his study, and in a little time rung for John. When he came, he said to him, "John, he that winneth souls is wise: Mr. Whitefield is indeed a very wise preacher."

LETTER XXV.

To Mr. Joseph Wilson.

"Hull, July 4, 1806. "MY DEAR JOSEPH,-You have frequently been greatly upon my mind. I was much afraid you went out too soon; but I hope every thing has turned out for the glory of God, the good of your own soul, and for the salvation of numbers. I do pray that this blessed end may be answered in all your labors. The Lord can and will help you, if your eye be single.

"This is the time for your improvement. Give yourself entirely to the work. Rise early. Continue in prayer, in earnest prayer. Keep all your life, all your zeal; yet never be wild. Go on your way. Speak evil of none. Never debate about the work. 'Be a lamb dumb; open not your mouth.' Live in entire sanctification, all your heart God's throne. Never grieve him, or cause him to depart from you. Take care how you act toward women: keep your eyes, your heart, from wandering. Determine, if you need it, upon fasting. Keep your body under. Be dead to all. Be a man of God. I believe I shall have joy, great joy on your account. May it be so for ever!

"Procure Blair's Lectures; they will cost

you more than a pound. Read them with much care. Keep to plain words, yet not mean ones. Strive to save souls in every sermon. They are the best preachers who bring souls to God.'

"If you should go to Leeds, I shall have the comfort of seeing you. If not, write me a letter to Leeds, saying in it all your mind.Give my kind love to Mr. Blanshard.

The

Lord bless you evermore! Many souls are turning to God here.

"I am your dear brother in Christ Jesus, "WM. BRAMWELL."

CHAPTER XI.

Mr. Bramwell's travels and success in the Sunderland circuit-His Christian moderation-Anecdotes-Letters-His appointment to the Liverpool circuit-Letters:

AT the conference in 1806, Mr. Bramwell was stationed in the Sunderland circuit. In consequence of the peculiar notions of his predecessor, Mr. Cooke, who had been very popu lar there, the society was much agitated. On Mr. Bramwell's arrival, he found that the greatest caution and prudence would be necessary in order to preserve the members from biting and devouring each other. Having on former occasions experienced the benefit of profound silence respecting disputes, he resolved that he would neither speak nor hear any thing concerning Mr. Cooke's errors. He also

enjoined silence on the subject of the controversy on his colleagues, and determined never to introduce it either in public or in private. When one of the preachers sent him some pamphlets written in answer to Mr. Cooke, he would not allow them to be circulated, but returned them to the author..

To

He

While he thus persevered in occupying peaceful ground, the disturbance was almost instantly quashed, and his way was made clear and plain before him. He now began to exert himself, as usual, to win souls to Christ. effect this he used every possible means. frequently met the societies, held prayer meetings after preaching, and desired the people to pray. In love-feasts, he always exhorted the people to declare their present experience in few words; and sometimes took the liberty of telling the loquacious that they had spoken long enough. He often cautioned the people against long speaking about the past when they had but little to say concerning the present. By

these means variety was introduced. He sometimes called persons by name to speak. When there was great backwardness at band meetings, he would begin at one end of the room and go through the whole assembly, asking all of them the state of their minds.

So ardently did he long for the salvation of sinners, that, when walking with a friend in the streets, he would suddenly leave him and go to warn, encourage, or exhort other persons who were passing at the same time, and to many of

whom he was unknown. Early one morning when he was returning from a village in which he had been preaching the preceding night, he met a friend, and said, "O my brother! How much I feel condemned in my mind! The little feathered songsters of the grove have been awake and employed in the praises of God an hour or two before I arose."

While he was in this circuit, he and one of his colleagues met at the house of a worthy and respectable friend, where they continued all night. At that time the family was brought into a very low state. The owner of the habitation in which they lived wished to get it into his own possession for some other purpose. This would have been attended with very painful and distressing circumstances, because no other place could have been procured which would have suited them so well. During the course of the evening, Mr. Bramwell was made acquainted with the whole affair. After performing family worship in a way which will not soon be forgotten, he and his colleague retired, and spent nearly the whole night in prayer for these good people. In a short time afterward, affairs were most unexpectedly overruled for their good, in a manner for which they could not account. But they believe this change was effected in direct answer to Mr. Bram

well's prayers, for "the fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

It will appear from the following letters that

he did not thus labor in vain, or spend his

strength for nought :

LETTER XXVI.

To Mr. J. Armitage.

"Durham, November 3, 1806.

"MY DEAR BROTHER,-I received your kind letter. I praise God that my dear sister Armitage is so much recovered. I hope she will pray always, and her soul will grow abundantly. Say to her for me, 'Be ready, yea, be always ready.' The Lord bless her more and more! I am at the present given to prayer. A great prospect offers in this circuit.-Cooke's chaff had nearly blinded the people. Crowds come to hear; their eyes begin to be open. In one love-feast last Sunday, there was a great shower, -ten persons were brought into liberty. I do not know how it may end. If as it begins, we shall have a great work.

We have too good a house in Sunderland, and the friends are too kind. I have had to watch and fast, or should soon have been ruined with good things. I hope you continue to pray much, and would have you determine to improve your preaching. I know you may. Read, write, study, when you have proper time. Live in nothing short of a clean heart. Be kind to all; but submit to none in lightness, &c. &c. Be a weighty man of God. You have much to do. Do all to the Lord. Lose nothing in your