen, of Durham ; a lady of fortune, of whom he speaks, as being " a remarkable monument of Divine mercy," After her conversion, she "broke through all hindrances, and joined heart and hand with the chUdren of God," Her piety was exemplary ; whilst in works of benevolence and Christian zeal she cheerfully expended an ample income. In her wUl, she bequeathed to Mr, Wesley £1,000; at the same time suggesting the application of the whole, or part, at least, to the Orphan-House at Newcastle, He, however, pre ferred distributing the sum at once to persons whose necessities were immediate and pressing. His disinter estedness in its aUocation is indicated in the following letter, addressed to his sister, Mrs. HaU, shortly after the money had come into his hands : — "Dear Patty, "You do not consider, money never stays with me: it would burn me if it did, I throw it out of my L 2 112 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. hands as soon as possible, lest it should find a way into my heart. Therefore you should have spoken to me whUe I was in London, and before Miss Lewen's money flew away. However, I know not, but I may stUl spare you £5, provided you will not say, ' I wUl never ask you again ;' because this is more than you can tell, and you must not promise more than you can perform, " 0, how busy are mankind ! and about what trifles ! Things that pass away as a dream. ' Vanity of vanities, aU is vanity,' but to love and serve God. " I am, my dear Patty, " Your ever-affectionate " J. Wesley." In August, 1765, the " Stations of the Preachers " appear for the first time in the printed Minutes of the Conference, The appointment for Newcastle stands as under : — " Joseph Cownley ; Christopher Hopper ; Matthew Lowes ; Moseley Cheek," Mr, Lowes travelled principally in the north of England, and with much success,- till the year 1771 ; when, from failing health, he was located as a supernumerary preacher in Newcastle, He died in peace, on the 8th of February, 1794. Some of his last words were, " All my depend ence for present and eternal salvation is upon the blood and merits of Jesus Christ." Mr. Cheek, after a few years, obtained Episcopal ordination, and became the minister of St. Stephen's church, Salford, Manchester. The first ministerial death at the Orphan-House took place in the October of this year; when Alexander Coates, then the oldest preacher in connexion with the Wesleys, was called to his reward. Coates was a native of North Britain, and at a very early period entered the Methodist Itinerancy. He is represented by those who THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 113 knew him, as " one of the best of men, and a most useful preacher." Under his ministry, when he was stationed in London, Mr. Crosse, afterwards for many years the venerated vicar of Bradford, Yorkshire, was brought to a knowledge of " the truth as it is in Jesus," Whilst the man of God was proclaiming "Christ crucified" as the only medium of the sinner's approach to God, the heart of Crosse, as in the case of the founder of the Wesleyan Societies, was " strangely warmed ;" " the love of God " was " shed abroad " in his heart " by the Holy Ghost" given unto him; he felt that Christ had taken away his sins, even his, and saved him from "the law of sin and death," One writing from the Orphan-House, October 7th, 1765, states : " I had an opportunity, the last evening, of seeing our aged Brother Coates, A few days before, he was sorely tempted by the enemy; but near the close he had perfect peace. His faith was clear ; and he found Christ 'precious,' — his portion, and his eternal all. I asked him, a little before he died, if he had followed ' cunningly-devised fables ? ' He answered, ' No, no, no !' I then asked him, whether he saw land ? He said, ' Yes, I do ;' and, after waiting for a few moments at anchor, he put into the quiet harbour." On the 20th of February, 1766, Henry Jackson, the first- named trustee of the Orphan-House, and a man of saintly life, enters triumphantly into rest. Mr. Wesley, on visiting him in May, 1764, makes pleasing mention of the interview. " I received much satisfaction in conversing with the most honourable member of our Society, Henry Jackson ; now in the ninety-fifth or ninety-sixth year of his age. He put me in mind of that venerable man, Mr, Elliott of New-England, who frequently used to say to his friends, ' My memory is gone, my understanding is gone ; but I think I have more love than ever,' " "I had a little time,'* adds he, a year later, " with that venerable L 3 114 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY, monument of the grace of God, Henry Jackson, He is just dropping into the grave, being now quite bed-ridden, but praising God with every breath," His daughter, in a letter dated " Newcastle, February 23d, 1766," refers to the last illness of this truly Christian man : " On Thursday, the 13th of this month, my honoured father looked so beautiful and comely, that we all wondered. At night, in his first sleep, he was taken very ill. On Friday morning, I asked him. What he could take? He answered, 'lam to eat no more,' His illness increased ; but he was stUl calm and composed, and resigned to the will of God. Indeed, I always beheld in him such faith, love, and Divine resignation, as I never saw in any other. On Sunday he said, ' Now my soul is prepared, and made ready to meet the Lord.' From this time, he was filled with longing desires to depart, and to be with Christ ; crying out, ' I cannot stay ; I must go to my Beloved, to be with Him for ever.'' Monday, 17th, he said, ' I have fought a good fight : I have finished my course ; I have kept the faith ; henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day.' Tuesday, 18th, after receiving the blessed sacrament, he declared to the minister, ' My anchor is cast within the veU, both sure and immovable,' As long as he had his speech, he preached Christ to every one that came to see him: indeed, his whole life, for many years, was but one dedica tion of his body and soul to God ; praying continually, and being lost in praise and thanksgiving to his adorable Saviour. In all the various dispensations of God's providence toward him and his family, he was stiU magnifying and praising His holy name ; always thankful, humble, loving, and obedient. Nothing was able to move him one moment, or put him out of temper; but he received everything from the hand of God with faith, patience, and resignation. Before his speech faUed, he THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY, 115 blessed all his chUdren, grandchUdren, and great- grandchUdren ; and on Thursday morning, February the 20th, yielded up his soul to God ; being ninety-nine years and five months old." The co-trustees of Mr. Jackson, not hitherto biographi- cally noticed, were WUliam Mackford, John Haughton, Thomas Richards, and Henry Thornton, Of Mr. Mackford but little is on record. He was a man of highly-respectable character, and occasionally accompanied Mr. Wesley in his journey ings. In August, 1748, he is thus found at Roughlee, near Colne, in Lancashire, in company with Messrs. Grimshaw and Colbeck ; when by an inhuman mob he is dragged by the hair of his head, and trampled in the mire; receiving personal injuries, from which he never fully recovered. His associates were also loaded with dirt and mire of every kind. " The other quiet, harmless people," writes Mr. Wesley, " who followed me at a distance, they treated fuU as Ul. They poured upon them showers of dirt and stones, without any regard to age or sex. Many they beat with their clubs, without mercy. One, they forced to leap from a rock, ten or twelve feet high, into the river ; and, when he crawled out, wet and bruised, were hardly persuaded not to throw him in again. Such was the recompense we frequently received from our country men for our labour of love." Mr. Mackford's devotedness and courage were, however, amply rewarded, when, on hearing Mr. Wesley the day following at Heptonstall- bank, near Todmorden, he became a partaker of Gospel- salvation; "the Spirit itself bearing witness" with his spirit, that he was " a child of God." John Haughton, originally a weaver, was among the first lay preachers employed by Mr, Wesley, He entered the Itinerancy in 1741, and, with others of his day, was caUed to " endure hardness as a good soldier." In the Staffordshire riots and persecution, as weU as in 116 THE OEPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. the sister-isle some years after, he was exposed to much personal insult and injm-y : yet, when summoned before Lord Dudley, one of the magistrates of the county, he fared better than many of his fellows. "What has Mr, Haughton done ? " inquired his lordship. " He preaches and prays extempore," was the answer. " Did he repeat the Lord's prayer?" "Yes, my lord." " Did he pray for the king?" "Yes." " Why, then, Mr. Haughton," decides his lordship, " you may go, and preach and pray wherever you please." He ceased to travel in 1760 ; and shortly after, obtaining Episcopal ordination, settled in Ireland. " Thursday, June 4, 1788," Mr. Wesley states, " I went to KUrea, (Londonderry county,) and was cordially received by Mr. Haughton; once a travelling preacher; now a magistrate, and rector of a parish." Thomas Richards was the second layman who offered to serve Mr. Wesley, "as a son in the Gospel." He was present at the second Conference held at Bristol, in 1745 ; but, some years after, he ceased to itinerate, and, under Lady Huntingdon's influence, entered the Church, Of Mr. Thornton nothing has been ascertained, save that in a list of the members of Society connected with the Foundery, London, during the years 1745 and 1746, his name appears ; and, also, that to him the Methodist people are in all likelihood indebted for the publication of the deeply-interesting " Journal" ofthe mason-preacher of Birstal. In one of the earliest editions of that work, bear ing date 1767, is the following Preface ; a copy of which has been kindly furnished by the Rev. Dr. Osborn : — '¦ " The following sheets were written at divers times for my own satisfaction. But, about seventeen years ago, when I was in the Newcastle round, I transcribed them into a book. Some of om- friends saw them, and begged they might be printed ; which I refused at that time, knowing my ignorance and inability. THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 117 " However, Mr. Thornton, the lawyer, heard of it, and desired me to let him see it ; when he thought, as the case had been already published, and had been a means of stirring up many to hear the word, this might be of use, to comfort some that are in trouble ; and advised me to put it to the press. I declined it for the present : but Mr. Thornton showed them to several friends at Leeds, who were of the same opinion, and pressed upon me to print it immediately ; which I with much reluctance . agreed to. And I pray that God may make it a blessing to all that read it : and if any receive benefit therefrom, the Lord shall have the glory ; for to Hioa alone doth it belong. "What is wrong, may the Lord pardon ! And that no one may be hurt by me, or anything I have written or preached, is the sincere prayer of " Their unworthy servant, for Christ's sake, "John Nelson." Mr. Thornton, it is supposed, drew up the Deed of the Orphan-House, and also that of the chapel at Birstal. In both instances, from the defective character of the Deeds, disastrous results have followed. At the Conference held in Leeds, August 12th, 1766, the " total debt for building," throughout the Connexion, was reported to be £11,383. Under the apprehension of being "utterly ruined,"* if going on thus, the brethren agree to make a general and vigorous effort to liquidate the debt. A circular, bearing date of November 24th, 1767, is addressed by Mr. Wesley to the " assistants" and others, urging them to " set their shoulders to the work." The canvassing of the northern Societies is spe- * The alarm then felt wUl, perhaps, in this day excite a smUe ; especiaUy when it is added, that only a few years ago, in an important town ia the county of Lancaster, the debt resting on two chapels amounted to upwards of £26,000 ! — a case, however, xmique in Methodism, and arising from very pecuUar circumstances. 118 THE OEPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. cially entrusted to Mr, Hopper,— then a supernumerary, resident in the Orphan-House, His authority thus to act is found in the foUowing playful yet earnest letter, dated " London, January 9th, 1768 :"— " I constitute you, Christopher Hopper byname, lord-president of the north. Enter upon your province- Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmoreland, Durham, Yorkshire, and Lincolnshire — without delay. Pray, de spatch letters to Jacob RoweU, John Heslop, Richard Boardman, and yom' other deputies, without loss of time ; and quicken them to put forth all their strength, and make one push for all. But hold ! John Fenwick writes tome, 'I wUl give £25,' Do not abate him the five ! No drawuig back ! I think the time is come for rolling away this reproach from us. "Your thought concerning the preachers is a noble one. If fifty of them set such an example, giving a httle out of their little, such an instance would have an effect upon many. Let one stir up another. Spare no pains. Write east, west, .north, and south. You have a ready mind, and a ready pen ; and it cannot be used in a better cause. "I am yom's affectionately, " J. Wesley." From the moneys thus raised, Newcastle, in 1771, received £75. Is. M. The chapels at Shields, at Monk- wearmouth, and in the Dales, were also successively relieved, from the same source. Mr. Wesley, on visiting the north, in 1768, takes down from the lips of Elizabeth Hobson, a pious young woman of Sunderland, what he truly designates " one of the strangest accounts " on record. Her statements, in reference to her frequent intercourse with the spirits of persons departed this life, are published at length in his THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 119 Journal* of that period. " The well-known character of the person," he observes, "excludes all suspicion of fraud; and the nature of the circumstances themselves excludes the possibUity of a delusion." Those who are curious as to such matters wUl find, in the perusal of her narrative, much that is at once interesting and perplexing. - On the 7th of March, 1769, Mr. William Smith, a dis tinguished, and highly-influential member of the Orphan- House Society, was united in marriage to Miss VazeUle, step-daughter of Mr, Wesley, by whom Mr. Smith was regarded with more than ordinary affection and esteem. Two daughters, Mary and Jane, were the issue of this marriage. The former, in 1790, became the wife of the late Rev. John Stamp, who for forty-four years was honourably and usefuUy associated with the Wesleyan miuistry. Her career as a wife and mother was short lived: yet, in these important relations, as weU as in her association with the then despised "people called Methodists," the Christian character was by her pleas ingly sustained. On the 11th of November, 1794, a few weeks after giving birth to her third daughter, Mary Smith, she was summoned iato the presence of her Lord. " Her end," states one who witnessed her peaceful depart ure, " was indeed glorious. She was favoured with much of heaven here, before she was called to the fuU enjoyment of it above. Her faith was lively and vigorous ; her love, fervent; and her hope, fuU of immortaUty. She was truly a bride adorned for the Bridegroom, and entered triumphantly with Him to the marriage, before the door was shut." Jane Vazeille, the second daughter, was married to the late Christopher Sundius, Esq., — ^for many years an eminent merchant in London, and one of the earliest members of the committee of the British and Foreign ? Wesley's Works, vol. iu., p. 324—335. 120 THE orphan-house of WESLEY. Bible Society. " In her youth she sought and found peace with God ; and, through the vicissitudes of a chequered life, she exemplified a uniform and consistent piety. Chas tened by many afflictions, and sanctified by the grace and truth of God, she attained an eminent maturity of Christian holiness. During her last Ulness she was enabled to testily that 'perfect love casteth out fear.' She rested firmly on the atonement of the Son of God, and stayed her spu-it on the immutable word of God, amid the sinkings of her natural strength and spirits. Towards the last she had a strong desire to see her glorified Redeemer; and in this she appears to have been indulged, even before her departure. After having been rapt into an ecstasy of unspeakable joy. for several minutes, during which her face shone with an angelic brightness, she said, ia answer to a question, ' I have seen my Saviour ! ' She entered into rest on the 24th of October, 1849, in the seventy- ninth year of her age. Prayer having been made that she might have a painless departure, she remarked, 'None but Jesus can dismiss my spirit :' — soon after which, she calmly fell asleep in Him."* These ladies were constantly regarded by Mr. Wesley as his granddaughters, and are thus remembered in his "last wUl and testament:" — "I give the coins, and whatever else is found in the drawer of my bureau at London, to my dear grand daughters, Mary and Jane Smith." WiLLLAM Smith was born at Corbridge, near Hexham, in the year 1736. When he was but a chUd, his father was removed by death. The mother was a pious woman, a member of the Established Church; and, under her judicious care, the son was trained " in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." When fourteen years of age, he received the rite of confirmation from the hands of Bishop Butler. Entering iuto the true design of that * Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine, 1850, p. 94. THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 121 service, he spent the greater part of the previous night in prayer, and in the solemn consecration of his youthful heart to God. On the day following, when the prelate, with his hand on the head of the youth, was repeating the prescribed form, — "Defend, 0 Lord, this Thy servant with Thy heavenly grace, that he may continue Thine for ever, and daUy iucrease in Thy Holy Spirit more and more, imtU he come to Thy everlasting kingdom," — Smith became the subject of a special religious influence, and received what in after life he ever regarded as a manifesta tion of God's forgiving love ; beUig from that time saved from the power of outward sin. After receiving a good education from the then resident clergyman, he was placed in business 'with a near relative in Newcastle. Here he was induced to attend the services held at the Orphan- House, and became a member of its Society. When little more than twenty years of age, he was appointed by Mr. Wesley to the charge of a class, and also a leader of the bands ; an office now discontinued. The mode of his appoint ment was somewhat arbitrary and unusuaL At the close of a sermon 'delivered at the Orphan-House, Mr. Wesley, without any previous intimation given to the party, an nounced that on such a day, and at such an hour, a class would be formed by Mr, Smith, whom he then declared to be one of the leaders of the Orphan-House Society. At the time when the announcement was made, Mr. Smith was attired as one of the fashionable young men of the day; having on a waistcoat richly embroidered, and frUls * adorning his wrists ; nor were the customary * Such frUls, or " ruffles," were at that period so far deprecated as a mark of worldUness, as to become the subject of grave prohibition. In one of the earUest Conferences the question was asked, — " Should we insist everywhere on the band-rules 1 particularly that relating to ruf fles ?" To which, the answer is given, — " By aU means. This is no time to give any encouragement to superfluity of apparel. Therefore, give no band-tickets to any in England, or Ireland, tUl they have left them ofi'." M 122 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. silver buckles wanting. The thought at once occurred to him, as he cast his eye upon himself, — " How inconsistent is all this with the ofiice to which I am now appointed 1 " He felt ashamed; and on the following day assumed another style of dress, in which plainness and almost elegant simplicity were combined. From this, in after life, he never deviated. The character drawn of Nathanael is, to a great extent, descriptive of Mr. Smith : " Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guUe." He was a man of remarkably placid temper; a lover of peace, and not unfrequently acting as a " peace-maker ;" yet, in matters where prin ciple or truth was involved, he displayed a firmness bordering upon obstinacy. As a preacher, he was much esteemed. His style in the pulpit was affectionate and winning; the effect of which was heightened by a pleasing voice, and a good delivery. He was a sound expositor of Divine truth ; dwelling chiefly on the leading doctrines of the Gospel. Many under his faithful exhortations were brought to " a knowledge of the truth," and added to the church. He generaUy accompanied Mr. Wesley, when preaching in the immediate vicinity ; occasionaUy riding with him on horseback as far as Edinburgh. On one occasion, by his presence of mind and noble daring, he rescued Mr. Wesley, and the members of his own family, from almost inevitable destruction. Mr. Wesley was proceeding toward Horsley, having with him in the chaise Mrs. Smith and her two little girls ; Mr. Smith and Mr. Hopper accom panying them on horseback. " About two mUes from the town, just on the brow of the hUl," * narrates Mr. Wesley, " on a sudden both the horses set out without any visible cause, and flew down the hUl like an arrow out of a bow. In a minute, John fell off the coach-box. The horses then * BenweU Bank-top ; on the road from Newcastle to Walbottle. THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY, 123 went on full speed, sometimes to the edge of the ditch on the right, sometimes on the left. A cart came up against them. They avoided it as exactly as if the man had been upon the box. A nan-ow bridge was at the foot of the hUl. They went directly over the middle of it. They ran up the next hUl with the same speed ; many persons meeting them, but getting out of the way. Near the top of the hUl was a gate, which led into a farmer's yard. It stood open. They tumed short, and ran tlirough it, without touching the gate on one side, or the post on the other. I thought, ' However, the gate which is on the other side of the yard, and is shut, wUl stop them :' but they rushed through it, as if it had been a cobweb, and gaUoped on through the corn-fleld. The little girls cried out, ' Grandpapa, save us ! ' I told them, ' Nothing will hurt you: do not be afraid:' feeling no more fear or care, (blessed be God !) than if I had been sitting in my study. The horses ran on tUl they came to the edge of a steep precipice ! Just then, Mr. Smith, who could not overtake us before, gaUoped in between. They stopped in a moment. Had they gone on ever so little, he and we must have gone down together. " I am persuaded both evU and good angels had a large share in this transaction. How large, we do not know now ; but we shaU know hereafter. " I think, some of the most remarkable circumstances were, 1. Both the horses, which were tame and quiet as could be, starting out in a moment just at the top of the hill, and running down full speed. 2. The coachman's being thrown on his head with such violence, and yet not hurt at all. 3. The chaise running again and again to the edge of each ditch, and yet not into it. 4. The avoid ing the cart. 5, The keeping just the middle of the bridge, 6, The turning short through the first gate in a manner that no coachman in England could have turned them when in full gallop, 7, The going through the second gate, m2 124 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY, as if it had been but smoke, without slackening their pace at all. This would have been impossible, had not the end of the chariot-pole struck exactly on the centre of the gate; whence the whole by the sudden impetuous shock was broke into smaU pieces, 8. That the little girl, who used to have flts, on my saying, ' Nothing wiU hurt you,' ceased crying, and was quite composed. Lastly, that Mr. Smith struck in just then. In a minute more we had been down the precipice : and had not the horses then stopped at once, they must have carried him and us down together. ' Let those give thanks whom the Lord hath redeemed, and delivered from the hand of the enemy.' " * Mr. Smith was in the habit of riding a high-mettled horse, which in this instance proved of great service. Seeing the carriage flying in a straight line towards the precipice, he rushed forward in an angular du-ection, over leaping hedge and ditch ; and, risking his own life, darted in at the opportune moment between the horses of Wesley and the chasm just before them. How much appears to have been pendent on the daring step thus taken ! Not merely the rescue of the founder of the United Societies, and of those in company with him, but, it may be, the continued existence and extension of Methodism itself. The church-position of Mr. Smith was altogether unique. Having secured, by his success as a merchant, ample means of livelihood, he retu-ed from business-pursuits nearly thirty years before his decease ; cheerfully devoting his time and energies in promoting the spiritual interests of his feUow-men, He had frequently been urged by Mr, Wesley to devote himself fuUy to the work of an evangelist; but, hesitating to do so, he was recognised as a quasi- " helper," To the Orphan-House pulpit he was appointed' in regular rotation with the Circuit-ministers ; he assisted in the quarterly visitation of the classes ; attended several * See Wesley's Works, vol. iv., pp. 1& — 21, THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF 'WESLEY, 125 of the Conferences during the lifetime of Wesley; and, after his decease, performed the whole duty (change of residence excepted) of a Methodist itinerant preacher; even administering, as occasion required, the sacraments of baptism and the supper of our Lord, After the removal of its founder, Methodism, as to its ecclesiastical standing and arrangements, may be regarded as having been for several years in a state of paiuful transition. Church-reformers and constitution-makers were rife. In the suggestion of measures deemed requisite in order to the preservation of the cause in its integrity, and in the efficient working of its system, Mr. Smith, with others, took an active part ; and, in the attempt to remedy acknowledged defects, he was for awhUe led to advocate plans and projects almost revolutionary in their tendency. The "Plan of Pacification," and subsequent regulations, (a. d. 1795 and 1797,) met to a great extent the views of moderate and right-minded men. In this Plan Mr. Smith acquiesced ; and to his dying day he remained an attached and devoted member of " the old Body." Some years before his removal to a happier world, the infirmities of age compelled him to relinquish all those official duties in which, for upwards of half a century, he had taken great delight. Yet, " in age and feebleness extreme," he uniformly "exhibited in his general expe rience, and especially in his patience under sufferiug, the powerful efficacy of the grace of God in Jesus Christ, The last time he attended the house of God was when he was carried thither to hear the funeral sermon of his dear and early friend, the Rev, Joseph Benson ; with whom he had been in habits of friendship, perhaps as close as those which had subsisted between Da'vid and Jonathan," On the 30th of May, 1824, in the eighty-ninth year of his age, he peacefuUy feU asleep in Jesus. In the " Tyne Mercury," of that period, the following testimony was borne to his worth : — "An ample compe- m3 126 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF -WESLEY, tency, realised in early life, had enabled this venerable man, agreeably to his own benevolent wish, to devote his inteUigent mind and activities, with his entire leisure, to the temporal and spiritual good of his fellow-creatures ; and, during the greater part of half a century, his Ufe had been one prolonged act of beneficence; in visiting the sick, in instructing the ignorant, and relieving the distressed, and in every practical form promoting by his example and influence the happiness and weU-being of all around hiiii, A protiacted confinement, -with occasional severe Ulness for four years, had been sustained -with dig nified patience and resignation, and -with calm, unmoved confidence in redeeming love and mercy; and his last end was fuU of peace, and of the hope of the Gospel." 127 CHAPTER VL 1770—1791. Mr. Wesley at Morpeth — Thomas Eutherford — -Eenewal of Orphan- House Deed — Wesley on attendance at class — Case of Quietism — Smuggling rife at Sunderland and Shields — Wesley's " Word to a Smuggler" — Singular case of JohnEeed — IUustration of Luke xvi. 31 — ^Ee-airangement of the Orphan-House classes — Sunderland the head of a Circuit — Foundation-stone of Alnwick chapel laid — A preaching-house without windows — Large congregations in New castle, and its vicinity — Margaret Barlow and her angel — Abstract of quarter-day accounts, AprU, 1788 — Wesley's letter to William Percival — Chapel at North-Shields aUenated from Methodism — Second chapel at Shields claimed by the Earl of CarUsle — Alnwick the head of a Circuit — Sacramental disputes revived — Brian Bury CoUins — Orphan-House Sunday-school estabUshed — Letter from Wesley to Charles Atmore — School at Byker — Wesley's last northern tour — Sermon to Sunday-school chUdren — New form of aettUng preaching-houses — Orphan-House premises let on lease to WUUam Smith and others — ^Alteration in Orphan-House gallery — Erection of pews — Death of Wesley — Funeral sermon by Mr, Atmore. After an extensive tour in North Britain, during the spring of 1770, Mr. Wesleyj on his way to Newcastle, preaches at Morpeth. One of his hearers on this occasion was Thomas Rutherford, a young man then resident in the Dales, but subsequently for four-and-thirty years an acceptable and successful itinerant preacher. The impres sion then produced is thus narrated by himself: — " In the month of May, this year, I for the first time saw and heard that extraordinary man, the Rev. Mr. John Wesley, at Morpeth. He was in the pulpit when I went into the chapel. His appearance struck me exceedingly. He appeared like one come down from heaven, to teach men the way thither. His text was, — ' This is the covenant that I wUl make with the house of Israel after those days, 128 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. saith the Lord ; I wUl put My laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts : and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to Me a people : and they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying. Know the Lord : for all shaU know Me, from the least to the greatest. For I wUl be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities wUl I remember no more.' (Hebrews viii. 10 — 12.) He opened the words in a concise and easy manner, and spoke from them with such perspicuity and simplicity, and at the same time -with such wisdom and authority, as I never heard before. To me he seemed like one of the apostles, going about confirming the churches. From that part of the text, ' For all shall know Me from the least to the greatest,' he said, ' We are ready to suppose it should have been, from the greatest to the least : ' but, after assigning several reasons why it ought not to be so, he showed in particular, that that was not God's way ; that religion had always begun at the least; that it began there in the days of our Lord and His apostles, and spread, and ascended with such rapidity, that St. Paul tells us that in his day there were ' saints in Caesar's household.' The same, he observed, was the case in the present great revival of religion in our o^wn land. It began among the least ; but ' God,' said he, ' hath so mightUy prospered His word, that now we can say there are saints in Cassar's household.' I, and the friends who accompanied me, returned highly satis fied, and thankful to the Lord, who had given us to see and hear such a venerable and eminent minister of Christ." The year foUomng, but in a manner that would now be deemed altogether irregular, this worthy man enters upon the duties of the Methodist itinerancy. One of the preachers appointed to the Newcastle Circuit having faUed to fulfil his engagement, Mr. Rutherford was THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF -WESLEY. 129 desired to take his place. " For that end," says he, " Mr. Jaco, the then assistant, requested me to attend the Quarterly Meeting at Newcastle, on New- Year's day. Accordingly, I did attend, accompanied by my kind and faithful friend, Mr. WiUiam Robson, of Newham. When we got to the Orphan-House, Mr. Cownley was preaching from — 'To-day, if ye wUl hear His voice, harden not your hearts.' (Hebrews iv. 7.) After they had finished the temporal business of the meeting, the preachers desired to speak -STith me. There were present, Mr. Jaco, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Co-wiUey, Mr. Smith, and some others. They told me, that there seemed a providential caU for my engaging in the work of a traveUing preacher; at least, for my making a trial, whether I was caUed to the work in that respect or not. I mentioned some of my fears and objections, which they soon answered. I remember, Mr. Co-wnley, looking seriously at me, repeated these words : ' Let the dead bury their dead ; follow thou Me I ' It was agreed that I should make a trial. Thus, on the 1st of January, 1772, I engaged to become an itinerant preacher, and entered on the important work ten days after." During this year, the first renewal of the Orphan- House Deed takes place. Three of the original number — Henry Jackson, WiUiam Mackford, and Henry Thornton — had been removed by death. The remainiug trustees, — John Nelson, Thomas Richards, Jonathan Reeves, and John Haughton, — ^being from distant residence unable to act, transfer the trust by Deed of Indenture to the under-mentioned persons: — Joseph Cownley; Christopher Hopper; WUliam Smith, merchant; John Fen-mck, merchant; John Stokoe, gentleman; Edward Avison, organist, — aU of Newcastle ; and John Greene, of Gates head, merchant. The Deed, a verbatim copy of the original one, was not enrolled ; nor, indeed, was this at aU necessary. Yet, in after years, misapprehension on 130 THE OEPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. this point gave rise to much contention and uneasiness. The Deed bears date, August 4th, 1772. At the Conference of 1775, Mr. Benson, ha-ving pre viously laboured one year in the Newcastle Circuit, is again appointed to that important station; having as his superintendent Mr. WUliam Thompson, who, after the death of Wesley, became the first President of the Methodist Conference; whUe Robert Empringham and Joseph Moore were associated with them as coUeagues. The foUo-mng letter, addressed by the founder of Methodism to Mr. Benson, is in evidence that what in the present day is often mourned over as a mark of spiritual declension was then the subject of special complaint : — " Near London, February 22d, 1776. " Dear Joseph, " We must threaten no longer, but perform. In November last I told the London Society, ' Our rule is, to meet a class once a week ; not once in two, or three, I now give you warning : I wUl give tickets to none in February, but those that have done this,' I have stood to my word. Go you, and do likewise, wherever you -visit the classes. Begin, if need be, at Newcastle ; and go on at Sunderland, Promises to meet are now out of date. Those that have not met seven times in the quarter, exclude. Read their names in the Society ; and inform them all, you -wUl, the next quarter, exclude all that have not met twelve times : that is, unless they were hindered by distance, sickness, or by some unavoidable business. " And, I pray, without fear or favour remove the leaders, whether of classes or bands, who do not watch over souls ' as those that must give account.' " I am, dear Joseph, " Yours affectionately, "John Wesley." the orphan-house of WESLEY. 131 The directions given above show clearly the great importance which Mr. Wesley attached to stated seasons for Christian feUowship and mutual prayer. His succes sors in the ministry have ever sympathized with their founder on this important point. Thus, in the Address of the Conference to the Societies, bearing date " New castle-upon-Tyne, August 10th, 1861," the foUowing admonitory testimony is borne : — . . . . " In the wonderful Pro-vidence of God, we have been so constituted, as it respects our church- organization, that every degree of spiritual declension among us is indicated by the neglect of some of our established means of grace. The attendance at class- meetings, lovefeasts, and prayer-meetings, may with us be taken as the test of a rising or faUing church. These means of grace were necessary to the early Methodists, as the appropriate vehicles for the manifestation and com munication of that Divine life, the outflowing of which could not be pent up within the restricted forms and ordinances of then-existing churches. Our forefathers practically seceded from the Established Church, mainly on this ground. How, then, do we stand under the application of the same test ? If, in any Societies, the tone of spiritual religion becomes generaUy impaired, the effects may be expected to become visible at these points.". In June, 1766, Mr. Wesley finds the numbers in imme diate connexion with the Orphan-House Society to be about four hundred ; and those at Sunderland, three hun dred and seventy-two. At Newcastle he talks -with a pious woman, whose case somewhat perplexes him. " I could not doubt," says he, " of her being quite sincere, nay, much devoted to God. But she had faUen among some weU-meaning enthusiasts, who taught her so to attend the inward voice as to quit the Society, the preaching, the Lord's supper, and almost all outward means. I find no 132 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. persons harder to deal with than these. One knows not how to advise them. They must not act contrary to their conscience, though it be an erroneous one. And who can convince them that it is erroneous ? None but the Almighty." Not-withstanding the strenuous efforts put forth by Mr. Wesley some years before, to repress the evU of smuggUng, then prevalent in Sunderland and its vicinity, the practice had unhappUy re-vived, and was at this period rife. Hence the following stringent directions given to Mr. Benson, and those associated with bim : — . . . . " You have now a providential caU to stand in the gap between the living and the dead. Fear nothing. Begin in the name of God, and go through with the work. If only six wUl promise you to sin no more, leave only six in the Society. But, my belief is, a hundred and fifty are now clear of blame; and, if you are steady, a hundred more -wUl amend. You must, at all events, tear up this evU by the roots. The ' Word to a Smuggler' should be read and dispersed. And secure your fellow-labourers, that you may all speak one thing. Goon; for God is with you." .... "Not only the assistant, but every preacher, is concerned to see all our rules observed. I desire Brother Rhodes* wiU give no tickets either to those who have not constantly met their classes, or to any that do not solemnly promise to deal in stolen goods no more. He and you together may put a stop to this crying sin." . . . . " The matter is short. I require you to meet the Societies at Sunderland and Shields next quarter, and to give no tickets to any person who wUl not promise neither to buy nor seU uncustomed goods any more. I am sorry did not save you the trouble. I thought he had been another man." * The assistant who sucoeeded Mr. Thompson. THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF "WESLEY, 133 The "Word to a Smuggler" — the tract above re ferred to^s, perhaps, the most stringent and conclu sive protest ever penned on the subject of this plausible e-vU. Smuggling, in its general aspect, is there denounced as an express violation of the Saviour's injunction, " Render unto Csesar the things which are Csesar's;" and, also, as being in itself a general robbery : seeing " the more the king's duties are diminished, the more the taxes must be increased," " Open smuggling" is characterized as "robbing on the highway;" and private smuggling as just " the same -with picking of pockets," The usual excuses for it are quoted one by one, arid forcibly refuted ; and, in conclusion, the writer strongly urges : " Let your eye be fixed on the word of God, not on the examples of men. ... In spite of aU the persuasions, all the reasonings of men, keep to the word of God, If aU on the right hand, and on the left, wUl be knaves, be you an honest man," The following letter is given in full, not only as a specimen of Mr, Wesley's repeated denunciation of this evU, but as referring to a case of sore temptation, if not of diabolical possession, such as is rarely met with : — " Near London, December 24th, 1776. " Dear Joseph, "The total suppression of that vile practice wUl, doubtless, be a difficult task. But it is worth all the labour ; yea, though you should be obliged to cut off some of our oldest members. For you must absolutely go through -with your work. Leave neither root nor branch ; else the reformation will be but for a season, and then the evU wUl sprout up again. " The case of John Reed is one of the most remarkable which has faUen under my notice. From the beginning, it was my judgment that the disorder was more than natural. I -wish he would take opportunities of -writing N 134 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF -WESLEY. down as many particulars as he can recoUect, and send me as circumstantial an account as he can. You may much assist him herein. " I am, dear Joseph, " Yours affectionately, " John Wesley." In a communication addressed by Mr. Benson to Mr, Rutherford, this singular case is described at large. The letter bears date "Newcastle, January 31st, 1777," " My dear Brother, " For this sis months past, I have had an intention of -writing to you, but from various causes have deferred it from time to time untU now. But now I must write a few lines, both to inquii-e how you go on, and also to signify my affectionate remembrance of you, and my desire after your prosperity. And, because I believe it may be of use to you, and to others to whom you may mention it, I will take this opportunity of informing you of as remarkable a case as ever came under my notice. " I know not whether you are acquainted ¦with John Reed, one of our leaders and local preachers here. If you were, perhaps you have heard of the distress he has been in for months past. About the beginning of March last, he was very poorly in body, and likely to fall into a decline : hence, he could not attend his business as formerly ; and, being a little embarrassed in his circum stances, he was obUged to call his creditors together, and deliver up everything into their hands ; though I believe he was nearly able to pay twenty shUUngs to the pound. At this time it pleased God to bring his sins and his backslidings to his remembrance; and that, in such a manner, that, like a flood, they bore down all his confi dence and hope, and he sunk into the horrible pit of black despair. For nine months he had not any the most distant gleam of hope, but utterly and constantly rejected THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF -WESLEY. 135 aU the encouragement we endeavoured to administer to him from the invitations and promises of the Gospel ; stUl beUeving, and stUl affirming, that there was no mercy for such a -wretch as he was. During thia time, he was haunted night and day, without intermission, with the most horrid temptations of putting an end to his life j which he attempted to do so often, and in so many different ways, that the Providence of God — His ever watchful Providence — appears most wonderful in his preservation. What gave edge to these temptations, and laid him peculiarly open to them, was the intolerable anguish and torment he was continuaUy in ; anguish and torment so dreadful and shocking, that it is stiU his opinion [that] damned spirits cannot suffer more, till tjie day of judgment, than he has suffered for these nine months. " As his friends thought him limatic, and observed him perpetuaUy inclined to make away with himself, he was watched night and day ; and at last, about June, was put into the Lunatic Hospital. Here various means were used for his recovery, but to no purpose ; he stUl affirming that aU his friends mistook his case, and that no medicines could do him good ; because (he said) his disorder lay, not in his body, but his mind. In the meantime, prayer was made for him among the people, without ceasing, in pubUc and in private ; especially at aU the more solemn meetings, such as watchnights and lovefeasts. And although the Lord seemed to tarry long, yet, at last, He did hear and answer ; and made it plain beyond dispute that He did. For, that He might have all the glory of this work to Himself, His Pro-vidence so ordered it that he was not set at liberty in the Hospital, lest his restoration should be ascribed to the power of medicine ; but he made his escape thence, about three weeks before Christmas, with a fixed resolution to put an end to a -wretched life, no longer supportable. n2 136 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF -WESLEY. "He was now quite given up for lost, by all his friends ; as he himself, as soon as he left the Hospital, gave up himself for lost, and bid a final fareweU (as he said) to us all ; expecting in a few hours to be in that place from which there is no redemption. He wandered about for some days, melancholy and despairing ; crying for mercy, but expecting none ; and going from place to place, seeking for means to end his life ; but, when it came to the point, always marvellously deprived of the power to do it. At last he was brought to resolve, he would attempt it no more, but would bear the indignation of the Lord because he had sinned against Him ; and with this resolution he went home. His wife and children wept for joy to see him return ; and, indeed, so did many more. Through the persuasion of his wife, he came to the Room morning and night ; and within a week, I believe, was first revived with a blessed gleam of hope, and at last was perfectly set at liberty, "And now, being brought out of the very belly of hell into the confines of heaven, you may suppose he wUl rejoice with 'joy unspeakable, and full of glory,' He is truly and constantly happy; and the joy of his soul spreads a serenity and glory over his very countenance ; which is rather striking to those who observed him before he was set at liberty. He is kept in continual peace, and hope, and love ; and his conversation and behaviour are remarkably edifying. At our last lovefeast, on Christmas- day, he gave us a very full and distinct account of the whole affair ; and that in a manner so affecting, that I believe there was hardly a dry cheek in the whole assembly. The generality were quite broken down under a sense of the Divine goodness to him, (for he was very dear to them all,) in working out for him so wonderful a deliverance ; and that, in answer to their prayers. Such a melting season I never saw before. The people remem bered how he had been solemnly and particularly prayed THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 137 for during his distress, and we;re now overjoyed to see that the Lord had heard and delivered him. He imputes the whole of what he has suffered to his backsUdings in heart from the Lord, (for his life was stiU unblamable,) — for which, he says, he was given up into the hands of Satan for a season ; to be buffeted for his own sake, and for a warning to others. " That we may all take warning, and keep close to God, is the prayer of " Yom: sincere friend, " Joseph Benson." The " buffeting of Satan," to which this worthy man was so fearfiiUy exposed, was doubtless permitted for his own spiritual profit, as well as for the edification . and warning of others. " I am inclined to think," writes Mr. Benson in another communication, "that we all partly mistook his case. So];e vexed of the enemy he certainly has been ; but I query if he was at all out of his senses, from first to last. I tmst this most re markable dispensation of Divine Providence has already proved in some degree, and wUl prove more and more, a general blessing to the Society in this town. I hope many of us wiU have grace to consider it as a solemn warning not to trifle with God, inasmuch as we have seen by this instance ' what a fearful thing it is to fall into His hands.' And, on the other hand, others, I trust, wUl be encouraged, though they ' walk in darkness,' (in distress and affliction,) ' and have no light,' stiU to ' trust in the Lord,' and cry to Him who ' will not always chide, nor keep His anger for ever.' " From a record in the MS. Journal of the late Rev. Charles Atmore, we find, that, some years after, poor Reed was again the subject of extreme mental depression. On Mr. Wesley's last visit but one to Newcastle, in May, 1790, " he was highly honom-ed," Mr. Atmore states, n3 138 the orphan-house of -wesley. " in his ministry ; particularly to one who had been in a state of great despair for some years. As soon as he arrived at the Orphan-House, Mr. Wesley inquired after this individual, and I accompanied him in -visiting him. As soon as he entered the room where the poor man was, he went up to him, and, as a messenger from God, said, ' Brother Reed, I have a word from God unto thee : Jesus Christ maketh thee whole ! ' He then knelt down to pray ; and such a season I have seldom experienced. Hope instantly sprang up, and despair gave place; and, although he had not been out of his habitation, nor even from his wretched bed, for several years, he went that evening to hear Mr. Wesley preach ; while God graciously confirmed the testimony of His servant, in restoring to him the ' light of His countenance.' " For ten or twelve subsequent years, with one exception, Mr. Wesley pays only a biennial visit to the north. In 1781, when spending several days in and about Newcastle, he preaches on Sunday, the 17th of June, at the Ballast- Hills in the morning, in the afternoon at Gateshead, and in the evening at the Garth-Heads, in the immediate vicinity of the Keelmen's Hospital; the managers of which, for some unexplained reason, had prohibited the further occupation of " the Square " for preaching. Yet, notwithstanding these engagements, he attends Divine service at All-Saints' church, where a remark is made, which, he states, he had never read or heard before, " in confirmation of that assertion of Abraham, ' If they hear not Mosee and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.' ' The thing,' observed the minister, ' has been tiled. One did rise from the dead, in the sight of a multitude of people. The namesake of this Lazarus rose from the dead. The very Pharisees could not deny it. Yet who, of them that believed not Moses and the prophets, was thereby per suaded to repent?' " the orphan-house of -WESLEY. 139 The year following, Mr, Wesley, after being engaged for several days in examining the Orphan-House Society, reports that he found them " increased in grace, though not in number." " I think," says he, "four in five, at least, were alive to God." The congregations also are spoken of as larger, morning and evening, than they had been for twenty years preceding. To secure a yet greater attention to the means of Christian fellowship, Mr. Wesley divides "all the classes anew, according to their places of abode;" — an arrangement greatly to be desired, as to many Societies, in this day, so far as cu-cumstances permit. At the Conference held in London, in 1782, Sunderland is formed, with places adjacent, into a separate Circuit ; ha-ving, as its first ministerial appointment, Duncan Wright and Thomas Dison. The number in Society, at the close of the year, is reported as exactly one thousandi On Friday, June 3d, 1786, Mr. Wesley lays the first stone of the "preaching-house" at Alnwick. A large concourse of persons is gathered together ; with whom some time was spent on the spot, " in solemn prayer, and singing praise to God." The chapel is yet standing, without enlargement; and, certainly, as to its architec tural character, it is of very humble pretensions. Mr. Wesley, it would seem, was far from satisfied -with its construction. " I was a little surprised," -writes he, when visiting the spot, two years after, " at the new preaching- house, (in which I preached in the evening,) exactly resembling the meeting-house which we hire at Brentford. Had they no eyes ? Or had they nerver seen any English house? But the scare-crow must now stand -without remedy." This severe critique was to some extent justified by the barn-like* character of the erection. The ¦* The " House " at Alnwick was, however, far in advance of the chapel buUt at Dumfries, under the direction of Eobert Dall, then the assistant there. "At five," May 14th, 1788, writes Mr. Wesley, " I was importuned to preach in the preaching-house ; but such a one I 140 the orphan-house of -WESLEY. galleries were disproportionately high ; whUst the dimi nutive windows, almost reaching the ceUing, gave an aspect of dreariness to the whole. The day foUowing, Sunday, May 25th, 1788, Mr. Wesley preaches in this " scare-crow " house " at nine, and two, and half-past five, with much enlargement of spirit." On the 26th, he preaches there again at five in the morning ; and, taking a solemn leave of the congre gation, journeys toward Newcastle ; preaching at Morpeth on his way. " In the evening," -writes he, " I preached at Newcastle, to such a congregation as was never there before, except on a Sunday ; and, indeed, aU the congre gations, morning and evening, were such as had not been before, since the House was buUt. Surely, this is the accepted tune for Newcastle. Perhaps I may never see it more ! " This sentiment was, doubtless, shared by the multitudes who thronged the chapels, wherever he was announced to preach; whUst a more than ordinarily gracious infiuenee accompanied his word. Thus, in reference to his preaching on Saturday, June 7th, to "a lovely congregation " at Bumup-field, on " Rejoice in the Lord, 0 ye righteous," he states, " I have found nothing like it since I left London ; such was ' The o'erwhelming power of grace di-vine.' I know not that I ever felt such self-abasement before ; and the whole congregation seemed equally moved. And so they were at Newcastle in the evening, whUe I explained, and strongly appUed, ' I am the aU-sufficient God: walk before Me, and be thou perfect.'" Again, when preaching his last sermon, during this -visit, to an immense multitude at the Garth-Heads, (on the text, never saw before. It had no windows at aU : so that, although the sun shone bright, we could see nothing without candles. But, I beUeve, our Lord shone on many hearts, whUe I was applying those words, ' I wUl : be thou clean.' " THE orphan-house OF WESLEY. 141 " We then, as workers together with Him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain," 2 Cor. vi. 1,) " The people," says he, " appeared to devour the word ; and I did not spare them, I was then ready to say, ' Now I am clear from the blood of these men ! ' No, I dare not : I judge not my o-wn self. He that judgeth me is the Lord." Before his leaving Newcastle, a singular account is put into Mr. Wesley's hands, of a young woman lately resi dent at Darlington. " I told the person who brought it," writes he, " I can form no judgment tUl I talk with Margaret Barlow herself." A few days after, the oppor tunity is given, when a lengthened interview takes place at Darlington. "I asked her," says he, "abundance of questions ; and was soon convinced, she was not only sincere, but deep in grace, and therefore incapable of deceit. I was convinced, likewise, that she had frequent intercourse with a spUit, that appeared to her in the form of an angel. I know not how to judge of the rest. Her account was, ' For above a year, I have seen this angel, whose face is exceeding beautiful; her raiment' (so she speaks) ' white as snow, and glistering like sUver ; her voice unspeakably soft and musical. She teUs me many things before they come to pass. She foretold, I should be Ul at such a time, in such a manner, and well at such an hour ; and it was so exactly. She has said, such a person shaU die at such a time ; and he did so. Above two months ago, she told me your brother was dead, (I did not know you had a brother,) and that he was in heaven. And, some time since, she told me, you wUl die in less than a year. But what she has most earnestly and frequently told me is, -that God wUl in a short time be avenged of obstinate sinners, and wUl destroy them with fire from heaven.' Whether this will be so or no," continues Mr. Wesley, " I cannot tell : but, when we were alone, there was a wonderful power in her 142 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF -WESLEY. words ; and, as the Indian said to David Brainerd, ' they did good to my heart.' " It is above a year since this girl was first visited in this manner ; being then between thirteen and fourteen years old. But she was then quite a womanish girl, and of unblamable behaviour. Suppose, that which appeared to her was really an angel ; yet, from the face, the voice, and the apparel, she might easily mistake him for a female ; and this mistake is of little consequence. Much good has already resulted from this odd event, and is likely to ensue ; provided, those who believe and those who disbelieve her report have but patience with each other." * On this singular case Mr. Wesley expresses no opinion, beyond stating his conviction of the sincerity and piety of the young woman. The prescience of her angel was certainly at fault, as to the predicted time of Mr. Wesley's death : so that, whether the case was simply one of mental haUucination, or whether some supernatural influence must be brought in to explain it, has yet to be decided. The financial state of the Newcastle Circuit is given in the foUowing Abstract of the Circuit-accounts for the quarter ending AprU 1st, 1788 : — On the Br. side, under the head of " Cash received," we find, Keceived arrears of last quarter's coUection : — £. s. d Eothbury, 3s. 6d ; Saugh-House, 19s. ; Whit- tington, 6s. ; HalUngton, £\.. Is. ; Benton- square, 8s. ed 2 18 0 „ Twelve weeks' class-coUection 19 13 3 „ Interest of .£100 legacy 2 10 0 „ A quarter's coUection, gaUery-seats 3 2 2 „ Legacy left by Mr. Errington, paid by his executors, Messrs. Smith and Stokoe 20 0 0 ¦* See Wesley's Works, vol. iv., pp. 423, 424, THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF "WESLEY, 143 Received quarter-day coUection, as foUows ; — Newcastle 8 15 10 Chowden-FeU 1 0 10 South-Shields 110 North-Shields 1 11 6 Howden-Pans 0 12 7 St. Anthony 110 Benton-squaxe 0 13 0 Hartley 0 10 0 Plessey 0 10 6 Morpeth 110 Meldon 0 3 0 JEarsdon-HUl 0 3 0 Alnwick;, and places adjacent ... 2 10 0 19 13 3 Balance due to Stewards 22 17 4 ^90 14 0 On the Cr. side, under the head of " Cash paid," the following entries occur : — £. s. d. Cash in advance, by Steward, January 1st, 1788 39 7 11 Paid to Dr. Coke on account of expenses, going to Scotland 110 Thirteen weeks' board and house-expenses 15 10 0| Several smaU articles of house-furniture 2 10 2^ Mr. BrumweU, repairing house-furniture 0 14 6 Carriage of Mr. Wride's boxes 0 7 6 Stable-accounts 0 15 8 Pew-rent of two seats in St. Andrew's church,, .026 On quarter-dfl,y, as foUows : — Mr. Wood and -wife, and three chUdren 9 17 0 Mr. Thom, and two chUdren 5 17 0 Mr. Wride 3 17 0 Mr. Cownley 2 2 0 Letter-biU 0 17 2 Coal-bUl 2 18 6 Candle-bUl 4 16 0 30 4 8 J90 14 0 144 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. The income and expenditure of the Circuit, as given above, clearly indicate, as to its financial position, a " day of small and feeble things." No house-rent is named: the preachers and their families lived, at this period, in the higher story of the Orphan-House, above the chapel and class-rooms ; in Scotch-flat fashion. The charge for coals and candles is explained by the fact, that the chapel receipts and expenditure of the Orphan-House are (in part, at least) included in those of the Circuit. The pay ment for " seats " in St. Andrew's church may in our day appear singular ; but, at that period, the famUies of the preachers were expected to attend regularly the ser vices of the parish-church. On this, in Newcastle, great stress was laid. . It was, indeed, the strong recommenda tion and requirement of Mr, Wesley himself; in perfect keeping with which is the following letter, addressed by him to Mr, William Percival, when stationed in New castle : — " Dear Billy, " You cannot be too watchful against evU- speaking, or too zealous for the poor Church of England, I commend Sister Percival for ha-ving her chUd baptized there, and for returning public thanks. By aU means go to church as often as you can, and exhort all Methodists so to do. They that are enemies to the Church are enemies to me. I am a fi-iend to it, and ever was. By our reading prayers, we prevent our people contracting a hatred for forms of prayer ; which would naturally be the case if we prayed extempore, " I am, with love to Sister Percival, " Dear BUly, " Your affectionate brother, " John Wesley, "London, Feb, 17th, 1787," Toward the close of the year 1788, a painful dispute THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 145 arose, as to the settlement of the chapel recently erected in MUburn-place, North-Shields ; the trustees of which strove to retain in their own hands the power of rejecting or displacing any preachers of whom they disapproved. Against claims of this kind Mr. Wesley determinately set his face ; not only because such demands, if admitted, would be subversive of the system of itinerancy, but because the result would be the establishment of a trustee- tyranny, destructive alike of the Scriptural independence of the preachers, and of the harmony of the Societies under their care. Hence the follo-wing letter, addressed to the preachers then stationed in the Newcastle Circuit : — " Dublin, AprU 11th, 1789, " I REQUIRE you three, Peter MUl, Joseph Thompson, and John Stamp, without consulting or regarding any person whatever, to require a positive answer of Edward Coats, -within three weeks after the receipt of this, — ¦ ' WUl you, or wUl you not, settle the house at MUburn- place, North-Shields, on the Methodist plan?' K he -wUl not do it within another week, I farther require, that none of you preach in that house, xmless you will renounce all connection -with " Your affectionate brother, " John Wesley. " I am at a pQint, I wUl be trifled with no longer," The trustees refusing to acquiesce in this reasonable requirement, the chapel at MUburn-place is abandoned by the preachers. Another place of worship, it seems, had been erected in North-Shields; but, due care not having been taken in the investigation of the title, the land and premises were subsequently claimed by the Earl of Carlisle, The pomt in dispute being referred to arbi- tiation, the claims of his lordship were substantiated; so that the Methodists, much to their discouragement 146 the orphan-house of wesley. and regret, lost that chapel also, " Mr, Reed's loss," writes Mr. Atmore, " wUl be about £1,100 ; and our loss cannot be estimated : for, by reason of this chapel being built, we lost the MUburn-place house, and now we have lost this also ; so that, had not Mr, Adamson offered us the old Methodist chapel, (which he now occupies,) I should have had no place at all," Mr. Atlay, too, who had recently accepted a call from some seceding trustees at Dewsbury,* induces several of "Mr. Wesley's people," both at Shields and Newcastle, to rally round his standard. The secession was, however, short-lived, and produced but little mischief. At the Conference of 1789, Alnwick is permanently separated from Newcastle, and constituted the head of a Circuit ; having, as its ministerial staff, William Hunter, William Stephenson, and John Furness, The places associated with Alnwick were Earsdon, Plessey, Morpeth, Meldon, Saughouse, Rothbury, Chattin, Berwick, Lucker, North- Sunderland, Linkhall, Alnmouth, Warkworth, Les- bury, Dunstan, and Branton. In consequence of this arrangement, two ministers only are stationed at New castle ; namely, Charles Atmore and John Ogilvie. Toward the close of the year, the disputes as to the administration of the Lord's supper, and service in Church-hours, are unhappily revived, and excite much painful and bitter feeling. " This contention," Mr. At more states, "was occasioned by a visit from the Rev. B. C — , who had been in Newcastle the preceding year, and produced considerable strife and mischief. The Society was divided in affection, and many unpleasant ¦*• The Conference was held this year in Leeds. "We considered " Mr. Wesley states, " the case of the Dewsbury house, which the self- elected trustees have robbed us of. The point they contended for was this,— that they should have a right of rejecting any preachers they disapproved of. But this, we saw, would destroy itinerancy. So they chose J. A. (Atlay) for a preacher, and W. E. (Eels) as his curate." the orphan-house of WESLEY, 147 effects foUowed, The spirit of party seemed to have subsided, and the people appeared united to promote the best things. But this second visit from that gentle man again raised the demon of discord; and the work of God, to the great grief of my soul, was seriously impeded," The Rev, Brian Bury Collins, of the University of Cambridge, was the clergyman to whom Mr, Atmore refers. He was a personal friend of Mr. Wesley, and is spoken of by him, as having " much experience in the things of God," His pulpit-ministrations were generally acceptable and useful. He frequently assisted Mr, Wesley in the administration of the Lord's supper ; and occasion aUy, at his request, pastorally visited several of the Societies, He appears on this occasion to have acted unadvisedly, as the advocate and spokesman of the High- Church party in Newcastle ; who were prepared to run all hazards in opposing the just demands of their Methodist brethren. Hence the confusion and strife. The strong desire of the Newcastle Society, in reference to the ad ministration of the Lord's supper, as a privUege to which, as a Society, they stood entitled, was evidenced in the attendance of upwards of four hundred of their number, when, during this visit, that sacrament was administered in the Orphan-House by Mr, Collins. A singular circumstance is related of this clergyman, when previously visiting Newcastle. " After preaching at nine a.m. on the Lord's day, he accompanied a large portion of his hearers to All-Saints' church, and took a station contiguous to the vestry. Being very canonical in his appearance, he attracted the attention of the offici ating clergyman, who politely requested him to preach. The invitation was at once accepted, and a messenger despatched to Mr. Smith's, in High-Friar-street, for his gown, cassock, &c. On entering the pulpit, instead of producing a written discourse for the profit of the congre- o2 148 the orphan-house of wesley. gation, he took his text from a small Bible, which he had in his hand, and edified them with an extemporaneous and truly evangelical discourse. The greater part of the congregation was astonished, and the Methodist por tion of it greatly pleased. The in-vitation was not repeated."-* Early in the year 1790, — sis years after the establish ment of the first institution of the kind, by Mr. Raikes, at Gloucester, — a Sunday-school was formed in con nexion with the Orphan-House ; chiefly through the instrumentality of Mr, Atmore. " Returning one evening from the neighbouring vUlage of Byker, where he had been preaching, his mind was greatly pained on account of the number of chUdren who were openly violating the Sabbath, by amusing themselves in various sports in the lanes and streets, as he passed along. The idea of a Sunday-school was forcibly impressed upon his mind, and he formed the resolution to endeavour, by such means as were within his reach, to accomplish his laudable design. On the following day he mentioned his views to several of the Wesleyan friends in Newcastle, who warmly approved of the undertaking, and tendered all the support in their power. During the same week, a meeting of the individuals who were favourable to the object was convened in the band-room of the Orphan-House ; when it was determined that a Sunday-school should be com menced in that building, with as little delay as possible," Subscriptions and donations, amounting to £38. 15s,, were quickly promised ; and on Sunday, February 28th, 1790, the school was opened in the Orphan-House, when nearly three hundred and fifty children were enroUed as scholars, t -* Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine, 1845, p. 117. t The following list of subscribers to this, the first Sabbath-school established in the north of England, wUl be read vrith interest, especi ally by their descendants in the present day ; — THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 149 The progress of the undertaking is thus narrated in the MS. Journal of the late Rev. Charles Atmore : — " Sunday, March 7th. — I was busUy engaged this day in the Sunday-school : our numbers amounted to about five hundred. Dr. Coke preached a charity-sermon for the school in the evening, from — 'And ye fathers, provoke not your chUdren to -wrath; but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.' (Ephes. vi. 4.) The coUection on the occasion amounted to £12. 6s. " Sunday, March 14th; — Our number of scholars this day amounted to about seven hundred : we had very great order in the school. " Sunday, March 21st. — I attended the school; and now we have about eight hundred children. They are divided into thirty-two classes. I trust good wUl accrue. " Sunday, April 25th. — The Lord was very present in the Orphan-House this morning, whUst I preached, from Matth. vi, 13, upon the nature of temptation. After preaching, I read the service of the Church of England to the chUdren of the Sunday-school, in order to obviate an objection that is made to it by some, — that we purpose making Methodists of all the chUdren. We wish them all to fear God and work righteousness, and to use all necessary methods to ~ obtain that end. May it be answered ! " Wednesday, May 19th, — At eight o'clock this evening we had a general meeting of the committee, inspectors, and teachers of the Sunday-school. We spent about twp £,. s. d. Mr. Scott 0 10 6 Geo. Jefferson Fishwick 2 Wm. Calander John Cowley... Wm. DarneU... Geo. Shadford Thos. Jamieson £. s. d. 2 2 0 2 2 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 Jon. Brumwell... 0 10 6 Jos. Walton 0 10 0 Eobt. Spoors ... 0 5 0 Jacob Atkinson 0 5 0 Hugh Taylor ... 0 2 0 Wm. WaUace ... 0 1 0 Jas. Eesdon 0 1 0 o3 150 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. hours in endeavouring to strengthen each other's hands in this good work ; and I was happy to find that the hearts of aU the teachers seemed to be as much in it as ever. God has greatly blessed several of them in their own souls since they began ; and some of the chUdren have evidenced that their labour has not been in vain." Sunday-schools, as an influential agency in reaching the neglected chUdren of the poor, had, from their first estab lishment, Mr. Wesley's cordial approval and support. In the year 1785, he published, in his " Arminian Magazme," the account given by Mr. Raikes of the first experiment of the kind made at Gloucester; and subsequently he embraced every opportunity to urge on the attention of his people an example so laudable. No sooner did he hear of the steps taken at Newcastle, than he addressed Mr, Atmore as follows : — " Dublin, March 24, 1790. " Dear Charles, " I AM glad you have set up Sunday-schools in Newcastle. It is one of the noblest institutions which have been seen in Europe for some centuries ; and will increase more and more, provided the teachers and inspectors do their duties. What can prevent the increase of this blessed work, but the neglect of the instruments ? Therefore, be sure to watch over these with all care, that they may not grow weary in well-doing. I shaU be at Darlington, if God permit, on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 4th and Sth; on Thursday, at Durham, to preach at twelve o'clock at noon ; and at Newcastle, between four and five in the afternoon. " Grace be with you and yours. " I am, dear Charles, " Your affectionate friend and brother, " John Wesley." Ml-. John Nichol, one of the three remaining trustees THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY, 151 of what is now designated, under the authority of the Charity Commissioners, "The Orphan-House Charity," states, that previously to the formation of the Orphan- House school, a few chUdren had received instruction weekly on the Sabbath at Byker, under the auspices of Mr, ilDhnsQn,-ar of the Trustee Act, 1850 ; and in the 157. -' matter of the trusts of the Brunswick- place chapel, Newcastle-upon-Tyne : " Upon the petition of John Beckington, John Eeay, George Bargate, John Nichol, and Ralph Hodgson, all of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, surviving trustees of the Brunswick-place chapel, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, on the 28th day of January, 1857, preferred unto the Right Honourable the Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain : And upon hearing counsel for the petitioners : And upon reading the said petition ; Indentures of lease and release, dated the 14th and 15th days of July, 1824 ; the affidavit (501) of Ralph WUson and WUUam Henry Taylor, filed Newcastle case, what could be more in conformity with the intentions of John Wesley, than the scheme proposed by the trustees in their first appUcation to the Charity Commissioners? 242 THE orphan-house of -WESLEY. the 28th day of January, 1857, as to the death of all the parties ofthe fourth part to the said Indenture of release, except the petitioners, and as to the election at a meeting held at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in the said chapel, of the proposed new trustees, and as to their fitness ; the consent, in writing marked B, signed by the proposed new trustees, to act; and the affidavit of William Henry Taylor, filed the 28th day of January, 1857, verifying the signatures thereto : And it appearing by the evidence aforesaid that all the trustees of the Indentures dated the 14th and 15th days of July, 1824, are dead, except the petitioners, and that the petitioners, John Beckington, John Reay, and Ralph Hodgson, are desUous of retiring from the trusts thereof ; and that it is necessary to appoint new trustees, and that it is impracticable to do so without the assistance of this Court : This Court doth order that John Brunton Falconar, the elder, of Forres-viUa, near Gateshead, in the county of Dm-ham, gentleman, Ralph Wilson, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, woollen-draper, William Stephen son, of Throckley-house, in the county of Northumberland, farmer, Emerson Muschamp Bainbridge, of Newcastle- upon-Tyne, linen-draper, John Ward, of Newcastle-upon- Tyne, grocer, John Brunton Falconar, the younger, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, gentleman, John George Fenwick, of Newcastle-uj)on-Tyne, tanner, Matthew Moralee Youll, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, agent, William Alexander Falconar, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, brewer, John Gilhespy, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, agent, Joseph Hopper, of New castle-upon-Tyne, miller, Jacob Vickers, of Newcastle- upon-Tyne, agent, William Haswell Stephenson, of Throckley aforesaid, firebrick manufacturer, Robert Curtice, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, professional reporter, Matthew Slee, of Newcastle-upon-Tjue, potato-merchant, William Pearson, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, agent, Robert Robson, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, grocer, and Richard Burnand, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, gunmaker, be appointed trustees the orphan-house of WESLEY. 243 of the said Indentures, and of the messuage, tenement, or buUding used as a Methodist meeting-house, and all others the messuages, tenements, and hereditaments comprised in the said Indentures, in the place and stead, and in substi tution, of such deceased trustees, and ofthe said petitioners John Beckington, John Reay, and Ralph Hodgson, jointly with the petitioners George Bargate and John Nichol, And it is ordered that all the said messuages, tenements, and premises do vest in such new trustees, and the said George Bargate and John Nichol, for aU the estate and interest now vested in the petitioners as such surviving trustees, as aforesaid, to be held by the said new trustees and the said George Bargate and John Nichol upon the trusts declared by the said Indentm-es, dated the 14th and 15th days of July, 1824, concerning the same or such of them as are now subsisting or capable of taking effect, and subject to the mortgage therein mentioned, and all other the charges or incumbrances affecting the same,* (L,S,) "Entered, " G, L, for E, A," ¦* The Blenheim-street chapel Deed was renewed on the 21st of December, 1857, and the trust-estate vested in the foUowing gentle men, as trustees : — Ealph WUson, John Nichol, Henry Jefferson, John B. Falconar, senior, John Green, George MarshaU, George Bargate, WiUiam Stephenson, Emerson M. Bainbridge, John B. Falconar, junior, Eobert Curtice, John Ward, John G. Fenwick, John Gilhespy, Eobert Wilson, WiUiam A. Falconar, Jacob Vickers, Eobert Eobson, WilUam H. Stephenson, WiUiam Pearson, and Edward Richardson. Y 2 244 CHAPTER X, 1856—1858, Farewell-service at the Orphan-House — Charles Hutton, LL.D. — WUliam A. HaUs — ^WUUam Potter — Mrs. Potter— John Simpson — Thomas Heath — John Todd — Walter Stone — John Daglish — Charles N. Wawn — Jane Gibson — Thomas Stanley — Margaret Morrison — Ealph Wilson — EUzabeth Bargate — Eichard Grainger — Public break fast at the Exchange Hotel — Embryo Bible Society at the Orphan- House — Public procession — -Foundation-stone of new Orphan-House schools laid by Mr. Falconar — Copy of document placed in the stone — Addresses by John B. Falconar, Esq., and Eev. John Scott — Archi tectural description ofthe school-building — Successful schools'-bazaar — Opening of the new Orphan-House schools — Concluding remarks. Previously to the taking down of the old buUding, it was deemed desu-able to hold a fareweU-service within its walls. On Wednesday, September 10th, 1856, a social meeting, attended by nearly sis hundred persons, was held in the lower part of the Orphan-House chapel. The gaUeries, though disused for more than thu-ty years past, were prepared for the occasion, and, with the band-room and other apartments, including Mr, Wesley's study, were thrown open to the inspection of the public. Amongst those assembled, in addition to the members of the Wesleyan Society, (the poorer part of whom were ad mitted gratuitously,) were members of several other religious communities, whose ancestors or fi-iends had in former days worshipped in this ancient structure, or had been connected with its Sabbath-school. With men verging toward fourscore, were " little ones," — the great-great- grandchUdren of former Orphan-House worshippers ; the old making kno"wn to the young "the work" done "in their days, and in the days of old ; that the generation to THB ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 245 come might know them, that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments." Reminiscences, at once interesting and hallowed, were thus awakened.* The whole of the proceed ings were fraught with more than ordinary interest. Among the earlier or later worshippers in this time- honoured structure, the following claim at least a passing notice : — 1. Charles Hutton, LL.D,, the eminent mathe matician, who for four-and-thirty years filled the mathe matical professor's chair at Woolwich College, near London, was in early life a devoted member of the Methodist Society, and an acceptable local preacher, in connexion "with the Orphan-House, Newcastle, He was born August Mth, 1737 ; and is spoken of f as a youth of great docility and simplicity of manners, serious, sincere, affectionate, and devout. His youthful devoutness was indicated by the fact, that, when about eleven years of age, he formed a Uttle retired arbour in an adjoining wood, into which he was wont to step aside to pray, as he passed to and from school. At that period, he destroyed a large number of ballads and border-legends which, con amore, he had coUected, He was designed for his father's occupation, that of a colliery--newer; but, from an injury received in early life, he was considered unfit for that position, and, following the natural bent of his mind, he prepared himself to become a mathematical teacher : in this capacity he gave instruction at Jesmund, when only eighteen years of * One interesting custom was speciaUy referred to. After the week- evening preaching, the members of Society present were accustomed to repair to the band-room above the chapel, from whence, after uniting in the singing of a hymn given out by the officiating minister, they retired to their several class-rooms ; thus avoiding the sadly discordant effect produced by the concurrent singing of several classes in close proximity with each other. t Annual Biography, 1823. T 3 246 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. age. On removing subsequently to Newcastle, his scholars became numerous ; one of whom was the late Lord Chancellor Eldon, Young Scott's connexion -with the schoolmaster Hutton confirms the well-supported tradition that Lords Stowell and Eldon,* when young, were frequently found in the orchestra of the Orphan-House, Dr, Hutton's principal literary effort was when employed for six consecutive years, with Drs, Pearson and Shaw, in an abridgment of " The Philosophical Transactions," subsequently published in eighteen thick quarto volumes. He died January 27th, 1823, cetat. 86 ; his whole life having been characterized " by simplicity, liberality, energy, and benevolence." 2. William Anthony Hails, an Orphan-House local preacher and class-leader, was a profound mathematician, as well as linguist. The late Bishop Barrington pro nounced him to be the best Hebrew scholar in the north of England. He was an excellent classic, and weU versed also in polemical exercise. He published an able refuta tion of Volney's " Ruins," in a volume of four hundred pages, characterized by great learning and acumen; as well as several minor works in defence of om- Saviom-'s claims to the Messiahship. Though somewhat angular in his mental conformation, he was highly esteemed by those who knew him. In the eighty-fifth year of his age he died in j)eace. 3. William Potter, for many years an active and intelligent office-bearer in the Orphan-House Society, was seriously impressed under a sermon preached by Mr. Wesley, outside of Pandon-gate, on the 20th of May, 1764. " His attentive ear imbibed the truth, and retained it as the guiding principle of his life." He is character ized as "a man of exti-aordinary energy, physical and -*¦ WUliam Scott, the father of these eminent men, then residing in Love-lane, Newcastle, was a "fitter;" i.e., "a, middle man," acting between the coal-owner and the shipper. THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OP WESLEY. 247 mental, and of abounding benevolence. Many owed their ^st success in life to his helping hand." After a brief Ulness, he exchanged time for immortality, on the 31st of December, 1833; leaving behind him " an unble mished name, and a blessed memory." 4. Mrs. Potter was a lady of Scotch descent. When but a child, she was taken bya pious servant in Edinburgh to hear Mr. Wesley. The venerable man, when descending from the pulpit, laid his hand upon her head, and invoked a blessing upon her; an incident to which, in after years, she always referred -with much feeling. Throughout a lengthened life she was characterized by sua-\rity of temper, by dignified propriety of mind and manners, and uniform devotedness to God. " So lovely and venerable a ' mother in Israel,' " writes an eminent Wesleyan minister, who, in 1851, was her Conference guest, "has been rarely seen; such Christian simplicity, brightened by intelligence ; so much of tranquU dignity, blended with the lowliness which accompanies all other meUowing graces of the Spirit. Mrs, Potter's conversa tion, never of the common order, was often vivid with thought, and diversified by anecdotes of almost historic interest, relating to the olden time and its celebrities; but always overflowing with kindness, and hallowed by religion. . . . After more than eighty winters her mind was broad awake, and her heart as warm as it could have been in the glow of her life's meridian." At six o'clock on the evening of Sunday, March 11th, 1855, as the pealing bells gave note of earthly service, she entered the heavenly sanctuary.* The daughter of Mr. Potter by a former wife was married to Alderman WiUiam Armstrong; one fruit of which marriage was WUliam, now Sir WUliam G. Arm- stiong, of world-wide celebrity. * Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine, 1856, p. 677. 248 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF V7ESLEY. 5, 6, John Simpson and Thomas Heath, from then- singular attachment to each other, being rarely met with alone, may be regarded as the David and Jonathan of the Orphan-House flock, Mr, Simpson was, for many years, the organist of St. John's church, and at the same time a successful leader in the Newcastle Society. He had a remarkably correct and sensitive musical taste. Mr. Heath was a devoted Christian, characterized by great tenderness of spirit and nervous susceptibility; weeping with those who wept, and rejoicing with those who re joiced: so quick, in his case, was the transition from one state to the other, that he almost appeared to weep and laugh at the same time. The end of both was peace. 7. John Todd, a highly-respected merchant in New castle, was for upwards of half a century a member of the Orphan-House Society and congregation. By his fellow- townsmen he was held in high esteem as a man of unble mished character and strict business-integrity. He was connected with the Orphan-House Sabbath-school from its commencement ; and, as an intelligent, zealous teacher and superintendent, greatly promoted its interests. By his kindly spirit and his Christian fidelity, he secured, as a class-leader, the esteem and affection of aU entrusted to his care; the poorer members receiving his special atten tion, and not unfrequently participating in his bounty. For some years previous to the opening of the Brunswick- place chapel, the erection of which he had zealously promoted, he sustained with great fidelity and acceptance the office of chapel-steward in the former " House;" the choir of which was for some time under his supervision and guidance. He was a lover of good men. His house might truly be designated a " pilgrims' home :" the minis ters of Methodism, when passing through the town, or when sojourning for a season in Newcastle, invariably found there a hospitable welcome. In a ripe old age Mr, Todd was "gathered to his fathers," THE orphan-house OF WESLEY. 249 8. Walter Stone, though moving in a far humbler sphere, was not in any wise less useful, or less esteemed. By occupation a shoemaker, he was for upwards of twenty years employed as the Oi-phan-House chapel-keeper; the duties of which station he faithfully performed. He was at the same time one of the most useful and influential local preachers in the Newcastle Circuit. Sound in hia theological views; well versed in experimental religion; characterized, too, by apt and forcible Ulustrations of Divine truth, he was, as a preacher, highly esteemed. As a counseUor of the young, being always easy of access, and also in discharging the responsible duties of a class- leader, he greatly exceUed. His class consisted solely of young men, who, profiting by the appropriate instructions weekly given, were generally acknowledged by the minis ters of the Circuit, when renewing the quarterly tickets of the Society, to be, as a class, better grounded than many in the truths of doctrinal and experimental reUgion. Walter Stone was eminently " a good man." After lengthened and faithful service in the cause of the hea venly Master, he died as he had lived, in the exercise of joyous hope; "meet to be a partaker of the inheritance ofthe saints in light." 9. John Daglish, who entered into rest on the 30th of January, 1837, had been for upwards of twenty years a devoted member of the Methodist Society. Having sought with great fervency the pardoning mercy of God, he became a partaker of " the righteousness which is through faith," and, to the close of life, walked in con sistency with his profession. In his business-pursuits he was characterized by "uprightness, order, and prudence," and thus became a valued member of civil as well as of religious society. He was an ardent and successful pro moter of the system of vaccination, in support of which he wrote and practised largely ; being supposed " to have himself vaccinated upwards of 17,000 cases, as well as to 250 the orphan-house of wesley. have gratuitously supplied 19,000 charges of the vaccine virus to medical practitioners." He filled at different periods of his career nearly every important lay office in the Methodist Society; whilst, m. promoting the interests of its several departments, he evidenced a spu-it of genial and untiring zeal, A lingering illness preceded his removal to a happier world. Some of his last words were, " I feel my soul resting on a sure foundation: I am near the city of God." 10. Charles Newby Wa"wn, one of the most distin guished members of the Orphan-House Society, was by profession a surgeon-dentist. In the year 1816, under the superintendency of the late Rev. William Bramwell, he entered upon the responsibilities of a Methodist class- leader; his spiritual attainments being at that period of a high order. " When Mr. Wawn ascended the horizon," his biographer remarks, " there were but few men of his rank and influence who would submit to the brand of enthusiast and Methodist: but, with an apostolical hero ism, he gloried in the cross ; and to his piety and zeal we owe, among other kindred institutions, the formation of the Newcastle Bible and Tract Societies, and also of the Sunday-School Union, and the Auxiliary Church and Jewish Missionary Societies." Mr. Wawn is characterized as one whose " manners were highly polished and refined, his intelligence varied and extensive, his benevolence unsectarian and unbounded, and his whole life regulated by the pure precepts of our holy religion." As a public speaker, his style was rather " ornate, and marked by sweeping and accumulated epithet;" yet, from general testimony, he must be regarded as having been one of the most eloquent men of his day. He was also a good classic, and conversant with several of the languages and dialects of modern Europe. A painful mental disease led to his premature retirement from active pursuits ; yet his death was eminently peaceful. On the 22d of May, 1840, THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY, 251 in the fifty-eighth year of his age, this gifted man " Found the rest we toU to find. Landed in the arms of God." 11, Jane, afterwards Mrs. Thomas Gibson, received her first religious impressions in the Orphan-House, when listening, at a very early age, to a sermon then addressed to young persons. In riper years she was found a deeply- attached member of the Wesleyan Society in Newcastle ; and subsequently sustained for some years, "with great acceptance, the office of class-leader. An interesting and instructive Memoir of this excellent lady, from the pen of the Rev. Francis A, West, is stiU extant. Mrs. G, is characterized as "a woman of great sense, and general information ; possessing, in connexion with a sound judg- jnent, a fervent yet practical piety, and a most benevolent spirit." She was a diligent student of holy Scripture; implicitly submitting her own reason to its teaching. Into every scheme and purpose of benevolence, or for the extension of the kingdom of Christ, she entered with intense interest ; her feminiue vu-tues alone keeping her -within a woman's sphere, " The pleasures of the higher walks of literature, particularly of sacred literature, some-r times seemed to abstract her from the famUiar con ventionalities of life : yet she was always ready either to learn or teach; deeming knowledge the greatest luxury, and wisdom the highest good," Her last afflic tion was severe, testing painfully the graces of her Chris tian character ; yet was it graciously overruled as a means of weaning her from the world, and rendering her meet for home. On the 8th of December, 1835, in the thirty- ninth year of her age, she exchanged mortality for life. Some of her last words, uttered with significant emphasis, were, "All is well!" — words which the now sainted Mont gomery expanded into the following beautiful epitaph : — " Life, death, and judgment, time, eternity. Exalted spirit ! now are known to thee. 252 THE OKPHAN-HOUSE of WESLEY, Life, thou hast proved a floVry, thorny way ; Death, one dark moment, bursting into day ; And judgment, mercy : since among the blest. Thee, as His own, thy Saviour hath confest : Time and eternity thenceforth are one ; Heaven's glory crowns what grace on earth begun. Sweet were thy last faint accents, 'All is well!' But how much better now thou ma/st not teU ; And yet, the best remains, when thou shalt meet Thy loved and loving friends round Jesu's feet." 12. Thomas Stanley, a native of Alnwick, and grand son by the mother's side of the Rev. Robert Swan, one of the Methodist preachers of a former day, was early in structed in the principles of religious truth and duty. In his fifteenth year, he was placed as an apprentice in New castle-upon-Tyne ; where, attracted by the singing at the Orphan-House, and pleased with its whole arrangements,* he regularly attended the services there held. Receiving in his association with the Society "a sense ofthe Divine favour, and the transforming influences of the holy Spirit," he was led with holy earnestness to " serve his generation by the wUl of God," At the early age of nineteen, " after taking part in other less public works of faith and love," he entered upon the important duty of " calling sinners to repentance ;" and, as a local preacher, laboured for thirty-eight years with fidelity, acceptance, and success. In his famUy, he was " a pattern of affection and piety." In discharging the duties of a class-leader, he was ever found affectionate, yet judicious and faithful. To the cause of God under the name of Methodism, he was devotedly attached ; well sustaining at different periods its most important offices. He died in peaceful triumph, August 27th, 1851, cetat. 58. By those who knew him, his name and memory are still held in high esteem. ' " The memory of the just is blessed," 13. Margaret Morrison was for many years a highly- esteemed and successful leader in connexion with the the orphan-house of WESLEY. 253 Orphan-House Society ; seldom having less than three important classes under her care. Ere reaching her twelfth year, she was left an orphan, having little or no opportunity of receiving evangelical instruction, save fi-om a Methodist servant-girl, — Dixon by name, — who directed her youthful heart to Christ, and from whom she learned several Wesleyan hymns, which throughout a ¦¦ lengthened life were imprinted on her memory, and often yielded both instruction and comfort. She received her first ticket in 1804, from the Rev, WUliam Myles, the earliest historian of Wesleyan Methodism: and, although in after life called to pass through many scenes of painful perplexity and sorrow, she held fast her in tegrity; the sufferings she endured enabling her more deeply to sympathize with others, — to comfort those in trouble, " by the comfort wherewith " she herself was " comforted of God," " In age and feebleness extreme," her mental energy far on the wane, this worthy woman, in her eighty-sixth year, on the 29th of AprU, 1861, passed — " From a suffering church beneath. To a reigning church above." 14, Ralph Wilson, for many years the treasurer of the Orphan-House trustees, was born at Kilhope-burn, Weardale, in the year 1794. In early life the subject of Scriptural conversion, he subsequently sustained for up wards of forty years the offices of class-leader and local preacher. In his attachment to Methodism, and fidelity to its interests, he was unswer-ving. For a lengthened. period, in addition to various Circuit-responsibilities, he held the position of treasurer of the Wesleyan Missionary Society for the Newcastle District, He was also a member of several important Connexional committees. His inti mate acquaintance with the economy of Methodism ren dered him a safe counsellor : in the influence thus exerted he was regarded, especially in his later years, as a "pillar " 254 the orphan-house of wesley. in the Wesleyan church. By dUigent attention to busi ness, he rose to eminence as a tradesman ; and the influence thus and otherwise gained was rendered tribu tary to the cause of God. WhUe " dUigent in business," he was "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." After an unbroken career of usefulness, he " ceased at once to work and live," on the 15th of December, 1860, 15. Elizabeth, wife of Mr. George Bargate,*— the senior trustee of the " Orphan-House charity," — was born at Eastgate, Weardale, in the year 1780 ; just at the period when a most remarkable revival of the work of God had taken place in that beautiful vale. Her maiden name was Bainbridge, — a cognomen well known in the annals of northern Methodism. The kitchen of her father's house was at a very early period used as a Methodist preaching-place, and was so continued till the erection of the Eastgate chapel in 1825. Cuthbert and Mary Bainbridge, in whose house " the ark of God " had thus " rested," were honoured and repaid in the conversion of several of their children to God. In the homestead where her first breath had been drawn, Mrs. Bargate was born " a second time ; " being raised from her death of sin to newness of life in Christ,— thus in her eighteenth year becoming happy in God. On her marriage, in 1816, she removed to Newcastle; where, till the close of her earthly career, she was found a faithful follower ofthe Lord's Christ ; sustaining in all the relations of life, as well as in all her intercourse with the church and the world, the Christian character. As she had been nursed in Method ism, its ministers and its people were, next to the volume of revealed truth, the objects of her warm attachment and -*• Now an "old disciple ;" having "a good report of aU, and of the truth itself." For upwards of sixty years Mr. Bargate has been associated with the Methodist Society ; and for two-thirds at least of that period has, in the oflBces of class-leader and local preacher faith fully served the church of Christ. THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. 255 regard. In " acts of faith and charity," and in an humble walk with God, her earthly pilgrimage reached its close. On the 13th of May, 1862, this "mother in Israel" feU asleep. Her last utterance was, " Glory to Jesus ! " These reminiscences of some of the numerous sainted dead, who once worshipped in this ancient " House," whUst interesting in themselves, pleasingly attest the truly evangeUcal tendency of its teaching and its services. Numbers also, subsequently attached to other sections ofthe Christian church, received their first religious impressions either in connexion with the worship ofthe Orphan-House, or in association with its Sabbath-school.* After much anxious care, on the part of the Provisional Committee, to obtain the most approved plans for " the new Orphan-House schools," the ceremony of laying the foundation-stone took place amidst much rejoicing, on Wednesday, the 13th of May, 1857, The proceedings commenced by a public breakfast, held in the Central Exchange hotel, at which nearly three hundred ladies and gentlemen were present ; Mr, Falconar, senior, occupying the chair. Interesting addresses were given by the Revs. Dr. Bruce (of the Scottish church), Messrs. Lawton, and Carter : and also by Messrs. Fenwick and Frost ; the former of whom, a member of the Baptist church, and characterized by great catholicity of spirit, stated, that * Eichard Grainger, the founder of " the New-Town " of Newcastle- upon-Tyne, was early in Ufe, if not a scholar, yet a teacher, in the Orphan-House Sabbath-school, and for many years was an active member of the Methodist Society. His widowed mother — a poor yet worthy woman — gained a livelihood as an " engrafter, of stockings ;" an occupation but little known in the present day. Mr. Grainger, " Uke aU truly great men, never disowned his humble origin, but aUowed his conduct through life to be the true index of his moral worth." It is an interesting fact, that the first set of tools which he possessed was presented to him by Mrs. WiUiam Smith, the step-daughter of John Wesley. Z il 256 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. " he did not remember the time when there was not a Sunday-school at the Orphan-House, and he could speak with great distinctness to all events of a public character in Newcastle since the year 1792. To his certain knowledge there was a sort of Bible Society in the Orphan-House prior to the formation of the British and Foreign Bible Society : poor boys, who could not afford to purchase a copy of the Scriptures, were there suppUed." Other interesting facts, Ulustrative of bygone days, were also given ; after which a procession was formed in the following order : — The building committee. The architect and clerk-of-works. The contractors. The ministers of the Newcastle-upon-Tyne CUcuit. The president of the The principal of the Conference, Normal Institution. The ministers of the District, The school-trustees. Other lay friends, Sunday-school children and teachers. On reaching the ground, where a gallery had been erected for the accommodation of the ladies present, the service commenced by the children singing, with great sweetness, the hymn entitled " Ho sanna to Jesus;" the Rev. Joseph Lawton, of Sunderland, engaged in prayer; appropriate selections of Scripture were read by the superintendent ofthe Circuit; a hymn,* composed by Benjamin Gough, Esq., of Mountfield, near Faversham, was then sung ; and after addresses by the Rev. Robert Young, the president of the Conference, and Mr. Bargate, to whom had been assigned the duty of presenting the trowel, the stone was laid in due form by Mr, Falconar, the treasurer of the building-fund. Within the stone ¦* See Appendix G. THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OP WESLEY. 257 was placed a bottle, containing, in addition to certain coins of the realm, a copy of the Plan of the Newcastle Circuit, and of the " Northern Daily Express," published that morning ; and also a document on parchment, of which the following is a copy : — "ORPHAN-HOUSE WESLEYAN SCHOOLS, " NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, " The foundation-stone of these schools was laid this day (Wednesday), the thirteenth day of May, in the twen tieth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lady Victoria, by the grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Queen, Defender of the Faith, and in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty- seven, on the exact site of the Old Orphan-House, built in 1742, by the late Reverend John Wesley, A,M,, "By John Brunton Falconar, Esquire, " Of Forres-vUla, near Gateshead, "William Botterill, Esquire, of Hull, architect, " Old surviving trustees. — John Beckington ; John Nichol; George Bargate; Ralph Hodgson. " Continuing and new trustees. — Mr. George Bargate; Mr, John Nichol ; Mr. John Brunton Falconar, the elder ; Mr, Ralph Wilson; Mr, William Stephenson; Mr. Emer son Muschamp Bainbridge; Mr, Robert Robson; Mr. John Ward; Mr. John Brunton Falconar, jun. ; Mr. Matthew Moralee Youll; Mr. WUUam Alexander Fal conar; Mr, John George Fenwick; Mr. John Gilhespy; Mr, Joseph Hopper; Mr. Jacob Vickers; Mr, William Haswell Stephenson ; Mr. Robert Curtice ; Mr. Matthew Slee ; Mr. WUliam Pearson ; Mr. Richard Burnand. " Secretary. — John Brunton Falconar, the younger. ^^ Ministers ofthe Circuit. — The Rev. William Wood Stamp, chairman of the District ; the Rev. William Henry z 3 258 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. Taylor, secretary of the District; the Rev, George Bow den; the Rev. Samuel Jackson, and the Rev, Francis Neale, Supernumeraries. '¦^Circuit-stewards. — Emerson Muschamp Bainbridge, and John Ward. " The Rev. Robert Young, president of the Wesleyan Conference; the Rev. John Hannah, D.D., secretary of the Wesleyan Conference ; the Rev. John Scott, principal of the Wesleyan Normal Institution, Westminster, and chairman of the Wesleyan Education Committee ; Thomas Emerson Headlam, Esquire, and George Ridley, Esquire, members of Parliament for the borough of Newcastle- upon-Tyne." The treasurer, in an eloquent and appropriate address, expressed his firm conviction, that the schools about to lie erected would prove a most important addition to the scanty means as yet provided for the training of the young in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, his native town. He referred to the objects Mr. Wesley had in view in the erection of the Orphan-House, and the beneficial results which, during the lapse of one hundred and fifteen years, had followed ; and strongly urged that a merely secular education — an education from which the great truths of religion and morality were excluded — could not be a suitable training for beings destined for immortality, a preparation for which could only be secured by the provisions of the Gospel, The Rev. John Scott, the principal of the Normal Institution, Westminster, observed that " one who should look with only a cursory glance at our proceedings this day might be disposed to regard them as of trivial import ance. When the foundation-stone of a place of worship is laid, every one attaches high consideration to the act, , . . But to be founding a school for a parcel of children, though in itself no bad thing, may appear to one who likes THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY, 259 bold schemes and lofty enterprises a thing to which no great importance can attach. But let this person who glances at us and our proceedings this day, before he turns away and gives his attention to something else, remember that children are the material of which men and women are formed, and that the formation, though not instanta neous, is really rapid; and let him hear us when we say, that our aim is to shape this material so as to leave upon the men and women traces through all after-life of what was done upon them in the school, — impressions which shall remain after this life, and be permanent : and then, if he be an intelligent observer, surely he will be disposed to ask, 'What are these people going to do with their chUdren dm-ing their formation into matured persons? In what mould do they propose to cast them ? What is the permanent stamp which they intend to put upon them ? ' At present we only observe, that this importance attaches to our act in laying the foundation- stone of this school. It will be built for four hundred scholars : when they have passed from under the care of those who shall have charge of the educational process, four hundred others will succeed, and in due time four hundred others ; and so on. In the course of years, many hundreds will have received in this school some improve ment, perhaps their very cast of mind and character, and the bent and dUection of their whole life. Let it, however, be remarked, that the acts performed in houses buUt for Christian instruction and worship will be per formed in these schools. God will be worshipped daily. His praises will be sung, and prayer offered to Him ' in whose hand ' every one's breath is, and ' whose are all our ways;' and no pains, I hope, will be spared, so to instruct the children in the knowledge of God, that the worship will be intelligent and reverent. God's law wiU be read ; for we shall diligently teach sound morals in this school. And we are not so dishonest as to borrow morals from the 260 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. holy Scriptures and not avow our obligation ; which they must do who teach morals without the Bible. If these morals are good for anything, they must draw themfrom that source; and it is a miserable affectation and insm- cerity to disown then- obligation, and teach good morals as their own sage discoveries. Neither are we so immoral as to teach moral precepts and obligation on human authority, and with mere human recommendations, where we can adduce the authority of the God of heaven, and, producing the Book, say, ' Thus saith the Lord.' We leave this folly to those who exclude the Bible from their schools, (if, indeed, such people build schools,) and we shall diligently instruct the children committed to our care in the law of God. Then we shall also carefully instruct them in the revelations of Christianity, It would surely be an act scarcely to be pardoned either by earth or heaven, were a church of Christ to set up schools, invite poor childi-en to attend, employ teachers to instruct them, and tell them nothing of the Saviour who came from heaven for their salvation, nor be at any pains to explain to them their need of His merciful interposition. In setting up these schools we very explicitly declare that we shall strenuously set ourselves to instruct the children in the doctrines of salvation. With such teaching, by duly-qualified teachers, we confidently hope that religious impressions will be made : we anticij)ate that the school will act beneficially on the congregation and the church, serving to augment them both. But we do not calculate upon augmenting exclusively our own congregation and chm-ch. When a child or young person, by God's blessing upon our school-teaching, becomes religious, we are quite willing that he shall worship in the congregation of his parents' church. If the parents belong to no church, or attend no place of worship, we should certauily deem it right and fair to prove our own sincerity of belief and con viction that we have found the right and safe way to heaven THB ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY, 261 by asking him to join us — a Christian people bent upon attaining a happy hereafter. With this attention to what we regard as the prime object of youthful instruction and training, we hope to pay such attention to all secular teaching as wUl make the children, if their parents will allow them to remain at school long enough, good scho lars, — to turn out scholars of whom no managing com mittee nor patrons, any more than the teachers, need be ashamed. Such results have followed the establishment of simUar Wesleyan schools throughout the country; and if teachers are obtained from Westminster, they will have been instructed with the same assiduity, and trained to teach "with the same care, as those who in other schools have been successful, I hope there is a glorious future history for the schools to be here erected ; that the good produced will compare favourably with all the good which has hitherto been effected on this spot, and of which we have this day been reminded by our friends, in those highly-interesting recollections of the past," The National Anthem was then sung by the large multitude assembled, and the proceedings at the stone terminated. In the evening a public meeting was held in the Brunswick-place chapel; Mr. Ralph Wilson occupying the chair. The report of the Building Committee was read; and the meeting was addressed by the Revs. Messrs, Young and Scott, with Messrs, J, B, Alexander, E, M. Bainbridge, J, B, Falconar, jun,, and others. The architectural character of the Orphan-House schools is seen in the woodcut-Ulustration now given. The shops, secured to the chapel-trustees, face the public street. The front of the school, standing back from the street about thirteen yards, and hence, in part, necessarily excluded from the view, is of red stock brick with stone dressings, having in the centre a beautifully-executed entrance-portico and clock-canopy. On the ground-floor is an entrance-lobby, giving access to the infants' school- 262 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY. room; from which also a passage leads to the playground, &c., behind. The room is forty-five feet by thirty, and in height seventeen feet, with a spacious class-room adjoin ing. From the entrance-lobby, to the left, a stone stair case, of easy ascent and ample width, conducts to the upper floor, on which is the junior mixed school-room, being six feet longer than the one below, and in height nineteen feet; opening from which, on one side, is a class-room, thirty feet by twelve, and on the other, a covered corridor, leading to the girls' industrial-room, erected over part of the playground behind. A separate staircase to the upper rooms, entering from the playground, is also provided. The superficial area of the school and class rooms is 3,915 square feet. The whole of the build ings are of the most substantial and dm-able character; whilst in the arrangements for lighting and ventilation, and in the appropriation of the limited space at command, so as to secure the requisite amount of accommodation, in accordance with the requirements of the Committee of Council on Education, the architect, Mr, BotterUl, of Hull, has evinced great tact and skill.* The total expenditure! involved in the completion of this school and chapel effort was upwards of £7,000. Towards the erection of the school and teacher's house, the sum of £1,172 was granted by the Committee of * On this point, the testimony of the Eev. Michael C. Taylor, the secretary of the Wesleyan Education Committee, (as given at the opening of the schools,) is highly satisfactory. "His own personal judgment," he observed, " was worth Uttle ; but his judgment was not strictly personal He had the opportunity of seeing many schools, and of seeing the plans of many more ; but he had not yet met with plans which, having regard to the limited extent of the site, were better than these, and he did not caU to mind any so good. With regard to the convenience for the work of teaching, in their every day fitness and convenience, he had been unable to discover a defect." t For balance-sheet of treasurer, and list of subscriptions, see Appendix H. OEPHAN-HOUSE WESLEYAN SCHOOLS, NOKTHUMBEEL AND - STEEET, NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE. Foundation-Stone laid Mat 13, 1857. Schools opened Jan. 11, 1858. 264 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY, Council on Education, In addition to the subscriptions of the promoters, some of whom gave in princely fashion, most efiicient aid was rendered by the ladies of Newcastle and its neighbourhood, in the proceeds of a bazaar held by them in the spring of 1856; a bazaar thus characterized in the " Watchman " of that period: — " The tout ensemble was exceedingly imposing, and nothing could surpass the elegant designs, the exquisite workmanship, and the great beauty, which in rich profusion met the eye wherever it roamed. It appeared as though the ladies had entered into a formal engagement to produce all that the utmost ingenuity, artistic skill, and unwearied energy of the fairer sex could by possibility accomplish."* The balance-sheet ofthe treasurer, Mrs, G. T, Gibson, presented the gross receipts of the bazaar,— inclusive of the supple mentary sale of articles that were left, — as £1,842. 18s, 'id.; to which must be added, as interest on moneys deposited for a season in the bank, £75. 19s. %d.; thus giving a total of £1,918. 17s. \0d., — a result unparalleled in the records of bazaars held in the north of England, and rarely, if ever,. surpassed by any hitherto held within the pale of Method ism. After deducting expenses of every kind, a net sum of £1,784. lis. '?>d. was appropriated to the important objects then happily secured. Whatever evils may have been occasionally witnessed in connexion with similar efforts elsewhere, the bazaar in Newcastle was productive of at least two important results ; — the bringing into friendly association, and united cheerful effort, all classes of the Methodist community; and also the excitement of a spirit of buoyancy, and of renewed confidence in the system of Wesleyanism, which by recent events had been greatly checked, Methodism in Newcastle had been looked upon as crippled in its energies and its resources ; as presenting symptoms of sickliness, if not of certain decline, * For detailed account of this extraordinary bazaar-efibrt, see Appendix I. THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF -WESLEY, 265 It was now felt by everyone, that, if not invested with a new moral power, Methodism stUl retained an unimpaii-ed vitality. The schools were opened under very auspicious circum stances, on Monday, January 11th, 1858, when one hundred and twenty-six children were at once enrolled as scholars. Sermons, in connexion with the opening of the schools, were preached by the Rev, Messrs, Young, Stamp, S. D. Waddy, Tyerman, Punshon, and Coley, A public meeting was also held in Brunswick-place chapel on the evening of Wednesday, January 13th, at which the Rev, Michael C, Taylor was present, and gave an interesting resume of the mode of instruction pursued in the day-schools of the Wesleyan body. The number of scholars on the roll ofthe Orphan-House schools in the year 1862 was, in the upper school, three hundred and thirty, and in the lower, or infants'- school, one hundred and eighty-eight; the scholars in actual attendance being two hundred and seventy-five in the former, and one hundred and thirty-six in the latter. To the great efficiency of Mr. Shaw and Miss Walker, rmder whose care the schools have, from their commencement, been placed, the committee have con tinuously borne wUUng and honourable testimony. Cheered by the successes of the past, the promoters of thia important undertaking confidently indulge the hope, that, under the fostering care of the great Head of the church, " the Orphan-House schools " may be the means of im parting to many thousands of chUdren the benefits both of a secular and a religious training ; so that, however great may have been the glory of the former " House," it may in this respect have " no glory, by reason of the glory " of the latter, "that exceUeth," The review thus taken of the rise and progress of Wesleyan Methodism in Newcastle and its vicinity, 2a 266 THE ORPHAN-HOUSE OF WESLEY, together with the singular fortunes of the Orphan-House (Wesley's favourite domicUe), is highly suggestive. In the unlooked-for establishment of large and flourishing Societies, where previously " the prince of this world" held undisputed sway ; as well as in the severely-contested steps by which their ecclesiastical rights and privUeges were gained, the thoughtful observer wUl recognise the interposition and guidance of a more than human hand. The benefits conferred by Methodism on the colliery- districts of the north have been of vast importance ; not only in the establishment of social order and domestic peace where habits of barbarism had unhappUy obtained, but in the conversion of multitudes, — " WUd as the untaught Indian's brood," — ¦ from sin to holiness, and "from the power of Satan unto God," Nor has the mission of Wesleyan Methodism ceased. Its efforts, as an evangelizing, witnessing church, are stiU needed : and, whilst its ministers and people steadfastly adhere to that system of Christian doctiine and godly discipline which hasbeenso markedly o-wned of God ; whUst the same simplicity of purpose, and holy zeal, and entire devotedness to their great work, which characterized the fathers of our Connexion, are maintained ; Wesleyan Methodism wUl continue to be one of the most successful instrumentalities in extending to earth's remotest bounds the kingdom of our God and Saviour. 267 APPENDIX, A. — Page 21. COPY OP THE TEUST-DBED OP ME. WESLEY'S OEPHAN-HOUSE. This Inbentitre, made the fifth day of March, in the nineteenth year of the reign of our sovereign lord, George the Second, by the grace of Grod, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. ; and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty-five; between John Wesley, clerk, FeUow of Lincoln CoUege, in the university of Oxford, of the one part ; and Henry Jackson, of the town of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in the county of the same town, weaver ; WUUam Macford,"* of the same town, cornfactor ; John Nelson, of Birstol,t in the county of York, mason ; John Haughton, of Chinley-End, in the county of Derby, weaver ; Thomas Eichards, late of Trinity CoUege, in the university of Oxford aforesaid, gentle man ; Jonathan Eeeves, late of the city of Bristol, baker ; and Henry Thornton, of Gra/s-Inn, in the county of Middlesex, gentleman, of the other part ; witnesseth, that for the settUng and conveying the messuage, hereditaments, and premises hereinafter mentioned, to be granted upon such trusts, and for such pious and charitable ends and purposes, as are hereinafter thereof mentioned or expressed ; anb in consideration of the sum of five shUlings apiece of lawful money of Great Britain, by the said Henry Jackson, WiUiam Macford, John Nelson, John Haughton, Thomas Eichards, Jonathan Eeeves, and Henry Thornton, to the said John Wesley, before the seaUng and deUvery hereof, weU and tnUy paid, tbe receipt whereof the said John Wesley doth hereby acknowledge ; and for diverse other good considerations binn thereunto moving ; he, the said John Wesley, * Usually spelt Mackford. + Birstal 2 A 2 268 APPENDIX, HATH granted, bargained, and sold, and by these presents doth grant, bargain, and sell, unto the said Henry Jackson, WilUam Macford, John Nelson, John Haughton, Thomas Eichards, Jonathan Eeeves, and Henry Thornton, all that lately-erected messuage, house, or tenement, with the yard and garden thereunto belonging and adjoining, of him the said John Wesley, situate, standing, and being without Pilgrim-street Gate, within the county of the town of Newcastle-upon- Tyne aforesaid, commonly caUed or known bythe name of the Orphan- House, and now in the said John Wesley's own occupation, abutting on the street caUed PUgrim-street without the Gate, on the north-east ; on a yard and house lately belonging to PhUlis Gibson and others, on the north-west ; on a garden belonging to John Stephenson, Esquire, on the south-west, and a piece of ground or passage belonging to the said John Stephenson, on the south-east ; together with all edifices, buildings, stables, orchards, yards, garths, gardens, lands, grounds, ways, waters, watercourses, easements, liberties, privUeges, heredita ments, and appurtenances whatsoever to the said premises hereby granted, or any part thereof belonging, or in anywise appertaining, or therewith accepted, reputed, taken, or known as part, parcel, or member thereof, or as belonging thereunto, and the reversion and re versions, remainder and remainders, rents and profits thereof, and aU the estate, right, title, interest in law and equity, inheritance, use, trust, property, possession, claim, and demand whatsoever, of him the said John Wesley of, in, and to the same ; to have and to hold the said messuage, house, or tenement, and premises, hereby granted, bargained, and sold, or mentioned or intended so to be, to the said Henry Jackson, WiUiam Macford, John Nelson, John Haughton, Thomas Eiohards, Jonathan Eeeves, and Henry Thornton, their heirs and assigns, to the use of the said Henry Jackson, WUUam Mac ford, John Nelson, John Haughton, Thomas Eichards, Jonathan Eeeves, and Henry Thornton, their heirs and assigns for ever ; Nevertheless, upon the trusts, and for the purposes hereinafter mentioned or expressed; (that is to say) — upon special trust and confidence, and to the intent that they, and the survivors and survivor of them, and their heirs and assigns, and the trustees for the time being, do and shaU permit and suffer the said John Wesley and snoh other person and persons as he shaU for that purpose from time to time nominate or appoint, from time to time and at aU times during his life, at his wiU and pleasure, to have and enjoy the free use and benefit of the said premises as he, the said John Wesley, hath heretofore done ; and that he and such person or persons as he shall so nominate or appoint, shaU and may therein preach and expound God's holy APPENDIX. 269 word ; And from and after his decease, upon farther trust and confidence, and to the intent that the said trustees, and the survivors and survivor of them, and their heirs and assigns, and the trustees for the time being, do and shaU permit and suffer Charles Wesley, clerk, brother of the said John Wesley, and such other person or persons as the said Charles Wesley shaU, for that purpose, from time to time nominate or appoint in Uke manner during his life, to have, use, and enjoy the said premises for the like purposes as aforesaid ; And from and after the decease of the survivor of them, the said John Wesley and Charles Wesley, then, upon farther trust and confidence, and to the intent that the said Henry Jackson, WUliam Macford, John Nelson, John Haughton, Thomas Eichards, Jonathan Eeeves, and Henry Thornton, or the major part of them, or the survivors or survivor of them, and the major part of the trustees of the said house and premises for the time being, according to the true intent and meaning of these presents, do and shall, from time to time and at aU times for ever thereafter, monthly or oftener, at their discretion, nominate and appoint one or more fit person or persons to preach and expound God's holy word in the said House, in the same manner, as near as may be, as God's holy word is now preached and expounded there : And upon FARTHER TRUST and Confidence, and to the intent that the school to be taught in part of the said house and premises from the time of the institution thereof, shaU for ever be, and continue, and be kept up, and shaU consist of one master and one mistress, and such forty poor chUdren as the said John Wesley, during his life, and after his decease the said Charles Wesley, and after the decease of the survivor of them, then as the said trustees, or the major part of them, or the major part of the trustees for the time being, shall from time to time respectively appoint ; And that such of them the said poor chUdren being boys, shall be committed solely to the caie of such master, and be by him taught and instructed in reading, -writing, and arithmetic ; and that such other of them the said chUdren as shaU be girls shaU be undej the sole care and instruction of such mistress, and by her taught reading, writiag, and needlework ; for such and so long time respectively as the said John Wesley during his Ufe, and after his decease the said Charles Wesley, and after the decease of the survivor of them, the said trustees, or the major part of them, or the major part of the trustees for the time being, shaU respectively think meet and convenient ; And that they, the said master and mistress and scholars, so to be appointed as aforesaid, and each of them respectively, shaU from time to time submit to and be governed by the rules, orders, and constitutions to be made and ordained by the said John Wesley, and from time to time to be made 2 A 3 270 APPENDIX. and ordained by the trustees, or the major part of them, for the good order and govemment of the said school : And upon farther trust and confidence, and to the intent that when, and as often as, the said trustees, or any of them, or any of the trustees for the time being, shall happen to die, or shaU remove their or his place or places of abode or residence for the space of forty miles, or more, from the said House, (other than the said trustees hereinbefore mentioned, and hereby appointed,) or shaU resign or give up his or their place or places, station or stations, of such trustee or trustees, that then and so often, so soon afterwards as conveniently may be, the rest of the said trustees for the time being do, shaU, and may elect and choose other fit person or persons to be trustee or trustees, to fiU up such vacancies, and keep up the number of seven trustees ; And that -when and so often as the number of trustees in whom the legal estate and interest of and in the said house and premises for the time being shaU be vested, shall be reduced to the number of three or less, that then and so often, as soon as conveniently may be, after the whole number of the trustees shall be fiUed up and made seven, the trustees, or trustee, in whom the legal estate shaU be, shaU and do convey and assure the said House and premises to the use of themselves or him self, and the rest of the said trustees for the time being, and aU their heirs for ever, by good and sufficient conveyances and assurances in the law, upon the same trusts and for the like purposes as is and are hereinbefore declared ; and so from ' time to time for ever hereafter, as often as the said trustees shaU be reduced to the number of three, or any less number; whereby the said trusts thereof may have a perpetual duration and continuance, and may not come to and Vest in the heirs of any surviving trustee: Provided always, nevertheless, and it is hereby declared, that the said John Wesley alone during his life, and after his decease the said Charles Wesley in like manner alone during his life, when and so often as any vacancy shaU happen of any master or mistress of the said school so to be .appointed as aforesaid, shaU have the sole nomination and appointment -respectively for the supplying such vacancy from time to tune during their respective lives as aforesaid, anything herein contained to the contrary thereof notwithstanding: Provided also, that every such preacher or minister, from time to time to be appointed as aforesaid so long as he shall continue in his said ofiice shaU preach twice every day, to wit, in the morning, and again in the evening, in or at the House aforesaid, as has been usual and customary to be done : Provided also, that the master and mistress respectively of the said school, to be appointed as aforesaid, for the time being, shaU and APPENDIX. 271 may be displaced and removed by the said John Wesley during his life at his wiU and pleasure, and after his death by the said Charles Wesley, at his wiU and pleasure, and after the deatii of the survivor of them the said John Wesley and Charles Wesley, by the said trustees for the time being, or the major part of them, at their wiU and pleasure ; And that upon every such vacancy so made, or any other vacancy, a new nomination or appointment of such master or mistress shaU be made, according to the true intent and meaning of these pre sents, on or before the thirtieth day next after such vacancy or vacancies respectively shall so happen, exclusive of the day of such vacancy or vacancies, and every such nomination, appointment, or election respec tively shaU be made and had in the said messuage or tenement hereby granted between the hours of nine and twelve in the forenoon, any thing herein contained to the contrary thereof, in any wise, not withstanding. In witness whereof the said John Wesley hath here unto set his hand and seal the day and year first above written. John Wesley. Endor.sement: Sealed and delivered (being first duly stampt) in the presence of W. Briggs, John Webb, Edward Stolesburt. Endorsement: 5th March, 1745. The Eeverend Mr. John Wesley's conveyance of his House, &c., in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, to trustees, for charitable uses. Note on back of Deed. The year 1746 began 25th March. 272 APPENDIX. B.— Page 30. THE EULES OF THB SOCIETY, AS FIRST PUBLISHED BY MR. WESLEY: WITH A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO ARE CONVINCED OF SIN. THB NATUEE, DESIGN, AND GENEEAL EULES or the UNITED SOCIETIES, IN LONDON, BRISTOL, KING'S-WOOD, AND NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Printed by John Gooding, on the Side. [Price One Penny. 1 M.DCC.XLIII. KuLES, &C., OF THE UnITED SOCIETIES. 1. In the latter end of the year 1739, eight or ten persons came to me in London, who appeared to be deeply convinced of sin, and earnestly groaning for redemption. They desired (as did two or three more the next day) that I would spend some time with them in prayer, and advise them how to flee from the wrath to come ; which they saw continuaUy hanging over their heads. That we might have more time for this great work, I appointed a day when they might all come together; which, from thenceforward, they did every week namely, on Thursday, in the evening. To these, and as many more as desired to join with them, (for their number increased daily,) I gave those advices, from time to time, which I judged most needful for them; and we always concluded our meeting with prayer suited to their several necessities. 2. This was the rise of the United Society, first at London and then in other places. Such a Society is no other than " a company of APPENDIX. 273 men having the form, and seeking the power, of godliness; united, in order to pray together, to receive the word of exhortation, and to watch owr one another in love, that they may help each other to worh out their 3. That it may the more easUy be discerned, whether they are indeed working out their own salvation, each Society is divided into smaUer companies, caUed classes, according to their respective places of abode. There are about twelve persons in every class; one of whom is styled the Leader. It is his business, I. To see each person in his class once a week, at the least; in order To receive what they are -willing to give toward the reUef of the poor; To inquire how their souls prosper ; To advise, reprove, comfort, or exhort, as occasion may require. XL To meet the Minister and the Stewards of the Society once a week ; in order To pay in to the Stewards what they have received of their several classes in the week preceding ; To show their account of what each person has contributed ; and To inform the Minister of any that are sick, or of any that walk disorderly, and wiU not be reproved. 4. There is only one condition pre-nously required in those who desire admission into these Societies, a desire to flee from the wrath to come, to be sa/ved from their sins. But wherever this is really fixed in the sold, it wiU be shown by its fruits. It is therefore expected of all who continue therein, that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation, First, By doing no harm; by avoiding evU in every kind ; especially that which is most generaUy practised. Such is. The taking the name of God in vain : The profaning the day of the Lord, either by doing ordinary work thereon, or by buying or selUng : Drunkenness; buying or selling spirituous liquors; or drinking them (unless in cases of extreme necessity) : Fighting, quarreUing, brawling; going to law; retuming evil for evil, or railing for raUing ; the using many words in buying or seUing : The buying or selling uncustomed goods: The giving or taking things on usury : Uncharitable or unprofitable conversation : Doing to others as we would not they should do unto us : Doing what we know is not for the glory of God : as, 274 APPENDIX, The putting on of gold, or costly apparel: The taking such diversions as cannot be used in the name of the Lord Jesus: The singing those songs, or reading those books, which do not tend to the knowledge or love of God : Softness, and needless self-indulgence : Laying up treasures upon earth. 5. It is expected of aU who continue in these Societies that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation. Secondly, By doing good; by being, in every kind, merciful after their power ; as they have opportunity, doing good of every possible sort, and as far as is possible, to all men : To their bodies, of the abiUty which God giveth, by giving food to the hungry, by clothing the naked, by visiting or helping them that are sick, or in prison : To their souls, by instructing, reproving, or exhorting aU we have any intercourse with ; trampling under foot that enthusiastic doctrine of devUs, that " we are not to do good unless our heart be free to it." By doing good, especially, to them that are of the household of faith, or groaning so to be; employing them preferably to others, buying one of another, helping each other in business; and that so much the more because the world wUl love its ovm, and them only. By aU possible diligence and frugality, that the Gospel be not blamed. By running with patience the race that is set before them ; denying (hemselves, and taking up their cross daily; submitting to bear the reproach of Christ, to be as the filth and ofiscouring of the world ; and looking that men should say all manner of evil of them falsely, for their LordJs salee. 6. It is expected of aU who desire to continue in these Societies that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation. Thirdly, By attending upon aU the ordinances of God : such are, The public worship of God ; The ministry of the word, either read or expounded ; The supper of the Lord ; Private prayer ; Searching the Scriptures ; and, Fasting, or abstinence. 7. These are the General Eules of our Societies ; all which we are taught of God to observe, even in His written word ; the only rule and the sufficient rule, both of our faith and practice : and all these we know His Spirit writes on every truly-awakened heart. If there be any APPENDIX, 275 among us who observe them not, who habituaUy break any of them, let it be made known unto him who watches over that soul, as one that must give account. I wUl admonish him of the error of his ways. I wUl bear with him for a season. But if then he repent not, he hath no more place among us. We have deUvered our o-wn souls. John Wesley. Febritary 23, 1742-3. A PRAYEE FOR THOSE WHO AEE CONVINCED OF SIN. 1 0 MOST compassionate High Priest, FuU of aU grace we know Thou art ; Faith puts its hand upon Thy breast. And feels beneath Thy panting heart. 2 Thy panting heart for sinners bleeds ; Thy mercies and compassions move ; Thy groaning Spirit intercedes. And yearn the bowels of Thy love. 3 Hear then the pleading Spirit's prayer, (The Spirit's wiU to Thee is known,) For aU who now Thy sufferings share, And stiU for fuU redemption groan : 4 Poor tempted souls, with tempests toss'd, And strangers to a moment's peace ; Disconsolate, afllicted, lost, Lost in a howUng wilderness : 6 Tom with an endless war -within, -Vex'd with the flesh and spirit's strife ; And struggling in the toUs of sin. And agonizing into life. 6 0 let the pris'ners' mournful cries As incense in Thy sight appear ; Their humble wailings pierce the skies. If haply they may feel Thee near ! 7 The captive exiles make their moans, From sin impatient to be free ; CaU home, caU home Thy banish'd ones ! Lead captive their captivity ! 276 APPENDIX, 8 Show them the blood that bought their peace. The anchor of their steadfast hope ! And bid their guilty terrors cease. And bring the ransom'd pris'ners up. 9 Out of the deep regard their cries ; The fallen raise, the mourners cheer ; 0 Sun of righteousness, arise. And scatter aU their doubt and fear ! 10 Pity the day of feeble things ; 0 gather ev'ry halting soul ; And drop salvation from Thy wings. And make the contrite sinner whole. 11 Stand by them in the fiery hour ; Their feebleness of mind defend ; And in their weakness show Thy power. And make them patient to the end. 12 0 satisfy their soul in drought ; Give them Thy saving health to see ; And let Thy mercy find them ont ; And let Thy mercy reach to me ] 13 Hast Thou the work of grace begun, And brought them to the birth in vain ? O let Thy children see the sun ! Let aU their souls be bom again. 14 Eelieve the souls whose cross we bear. For whom Thy suflf'ring members mourn ; Answer our faith's effectual prayer ; Bid ev'ry struggling child be born. 15 Hark, how Thy turtle-dove complains. And see us weep for Sion's woe ! Pity Thy sufi''ring people's pains ; Avenge us of our inbred foe ! 16 Whom Thou hast.bound, 0 Lord, expel. And take his armour all away ; The man of sin, the child of heU, The devU in our nature slay. APPENDIX, 277 17 Him and his works at once destroy ; The heing of aU sin erase : And turn our mourning into joy ; And clothe us with the robes of praise. 18 Then, when our suff'rings all are past, 0 let us pure and perfect be ! And gain our caUing's prize at last. For ever sanctified in Thee. C— Page 53. The Poem referred to, page 53, is thus prefaced by Mr. Wesley : — "A short account of the whole I drew up, a few days after, in the foUowing lines, in riding between' Leeds and Newcastle." In the copy published by Mr. Moore,* it is headed, "EEFLECTIONS UPON PAST PEOVIDENCES: "October, 1749." 0 Lord ! I bow my sinful head ! Eighteous are all Thy ways with man ! Yet suffer me with Thee to plead. With lowly reverence to complain ; With deep, unuttered grief to groan : Oh ! what is this that Thou hast done 1 2. Oft, as through giddy youth I roved. And danced along the flowery way, By chance, or thoughtless passion moved. An easy, unsuspicious prey I fell, whUe Love's envenomed dart ThrUled through my veins, and tore my heart. * In Mr. Moore's copy, verses 15, 16, 17, and 18, referring to the scenes of sore temptation through which Grace Murray passed, are wanting. Several verbal discrepancies are also found. 2 B 2J78 APPENDIX, 3. At length, by sad experience taught. Firm I shook oflf the abject yoke ; Abhorred his sweetly-poisonous draught, Through all his wily fetters broke ; Fixed my desires on things above, And languished for celestial love. 4. Borne on the wings of sacred hope. Long had I soared, and spurned the ground ; When, panting for the mountain-top. My soul a kindred spirit found ; By Heaven entrusted to my care. The daughter of my faith and prayer. 5. In early dawn of life, serene. Mild, sweet, and tender was her mood ; Her pleasing form spoke aU within Soft, and compassionately good ; Listening to every wretch's care. Mixing with each her friendly tear. 6. In dawn of life, to feed the poor. Glad she her Uttle aU bestowed ; Wise to lay up a better store. And hasting to be rich in God ; God, whom she sought with early care. With reVrence and with lowly fear. 7. Ere twice four years passed o'er her head. Her infant breast with love He fiUed, His gracious, glorious name revealed ; TiU, sweetly forced her heart to yield. She groan'd t' ascend heaven's high abode. To die into the arms of God. APPENDIX, 279 8. Yet, warm with youth and beauty's pride, Soon was her heedless soul betrayed ; From heaven her footsteps tumed aside ; O'er pleasure's flowery plains she strayed ; Fondly the toys of earth she sought. And God was not in aU her thought. Not long. A messenger she saw, Sent forth glad tidings to proclaim ; She heard with joy and wondering awe His cry, " Sinners, behold the Lamb !" His eye her inmost nature shook ; His word her heart in pieces broke, 10. Her bosom heaved with labouring sighs. And groaned th' unutterable prayer ; As rivers, from her streaming eyes Fast flowed the never-ceasing tear, TUl Jesus spake, " Thy mourning's o'er! Believe, rejoice, and weep no more.'' 11. She heard : pure love her soul o'erflowed ; Sorrow and sighing fled away ; With sacred zeal her spirit glowed. Panting His every word t' obey ; Her faith by plenteous fruits she showed. And all her works were wrought in God. 12. Nor works alone her faith approved-. Soon in affliction's furnace tried, By bim whom next to heaven she loved, As sUver seven times purified. Shone midst the flames her constant mind, Emerged, and left its dross behind. 2b 2 280 APPENDIX. 13. -When death in freshest strength of years Her much-loved friend tore from her breast, Awhile she poured her plaints and tears ; But, quickly turning to her rest, "Thy will be done!" she meekly cried, " Suffice, for me the Saviour died." 14. Then first I viewed with fixed regard Her artless tears in silence flow ; " For thee are better things prepared," I said: "go forth with Jesus, go : My Master's peace be on thy soul, Till perfect love shaU make thee whole." 15. But, oh ! what trials are in store For those whom God delights to bless ! Abandoned soon to Satan's power. Sifted as wheat ; from the abyss, The lowest deep, she groaned aloud, " "Where is my joy, my hope, my God ? " 16, In chains of horrid darkness bound. Torn by the dogs of heU, she lay ; By fear and sin encompassed round, Anguish, and pain, and huge dismay ; TiU the loud, bitter cry out-broke, " My God ! why hast Thou me forsook ?" 17. Yet, bowing do-wn her fainting head. And sinking to the gulf beneath. She flew to every sinner's aid. To snatch him from the sinner's death : "Though justly I am lost," she cried, " Live thou ! for thee the Saviour died." APPENDIX, 18. 281 But, when again His glory shone, When God anew unveUed His face ; What heavenly zeal, what love unknown. What strong, unuttered tenderness ! For every soul her heart o'erflowed : What longing to be spent for God ! 19. I saw her run with wingfed speed, In works of faith and labouring love ; I saw her glorious toil succeed, And showers of blessing from above Crowning her warm effectual prayer ; And glorified my God in her. 20. Yet, while to aU her tender mind In streams of pure affection flowed, To one, by ties peculiar joined, One, only less beloved than God, " Myself," she said, " my soul I owe. My guardian angel here below." 21. From heaventhe grateful ardour came. Pure from the dross of low desire ; WeU pleased, I marked the guUtless flame, Nor dared to damp the sacred fire ; Heaven's choicest gift on man bestowed, Strengthening our hearts and hands in God. 22. 'Twas now I bowed my aching head, WhUe sickness shook the house of clay ; Duteous, she ran with humble speed. Love's tenderest offices to pay ; To ease my pain, to soothe my care, T' uphold my feeble hands in prayer. 2 B 3 '^>^2 APPENDIX, 23. Amazed, I cried, " Surely for me A help prepared of heaven thou art ! Thankful, I take the cup from Thee, 0 Lord ! nor aught on earth shall part The souls whom Thou hast joined above. In lasting bonds of sacred love.'' 24. Abashed, she spake, "Oh I what is this. Far above aU my boldest hope ! Can God, beyond my utmost wish. Thus lift His worthless handmaid up ? This only could my soul desire. This only (had I dared) require." 26. From that glad hour, with growing love, Heaven's latest, dearest gift I viewed ; WhUe, pleased each moment to improve, We urged our way with strength renewed ; Our one desire, our common aim, T' extol our gracious Master's name. 26. Companions now in weal and woe. No power on earth could us divide ; Nor summer's heat, nor wintry snow. Could tear my partner from my side ; Nor toU, nor weariness, nor pain, Nor horrors of the angry main. 27. Oft, (though as yet the nuptial tie Was not,) clasping her hand in mine, " "What force,'' she said, " beneath the sky. Can now our weU-knit souls disjoin ? With thee I'd go to India's coast. To worlds in distant oceans lost." APPENDIX. 28. Such was the friend, than Ufe more dear, Whom in one luckless, baleful hour, For ever mentioned with a tear,) The tempest's unresisted power (Oh, the rmutterable smart !) Tore from my inly-bleeding heart. 29. Unsearchable Thy judgments are, 0 Lord ! a bottomless abyss ; Yet sure, Thy love. Thy guardian care. O'er aU Thy works extended is : Oh ! why didst Thou the blessing send ? Or, why thus snatch away my friend ? 30. What Thou hast done I know not now ; Suffice I shall hereafter know : Beneath Thy chastening hand I bow ; That stUl I live to Thee I owe : Oh, teach Thy deeply-humbled son To say, " Father, Thy wiU be done ! " 31. Teach me, from every pleasing snare. To keep the issues of my heart : Be Thou my love, my joy, my fear ; Thou my eternal portion art : Be Thou my never-failing Friend, And love, oh, love me to the end ! 284 APPENDIX, D.— Page 102. NAMES OF MINISTEES SUCCESSIVELY APPOINTED TO THE NEWCASTLE CIECUIT, together -with thb number of members in society, as published annually in the minutes op conference. The letters cd. denote that the Minister was for that year the Chairman of the Newcastle District. N.B. In addition to the frequent visits of the Wesleys, Jonathan Reeves and Thomas Meyrick laboured in Newcastle and its vicinity, in the year 1743 ; John Nelson and William Briggs, in 1744 ; John Downes, in 1749; Jonathan Maskew and Thomas Mitchell, in 1752 ; and in the intervening years, Messrs. Cownley, Lee, Bennet, Thomas OUvers, and others. Year. Names of Ministers. Nos. in Society. 1753* Christopher Hopper, John Hampson, Jonathan Catlow, Jacob RoweU 1755* Christopher Hopper, James Massiott, Matthew Lowes, James Wild, John Turnough 1758* Christopher Hopper, Alexander Mather, Jacob Rowell, Lawrence Coughlan 1765 Joseph Cownley, Christopher Hopper, Matthew Lowes, Moseley Cheek 1766 Joseph Cownley, Christopher Hopper, John Oliver, Matthew Lowes 1804 1767 James Oddie, Joseph Cownley, William EUis, WUliam Darney; Christopher Hopper, Supernumerary 1837 * These appoiutments are taieu from MS. memoranda of the Conferences then held; no Conferential record of Stations being published tfll the year 1765- after which period the numbers in Society are annually reported. APPENDIX, 285 Year. Names of Ministers. Nos. in Society. 1768 Joseph Cownley, James Oddie, Supernumerary, Matthew Lowes, Joseph Thompson 1910 1769 Joseph Cownley, John MurUn, John Nelson, Thomas Hanby ; James Oddie, Supernumerary 1924 1770 Peter Jaco, Joseph Cownley, Thomas Hanby, Matthew Lowes, Thomas Tennant 1862 1771 Peter Jaco, WUUam Thompson, Thomas Simpson, Joseph Cownley 1747 1772 Christopher Hopper, Jacob EoweU, Joseph Benson, Thomas Simpson 1747 1773 Christopher Hopper, James Hudson, Eobert Swan, WiUiam Eels 1716 1 774 WiUiam Thompson, John Broadbent, George Wadsworth, Thomas Tennant 1784 1775 WiUiam Thompson, Eobert Empringham, Joseph Benson, Joseph Moore 1805 1776 Benjamin Ehodes, Joseph Benson, J. W., James Barry 1908 1777* John Crook, John Leech, Michael Moorhouse 1915 1778 WUUam Thompson, Jacob EoweU, Joseph Thompson, WUUam Eels 1887 1779 WiUiam Thompson, John Watson, sen., Stephen Proctor, WUliam Thom 1890 1780 WiUiam Hunter, WUliam Collins, Benjamin Ehodes, Thomas Brisco 1944 1781 Duncan Wright, WiUiam Hunter, Edward Jackson, Thomas EUis 1786 I782t Duncan M'AUum, iUexander M'Nab, Thomas ElUs, John Pritchard 2020 1783 Thomas Dixon, Christopher Hopper, WiUiam Boothby 1020 1784 Jeremiah BretteU, George Snowden, John Beanland ... 970 1785 George Snowden, WiUiam Simpson, Andrew Inglis 1020 1786 Andrew IngUs, Joseph Saunderson, WUUam Percival .. . 1063 1787 James Wood, WiUiam Thom, Thomas Wride 1093 1788 Peter MiU, Joseph Thompson, John Stamp 1 100 1789t Charles Atmore, John Ogilvie 1000 1790 Charles Atmore, John BretteU ; Joseph Cownley, Super numerary 700 * Alnwick and places adjacent are for one year formed into a separate Circuit. t Sunderland is this year separated from Newcastle, and, with places adjoin ing, constituted a separate Circuit. % Alnwick again becomes the head of a Circuit. 286 APPENDIX. Year. Names of Ministers. Nos. in Society. 1791 John Gaulter, Alexander Kilham; Joseph Cownley, Supernumerary '^0 1792 John Gaulter, Samuel Botts; Joseph Cownley, Super numerary 800 1793 Henry Taylor, John Peacock 800 1794 Henry Taylor, John Kershaw 740 1795 Eobert Johnson, Eichard Condy 800 1796 Eobert Johnson, Eichard Condy 860 1797 Zechariah YewdaU, James Bogie 846 1798 Zechariah Yewdall, James Bogie 830 1799 Jonathan Brown, John Stamp 900 1800 Jonathan Brown, Matthew Lnmb, PhUip Hardcastle ... 920 1801 Matthew Lnmb, John Doncaster, John Hudson 940 1802 Miles Martindale, CD., John Hudson, and one more ... 1150 1803 MUes Martindale, cd., WUliam Fenwick, WiUiam Gilpin 1240 1804 WiUiam Myles, cd., John Braithwaite, WUUam Gilpin 1250 1805 WilUam Myles, cd., John Braithwaite, John Stephens 1260 1806 Duncan M' AUum, cd., John Stephens, John Draper ... 1400 1807* Timothy Crowther, cd., John Draper 1560 1808 Cleland Kirkpatrick, cd., Daniel Isaac, James Parkinson 1000 1809 Cleland Kirkpatrick, Daniel Isaac, James Parkinson ... 1030 1810 Theophilus Lessey, sen., cd., WiUiam Welborne, Edward Batty 1120 1811 TheophUus Lessey, sen., cd., WiUiam Welbome, Abraham E. Farrar; John Hudson, Supernumerary... 1145 1812 Eichard EUiott, Abraham E. Farrar; John Hudson, Supernumerary 1180 1813 Isaac Turton, Henry Taft; John Hudson, Supernumerary 1020 1814 Isaac Turton, Henry Taft, George Manwaring; John Hudson, Supernumerary 1160 1815 WUliam Bramwell, Joseph Mann, WUliam Jackson ; John Hudson, Supernumerary 1250 1816 WiUiam BramweU, cd., Joseph Mann, Henry Eanson ; John Hudson, Supernumerary 1450 1817 Edmund Grindrod, John Storry, Henry Eanson; John Hudson, Supernumerary 1500 1818 Edmund Grindrod, John Storry, WilUam Dowson; John Hudson, Supernumerary 1450 * Shields constituted this year the head of a Circuit. APPENDIX. 287 Year. Names of Ministers. Nos. in Society. 1819 Edmund Grindrod, cd., John Eigg, WiUiam Theobald ; John Hudson, Supernumerary 1400 1820 David M'NicoU, John Eigg, WUUam Theobald; John Hudson, Supernumerary 1300 1821 David M'NicoU, cd., John Eigg, Edward Oakes; John Hudson, Supernumerary 1323 1822 David M'NicoU, cd., James Bromley, Edward Oakes; John Hudson, Supernumerary 1412 1823 John Davis, Josiah Goodwin, James Bromley; John Hudson, Supernumerary 1339 1824 John Davis, sen., cd., Josiah Goodwin, John WUson; John Hudson, Supernumerary 1439 1825 Thomas Wood, cd., James Sheriflfe, Samuel Dunn; John Hudson, Supernumerary 1500 1826 WilUam Naylor, James Sheriflfe, Samuel Dunn ; Duncan M'AUum, John Hudson, Supernumeraries 1475 1827 WiUiam Naylor, Thomas MoUard, John NoweU ; John Hudson, Supernumerary 1600 1828 WUUam Naylor, cd., John NoweU, Francis A. West; John Hudson, Supernumerary 1705 1829 Eichard Waddy, cd., WiUiam Smith, Francis A. West ; John Hudson, Supernumerary 1740 Morpeth — Thomas Walker, 2d 76 1830 Eichard Waddy, cd., WUUam Smith, Francis A. West ; John Hudson, Supernumerary 1600 Morpeth — Thomas Walker, 2d 120 1831 Valentine Ward, cd., James Heaton, Titus Close, Joseph E. Stephens, Henry Haynes; John Hudson, Super numerary 1600 1832 Valentine Ward, cd., James Heaton, Titus Close; John Hudson, Francis Neale, Supernumeraries 1872 NEWCASTLE "WEST: BEUNSWICK CHAPEL, &c 1833 Valentme Ward, CD., Ninian Barr 1830 1834 Isaac Keeling, cd., James Everett 1026 1835 Isaac Keeling, CD., James Everett 1046 1836 WiUiam Bacon, John Watson, jun., Thomas M. Fitz gerald 1046 1837 WilUam Bacon, WiUson BraUsford 1050 288 APPENDIX. Year. Names of Ministers. Nos. in Society. 1838 William Bacon, WiUson BraUsford 1101 1839 Joseph Fowler, CD., WiUson BraUsford 1138 1840 Joseph Fowler, cd., George Steward; Charles L. Adshead, Supernumerary 1116 1841 Joseph Fowler, cd., George Steward ; Charles L. Adshead, Supernumerary 1124 1842 Charles Haydon, George Steward ; Charles L. Adshead, Supernumerary 1104 NEWCASTLE EAST : NEW-EOAD CHAPEL, &c. 1833 Joseph Mann, John TindaU 1834 Joseph Mann, John C. Leppington 1004 1835 Joseph Mann, John C. Leppington 1006 1836 Samuel Broadbent, James Everett 1026 1837 Samuel Broadbent, James Everett 900 1838 Samuel Broadbent, James Everett 916 1839 John Stephenson, John M. Pearson 931 1840 John Stephenson, John M. Pearson, WiUiam T. Eadcliffe 889 1841 John Stephenson, Thomas Eowland, WiUiam T. Eadcliflfe 910 1842 WiUiam Bird, Thomas Eowland, 1st 834 THE WEST AND EAST CIECUITS EE-UNITED. 1843 Saniuel Jackson, CD., Daniel Chapman, Eobert Dugdale, Eichard Brown 1963 1844 Samuel Jackson, CD., Daniel Chapman, Robert Dugdale, Eichard Brown 1885 1845 Samuel Jackson, cd., Samuel Dunn, Nathan Eouse, John H. Beech 1696 1846 Henry Davies, cd., Nathan Eouse, John M. Kirk, John H. Beech 1675 1847 Henry Davies, cd., Nathan Eouse, John M. Kirk, John H. Beech 1594 1848 Henry Davies, cd., John M. Kirk, WiUiam Andrews, 1st, John Skidmore ; Francis Neale, Supernumerary 1557 1849 WUliam Burt, CD., WUUam Pemberton, WUliam An drews, WiUiam M. Punshon; Francis Neale, Super numerary 1615 1850 William Burt, CD., WiUiam Pemberton, WiUiam An drews, WiUiam M. Punshon; Francis Neale, Super numerary 1696 APPENDIX. 289 Year. Names of Ministers. Nos. in Society. 1851 John P. HasweU, cd., William IlUngworth, WiUiam M. Punshon, John D. Geden ; Francis Neale, Supernu merary 829 1852 John P. HasweU, cd., WilUam IlUngworth, Luke Tyerman ; Francis Neale, Supernumerary 798 1853 John P. HasweU, cd., WUUam E. WUUams, Luke Tyerman ; Francis Neale, Supernumerary 777 1854 WUUam W. Stamp, cd., WUliam E. WUUams, Luke Tyerman ; Francis Neale, Supernumerary 777 1855 WiUiam W. Stamp, cd., WiUiam E. WUUams, George Bowden ; Samuel Jackson, Francis Neale, Supernu meraries 750 1856 WiUiam W. Stamp, CD., WUUam H. Taylor, George Bowden ; Samuel Jackson, Francis Neale, Supernu meraries 771 1857 Eobert Young, cd., WiUiam H. Taylor, George Bowden ; Samuel Jackson, Francis Neale, Supernumeraries 802 1858 Eobert Young, cd., WiUiam H. Taylor, John W. Close, WUUam F. Slater; Samuel Jackson, Francis Neale, Supernumeraries 882 1859 Eobert Young, CD., James Hughes, John W. Close, William P. Slater, Joseph Adams ; Samuel Jackson, Supernumerary 1002 1860 Edward Nye, James Hughes, John W. Close, Joseph Adams ; Samuel Jackson, Supernumerary , . . 1343 1861 Edward Nye, James Hughes, John Eoberts, 1st, Henry Banks, 2d; Eobert Lyon, Supernumerary 1354 1862 Edward Nye, John Eoberts, 1st, Peter Featherstone, Henry W. HoUand, George Kennedy 1358 2c E.— Page 197. THE SABBATH-DAY'S PLAN FOR THE TRAVELLING AND LOCAL PEEACHERS IN NEWCASTLE CIRCUIT. 1802. months. APRIL. MAY JUNE. DATS. HOURS. 4 11 18 25 2 9 16 23 30 6 13 20 27 T^ PREACH- Orphan-House, Morning ... Ditto, Evening ... 96 10| 2i 10^ 812 9&2 10 1J&6li&6 2i 9&2 9 1 1 10 10 12 1 17 2 42 3 13 10 3 16 3 3 1818 2 1 2 1 20 13 2 2 8 8 21 2 15 1 31 93 18 1 9 11 8 83 2 32 15 10 33 1313 63 91 1 827 12 2822 16 16 1 3 1 3 11 8 11 446 1 11 323 82 4 3 18 33 1212 2 1 2 1 5 922 9 13 62 17 3 43 1 15 6 1 10 1199 3232 21 13 3399 12 3 82 1 24 1 18 2 16 22 1010 1 3 1 3 14 8 11 22 21 1 15 22 4 3 11 1 M. Lumb Ditto, Afternoon 2 J. Doncaster Byker 3 J. Hudson FeU, Morninc 4 W. Smith Ditto, Afternoon 5 A. Floyd Hartley 6 J. Fordy North-Shields, Morning ... Ditto, Noon & Night.. South-Shields 7 M. Pennistone 8 W. HaUs 9 E. Thompson 10 C. Handyside PhUadelphia and M. Eow... 11 M. Eichardson o to CarvaiUe Walker and Gosforth Pit ... Howdon Pans; Hebron B. Square and WiUington... Monkseaton CuUercoats Low Felton Paradise Lemmington Ovington CaUerton Kenton St. Anthon's Byker, Sacrament Ebenezer, Ditto North Shields, Ditto South Shields, Ditto 3 3&6 10 & 2 2 10 & 2 2 22 2 2i 7 9&2 22i 20 fi 17 13 18 9 10 6 11 — 10 5 16 12 T. WaUace 9 6 12 — 20 — 5 — 8 — 13 W. Thompson 11 20 17 20 ¦ 7 18 10 16 11 18 9 20 14 J. Fenwick _ 7 11 — 15 — 6 — 20 — 14 15 Pv. Beal 13 16 4 12 6 20 13 10 4 15 12 18 16 W. Stone 7 — 20 — 20 — 15 — 17 — 11 — 17 W. Mortan — 11 — 15 — 14 — 20 — 11 — 15 18 J. Armstrong 12 5 — 18 — 9 — 6 — 16 — 19 J. Stobert 6 — 12 — 5 — 17 — 13 — 18 — 20 J. Filter 8 — 9 — 10 — 18 — 6 — 6 — 21 W. Steel — 4 — 2 — 19 — 1 — 4 — 3 — 5 — 2 — 19 — 1 — 8 — 3 10 — 18 — 13 — 8 — 12 — 13 — — 13 — 10 2 1 12 — 5 — 13 — 8 — 2 — ¦ ___ — — — 3 3 — 1 Angus and Son, Printers. Plan from whence the above extract is taken extends to September I9th, 1802. Several orthographical inaccui-aoies will be perceived ; . ^ ,, dxtent of the Circuit, and the names of those employed as Preachers, the document is one of historic interest. 292 APPENDIX. F.— Page 200. THE MODEL CHAPEL-DEED; INTENDED TO BE REFERRED TO IN ALL SUBSEQUENT CON-VEYANCES OF WESLEYAN CHAPEL-PROPERTY. This important document bears date July 3d, 1832; and, by the Conference held that year in Liverpool, is strongly recommended for adoption by the Connexion at large. The main advantages which it presents are — Methodistic security of settlement; uniformity of trusteeship-procedure ; and, in the transfer of trust^property, a lessen ing of the expense incurred. After a general exposition of the economy of Methodism, and also a recital of Mr. Wesley's celebrated " Deed of Declaration," reference to which is essential to the Methodistic settle ment of any place of pubUc worship, the Deed presents, in connexion with some minor, yet not unimportant regulations, the foUowing important features :— 1. The appropriation of the chapel to the purposes for which it was built is effectuaUy and permanently secured. Except in cases of extreme embarrassment, or in order to the erection of a larger chapel in its room, neither preachers nor trustees can ever aUenate the property from Wesleyan Methodism. " From time to time, and at aU times after the erection thereof," the chapel can only " be used, occu pied, and enjoyed, as and for a place of religious worship, by a congre gation of Protestants of the people caUed Methodists, in the Connexion estabUshed by the late Eev. John Wesley ; and for pubUc and other meetings and services, held according to the general rules and usage of the said people caUed Methodists." 2. The pulpit, together with the religious services held in the chapel, is under the direction of the superintendent of the Circuit for the time being ; such persons only being aUowed " to preach and expound God's holy word, and to perform the usual acts of reUgious worship therein," as are appointed by " the Conference of the people called Methodists, or from time to time duly permitted or appointed, according to the general rules and usage of the said people called Methodists, by the superintendent preacher for the time being of the Circuit in which the said chapel shaU for the time being be situated." "The times and manner of the various services and ordinances of religious worship to be observed and performed in the said chapel " are also placed under the same jurisdiction. 3. No doctrine or practice is to be taught or promulgated in the chapel " contrary to what is contained in certain Notes on the New Testament, commonly reputed to be the Notes of the Eev. John APPENDIX, 293 Wesley, and in the first four volumes of Sermons, commonly reputed to be written and published by him." 4. In case of immoraUty, erroneousness in doctrine, or deficiency in abiUty, on the part of any preacher appointed to the chapel,— -unless the matter in question " shaU have been previously inquired into and disposed of" by the ministers of the District in which such chapel is situated,— the trustees, or the majority of them, or the stewards and leaders of the Society connected with the chapel, or a majority of them, have power to summon the preachers of the District, together with the tmstees, stewards, and leaders of the Circuit in which the chapel is situate ; when, if, in the opinion of the majority of the meeting so constituted, the charge is proved, " such preacher shall be considered as removed from the Circuit " in which the chapel is for the time situate. 5. The trustees, as responsible for the moneys borrowed on behalf of chapel-property, have the entire direction of whatever income may arise therefrom. In cases of extreme embarrassment, or when no proper persons can be found to undertake in their stead the execution of the trusts, the trustees, on ^-ving notice in writing to the Conference of their intention so to do, may— if within six calendar months next foUowing no means of reUef are by that assembly devised — sell or otherwise dispose of the chapel, and apply the proceeds in liquidation of any trustee-UabUities which they have lawfuUy contracted. 6. Any trustee or trustees who shaU voluntarUy withdraw, or be duly excluded, from the Methodist Society, and shaU so continue for six calendar months next foUowing, shaU, on the request in writing of the other trustees, or a majority of them, cease to act; and, on being indemnified from aU trustee-UabUity, shaU convey the trust-estate and premises to the other trustees. 7. Upon the decease of any trustee, the surviving trastees " shaU, within sis calendar months next after request made to them in ¦writing," by his legal representatives, and at their expense, indemnify them from the trustee-UabUities of the deceased trustee. 8. Power to mortgage the trust-premises, if necessary, is also vested in the trustees ; but such mortgage must cover the whole of the debt or debts resting upon the trust-property. Every proviso requisite to the continued Methodistic appropriation of chapel-property, as weU as the financial security of the tmstees and theu- famiUes, seems in this admirable Deed to have been anticipated. Had simUar arrangements been made in the earUer periods of our Connexional history, much embarrassment and evU would have been avoided. 2 C 3 294 APPENDIX, G.— Page 256. HYMN SUNG AT THE LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION-STONE OF THE NEW ORPHAN-HOUSE WESLEYAN SCHOOLS, NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE : COMPOSED POR THE OCCASION, BY BENJAMIN GOUGH, ESQ., Of Mountfield, near Faversham, Kent. Let chUdren give glory to God ! Our high haUelujahs we raise ; With joy that our feet ever trod The beautiful temples of grace. With gladness this day we appear, Our vows and thanksgivings record ; The hour of salvation is near, Hosanna to God and the Lord ! We praise Thee, Thou Author of good ; The land of our birth Thou hast blest ; Her foes, in Thy strength, she withstood. And now Thou hast crown' d her with rest. O ! since Thou hast given us Thy tmth. The dayspring of light from Thy throne, We open our hearts in our youth : Come, Jesus ! and make us Thine o-wn. Come down, 0 Redeemer, we pray, The joy of our meeting increase : Let sin be now taken away. And speak to our consciences peace. 0 ! give us the pardon we need ; The heart that is perfect, like Thine : This pardon is freedom indeed. This treasure is riches Divine. Kind Father ! Thy children we are ; Poor prodigals, see us return : O ! take to Thy fatherly care, Instmct us, and help us to leam: TUl, taught in the ways of our God, Our sanctified spirits made meet. We soar to Thy heavenly abode, For ever to bow at Thy feet. THE TREASURER IN ACCOUNT WITH THB WESLEYAN CHAPEL AND DAY-SCHOOL 70 202 £. s. To amount of suhscriptions received 1679 13 Proceeds ofbazaai-,less expenses 1708 11 ' Interest thereon ¦ • • • ;; MsLcefrom former day-school effort .- ¦•¦¦'""" Proceeds of openmg-servioes . . . . ';, Do. of fai-ewell-tea, Orphan- House Ladies' sewing-meetmg " Proceeds of hreakfast-meetmg .. " Do. of puhUo ditto .. • " Do ofsaleofoldmatenals .... " Value of site of master's house. . 20 10 0 36 15 10 19 18 0 10 16 9 150 0 0 60 0 0 600 1000 EFFORT. d. 07 £. «. d. 4024 1172 " C cost of plans andcoumussion „ Grant by Wesleyan Chapel Com- „ L™n by ditto, Vo be repaid with out interest in ten years 19 0 0 0 0 This balance subsequently redeemed. Or. £. d. B;'cashexpended^n^sites ........ 1150 ^0 ^0 " " architect 260 0 0 " " clerk of works .... 43 2 0 " IJ outfit and apparatus 108 17 3 ',' legal expenses 180 2 11 printiug, stationery, &c 64 8 6 " travelling expenses, deputations, " carriage, and postages 41 13 6 hank charges and interest ou loans 19 6 6 breakfast-meetiug 2112 6 " other expenses 46 16 4 By paid off debt on Brunswick-place chapel .... 1500 0 0 Balance* due to b-easurer, including subscrip- ^^^ ^^ " tiona not yet paid £7,249 17 3 5249 17 2000 0 ?d H fjj W w M «H > rn M H c1 1 =-1> M 21 m y h0 bO s ^ fco M o w H £7,249 17 3 to CO 296 APPENDIX, In the Ust of subscriptions, presented with the treasurer's Report at the first Annual Meeting of the subscribers and friends of the New Orphan-House schools, the foUowing may be noted : — £. s. d. John B. Falconar, Esq. 226 0 0 George Bargate, Esq. . . . 200 0 0 Wm. Stephenson, Esq. 200 0 0 Mr. & Mrs. Bainbridge 160 0 0 George T. Gibson, Esq. 100 0 0 Ealph WUson, Esq.... 100 0 0 Thomas Farmer, Esq. . . 50 0 0 Miss Morrison 50 40 0 0 0 Rob. Pattinson, Esq... 0 James Morrison, Esq. 25 0 0 John Morrison, Esq. . . 26 0 0 Mr. and Mrs. R. Bur nand 25 0 0 Mrs. and Miss Airey 20 0 0 WiUiam Brown, Esq. 20 0 0 John B. Falconar, jun.. Esq 20 0 0 Two Friends 20 0 0 £. 2020. Messrs. Eichardson . . . Mr. Eobert Robson . . . Eev. Luke and Mrs. Tyerman 20 Mr. John Ward 20 Mr.E.W. Falconar... 15 Mr.W. A. Falconar... 15 Mr. John G. Fenwick 15 Mr. Eobert BeU 10 WilUam BotterUl, Esq. 10 Mr. Morland 10 Mr. John Patterson ... 10 Mr. Matthew Slee 10 Thank-oflfering 10 Mr. Tone 10 Mr. E. TweddeU 10 Mr. Jacob Vickers ... 10 Mr. WilUam Wingrave 1 0 s. d. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 I.— Page 264. THE OEPHAN-HOUSE WESLEYAN SCHOOLS' BAZAAR. At a meeting of ladies, convened by the superintendent of the Circuit, on Thursday, April 12th, 1855, at three o'clock P.M., in the vestry of Brunswick-place chapel, steps were taken towards the hold ing of a bazaar, for the sale of useful and ornamental articles, the proceeds of which should be appropriated in aid of the fund for the erection of the " New Orphan-House Wesleyan schools." Mrs. G. T. Gibson, of Pandon-house, was requested to act as treasurer, and the foUowing ladies as secretaries, ofthe bazaar-committee : — Miss Morrison, Gresham-place. Mrs. Wrightson, St. Mary's-terrace. Miss Stephenson, Throckley-house. Miss WUson, Victoria-terrace. APPENDIX, 297 After an interval of thirteen months, during which very active preparations were made by the several companies of ladies engaged, the bazaar was held in the Music-HaU, Nelson-street, and the Assembly- Eoom adjoining. Pour days, commencing Tuesday, May 13th, 1856, were devoted to the sale ofthe immense number of articles then pre sented. The proceedings of the bazaar were ushered in by the Eev. WiUiam E. WiUiams giving out the foUowing verses, which were simg with great sweetness and feeling ; — " Except the Lord conduct the plan, The best-concerted schemes are vain, And never can succeed ; We spend our wretched strength for nought : But if our works in Thee be wrought, They shaU be blest indeed. " Lord, if Thou didst Thysehf inspire Our souls with this intense desire Thy goodness to proclaim, — Thy glory if we now intend, — 0 let our deed begin and end Complete in Jesu's name." An appropriate selection of holy Scripture was then read, and the Rev. George Bowden engaged in prayer. In a short time the rooms were weU fiUed, and so continued throughout the day ; not fewer than a thousand persons being frequently present at one time. The day of opening was remarkably fine; and although the weather was subse quently unpropitious, yet the enthusiasm of the pubUc, and the devoted attention of the ladies engaged, as weU as of the gentlemen of the committee, were unabated. The intense interest manifested through out the whole of the proceedings appeared to reach its height as the closing hour approached, so that when it was pubUcly announced, late on the evening of Friday, that the receipts of the week were upwards of £1700, there was one spontaneous and united burst of feeling. Frequent cheers resounded through the haU. The amounts reaUzed by the several companies of ladies who presided at the different staUs, inclusive of the supplementary sale, are as foUow : — 298 APPENDIX. £. s. d. Mrs. Gibson, Mrs. Stamp, Mrs. EUenger, Miss Pearson 281 9 3 Miss Morrison, Mrs. Nesham, Mrs. Hogarth, Miss Warkman 121 7 7 Mrs. and Misses Falconar, Mrs. and Misses Walker, MissBeldon 135 8 0 Mrs. and Misses Stephenson, Mrs. E. BeU 109 0 4 Mrs. Bargate, Mrs. Fenwick, Mrs. and Miss Hunter, Mrs. Kent, Mrs. Wakinshaw 87 7 8 Mrs. Ward, Mrs. Wrightson, Misses Spencer and Wilson 125 19 2 Mrs. Bainbridge, Mrs. and Misses M'AUum, Mrs. Short- hose, Mrs. D. M'AUum 183 5 0 Mrs. WiUiams, Mrs. Neale, Mrs. Gething, Mrs. Jack son, Mrs. and Miss GUlespie 121 4 1 Mrs. Bowden, Mrs. and Misses Gibson, Mrs. and Miss J. Walker, Miss Hopper 130 10 8 Mrs. and Misses BeU, Mrs. Brown, Mrs. YouU 74 4 5 Mrs. and Miss Eobinson, Mr. Eskuche 53 11 5 Mrs. and Miss Sutherland, Mrs. Eichard Burnand, Mrs. Eobert Burnand, Mrs. Main 79 14 8 Mrs. HastweU, Mrs. E. Eichardson, Mrs. H. Eichardson (refreshment-stall) 73 11 6 Mrs. and Misses Holmes, Mrs. and Miss Hosking, Mrs. and Miss Harvey, Mrs. White 29 7 10 Mrs. and Miss Stephenson, Mrs. Patterson, Mrs. Jacob Vickers 72 7 5 Mrs. Huntley, Mrs. Hutchinson, Mrs. Gordon, Misses Drew, Fleming, and Lightfoot 47 18 10 Entrance-money 108 17 7 CaUcosold 4 0 0 Interest reaUzed by bazaar treasurer 3 12 9 To which must be added : — Interest received by Messrs. Falconar, E. WUson, and Bainbridge, in whose names the bazaar-proceeds were for a season deposited in the Union Bank ... 75 19 8 £1,918 17 10 Deduct expenses : rent of rooms, printing, &c., &c. 134 6 7 Net proceeds of bazaar £1,784 11 3 APPENDIX, 299 "Thus far concerning human eflfort," writes the Eev. WiUiam E. WUUams, in an interesting resumd of this important movement ; " but we tmst that the prevaUing sentiment of our minds is that of gratitude to God. He has seen fit to try and to humble us ; but, in His own time. He has brought us deliverance. Our hearts respond to, and re-echo, the beautiful language of David, which was read at the commencement of our proceedings: 'Blessed be Thou, Lord God of Israel, our Father, for ever and ever. Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for aU that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine Both riches and honour come of Thee, and Thou reignest over all ; and in Thine hand is power and might ; and in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto aU. Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name, But who ' are we, ' and what is Thy people, that we should be able to offer so wUlingly after this sort 1 For aU things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee.' " London : Printed by R. Needham, Paternoster-Row. 3 9002 00706 9538 A'lm'/.'.'i 'i' ' ' ' m " / '-f-/ /*g,