In 1743 his regiment was ordered into Flanders, against the French; and, the soldiers being destitute of spiritual help, Haime began to preach to them the Gospel. Crowds listened to his addresses, many of whom soon joined him in Christian fellowship, and raised a tabernacle in which to hold their services. Hundreds of the soldiers were convinced of sin, and a great work of God followed. At the battles of Dettingen and Fontenoy the flock was greatly thinned, many dying in the full triumph of faith. During the latter of these engagements Haime's horse was shot, but his confidence was strong. He exclaimed, "The French have no ball made that will kill me this day."

Lawrence Oliphant, a native of Trowbridge, was one of Haime's flock. On returning home he brought with him a spark of the Belgic flame. At his own expense he procured a preaching-room; and here, on Tuesday, September 17th, 1754, Mr. Wesley commenced religious service. But, before he had finished the first hymn, the room was so crowded that he was obliged to go out and stand at the door. There was a multitude of hearers, rich and poor. For some time the Preachers visited this place; but, seeing little prospect of success, they ceased to come.

In 1781, while the Rev. John Mason (1st) was stationed in the Bradford (Wilts.) Circuit, the Rev. William Moore, an eloquent man, took his stand at the entrance of Shails-lane, and addressed a considerable number of people. Among others, Mr. John Knapp attended. This individual felt the power of God under the word; and, coming home, said to his wife, "These are men of God, who preach a salvation free for all we will join them." From that time the Preachers came regularly. Religious services were held on Friday evenings, and on Sunday afternoons.

Mr. Knapp subsequently rented a vacant shop, and, by the assistance of friends, fitted it up for public worship. A class was then formed, consisting of six persons, namely, Messrs. Oliphant, Knapp, and Webley, with their wives. The preaching-room was quickly crowded. Many united themselves with the infant Society; and several female members distinguished themselves by their zeal in behalf of the rising cause. Among these were Miss Mary Cooke, (who became the wife of the late Dr. Adam Clarke,) and Elizabeth, her sister, who was appointed a Class-Leader. To this little flock Mr. Mason was truly a Pastor in the Lord. In a letter addressed to him, dated London, January 24th, 1787, Mr. Wesley says, “I do not wonder that the work of God should flourish in Trowbridge, where a few of our sisters are a pattern to the whole town."

On September 27th, 1782, a young man, commencing his itinerancy, came to Mr. Knapp's. His name was Adam Clarke. Mr. Wesley had sent him from Kingswood, to supply a vacancy. His eloquence was like a torrent; and crowds of hearers followed him through the Circuit.

Mr. Wesley favoured this little flock with several visits. In the autumn of 1781 he preached twice. On another occasion he preached near the bridge to a large assembly. On September 12th, 1788, in the open space before the preaching-room, he addressed an unusually large congregation, who listened with deep attention.

In 1789 the Rev. Joseph Sutcliffe came to superintend the Bradford Circuit. He found seventy members of Society in Trowbridge; and, during the year, they increased to one hundred. This year a new chapel, adjacent to the bridge,―forty-nine feet by thirty-two, was built. It was opened on May 11th, 1790, by the Rev. John Valton; and, from that date, was usually filled with hearers. But, shortly after this period, the contro

versy respecting the administration of the Sacraments proved the occasion of much injury to the otherwise hopeful Society.

About the year 1805 Joseph Butterworth, Esq., M.P., on visiting Trowbridge, established a Sunday-school in connexion with the chapel. This institution prospered, and in a few years numbered about three hundred scholars. There being no morning service in the chapel, all were taken to church; and such a number of the young, regularly attending, excited in no small degree the interest of the Clergyman. He visited the school, and publicly recognised it by catechising the children, as well as by allowing them to sing their own hymns in the church.

This Clergyman suggested the expediency of obtaining better accommodation, and offered the use of rooms nearer the church. A removal to the Free School was the consequence. But here the management and discipline became so altered, that the original teachers successively left, and at last the superintendent, too; the school being thus entirely resigned to the Church. A paid agent was then engaged, but the interest was by no means kept up. The once flourishing school of three hundred became quickly reduced to few more than a tithe of that number. The old superintendent was then sent for, and requested to undertake the work on the old plan. He did so, and soon succeeded in bringing the children back, at least to the number of about two hundred. Such is, however, the origin of the Sunday-school movement on the part of the Established Church in this town. A second school was established, in connexion with the Methodist Society, which still continues.

In 1814 the chapel accommodation was enlarged, by the erection of a gallery at the east end. In 1821 the place again became too strait; and, the erection of a new chapel being contemplated, liberal subscriptions were promised. A site was selected; but, for want of a good title, the project was abandoned,-the old chapel being enlarged, however, at a cost of about £300.

Though thus favoured with additional space, many ardently desired to see their sanctuary more pleasantly and attractively situated. Prayer was offered to the great Head of the church for this desirable object. The supplications of these lovers of Sion were heard and answered. It is remarkable that the very ground on which the shop above-named had stood, "beautiful for situation," being in the centre of the town, commanding a good view of the two principal streets, endeared by early associations, and consecrated by the prayers and ministry of Wesley, Adam Clarke, Joseph Sutcliffe, and a host of their fellow-labourers, was purchased in 1835, at a cost of £1,100. The purchase was not effected without anxious thought and considerable difficulty. To the indefatigable zeal of the Rev. J. W. Button, in this matter, Methodism is greatly indebted; while the particular incidents of the occasion show the special interposition of Providence.

Here a new chapel was built in the Grecian style, after the designs and under the superintendence of the grandson (by marriage) of Mr. Knapp, whose exertions reflected great credit on himself, and were of much advantage to his co-Trustees.

The foundation-stone was laid on Tuesday, June 9th, 1835, by the Rev. William Atherton.

This noble edifice, surrounded by an extensive burial-ground, is fifty-six feet by forty-three within. It has three deep galleries, and an orchestra behind the pulpit. The whole space under the ground-floor (which floor is considerably elevated for the purpose) is conveniently fitted up as a school

room.

The chapel was opened for divine worship on Wednesday, May 4th, 1836, by the Rev. Robert Newton and the Rev. A. E. Farrar. These honoured Ministers were followed on successive Sundays by the Rev. Dr. Bunting, the Rev. John Bowers, and others. A gracious influence pervaded the overflowing congregations. The collections exceeded £462.— After strenuous and united exertions, aided by a grant of £300 from the Centenary Fund, the Trustees found themselves left with a debt of £1,570 on these premises.

In February, 1844, a powerful and fine-toned organ was erected. During 1846 a building, containing four class-rooms and a Minister's vestry, was added, at a cost of £200,-the expenses being defrayed.

At the annual meeting of Christmas, 1846, a plan was suggested for the liquidation of the remaining debt, by dividing the amount into shares of £1.10s. each, to be paid in five years by quarterly payments of 1s. 6d. After much consideration, it was determined to adopt it. The result will be seen in the reports given at three subsequent annual meetings: viz.,-Christmas, 1847, £295. 14s. 5d. (To this must be added £100, the legacy of the late Miss Martin, a lady of exemplary piety, and for more than half a century a member of this Society.) Christmas, 1848, £157. 78. Od.; Christmas, 1849, £169. 3s. 10d.: making a total of £722. 5s. 4d.

We are grateful to record the success which has hitherto crowned our exertions, notwithstanding much difficulty and opposition; and especially grateful to add, that the chapel is well filled with a regular congregation and an increasing Society, living in peace and affection, and labouring to fulfil their Methodist mission to spread scriptural holiness. We rejoice that the "evil spirit" of agitation has not here shed its influence of spiritual death. The determination of this united Society is to abide by old Methodism, to withstand them that are given to change, and to mind its own work of seeking present and eternal salvation. Nor can we close this sketch without giving our cheerful testimony of love to the Wesleyan Societies, in union with which we feel we can luxuriate "in green pastures" and "beside the still waters," enjoying all the "liberty" that we can need,-liberty, by the grace of God, to get all the good, and to do all the good, we can. EDWARD DYER.

Trowbridge, April 30th, 1850.

A NEAR VIEW OF ETERNITY.

I HAVE lived to see that this world is full of perturbations; and I have long been preparing to leave it, and gathering comfort for the awful hour of making up my account with God, which I now apprehend to be near. And though I have, by His grace, loved Him in my youth, and feared Him in my age, and laboured to have a conscience void of offence towards Him, and towards all men; yet, if Thou, Lord, shouldest be extreme to mark what I have done amiss, how shall I abide it? Where I have failed, Lord, show mercy to me; for I plead not my righteousness, but the forgiveness of my unrighteousness, through His merits, who died to purchase pardon for penitent sinners. And since I owe Thee a death, Lord, let it not be terrible, and then choose Thy own time; I submit to it. Let not mine, O Lord, but Thy will be done!-Richard Hooker.

ORIGINAL LETTERS OF THE REV. JOHN WESLEY.*

TO ONE OF HIS PUPILS.

[Oxon,] August 14th, 1731.

I HAVE spent many thoughts on the necessity of method [in order] to a considerable progress in knowledge. I am still persuaded that you, who have not the assurance of a day to live, are not wise if you waste a moment. Are you concerned to take the shortest way to every point you desire to arrive at ?

The shortest way to knowledge seems to be this: 1. To ascertain what knowledge you desire to attain. 2. To read no book which does not some way tend to the attainment of that knowledge. 3. To read no book which does tend to the attainment of it, unless it be the best in its kind. 4. To finish one before you begin another. Lastly. To read them all in such an order, that every subsequent book may illustrate and confirm the preceding. The knowledge which you would probably desire to attain, is a knowledge of Divinity, Philosophy, History, Poetry. If you will be so good as to direct me how I can be of use to you in any of these, it will give me very particular pleasure.

I am glad you passed your time so agreeably in the country. You very justly observe, a country life is in many respects preferable to any other; particularly in its abounding in those beauties of nature that so easily raise our thoughts to the Author of them. Methinks whenever

"Above, around, we see

Hill, dale, shade, wood, sun, plain,

And liquid lapse of murmuring stream,"

it is scarce possible to stop that obvious reflection,—

"These are thy glorious works, Parent of good!"

TO HIS NIECE.

Yours, &c.,
JOHN WESLEY.

City-Road, November 15th, 1780.

MY DEAR SALLY,-Some years ago,t while you was at Bristol, you had a clear call from God; and you was not disobedient to the heavenly calling. But in a few months that happy impression died away, I know not how. It seems as if God was now calling you again. But you have many hinderances. This is just the dangerous time of life. If you wish not to be almost but altogether a Christian, you will have need of much courage and much patience. Then you will be able to do all things through Christ strengthening you.

You want exceedingly a pious, sensible, female friend. I scarce know any fit for you, at your end of the town, unless it were that open, noblespirited creature, Nancy Sharland, "in whom is no guile." For the present your best helps will be prayer and reading. Perhaps much in the method laid down in one of the [Arminian] Magazines. But you cannot

*Communicated by Thomas Marriott, Esq.

+ See Journal of Rev. Charles Wesley, vol. ii., pp. 271, 277.

Inserted in Wesley's Works, third edit., vol. xiii., p. 137. See also a similar Letter in the Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine, for 1846, p. 452.

pursue this without cutting off, as it were, a right hand-giving up trifling company! To give you any assistance that is in my power will always be a pleasure to

Your affectionate uncle,

JOHN WESLEY.

Near Leeds, August 4th, 1781.*

YOUR last gave me much satisfaction, convincing me that I had not laboured in vain. O trust in Him that is stronger than you; then shall you be enabled to persevere in your resolution: otherwise you will soon grow weary, and relapse into the same dull way. Whenever it depends upon yourself, go to bed soon after ten. But you will need, in order to do this steadily, more firmness than nature can boast. Nothing less will keep you steady herein than the mighty power of God. I have been considering whether there be anything else that is a hinderance to your receiving the blessings that await you. And, I am persuaded, it will not offend you to tell you all that passes through my mind. When any young gentleman came to me at Oxford, I told him, plainly and downright,-" Sir, I cannot undertake to make you either a scholar or a Christian, unless you will promise me, 1. To read those books which I advise; and, 2. While you are my pupil, to read no others." Now, my Sally, was not this a hard condition? But they soon found the advantage of it; and so would you, if you had the courage to read those books only which were recommended by my brother or me.

I want you not to be a half but a whole Christian. Let all that mind be in you that was in Christ. And present your soul and your body a living sacrifice, acceptable to God through Him!

I am, my dear Sally,

Your most affectionate uncle,
JOHN WESLEY.

"RELIGION, THE WEAL OF THE CHURCH AND THE NEED OF THE TIMES."+

THE VOICE OF PROVIDENCE.

To hear the speech of God is to digest thoroughly the entire moral of prophecy; to compare its sayings, to analyse its descriptions, and to combine them into a sublime, living, practical science. The speech of God is,

* See Charles Wesley's Life, vol. ii., pp. 314–316.

+ Religion, the Weal of the Church and the Need of the Times. By George Steward. Partridge and Oakey.-To our Wesleyan friends it is not needful to introduce the able and eloquent author of this volume. His plan embraces, in twelve chapters, the following subjects: The Speech of God-The Word of God-EvangelismCharacteristics of the Age-Unbelief-Church Requisites-Church ProvisionMethodism-Church Sanctity-Church Visitations The Divine GovernmentPrayer and its Presages.

If Mr. Steward's chapters do not show the practised writer, they indicate wealth of mind, an extensive range of view, and ample resources of illustration. For the earnest reader they provide material of deep and profitable reflection. Impartial criticism may suggest that the work exhibits genius, rather than severe intellectual discipline; that its unity of design is not made sufficiently plain; that its style here and there exceeds the beautiful; and that some of its passages, while glowing in the Preacher's characteristic brilliancy, are yet liable to misconception. A sweet, Virgilian simplicity of language would doubtless shed on many of Mr. Steward's pages a new and welcome light; but whatever obscurity