to say that he would go to the extent of his authority, if I could not go freely. I determined, however, to take up my cross and go; and now, dear Sir, I rejoice that I came, for I am fully satisfied that my call is of GOD. I never had the liberty, since I began to preach, that I have had since I came here; and, blessed be GOD, I find my heart more engaged in the work of God than ever it was.. I hope it will continue so to my life's end." On the 27th of October, 1785, MR. KING writes thus :

“A painful circumstance occurred here last year. One of the Preachers became the Pastor of an Independent Congregation; and some, whose minds were unsettled, have gone with him But even this is working for good. Many persons now come to hear us who never came before, so that our room is full on Sunday evenings; many are obliged to stand without, and others go away. This inconvenience will soon be remedied, as we are building a large Chapel in another part of the town. We have already admitted about twenty new members into the Society. On Sunday night, after the service, four persons followed me to my lodgings. One of these, especially, was deeply convinced of sin, and determined to flee from the wrath to come. I have no doubt but it is the will of GoD that I should be here. I have as much honour as does me any good. I regard very little the praise or dispraise of men. I wish to be more ambitious of that honour which cometh from God."

The good work which began at the commencement of the year continued to spread. Under the date of March 9th, 1786, MR. KING writes again :

"We still have a prospect of great success in our ministry here. The new Chapel is now open for public worship, and we have let above four hundred sittings. It is a remarkable thing, that, in a place where no sittings were ever let before, we should have let so many in so short a time. Our congregations are continually increasing, both at Plymouth and at Dock, and also in every other place where we preach. Blessed be GOD; the people in town and country appear to be alarmed on account of their sins. We have added above a hundred members since the Conference. I am thankful for my colleagues. We love as brethren.”

It was during this year that MR. KING was made the honoured instrument of the conversion of the REV. C. KIRKPATRICK. At the Conference in 1786, MR. KING was appointed to the Bradford (Wilts) Circuit; from whence he wrote to MR. WESLEY on some important points of christian experience, and received answers, a few paragraphs of which may not be unacceptable in this place.

"Near London, February 16th, 1787. ↑ "I generally write to all that desire it, though not often in many words. What I have to say may be confined in a narrow compass. It requires a great degree of watchfulness to retain the perfect love of God. And one great means of retaining it is, frankly to declare what God has given you, and earnestly to exhort all the believers you meet with to follow after full salvation."

"Near Bristol, April 21st, 1787.

If you have a desire to go and labour with Brother CLARKE in the Islands of Guernsey and Jersey, you may, after

the Conference. By that time I expect they will have both work and food for another Labourer.

"With what is past, or what is to come, we have little to do. Now is the day of salvation. The Great Salvation is at hand, if you will receive it as the free gift of God. What you have already attained, hold fast, Whatever you want, it is ready to be given. Reason not about it, but believe. His word is, 'Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.' There is a wonderful work of GOD in several parts of this kingdom; and it increases more and more."

From Bradford MR. KING was removed to the Thirsk Circuit, where he found some things that were painful, and needed to be remedied. Having written to MR. WESLEY on the subject, he received the following answer :—

"MY DEAR BROther,

"Near London, October 31st, 1787. "Both in Jersey, Alderney, and Guernsey, the fields are white to the barvest. Hitherto there is an open door into many places, without any considerable opposition. And I am not sorry we were detained there, by contrary winds, longer than we intended.

"There is no need at all that Thirsk Circuit should ever be in debt. You have several persons there that are of considerable ability, and that love the cause of GOD. Represent things to them in a proper manner, and nothing will be wanting.

"If any of the Class-Leaders teaches strange doctrine, he can have no more place among us. Only lovingly admonish him first.-I am, yours affectionately, "JOHN WESLEY."

After leaving Thirsk, MR. KING was successively stationed in the Yarm, Horncastle, Grimsby, and Gainsborough Circuits. While in the Gainsborough Circuit, he had the misfortune to fall from his horse, and to break his arm. Among his papers is found a letter from the late REV. GEORGE SARGENT, addressed to him on the subject. The recent melancholy circumstance of MR. SARGENT's sudden removal to his reward, by the overturning of a coach, will sufficiently apologize for the introduction of an extract from his letter, on the painful dispensations of Divine Providence.

"Bishop-Norton, March 3d, 1794. "I am very sorry to hear of your misfortune. Mysterious are the dispensations of Divine Providence. Yet the promise stands more firm than the pillars of heaven and earth: 'All things work together for good to them that love GOD.' No doubt you can, amidst all your sufferings, look back with gratitude to God, who only touched one of your members, and yet spared your life. Even amidst trying dispensations, there is a great deal of lenity mixed with that which is seemingly severe. How well it is, when we can say with JOB, Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.''

In 1796, MR. KING was stationed at Barrow, in Lincolnshire. He writes as follows, under the date of March 3d of that year :

"Our labour increases among the people, as the work of the LORD prospers in our hands. We have such an increase of hearers in many

places, that our chapels will not hold them. They stand without, at the doors and windows. The Societies are increasing. I admitted twenty new members at one place a short time ago."

MR. KING'S next appointments were to the Epworth, Sunderland, and Scarborough Circuits, where his labours were owned of God in the conviction and conversion of many of his hearers. From his Papers, written during this period of his ministry, it is obvious that he was a man of one business. His heart was in his duty, and he was happy in proportion as the work of GoD prospered in his hands. In 1802 MR. KING was stationed at Dewsbury. In the course of that year he addressed a letter to a young man, who had begun to act as a Local Preacher, a copy of which it may not be deemed improper to insert in this place, as it shows the views he entertained on the importance of the work of a Christian Preacher, and on the spirit in which it should be performed.

66 Dewsbury, April 15th, 1803.

"It affords me great pleasure to find that you are exerting yourself for GOD. This, doubtless, is your duty. Get all the good you can; and do all the good you can. What you have already received, you are to exercise. He that does this is in the way of getting more. Stir up the gift of God that is in you. Do not despise or neglect it, because you may think it is small. The greatest things have but small beginnings. Bless God for the smallest spark of grace, and the least hope of heaven; and for any gift of the SPIRIT, how little soever it may be. Yet remember, that you are never to see any thing great in yourself, let your attainments be what they may. Never lean to your own understanding; nor trust to your own heart, or to the stock of grace already in hand. Depend entirely on the LORD; it is he that gives wisdom to speak, and power to act. Trust in him with all your heart, and verily you shall not want any good thing. Use all the means in your power for the attainment of whatever gifts or grace you want, in order to render you happy in yourself, and useful to others. Give attendance to reading and prayer in private; and especially to the Sacred Scriptures. Let these be your rule; and the SPIRIT of God will supply strength, to enable you to walk by it. If your eye be single in your public labours, the blessing of the LORD will attend you, and them that hear you. Be sure never to aim at any thing less than the salvation of your hearers. They are base indeed, who have any low or selfish end in view on entering into such a service. Be careful lest evil should mix with your good, and so the good that is in you should be evil spoken of. Watch against pride, that snare of the Devil, which is so commonly laid for young converts, and young Preachers in particular. Neither let difficulties, nor temptations, nor oppositions, intimidate you; as they are common to all the servants of GOD. All trying things shall work together for good to them that love GOD. All things are yours,' that is, for your advantage, if you are CHRIST'S. Fear none of the things you suffer; for he hath said, 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.'"

MR. KING'S next appointments were to the Grantham, Diss, Yarmouth, Walsingham, and Sevenoaks Circuits. After labouring

with success in the Sevenoaks Circuit for two years, finding himself unable to bear any longer the fatigues of an itinerant life, he became a Supernumerary, and settled at Sevenoaks. He had remained a single man during the whole of his itinerancy; but now, being settled, and alone, he considered it right to enter into the marriage-state. He prudently selected a person of suitable age; who greatly administered to his comfort during his subsequent life, and especially in his long and severe affliction.

A few extracts from MR. KING's Papers, with a brief account of his sickness and happy death, will close this Memoir.

July 24th, 1813, MR. KING says:

"There are no men on earth whom I so highly esteem as the Methodist Ministers; and I have every reason so to do, as God made them the instruments of bringing me to the knowledge of the truth at an early period of my life, when I was in the slippery paths of youth, and hastening to eternal ruin. To hear them, and to converse with them, and indeed to serve them, was my chief delight. This I did for twelve years, before I had the honour of having a name among them as a Travelling Preacher. Nothing ever afforded me so much pleasure as to serve the cause of GOD with my utmost ability. Any opposition I have met with, in reference either to their doctrine or discipline, and especially to that entire holiness of heart which is insisted on among them, has given me the greatest pain. I can truly say, my views and feelings are the same as they were in the beginning." Nearly seven years afterwards he writes thus :

"July 7th, 1820.—I have been united with the Methodists for about fifty years; and I thank the LORD, who has kept me in union with them, and from falling into those things that are disgraceful to character, and disho"nourable to GOD, and which bring a reproach upon the good cause. But it ill becomes me to say much about myself. As most of the Preachers who knew me in my youth are gone to their reward, if I should say a word respecting what I did and suffered in that part of Yorkshire where I resided, when I got the Preachers to my father's house twelve years before I travelled, it might not be deemed vanity; but I forbear."

In the month of May, 1821, MR. KING paid a visit to his friends in Yorkshire. He went down by sea; and having a tedious and stormy passage, he suffered much from sea-sickness. From the effects of this voyage, he never fully recovered; and, under the consciousness of his decaying strength, he writes thus :

"March 20th, 1822.—I thank the LORD that he spares my life. unworthy as I am of it, or any other blessing. I hope he will yet spare me a little longer. But I am led to think that my days will not be many more in this world. My strength begins to fail, and my flesh to waste. My prayer is, that the will of GoD may be done in me, and by me; and that I may have patience to bear the evils he inflicts, or permits. I have enjoyed a pretty good state of health for many years; but it is in vain for me to expect that it should continue; for the living know that they must die.'

"October 28th:-My affliction is gaining ground upon me; and continues to resist the power of medicine.

"November 27th.-I perceive myself sinking every day into the arms of death. I may linger on a little while, or I may go suddenly. I am thankful that I am supported, and kept from charging GoD foolishly. No! The cup that my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? Only let me have grace sufficient, and an increase of faith and patience in proportion to my sufferings, and this affliction will be to my profit, and be found among the 'all things' that work together for good to them that love God.'"

During his long affliction, MR. KING manifested much christian fortitude and patience; and this was most strikingly apparent, as the time of his departure drew near. We know from the Bible, that a true Christian must die safely; but it is a subject of great joy to see our friends depart in the triumph of faith. Such was the end of the venerable JOHN KING.

On Tuesday, Dec. 17th, 1822, when I arrived from Bristol, he said, "The LORD has granted me my desire, and we meet once more in the flesh." Then he added,

"Take my body, spirit, soul,

Only Thou possess the whole."

After changing his position in bed, he said, "Now, give me my staff, (a short stick on which he leaned,) and let me die in peace.— Thy rod, and thy staff, they comfort me.....Into thy hands, O GOD, I commit my spirit; preserve my body and soul unto eternal life." He continued very prayerful all night; and often called on me to pray with him.

On Wednesday, the 18th, he said, "I thank thee, LORD, that thou dost help me and succour me." Then turning to me, he said, "Preach CHRIST to poor sinners :-preach salvation by faith; and holiness, without which no man shall see the LORD." He then prayed, saying, (among other things,)-" LORD, have mercy upon all men! Save our dear relations! Save all the world! O LORD, send prosperity to thy good cause throughout the world :-Thy kingdom come!" When I mentioned to him the hymn that begins with, "I want the spirit of power within," he said, "It is fine," and emphatically added,

"Of health, that pain and death defies,
Most vigorous when the body dies.”

He observed, "Works are not meritorious. I the chief of sinners am, but Jesus died for me.' Desiring me to raise his head a little, he said, "How do thy mercies close me round;" and begged that nothing might be said of his works. Addressing MRS. KING and myself, he said, "The LORD reward you for your kindness, and grant you the like assistance when you shall need it. LORD, have mercy upon us! We need his mercy as much as other men :-but our sufficiency is of GOD!'" To one whom he had visited in affliction, he said, smiling, "You are now come to see me die: I once went to see you die; but you did not go :-now you see I am going