him. first, attended only by a handful; multitudes passing by with their fingers in their ears, lest they should hear the horrid sound, reprobation; and others sending him word that his fall was as great as Peter's, and that some judgment would overtake "A like scene," says he, " opened in Bristol, where I was denied preaching in the house I had founded-busy bodies on both sides blew up the coals; a breach ensued; but, as both sides differed in judgment-not in affection-and aimed at the glory of our common Lord-though we hearkened too much to tale-bearers on both sides, we were kept from anathematizing each other." Mr. Whitfield's preaching at Bristol and Kingswood at this period was attended with some remarkable tokens of the Divine power and presence. Vast numbers of the careless and profane, awakened by the powerful exhibitions of the Divine love and mercy, as revealed in the everlasting Gospel, to a concern for the salvation of their souls eagerly inquired "What must we do to be saved?""The lives of multitudes were eminent for sanctity, and their deaths for peace and joy; and the goodness of their principles was displayed by the triumphs of religion, both during the continuance, and at the close, of their mortal course. Mr. Cennick, with others of the first labourers in the cause of Methodism, having espoused Mr. Whitfield's cause, joined with him at Bristol, and assisted him to build another place at Kingswood, near that of which Mr. Wesley kept possession; so that a congregation was soon established there on Calvinistic principles, and is now supplied by the ministers who preach at the Tabernacle in Bristol. In one of his letters to Mr. Cennick, at this time, he says"How sweetly does Providence order all things for us! just before your's came, I was resolved to send you twenty pounds, to begin the society-room at Kingswood. Mrs. Cookman gives it, and, I believe, will make it up fifty. I would have you lay the foundation immediately, but take care of building too large or too handsome. Notwithstanding my present embarrassments, who knows, but it may be in my power to discharge my orphan-house debt, and make collections here for Kingswood school too?" From this period, till his embarking for America, in 174, Mr. Whitfield frequently visited Bristol and Kingswood, preaching, as usual, to great multitudes with amazing power and success. The imprisonment of Savage, the poet-a man whose writings entitle him to an eminent rank in the classes of learning, and whose misfortunes claim a degree of compassion not always due to the unhappy, as they were often the consequences of the crimes of others, rather than his ownwas at this time the universal subject of conversation in the upper circles in London, Bath, and Clifton. Deserted by those who had hitherto caressed and applauded him, he was arrested for a small debt, and conveyed to the common jail of Bristol. Lady Huntingdon, Lady Fanny Shirley, Lady Anne and Lady Frances Hastings, were then in Bath, and, upon hearing from him an account of his condition, immediately sent him relief. A few weeks after, Lady Huntingdon, and her noble relatives, removed to Clifton, and volunteered, with several persons of distinction, to make a collection for his enlargement; but he treated the proposal with the utmost disdain. He very frequently received visits, and, sometimes, presents, from his acquaintances; but they did not amount to a subsistence, for the greater part of which he was indebted to the generosity of Lady Huntingdon, and his keeper, who did not confine his benevolence to a gentle execution of his office, but made some overtures to the creditors for his release, though without effect. Mr. Dagge, the keeper of the prison, was well known to her Ladyship as the frequent hearer of the Messrs. Whitfield and Wesleys; and hence, we may presume, sprang that humanity which induced him to support Mr. Savage at his own table, without any certainty of recompense; so that he suffered fewer hardships in prison than he had been accustomed to undergo in the greatest part of his life. "Virtue," says Dr. Johnson, "is undoubtedly most laudable in that state which makes it most difficult; and, therefore, the humanity of a jailer certainly deserves this public attestation; and the man, whose heart has not been hardened by such an employment, may be justly proposed as a pattern of benevolence. If an inscription was once engraved to the honest toll-gatherer,' less honours ought not to be paid to the tender jailer.'* Johnson's Lives of the Poets. ust at this period, Mr. Whitfield again visited Bristol, where he staid a considerable time, preaching statedly every day twice, and four times on the Sunday. From his great intimacy with Mr. Dagge, it is presumed he enjoyed many opportunities of conversing with Mr. Savage; but of this we have no certain information. Still there is abundant reason to believe, from some expressions in a letter of Lady Huntingdon, that he had frequently seen and heard that apostolic man, not only in the chapel of the prison, but at the table of the humane keeper. Certain it is, her Ladyship and Lady Frances Shirley did not confine their benevolence merely to the relief of his temporal wants; they frequently visited him in prison, and anxiously sought to direct his attention to the vast concerns of an eternal world. During the whole period of his imprisonment, they continued to treat him with the utmost ten derness and civility; yet such was the wayward disposition of this singular character, that, though caressed, esteemed, and liberally supported, he could forget, on a sudden, his danger and his obligations, to gratify the petulance of his wit, or the eagerness of his resentment, and employed himself in prison in writing a satirical poem, called "London and Bristol Delineated," by which he might reasonably expect that he should alienate those who then liberally contributed to his support and comfort, and provoke those whom he could neither resist nor escape. The resentment of many was raised by some accounts that had been spread of the satire; and Lady Fanny expostulated with him on the impropriety and ingratitude of his conduct. But he diregarded all considerations that opposed his present passions, and readily hazarded all future advantages for any immediate gratifications. Whatever was his prominent inclination, neither hope nor fear hindered him from complying with it; nor had opposition any other effect than to heighten his ardour, and irritate his vehemence. The performance, however, was laid aside, at the request of Lady Fanny, whilst he was employed in soliciting assistance from several great persons. To Mr. Pope her ladyship addressed a melancholy account of his sufferings and his wants, with the hope of reviving, in that peevish little man, some feeling of compassion towards his former friend. The application was in vain. A few weeks before the death of this unfortunate and imprudent man, Mr. Pope wrote him a letter, that contained a charge of very atrocious ingratitude, drawn up in such terms as sudden resentment dictated. What were the particulars of this charge we are not informed; but, from the notorious character of the man, there is reason to fear that Mr. Savage was but too justly accused. He, however, solemnly protested his innocence; but he was very unusually affected at the accusation. In a few days after, he was seized with a disorder, which, at first, was not suspected to be dangerous: but, growing daily more languid and dejected, at last a fever seized him, and he expired on the 1st of August, 1743, in the fortysixth year of his age, leaving behind him a character strangely chequered with vices and good qualities. Lady Huntingdon and Lady Fanny obtained, in the circle of their friends, some small contributions, which they sent to Mr. Dagge, to defray the expenses of his interment.* During the period Mr. Whitfield was at Bristol, a violent persecution arose against the Methodists at Hampton. The Rev. Thomas Adams, so many years the respected minister of the Tabernacle at Rodborough, was then residing at Hampton, and was the principal object against whom the fury of the mob was directed. "This young confessor, says Mr. Whitfield, "some few years ago, came out of great curiosity, to hear me, when first I preached upon Hampton Common, in Gloucestershire. Being converted himself, he found himself impelled to strengthen his brethren. God has owned him much in Hampton, and the adjacent country, in calling by him many poor sinners to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ." Many persons were severely injured, and the lives of Mr. Adams, Mr. Cennick, I have been thus minute in my account of Mr. Savage, because, of late, some persons have had the temerity to intimate, that the interesting narrative of his life, given by Dr. Johnson, in his "Lives of the Poets," contained many falsehoods, and, in some parts, was wholly without foundation! How strange that men will thus commit themselves! On what competent authority can any one, at this distance of time, question the veracity of Dr. Johnson? It is now nearly one hundred years since the narrative was first published, and the corroborating testimony of Lady Huntingdon, and Lady Fanny Shirley, the friend of Pope, Chesterfield, and all the wits and geniuses of her time, leave no doubt as to the truth of what Dr. Johnson has so ably and so elegantly written. : and Mr. Williams, frequently threatened. Mr. Whitfield having tried other methods in vain, resolved, with the advice and assistance of his brethren, to seek the protection of the law and, accordingly, got an information lodged against the Hampton rioters in the Court of King's Bench. Facts being proved, by a variety of evidence, and the defendants making no reply, the rule was made absolute, and an information filed against them. To this they pleaded not guilty; and, therefore, the cause was referred, in course, to the assizes in Gloucester. There he attended, and got the better of his adversaries: after a full hearing on both sides, a verdict was given for the prosecutors, and all the defendants were brought in guilty of the whole information lodged against them. This prosecution had a very good effect. The rioters were greatly alarmed at the thought of having an execution issued out against them. But the intention of the Methodists was, to let them see what they could do, and then to forgive them. The most popular supplies at this period, at Bristol and Kingswood, were—the well known Howel Harris-John Edwards, afterwards of Leeds-Thomas Adams -Herbert Jenkins-James Relly—and Edward Godwin. Of these, the two latter deserve particular notice, in this part of our narrative, as being eminently successful in spreading the knowledge of the doctrine of their crucified Lord. Descending from the stilts of self-taught excellence, and the enticing words of man's wisdom, to the plainness and simplicity of the doctrine of the cross, these apostles of Methodism determined to know nothing else but Jesus Christ, and Him crucified; and the Word of the Lord no sooner began to be preached, in the light and the love of it, than it immediately ran and was glorified. Mr. Relly, a native of North Wales, was a wild ungovernable youth, and addicted to bad company. In one of Mr. Whitfield's excursions through Wales, young Relly agreed, with some other lads of his own stamp, to go and hear Mr. Whitfield preach, that he might have an opportunity of laughing at the Methodists. They commenced their sport by making a noise, and ridiculing the preacher, to the disturbance of the congregation. At length, Mr. Whitfield's discourse, which was delivered with his usual energy, so rivetted the attention of young Relly, that, when his companions wished him to retire, he resolved to stay behind, and, from that time, became serious. Soon after, forming an acquaintance with Mr. Whitfield, he became one of his most strenuous supporters, in which he was joined by his brother John; and, in a little time, both commenced preachers of that faith they had so often laboured to destroy. Mr. James Relly was first situated near Nasboth, in South Wales, where he continued to preach, in connexion with the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists, for some years. During his residence at this place, he took frequent journies to Bristol; and, on his way, would often stop at Kingswood, and other places, to discourse with the colliers. At this period he was extremely popular; but a separation taking place between him and Mr. Whitfield, gave a new turn to his connections. This breach has been attributed, by Mr. Relly's followers, to jealousy on the part of Mr. Whitfield; but the character of that great man was formed upon principles of too noble and disinterested a nature to admit of so degrading an idea. It was, probably, occasioned by an alteration in Mr Relly's sentiments.* Of Mr. Godwin we have but few particulars to present. He was the eldest son of the Rev. Edward Godwin, for upwards of forty years minister of the Presbyterian church assembling at Little St. Helen's, London. His mother was the daughter of a worthy, ejected minister-who was a considerable loser by his nonconformity and widow of the Rev. Samuel Jones,t of Tewkesbury. Though not Mr. Relly afterwards removed to London, and, in process of time, took the meeting-house in Bartholomew Close, where he continued till the expiration of the lease, in 1769; soon after which he removed into the old meeting house in Crosby Square, where he continued to preach till his death, April 25th, 1778. His remains were interred in the Baptist burial ground, Maze Pond, Southwark, where a neat monument is erected to his memory. He was a man of plain rough manners, but of strong natural abilities, and of a generous disposition. The term Antinomian is said to have been first applied to him by Mr. Wesley, and it has been fixed upon his followers ever since. He published a variety of pieces in defence of his peculiar sentiments-a volume of hymns, and an elegy on the death of Mr. Whitfield. There are two portraits of him; the one engraved by June, the other by Sylvester Harding. + Of Mr. Jones's ability as aftutor, we cannot but form a very high opinion from the merit trained to the ministry, Mr. Edward Godwin commenced preacher in Mr. Whitfield's connexion, but died in early life. He was very useful in London, and other places, where he laboured very diligently, and was esteemed a very popular speaker. Whilst resident at Bristol, he published several sermons, preached before the Tabernacle Society; and also a small volume of hymns. His brother, was a dissenting minister, at Guestwick, in Norfolk, where he died, in November 1772, in the fiftieth year of his age.t AMICUS. a [TO BE CONTINUED.] nd eminence of many of his pupils, among whom were the following:- Dr. Samuel Chandler, Dr. Andrew Gifford, Rev. Richard Pearsall, of Taunton, Dr. Joseph Butler, Bishop of Durham, author of "The Analogy of Natural and Revealed Religion," and Dr. Thomas Secker, who was afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury. * This gentleman was father of Mr. William Godwin, well known to the world by his "Political Justice," and other writings. He married the celebrated Mary Woolstonecroft, the author of "The Rights of Women," and left a daughter, Mary, married in December, 1816, the late Percy Bysshe Shelley, Esq. the Poet. He was drowned in 1822, leaving a son, Percy Florence, heir to the Baronetcy of his grandfather, Sir Timothy Shelley, Bart. of Castle Goring, county of Sussex. Mrs. Shelley is also a writer, but partakes of some of the fatal sentiments of her father and mother. Two of the sisters of Mary Woolstonecroft, many years since kept a respectable school in Dublin; but they were Socinians, members of the meeting in Strand Street, under the pastoral care of the late Dr. Moody. + Our readers will refer back to the last number, page 406, for the continuation of this part of the narrative. PROPORTION OF BRITISH EXPENDITURE FOR RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS. Our population exceeds twenty-four mil- rental and funded interest, the more indelions, the rental of our landed property is rated pendent part of our national annual income, at sixty millions a-year; the interest of our exclusive of the profits of professions, merfunded debt is thirty millions; and, to these chandize, traffic, and labour, averages about the untold profits of professional pursuits, 75s. a-year for each individual of our twentymerchandise, traffic, and labour, must be four millions of inhabitants. The aggregate added, toshowthe total income of the inhabi- sum given to all the religious institutions put tants of this conntry. Our taxes on luxuries, together, averaged but 6d. a-year for each may also in some measure, illustrate our means individual inhabitant of our country. The of voluntary expenditure, remembering that bare taxes on luxuries, or injurious indulthese taxes are but a limited proportion of the gences, make us blush for our country, by real sum which we pay for luxuries taxed. showing us how totally disproportionate is In 1830, the 2ount of the customs in the our whole expenditure for missionary obBritish Isles on foreign articles imported, was jects. The mere customs are thirty-four twenty-one millions; the amount of duties on times as much; the bare duties on British British and foreign spirits, was upwards of and foreign spirits are thirteen times as much eight millions; the taxes on carriages and as all Protestant Christians give to religious horses for riding, raised above 700,0001.-societies. The taxes on our carriages and Contrast, then, the exertions in missions by riding horses, exceed the whole annual inProtestants of every land, with the manifest come of all religious societies of Protestant resources of this country. Our national nations.-Rev. E. Bickersteth. ORIGIN OF POPISH ERRORS. CATHOLICS often talk of the antiquity of their religion; but we think that the following dates of the original of their peculiar doctrines and practices, will show them to be too modern for a Scriptural Christian to receive them : REMINISCENCES ON THE PASSING OF A YEAR. "What is there in the passing of a year? When each, because more swift, more They are as spots along the path of life, looks back Upon its scenes of turbulence and strife, And notes the mercies that have dewed its track: And borrows, then, from Gratitude a strain, Which heaven-winged Love wafts up to heaven again! And as she gazes-in the distance rise Associations dear, though once forgot! And still it feels, at kindlings such as this, How melts it, when it dwells on moments With those whom separation drove afar ! What joy with sadness in the thought is blent, That they have looked upon that little star Which now we look on!-and the twinkler seems A harbinger of hope-so bright its beams! Where family with family were twined! The infant-prattle, 'mid the hum of voices; When babe and parent-each with each rejoices! Yet some !-why changes she from smiles to tears ? The prospect glooms; and Sorrow bends, to weep! A small inclosure, green and sad, appears! Beneath a sacred mound some kindred sleep! And where the cypress and the willows wave, Silent or sighing- -she beholds A GRAVE! She waits submissive, till her call is heard! She sinks in prayer-and only wakes to hear The hollow chiming of another year!” But when two hearts which long have beat, And sure it well may serve to wean, In union fond and dear, Oh, then there's in the parting hour, A sadly sweet, a magic power, The souls that Jesus know, Of pleasure mix'd with woe. For, when their earthly toil They have a home above; o'er, And, when they land on that bright shore, Shail rend the heart of love. THOS. RAGO. |