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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of John Wesley, by Marianne Kirlew
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Story of John Wesley
+       Told to Boys and Girls
+
+Author: Marianne Kirlew
+
+Release Date: June 3, 2010 [EBook #32669]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF JOHN WESLEY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Emmy, Darleen Dove and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
+produced from images generously made available by The
+Internet Archive)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: _Frontispiece._
+
+"'You seem half starved, dear,' he said."--_Page 33._]
+
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF JOHN WESLEY.
+
+Told to Boys and Girls.
+
+BY
+
+MARIANNE KIRLEW,
+
+_Author of "The Red Thread of Honour," etc., etc._
+
+WITH PREFACE BY REV. DINSDALE T. YOUNG.
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+          London:
+          ROBERT CULLEY,
+          2 AND 3 LUDGATE CIRCUS BUILDINGS, FARRINGDON STREET, E.C.;
+          2 CASTLE STREET, CITY ROAD, E.C.
+
+
+
+
+          TO THE SACRED MEMORY
+
+          OF THE
+
+          Dear Mother,
+
+          WHO BY PRECEPT AND EXAMPLE
+
+          SOUGHT TO BRING UP HER CHILDREN
+
+          IN "THE NURTURE AND ADMONITION OF THE LORD";
+
+          THIS BOOK IS LOVINGLY DEDICATED
+
+          BY HER DAUGHTER.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+          "_That our sons may be as plants grown up in their
+          youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones,
+          polished after the similitude of a
+          palace._"--PSALM CXLIV. 12.
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+THE Story of John Wesley is one of which the world does not easily
+weary. There is perennial freshness in it. "Age cannot wither it." We
+may indeed almost affirm that it has an "infinite variety."
+
+It is specially important that this remarkable history should be re-told
+for young people. The youth of England ought to be fully conversant with
+John Wesley's unique personality and immortal work.
+
+John Wesley's name is far above mere denominationalism. He belongs to
+all the churches, for he belongs to the "Holy Catholic Church." He is a
+great national and historic figure. It has ever been claimed by some,
+whose authority is high, that John Wesley was the saviour of modern
+England. Surely there is large truth in this. The great religious leader
+was indeed one of the most potent political forces England has known. If
+there be even an approximation towards fact in such a claim, then how
+important for young England to know the record of a man so supremely
+distinguished.
+
+Certainly, on any ground, these pages meet a distinct want; and I think
+it will be the judgment of readers, that they meet it admirably well.
+Here John Wesley's life is traced clearly, even to the point of
+vividness. The style in which the story is told, will be found to add to
+the intrinsic interest of the recital.
+
+The author of this life of Wesley is thoroughly imbued with the spirit
+of her subject, nor does she forget to apply the lessons, with which
+this wonderful life-story is crowded.
+
+If the _children_ of our land could be fired with enthusiasm for the
+truths John Wesley taught and lived, what a blessed outlook would there
+be for England!
+
+We earnestly pray, that many a young reader may be stirred to the very
+depths of his being, by the narration here so attractively given. "'Tis
+a consummation devoutly to be wished."
+
+                                                DINSDALE T. YOUNG.
+
+  _Manchester,
+        June, 1895._
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+          _Chapter_     _Page_
+
+                I.        1
+
+               II.        6
+
+              III.       10
+
+               IV.       13
+
+                V.       19
+
+               VI.       23
+
+              VII.       28
+
+             VIII.       32
+
+               IX.       35
+
+                X.       38
+
+               XI.       45
+
+              XII.       49
+
+             XIII.       54
+
+              XIV.       59
+
+               XV.       63
+
+              XVI.       68
+
+             XVII.       73
+
+            XVIII.       77
+
+              XIX.       82
+
+               XX.       86
+
+              XXI.       89
+
+             XXII.       92
+
+            XXIII.       98
+
+             XXIV.      102
+
+              XXV.      106
+
+             XXVI.      110
+
+            XXVII.      116
+
+           XXVIII.      120
+
+             XXIX.      123
+
+              XXX.      128
+
+             XXXI.      134
+
+            XXXII.      138
+
+           XXXIII.      142
+
+            XXXIV.      145
+
+             XXXV.      149
+
+            XXXVI.      152
+
+           XXXVII.      156
+
+          XXXVIII.      159
+
+            XXXIX.      163
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF JOHN WESLEY.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+          Jacky.--His brothers and sisters.--His cottage
+          home.--What happened to the little pet-dog.--How
+          Jacky's father forgave the wicked men of
+          Epworth.--"Fire! Fire!"
+
+
+LONG, long ago, more than one hundred and fifty years, lived the hero of
+this book. Because his name was John, everybody called him Jack or
+Jacky; and by everybody I mean his dear, good father and mother, and his
+eighteen brothers and sisters. Eighteen, did I say? Yes, indeed, they
+counted eighteen; and seeing there were so many, I will not trouble you
+with all their names. I will just tell you three. Samuel was the eldest,
+he was the "big brother"; Jacky was number fifteen, and Kitty and
+Charlie came after him.
+
+But Jacky did not mind all this houseful, I think he rather liked it,
+for you see he always had plenty of playmates. His home was in a country
+village called Epworth, in Lincolnshire. If you look on your map I think
+you will find it. The house was like a big cottage; the roof had no
+slates on like ours, but was thatched with straw, the same as some of
+the cottages you have seen in the country; and the windows had tiny
+panes of glass, diamond-shaped, and they opened like little doors. The
+walls of the cottage were covered with pretty climbing plants, and what
+was best of all, there was a beautiful big garden where apple and pear
+trees grew, and where there was lots of room for Jacky and Charlie and
+the others to run about and play "hide and seek."
+
+But I must tell you that a great many wicked people lived at Epworth,
+and Jack's father, who was a minister, tried to teach them how wrong it
+was to steal and fight, and do so many cruel things. But his preaching
+only made them very angry with good Mr. Wesley, and one of the men, out
+of spite, cut off the legs of his little pet-dog. Was not that a
+dreadfully cruel thing to do?
+
+But Jack's father, because he loved Jesus so much, loved these wicked
+men, and always forgave them. He knew if he could get _them_ to love
+Jesus, they would soon stop being cruel and unkind.
+
+One night in winter, when everybody was fast asleep, Kitty woke up
+feeling something very hot on her feet. Opening her eyes she was
+dreadfully frightened to see the bedroom ceiling all on fire. She was
+only a very little girl, but she jumped out of bed, and ran to the room
+where her mother and two of her sisters were sleeping. Her father, who
+was in another room, hearing a great noise outside, and people calling
+"Fire! Fire!" jumped up and found it was his own house that was in
+flames. Telling the elder girls to be quick and get dressed and to help
+their mother, who was very ill, he ran to the nursery, and burst open
+the door. "Nurse, nurse!" he shouted, "be quick and get the children up,
+the house is on fire."
+
+Snatching up baby Charles in her arms, and calling to the other children
+to follow her, the nurse hurried down-stairs. But there they found the
+hall full of flames and smoke, and to get out of the front-door was
+impossible. So some of the children got through the windows and some
+through the back-door into the garden.
+
+Just as the minister thought he had all his family safe, he heard a cry
+coming from the nursery, and on looking round, he found Jacky was
+missing. He rushed into the burning house, and tried to get up the
+stairs, but they were all on fire. What should he do? He didn't know. So
+he just knelt down in the hall surrounded by the dreadful flames, and
+asked God to take care of little Jack, and if he couldn't be saved to
+take him to heaven.
+
+Now I must tell you how it was Jack was still in the burning house. He
+had been fast asleep when the nurse called, and did not hear her and the
+other children go out of the room. All at once he woke up, and seeing a
+bright light in the room, thought it was morning. "Nursie, nursie!" he
+called, "take me up; I want to get up." Of course there was no answer.
+Then he put his head out of the curtains which surrounded his little
+bed, and saw streaks of fire on the top of the room. Oh, how frightened
+he was!
+
+Jacky was only five years old, but he was a brave boy, and instead of
+lying still and screaming and crying, he jumped up and ran to the door
+in his night-gown. But the floor and the stairs were all on fire. What
+should he do? He ran back again into the room, and climbed on a big box
+that stood near the window. Then some one in the yard saw him and
+shouted: "Fetch a ladder, quick! I see him."
+
+"There's no time," called out somebody else; "the roof is falling in.
+Look here!" said the same man, "I'll stand against this wall, and let a
+man that's not very heavy stand on my shoulders, and then we can reach
+the child."
+
+So the strong man fixed himself against the wall, and another man
+climbed on his shoulders, and Jacky put out his arms as far as he could,
+and the man lifted him out of the burning room, and he was safe. Two
+minutes afterwards the roof fell in with a big crash.
+
+Jack was carried into a neighbour's house, and they all knelt down while
+the minister thanked God for taking care of them, and so wonderfully
+preserving all their lives.
+
+Jack never forgot that terrible night, and all his life afterwards he
+felt that God had saved him from being burnt to death, in order that he
+might do a great deal of work for Him.
+
+You will not be surprised to hear, that it was the wicked people in
+Epworth who had set the minister's house on fire. But as Jesus forgave
+His enemies, so Mr. Wesley forgave these men, and tried more than ever
+to show them how much Christ loved them.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+          Jacky learns his A B C.--A wise mother.--Christ's
+          little soldier.--A chatterbox.--The big brother
+          and the little one.--Jacky poorly.--The bravest of
+          the brave.--A proud father.
+
+
+JACK'S father and mother were not rich people, and they could not afford
+to send all their children to school, so Mrs. Wesley taught them at
+home, and as there were so many of them it was almost like a proper
+school. When Jacky was five years old, he became a little scholar. The
+first day he learnt his alphabet, and in three months could read quite
+nicely.
+
+Mrs. Wesley was a dear, kind mother, and took a great deal of trouble,
+and often put herself to much pain to train her little boys to be
+Christian gentlemen, and her little girls to be Christian ladies. As
+soon as they could speak, they were taught to say their prayers every
+night and morning, and to keep the Sabbath day holy. They were never
+allowed to have anything they cried for, and they were always taught to
+speak kindly and politely to the servants. Bad words were never heard
+among them, and no loud talking or rough play was allowed. This wise
+mother also knew that little people are sometimes tempted to tell
+untruths to hide a fault for fear of punishment, so she made it a rule
+that if any of the children did what was naughty, and at once confessed
+and promised not to do it again, they should not be whipped.
+
+One of the little boys--I'm afraid it was Jacky--did not always follow
+this rule, and so he sometimes got what he did not like. But Mrs. Wesley
+never allowed her children to taunt one another with a fault, especially
+when they were trying to do better.
+
+Another thing the children were taught, was to respect the rights of
+property; that is, if Jacky wanted Charlie's top, he was not to take it
+without Charlie's leave; and if Emily wanted Sukey's brooch, she must
+ask her sister's permission before taking it.
+
+"Oh, how dreadfully strict!" I fancy I hear some of my readers say. Not
+at all, dears, it was a mother's kindness to her children; for it took
+far more time, and a great deal more trouble to teach them all these
+things than it would have done to let them do as they liked. And when
+Emily and Mollie and Jack and Charlie and all the others grew up to be
+men and women, they thanked God for giving them such a wise mother.
+
+Once a week Mrs. Wesley used to take each of the children into her room,
+separately, for a quiet little talk. They each had their own day for
+having mother _all to themselves_. Jack had every Thursday, and Saturday
+was Charlie's day. So helpful were these little talks with mother, that
+years afterwards when Jack had left home, he wrote and asked his mother
+if she would spare the same time every Thursday to pray for him.
+
+Before Jacky was eight years old he loved Jesus so much that he wanted
+every one to know he meant to be one of His faithful soldiers. So he
+asked his father if he might go to the communion, which, you know, is
+doing what Christ asked all His followers to do, taking bread and
+drinking wine "_in remembrance of Him_." Though Jack was such a little
+boy, his father knew, by his conduct, that he meant what he said, and so
+he admitted him to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. I wish all my
+young readers could say, as Jacky could:--
+
+          "I am a little soldier,
+             I'm only eight years old,
+           I mean to fight for Jesus
+             And wear a crown of gold.
+           I know He'll make me happy,
+             And help me every day,
+           I'll be His little soldier,
+             The Bible says I may."
+
+Mrs. Wesley used to have services in her big kitchen on a Sunday night,
+for the servants, and the poor people who could not walk all the long
+way to church; and little Jack used to sit and listen so attentively,
+while his mother told the people how God's Son was put to death on the
+cruel cross, to save them from sin, and to gain for them a place in
+heaven.
+
+Jack, like many another little boy, had rather a long tongue, indeed, he
+was a regular chatterbox. His big brother Sam did not always like Jack
+putting his word in, and giving his opinion; he would put him down and
+say: "Child, don't talk so much, when you're older you'll find that
+nothing much is done in the world by arguing." His father used to stand
+up for Jack, and would say: "There's one thing, our Jack will never do
+anything without giving a good reason for doing it, I know."
+
+You will be sorry to hear that Jacky had a dreadful illness when he was
+nine years old. It was a disease that causes a great deal of pain and
+suffering. But Jack remembered that a soldier must be brave, and, as
+Christ's little soldier, he must be the bravest of the brave. So Jacky
+was very patient, and gave his nurse as little trouble as he could. His
+mother wrote to Mr. Wesley, who was in London at the time, and said,
+"Jack has borne his illness bravely, like a man, and like a little
+Christian, he has never uttered a word of complaint;" and the father, as
+he folded the letter and put it into his pocket, felt proud of his
+little son.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+          Jacky at boarding school.--Bullying.--Hard
+          lines.--A morning run.--A Christ-like
+          schoolboy.--Charlie at Westminster.--Scotch
+          Jamie.--"Bravo, Captain Charlie!"
+
+
+BY and by Jack grew to be a big boy of eleven, and all this time he had
+only been at the home-school. His parents thought he was now quite old
+enough to go to a proper boys' school, and through the kindness of a
+friend, he was sent to a big school in London called the Charterhouse.
+
+Here poor Jacky had a very unhappy time for two or three years. The big
+boys took a delight in bullying the little ones, especially the
+new-comers; and as Jack had never been from home before, their
+unkindness was hard to bear. Every meal-time each boy had to go to the
+cook's house for his allowance of food, and the big boys used to lay
+wait for the little ones as they came out, and snatch away their meat;
+so for a long time Jack had nothing but bread to eat at every meal.
+
+Those of my readers who know what boarding-school life is to-day, will
+think this a very funny way of getting your food; and so it was, but,
+you must remember, this was in 1714, one hundred and eighty years ago,
+and every thing then was very different to what it is now.
+
+Before Jack went to the Charterhouse, his father had said to him: "Jack,
+I should like you to run round the school garden every morning before
+breakfast, it will give you an appetite and help to make you grow up a
+strong man." And all the long years Jack was at school he never failed
+to obey his father's wish; and, when he grew up, he said this morning
+run had helped to make him the healthy, strong man he had always been.
+But, poor little fellow, it was very hard for him, when, feeling
+dreadfully hungry with the fresh air and exercise, the big boys ran off
+with his meat, and left him with only some bread for his breakfast.
+
+However, by and by, Jack grew old enough to fight for his meat. And when
+this time came, do you think he took his turn at stealing from the
+little boys, and bullying them? Of course you will all say: "No, indeed,
+Jack would never be so mean." You are right; instead of treating others
+as others had treated him, he just did what he thought Jesus would have
+done when he was a boy at school. He stood up for the little fellows,
+and fought the big boys who tried to steal their meat.
+
+Jack was so quiet and diligent at school, and so careful to obey rules,
+that he soon became a favourite with the head-master, Dr. Walker; and
+when he grew to be a man, he forgot all about the hard times he had had,
+and never failed to visit the Charterhouse once a year.
+
+When Jack had been two years at this school, his brother Charlie was
+sent to a school at Westminster, where his elder brother Samuel was a
+teacher. Charlie was then a bright little boy of nine; he was strong,
+full of spirit and fun, and afraid of nothing. He became a great
+favourite, and was soon looked upon as the "captain" of the school.
+Charlie was as generous as he was brave; his great dream was to be a
+good man, and to help others to be good too.
+
+There was a little Scotch laddie at the school whom all the other boys
+used to tease and mock. The captain wouldn't stand this; he took Jamie
+under his special protection, shielded him, fought for him, and saved
+him from what would otherwise have been a life of misery.
+
+I fancy I hear you all say: "Bravo, Captain Charlie!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+          Jack at Westminster.--At Oxford.--Life at
+          College.--Jack a deserter.--His good angel.--"He
+          that goes a borrowing, goes a sorrowing."--A
+          bitter disappointment.--A letter from
+          "Mother."--Jack's decision.--Father's advice.
+
+
+WHEN Jack was sixteen he left the Charterhouse School, and joined
+Charlie at Westminster. Here too he was so diligent and persevering,
+that when his brother Samuel wrote home to his father, he said: "Jack is
+a brave boy, and learning Hebrew as fast as he can." The next year he
+went to Oxford, where he got on splendidly. He was very witty and
+lively, and still _very fond of talking_; but his was not foolish talk,
+and he always took care to stand up for the right.
+
+At first he was much shocked at the drinking and gambling, and
+wickedness of all sorts that went on among the students at the
+university. But when day after day we witness wrong-doing, gradually we
+get less and less shocked, and after a time think little about it. This
+only happens though when we get down from our watch-tower, and the enemy
+has a chance to get near to us. Jack's temptations to join his fellow
+students were very great, and I am sorry to say, he got "off his guard,"
+and yielded. For a time he quite disgraced the colours of his regiment,
+and became a deserter from Christ's army. But it was not for long, he
+remembered what he had learnt at home, and how his dear mother had
+prayed for him. He remembered how he had been saved from the burning
+house, and he felt sure that God had not spared his life for him to grow
+up a wicked or a worldly man.
+
+He had found it hard work to be a Christian at the Charterhouse School,
+now he found it harder still at Christ Church College. He loved fun and
+merry company, and this sometimes led him to seek the society of young
+men who loved their own pleasure better than any thing else; and many
+times Jack, following their bad example, did things for which he was
+afterwards very sorry and very much ashamed.
+
+I have somewhere read this line of poetry:
+
+          "The boy that loves his mother
+             Is every inch a man,"
+
+and if ever boy loved his mother, Jack did. The memory of her loving,
+holy life was Jack's good angel; and when temptations proved almost too
+strong for him at Oxford, he wrote and asked her to pray for him, and to
+pray on every Thursday. For Thursday had been Jacky's day with mother,
+ever since a little boy he knelt at her knee; and he felt that his
+mother's prayers on _that_ day could not fail to bring down God's
+blessing upon him, and give him strength to resist the many evil
+influences that surrounded his college life--and they did.
+
+I told you before, I think, that Jack's parents were not rich; they had
+never been able to allow him much pocket-money, and now at Oxford, when
+his expenses were greater, he somehow could never manage to make his
+money last out. I am afraid he was not always as careful as he might
+have been, and I am sorry to say when he was spent up--which was very
+often--he did what so many boys and young fellows do, borrowed money.
+This is always foolish, for, of course, it cannot make things any
+better, and indeed only makes them worse; because when the allowance
+comes, the debts have to be paid, and there is little or no money left.
+However, neither debt nor being short of money troubled Jack at this
+time; indeed he said it was just as well to be poor, for there were so
+many rogues at Oxford, that if you carried anything worth stealing, it
+was not safe to be out at night.
+
+One of his friends was once standing at the door of a coffee-house about
+seven o'clock in the evening, and happening to look round, in an instant
+his hat and his wig--they wore wigs in those days--were snatched off
+his head by a thief, who managed to get clear off with his booty. Jack
+writing home about this said: "I am safe from these rogues, for all my
+belongings would not be worth their stealing."
+
+When Jack had been four years at Oxford, and was about twenty-one, his
+brother Samuel wrote to tell him he had had the misfortune to break his
+leg. He also told him his mother was coming to London, and if he liked
+he might go and meet her there.
+
+It was a long, long time since Jack had seen his mother, and you may
+imagine his delight when he got this letter. He wrote back:
+
+          "DEAR BROTHER SAMUEL,
+
+          "I am sorry for your misfortune, though glad to
+          hear you are getting better. Have you heard of the
+          Dutch sailor who having broken one of his legs by
+          a fall from the mast, thanked God that he had not
+          broken his neck? I expect you are feeling thankful
+          that you did not break both legs.
+
+          "I cried for joy at the last part of your letter.
+          The two things I most wished for of almost
+          anything in the world were to see my mother and
+          Westminster again. But I have been so often
+          disappointed when I have set my heart on some
+          great pleasure, that I will never again be sure of
+          anything before it comes.
+
+                                "Your affectionate brother,
+                                                       "JACK."
+
+Poor Jack! it was well he did not anticipate this treat too much, for
+when the time came he hadn't enough money to take him to London, and as
+he was already in debt he could not borrow any more. It was a bitter
+disappointment; but when his mother got back home again after her visit
+to London, she wrote one of her bright, loving, encouraging letters,
+which did something towards comforting the heart of this "mother's boy."
+This was the letter:
+
+          "DEAR JACK,
+
+          "I am uneasy because I have not heard from you.
+          Don't just write letter for letter, but let me
+          hear from you often, and tell me if you are well,
+          and how much you are still in debt.
+
+          "Dear Jack, don't be discouraged; do your duty;
+          keep close to your studies, and hope for better
+          days. Perhaps we may be able to send you a few
+          pounds before the end of the year.
+
+          "Dear Jacky, I pray Almighty God to bless thee!
+
+                                      "Your mother,
+                                              "SUSANNA WESLEY."
+
+When boys get to be fourteen or sixteen, they begin to think and wonder
+what they will be when they are men. Very little boys generally mean to
+be either cab-drivers or engine-drivers; and I did hear of one who meant
+to have a wild beast show when he grew up. Jack reached the age of
+twenty-one, and had not decided what he would be.
+
+At last the time came when he must make up his mind. After thinking
+about it very seriously, he thought he would like to be a minister like
+his father. So he wrote home and told them his decision.
+
+His father who had been ill and was unable to use his right hand
+properly, wrote to him that he must be quite sure that God had called
+him to this work before he undertook it. "At present," he said, "I think
+you are too young." Then, referring to his illness, he said: "You see
+that time has shaken me by the hand; and death is but a little behind
+him. My eyes and heart are almost all I have left, and I bless God for
+them."
+
+Mrs. Wesley was very glad when she heard that her boy wished to be a
+minister. "God Almighty direct and bless you," she wrote to him.
+
+A few months afterwards, Jack's father wrote, and told him that he had
+changed his mind about his being too young, and that he would like him
+to "take Orders," that is, to become a minister, the following summer.
+"But in the first place," he said, "if you love yourself or me, pray
+very earnestly about it."
+
+To choose to be Christ's minister, a preacher of the gospel, Mr. Wesley
+knew was a very solemn and responsible choice, and he wished Jack to
+think very seriously, and to pray very earnestly before he took the
+important step.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+          Books.--Two books that left impressions on
+          Jack.--Must a Christian boy be miserable?--Jack
+          says "No."--So says Jack's mother.--Father gives
+          his opinion.--"The Enchanted Rocks;" a fairy
+          story.
+
+
+I WONDER if any of my readers ever think what the books they read are
+doing for them, especially the books they are most fond of? Do you know
+every book you read makes _you_ a little bit different? By _you_, I mean
+the unseen part of you, your mind and character.
+
+I remember, when I was somewhere about the mischievous age of eight or
+nine, how fond I used to be of getting to the putty round a newly-put-in
+window pane. It was lovely to press my thimble on it, and see all the
+pretty little holes it left; or to push a naughty finger deep down into
+the nice soft stuff. Then, when the putty had dried hard, I used to
+look with great interest on my work, for every impression was there, and
+could not now be removed.
+
+So it is with books, they make an _impression_ on you; and you are
+either a little bit better or a little bit worse for every book you
+read. _Take care only to read those books that will make you better._
+
+The summer after Jack decided to be a minister, he read two books which
+made some big impressions on his mind, and left him _better_ than he was
+before reading them. One was called "The Imitation of Christ," and the
+other "Holy Living and Dying." They taught him that true religion must
+be in the heart, and that it is not enough for our words and actions, as
+seen and heard by men, to be right, but our very thoughts must be pure
+and good, such as would be approved of God. He did not at all agree with
+Thomas � Kempis, the writer of the first book I mentioned, in
+everything, though, for he made out, according to Jack's idea, that we
+should always be miserable.
+
+I think Jack would never have persevered in his determination to follow
+Christ, if he had been convinced that "to be good you must be
+miserable," for he loved fun, and could not help being happy. He felt
+sure Thomas � Kempis was mistaken, especially when he remembered that
+verse in the Bible which says religion's ways "are ways of
+_pleasantness_" (Prov. iii. 17). When he wrote home, he asked his
+mother what she thought, for although he was now a young man of
+twenty-two, he was still the old Jack that thought father and mother
+knew better than anybody else.
+
+His mother wrote back that she thought Thomas � Kempis _was_ mistaken,
+for so many texts in the Bible show us that God intends us to be happy
+and full of joy. "And," she said, "if you want to know what pleasures
+are right and wrong, ask yourself: 'Will it make me love God more, and
+will it help me to be more like my great example, Jesus Christ?'"
+
+Jack's father wrote: "I don't altogether agree with Thomas � Kempis; but
+the world is like a siren, and we must beware of her. If the young man
+would rejoice in his youth, let him take care that his pleasures are
+innocent; and in order to do this, remember, my son, that for all these
+things God will bring us into judgment."
+
+Some of my readers will hardly understand what Mr. Wesley meant when he
+said the world is "like a siren." Most of you have read fairy tales;
+well, a kind of Greek fairy story tells of some beautiful maidens,
+called sirens, who used to sit on some dangerous rocks, and play
+sweetest music. When sailors saw them and heard their singing, they were
+drawn by magic nearer and nearer to where they were, until at last their
+boats struck on the rocks, and the poor deluded sailors were dragged by
+the sirens to the bottom of the sea and were drowned.
+
+Now, do you see why the world is like a siren? Its pleasures all look so
+beautiful that we are tempted to draw nearer and nearer, until at last
+we are lost to all that is holy and good.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+          Jack a minister.--A letter from father.--Jack's
+          first sermon.--"Mr. John."--Back at
+          college.--Temptations and persecutions.--"For
+          Jesus' sake."--Mr. John's long hair.--Clever, but
+          not proud.--Young soldiers for Christ.
+
+
+WE all love to get letters, do we not? though some of us are not so fond
+of writing them. It was in the year 1725, when Jack was twenty-two years
+old, that he became a minister; and just about this time he had a
+beautiful letter from his father. In it Mr. Wesley said:--
+
+          "God fit you for your great work. Watch and pray;
+          believe, love, endure, and be happy, towards which
+          you shall never want the most ardent prayers of
+
+                                "Your affectionate father,
+                                                 "SAMUEL WESLEY."
+
+Jack's first sermon was preached at a small town near Oxford, and his
+second at his dear home-village, Epworth. Mr. Wesley was getting old,
+and as he had now two churches to look after, the one at Epworth and
+another at a place called Wroote, where he and Mrs. Wesley had gone to
+live, he was very glad when his son offered to go and help him. And now
+that Jack has grown up and got to be a proper minister, I think we must
+begin to call him Mr. John. Well, Mr. John stayed some time helping his
+father at Wroote and Epworth, and then went back again to Oxford, to
+study for a place in a college there--Lincoln College.
+
+There were several others trying to get this same place, and they didn't
+like Mr. John because he would not do the wicked things they did, so
+they made great fun of him, and laughed at him for being good. Nobody
+likes being laughed at; and Mr. John didn't, but he bore it bravely; and
+his father comforted him when he wrote: "Never mind them, Jack; he is a
+coward that cannot bear being laughed at. Jesus endured a great deal
+more for us, before He entered glory; and unless we follow His steps we
+can never hope to share that glory with Him. Bear it patiently, my boy,
+and be sure you never return evil for evil." His mother, too, sent
+loving letters to cheer and comfort him.
+
+So Mr. John worked hard, and bore his persecutions patiently--_for
+Jesus' sake_; and in spite of all his enemies he won the coveted place,
+and became Fellow of Lincoln College. Oh, how glad and thankful he was!
+And his father and mother were so proud and happy.
+
+It was just about this time that Mr. Wesley was afraid he would have to
+leave Wroote, and it was a great trouble to him. "But," he said,
+proudly, "wherever I am, my Jacky is Fellow of Lincoln." As for Jack, he
+felt it was worth everything to give his father and mother such
+pleasure.
+
+Though he was properly grown up, twenty-three years old, Mr. and Mrs.
+Wesley always thought of him as their "boy." Fathers and mothers always
+do this. It doesn't matter how old their children grow to be, they love
+to think of them, and speak of them as their "boys" and "girls." Dear
+readers, remember there is no one on earth that loves you, or ever will
+love you with such a big love as father and mother. No matter how tall,
+or how strong, or how clever you may grow, they will always love you
+with the same big love they did when you were little boys and girls.
+And, oh! whatever you do, never, never grieve these dearest of all dear
+friends.
+
+Mrs. Wesley had been longing to see her "boy" again, especially now that
+he had become Fellow of Lincoln College. At last her wish was granted.
+There were a great many things that puzzled Jack which he wanted to ask
+his father and mother about. So he went and spent a long summer at home,
+getting his hard questions answered, and helping his father with the
+work that was now almost too much for him. He had such a happy time
+that he was almost sorry when the autumn came and he had to return to
+Oxford.
+
+Being at school and college costs a great deal of money, and Jack knew
+that his father was not a rich man, and that he had hard work often to
+pay his college expenses. Jack had been very sorry to be such a burden
+to his parents, and tried to be as careful as he could. Have you ever
+seen a picture of Mr. John Wesley? If you have, you will have noticed
+his long hair. Every one at Oxford wore their hair short; but having it
+cut cost money, and John used to say: "I've no money to spend on
+hair-dressers." So, though his fellow-students made great fun of him, he
+saved his money and wore his hair long, and in time got so accustomed to
+it, that he wore it long all his life. Now that he was Fellow of Lincoln
+College he received enough money to pay his own expenses, and it made
+him very happy to think he need no longer be an expense to his dear
+father. But he resolved still to be as careful as he could, and never
+again to go into debt.
+
+When he went back to his new College, after spending the summer at home,
+he said to himself: "I will give up all the old friends who have so
+often tempted me to do things that a Christian ought not to do, and I
+will make new friends of those who will help me on my way to heaven."
+So, though he was always polite to the many worldly young men who
+wanted to make his acquaintance, he would not have them for his friends.
+This made some of them say very unkind things about him; but Mr. John
+bore it all quietly, and never said unkind things back again. He felt he
+was only treading the path Jesus had trod before him, the path which all
+His disciples must follow.
+
+Mr. John got to be so clever that soon he was made professor, or teacher
+of Greek. Some boys and girls--yes, and grown-up people, too--become
+proud when they get to be clever, but Mr. John did not. He determined,
+more than ever, to be a faithful and humble follower of the Lord Jesus.
+He was very patient with his scholars, and tried not only to make them
+learned, but to make them Christians. "I want these young soldiers of
+Christ to be burning and shining lights wherever they may go," he said.
+"If they are not all intended to be clergymen, they are all intended to
+be Christians."
+
+In the beginning of the next year (1727), Mr. John went home again to
+help his father, who was getting very old, and was often ill. He stayed
+at Wroote about two years, and then went back again to Oxford.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+          Charlie goes to Oxford.--Won't have his brother
+          interfere with him.--A change in
+          Charlie.--Somebody's prayers.--Charlie's chums,
+          and how he treated them.--Dividing
+          time.--Nickname.--A nickname honoured.
+
+
+BEFORE I tell you any more about Mr. John, I am sure you would like to
+know how Charlie has been getting on all this long time. We left him,
+you remember, captain of the school at Westminster, where his eldest
+brother Samuel was a teacher. He was so clever and brave, and such a
+generous, loving-hearted boy, that he was a favourite with everybody. He
+stayed nine years at Westminster, and then, when he was eighteen, went
+to one of the colleges at Oxford. It was not the one Mr. John was at,
+but, being in the same town, the two brothers often saw each other.
+
+Charlie was not a Christian, and made companions of the worldly young
+students who spent their time in all sorts of wrong-doings. John was
+very sorry for this, and spoke to him about it; but Charlie became very
+angry at what he called his brother's interference, and said: "Do you
+want me to become a saint all at once?"
+
+However, while Mr. John was away at home those two years helping his
+father, Charlie changed very much. He became steadier and more
+thoughtful, and even wrote to his brother, and asked for the advice he
+would not have before. "I don't exactly know how or when I changed," he
+said in his letter; "but it was soon after you went away. It is owing, I
+believe, to somebody's prayers (my mother's most likely) that I am come
+to think as I do."
+
+When boys and girls or grown-up people become Christians, those around
+them soon find it out. Charlie's giddy companions soon saw something was
+wrong with him. He used to be lazy and shirk his studies, spending his
+time with them in pleasure and amusement, now he was diligent and worked
+hard.
+
+The next thing they noticed was that he went to church regularly and
+took the Sacrament. And here I must tell you how he behaved towards
+these friends, and I know it will make you like Charlie more than ever.
+
+I told you before how loving and genial he was, and now he did not at
+all like to give up his old chums, and yet he knew that if he meant to
+travel heavenwards he must have companions that were going the same way.
+He longed for his friends to become Christians, and talked to them so
+lovingly and so wisely that before very long he got two or three of them
+to join him in fighting against the evils of their nature, and
+encouraging and seeking after everything that was good.
+
+You have all read in your English history how good King Alfred the Great
+divided his time; well, Charles and his companions divided theirs in a
+similar way. So many hours were spent in study, so many in prayer, and
+so many in sleeping and eating. They made other strict rules for
+themselves, and lived so much by what we call "method," that at last
+they got to be called "Methodists."
+
+Boys and girls are very fond of giving nicknames to their companions;
+sometimes it is done in fun, and then there is no harm in it,--but often
+spite and ill-nature suggest the nickname, then it is very wrong and
+very unkind.
+
+Most of the young men at Oxford thought religion and goodness were only
+things to make fun of, so Charles and his friends were a butt for their
+ridicule. Because they read their Bibles a great deal they called them
+"Bible Bigots," and "Bible Moths," and their meetings they called the
+"Holy Club."
+
+But "Methodists" was the name that fastened most firmly to them, and,
+as you know, after all these years, this is the name we call ourselves
+by to-day. Just think; a nickname given to a few young men at Oxford,
+more than one hundred and fifty years ago, is now held in honour by
+hundreds of thousands of people all over the world.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+          The Christian band at Oxford.--How they spent
+          their time.--Mr. John and the little ragged
+          girl.--A very early bird.--Methodist rules, and
+          the Methodist guide-book.
+
+
+WHEN Mr. John came back to Oxford, of course he joined the Christian
+band, and very soon they made him their leader. He was cleverer and had
+more experience than the others, and they all looked up to him for help
+and advice. Others joined the club, and soon there were twenty-five
+members.
+
+Do you remember a verse in the Bible that, speaking of Jesus, says: "He
+went about doing good"? Well, these young men who were taking Jesus for
+their copy, just did the same; all their spare time was spent in "doing
+good." Some of them tried to rescue their fellow-students from bad
+companions and get them to become Christians; others visited and helped
+the poor. Some taught the children in the workhouse, and some got leave
+to go into the prison and read to the prisoners. Very few of them were
+rich, but they denied themselves things they really wanted in order to
+buy books, and medicine for the poor. Every night they used to have a
+meeting to talk over what they had done, and settle their work for the
+next day.
+
+Mr. John started a school for poor little children; he paid a teacher to
+teach them, and bought clothes for the boys and girls whose parents
+could not afford to buy them. Once a little girl from the school called
+to see Mr. John. It was a cold winter's day, and she was very poorly
+clad.
+
+"You seem half starved, dear," he said; "have you nothing to wear but
+that cotton frock?"
+
+"No, sir," she answered; "this is the only frock I have."
+
+Mr. John put his hand into his pocket, but, alas! he found no money
+there, it had all gone. Just then he caught sight of the pictures on the
+walls of his room, and he thought: "How can I allow these beautiful
+pictures to hang here while Christ's poor are starving?"
+
+We are not told, but I think we can be quite sure that the pictures were
+sold, and that the little girl got a warm winter's frock.
+
+Mr. John was just as careful of his time as his money, he never wasted a
+moment. He believed in the proverb you have often heard: "Early to bed
+and early to rise." Some people say: "Get up with the lark," but I
+think Mr. John was always up before that little bird even awoke. Every
+morning when the clock struck four he jumped out of bed, and began his
+work. Wasn't that early? I wonder which of us would like to get up at
+that time? And he did not do this only when he was young, he did it all
+his life, even when he was an old, old man.
+
+I told you these "Methodists" made rules for themselves. One of them was
+to set apart special days for special prayer for their friends and
+pupils. And another one which we all should copy was: NEVER TO SPEAK
+UNKINDLY OF ANY ONE. The Bible was their Guide Book, and it told them,
+as it will tell us, all they ought to do, and all they ought not to do.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+          A long walk.--More persecutions.--Mr. John's
+          illness.--Not afraid to die.--Mrs. Wesley
+          scolds.--Home again.--A proud father.--Mr.
+          Wesley's opinion about fasting.--At Wroote once
+          more.--Mr. Wesley's "Good-bye."
+
+
+WILL you look on your map of England and find London? Now find Oxford.
+The two places are a long way apart, are they not?
+
+Well, do you know Mr. John and Mr. Charles Wesley used often to walk all
+that long way to see a friend. You know there were no railways in those
+days, and to go by coach cost a great deal of money. This friend's name
+was Mr. Law; he was a very good man, and encouraged and helped the two
+brothers very much. He taught them that "religion is the simplest thing
+in the world." He said: "It is just this, 'We love Jesus, because Jesus
+first loved us.'"
+
+At Oxford, the Methodists were still called all sorts of names and made
+great fun of, not only by the idle, wicked students, but even by clever
+and learned men who ought to have known better. Some of their enemies
+said: "They only make friends with those who are as queer as
+themselves." But Mr. John showed them this was not true, for in every
+way he could he helped and showed kindness to those who said the most
+unkind things.
+
+Hard work, close study, and fasting, at last made Mr. John very ill; one
+night he thought he was going to die. He was not at all afraid, he just
+prayed, "O God, prepare me for Thy coming." But God had a great deal of
+work for His servant to do, and did not let him die. With care and a
+doctor's skill he got quite better.
+
+Poor Mrs. Wesley was often anxious about her two Oxford sons, and once
+wrote them quite a scolding letter. "Unless you take more care of
+yourselves," she said, "you will both be ill. You ought to know better
+than to do as you are doing." Mrs. Wesley did not agree with them
+fasting so much; she believed God meant us to take all the food
+necessary to support our bodies.
+
+Just about this time, Mr. Samuel--the big brother--got an appointment as
+master of a boys' school somewhere in the West of England; but before he
+went to his new place he thought he would like to go home, and see his
+dear father and mother.
+
+When his brothers at Oxford heard this, they thought they would go too,
+so that they might all be together in the old home once more. And, oh,
+what a happy time they had! Mr. Wesley was getting very old, and he was
+so proud to have his "boys" with him again. He talked very seriously to
+John and Charles, and told them he did not at all approve of their way
+of living. He said he was sure God never meant us to fast so much as to
+injure our health, or to shut ourselves up and be so much alone. Jesus
+said: "Let your light shine _before men_;" our light should be where
+_everybody_ can see it. I am sure old Mr. Wesley was right.
+
+A few months later, and the brothers were again at Wroote, standing by
+the bedside of their dying father. "I am very near heaven," he said, as
+they gathered round him, "Good-bye!" And "father" went Home.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+          A corner in America.--Wanted a missionary.--Mrs.
+          Wesley gives up her sons to God's work.--At the
+          dock-side.--The good ship "Simmonds."--Life on
+          board.--A terrible storm.--The German Christians
+          who were not afraid.
+
+
+IF you look on your map of the United States, you will see in the
+south-east, a little corner called Georgia. It was to this place that a
+number of poor people from England had emigrated; people who had been
+cruelly treated in prison, and on being released had no work to do and
+nowhere to go. Some kind Christian gentlemen collected money to help
+them to get to Georgia, where they could have plenty of work and plenty
+of food. A number of poor Germans, too, who had been persecuted in their
+own country because of their religion, also went out to this place where
+they could worship God as they chose, without fear of cruel treatment.
+
+When people are driven out of their own country like this, they are
+called "exiles," and though this little band of exiles found work and
+food, and freedom to worship God in the new land, they had no minister.
+So the gentlemen who had raised the money, and who knew what brave, good
+men Mr. John and Mr. Charles Wesley were, asked them if they would go
+out and minister to these poor people in Georgia. "You are just the men
+to comfort and teach them," they said.
+
+Then, too, a number of Indians lived in Georgia, and they wanted to be
+friends with the white strangers, and General Oglethorpe and Dr. Burton,
+the gentlemen I mentioned, thought it would be a good opportunity to
+preach the gospel to them.
+
+When Mr. John Wesley was first asked, he said: "No, I cannot go, I
+cannot leave my mother." Then they said: "Will you go if your mother
+gives her consent?"
+
+"Yes," said John, feeling quite sure she would never give it.
+
+So he went to Epworth and told his mother all about the matter. Then he
+waited for her reply. Mrs. Wesley loved her "boy" John very, very
+dearly, and if he went to America she might never see him again, and yet
+her answer came: "If I had twenty sons, I would give them all up for
+such a work."
+
+Even after obtaining this unexpected consent, John did not decide to go
+until he had asked the advice of his brother Samuel and his friend Mr.
+Law, both of whom advised him to undertake the work. Then both he and
+his brother sent in their decision to General Oglethorpe, and began
+making preparations for their long journey across the Atlantic Ocean.
+
+Now I want us to imagine ourselves at Gravesend, a place on the river
+Thames near London. Look at all those ships in the docks! See, there is
+one that looks just ready to sail! Can you read the name of it?
+"S-i-m-m-o-n-d-s"--"Simmonds." Yes, that is its name. Let us button up
+our coats, as it is a sharp October day, and watch the passengers go on
+board.
+
+Look at that little man with the nice face, and a lot of colour in his
+cheeks! What long hair he has! and how smooth it is! It looks as if he
+brushed it a great deal. See, he is looking this way, and we can notice
+his beautiful forehead and his bright eyes. Why that must be Mr. John
+Wesley! And, of course, that is his brother Charles talking to some
+gentlemen on the deck. See, he is holding a book close to his eyes--he
+must be short-sighted. Listen, how the others are laughing! I expect he
+is making a joke. Now he is walking off arm in arm with one of his
+companions. He seems to be still loving-hearted and full of fun, the
+same Charlie he was at Westminster School only grown big.
+
+A number of Germans were also on board the "Simmonds," all bound for
+Georgia. Before they had been many days at sea, John Wesley found out
+that they were earnest Christians, and he began at once to learn German
+in order that he might talk to them.
+
+The brothers had not taken their father's advice about fasting; they and
+some other Methodists who were their fellow-passengers still thought
+they ought to do with as little food as possible, and with as few
+comforts. They ate nothing but rice, biscuits, and bread, and John
+Wesley slept on the floor. He was obliged to do it one night, because
+the waves got into the ship and wet his bed, and because he slept so
+well that night, he thought the floor was good enough for him, and
+continued to sleep on it.
+
+I expect you wonder how they spent their time during the long, long
+voyage to Georgia. I will tell you. They made the same strict rules for
+themselves that they did at Oxford. They got up every morning at four
+o'clock, and spent the time in private prayer until five o'clock. Then
+they all read the Bible together until seven. After that they had
+breakfast, and then public prayers for everybody on the ship who would
+come. Then from nine to twelve--just your school-time, little readers,
+is it not?--Mr. John studied his German; somebody else studied Greek,
+another taught the children on board, and Mr. Charles wrote sermons.
+Then at twelve o'clock they all met and told each other how they had
+been getting along, and what they had been doing. At one o'clock they
+had dinner, and after that they read or preached to those on board until
+four o'clock. Then they studied and preached and prayed again until
+nine, when they went to bed. Were not these strict rules? I wonder if
+they ever had the headache? I am afraid we should, if we studied so hard
+and so long.
+
+Have you ever been to Liverpool, and seen one of those beautiful vessels
+that go to America? They are as nice and as comfortable as the best of
+your own homes, and you can get to the other side of the Atlantic in
+about ten days. But at the time of which I write, more than one hundred
+and fifty years ago, travelling was very different. The ships were much
+smaller, and tossed about a great deal more, and the passengers had to
+put up with a great many discomforts. Then again, it took weeks, instead
+of days, to get across to America.
+
+The passengers on board the "Simmonds" met with some terrible storms;
+often the great waves would dash over their little ship, until it seemed
+as if it must sink and never rise again.
+
+One of these storms began on a Sunday, about twelve o'clock in the
+middle of the day. The wind roared round them, and the waves, rising
+like mountains, kept washing over and over the decks. Every ten minutes
+came a shock against the side of the boat, that seemed as if it would
+dash the planks in pieces.
+
+During this storm as Mr. Wesley was coming out of the cabin-door, a big
+wave knocked him down. There he lay stunned and bruised, until some one
+came to his help. When he felt better, he went and comforted the poor
+English passengers, who were dreadfully afraid, and were screaming and
+crying in their fear. Then he went among the Germans, but they needed no
+comfort from him. He heard them singing as he got near, and found them
+calm and quiet, not the least bit frightened.
+
+"Were you not afraid?" Mr. Wesley asked them when the storm was over.
+
+"No," they answered, "we are not afraid to die."
+
+"But were not the children frightened?" he said.
+
+"No," they said again, "our children are not afraid to die either."
+
+During that terrible storm they had remembered how Jesus stilled the
+tempest on the Lake of Galilee, and His voice seemed to say to them now:
+"Peace, be still."
+
+This reminds me of a piece of poetry, which I dare say some of you have
+read. It is about a little girl whose father was a captain, and once
+when there was an awful storm, and even the captain himself was
+frightened:
+
+              "----his little daughter
+          Took her father by the hand,
+          And said: 'Is not God upon the water
+          Just the same as on the land?'"
+
+"_The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than
+the mighty waves of the sea:_" Psa. xciii. 4.
+
+"_He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still:_"
+Psa. cvii. 29.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+          In the Savannah river.--Landed.--A prayer meeting
+          on the top of a hill.--German Christians.--The
+          Indians.--Tomo Chachi and his squaw.--Their
+          welcome to Mr. Wesley.--A jar of milk and a jar of
+          honey.
+
+
+AT last storms and dangers were over, and the good ship "Simmonds"
+floated safely in the smooth waters of the Savannah river. You can find
+this on your map. They cast anchor near a little island called Tybee
+Island, where beautiful pine trees grew all along the shore.
+
+The first thing they did on landing was to go to the top of a hill,
+kneel down together, and thank God for bringing them safely across the
+ocean. You remember Noah's first act after leaving the ship that God put
+him into when the world was drowned, was to offer a sacrifice of
+thankfulness for God's care over him. And when Abraham got safely into
+the strange land to which God sent him, the first thing he did was to
+offer sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. In the same way the little
+missionary band from England showed their reverence and gratitude to the
+God who rules earth, sky, and sea.
+
+When they got to the town of Savannah they found it a very small place.
+There were only about forty houses, besides a church, a prison built of
+logs of wood, and a mill where everybody took their corn to be ground.
+
+I told you, if you remember, that besides the poor English exiles there
+were a number of German Christians. These were called Moravians, and
+they were so glad to have a minister that they came to meet Mr. Wesley,
+and told him how pleased they were to see him. Mr. Wesley and one of his
+friends lived with them in Savannah for a long time, and they soon found
+what earnest real Christians they were, true followers of the Lord
+Jesus. You know it is the people you live with that know you the best,
+and this is what Mr. Wesley wrote about these Moravians. "We were in the
+same room with them from morning till night, except when we went out for
+a walk. They were never idle, were always happy, and always kind to one
+another. They were true copies in all things of their Saviour Jesus
+Christ." Was not that a splendid character to have, and would it not be
+nice if those whom we live with could say the same of us?
+
+There was something near Savannah that you would have liked to see,
+especially the boys, and that was an Indian town. If there was one
+thing more than another that drew Mr. Wesley to Georgia it was the
+Indians. I expect, like you, he had loved to read and hear about them;
+now he had a chance to see them. But what he longed for most of all was
+to tell them about Jesus, and to get them to become Christians. The
+Indians lived in tents or tepees as they are called, and a number of
+these tepees all put up close together was called a town; one of these
+towns was only about twenty minutes' walk from Savannah.
+
+After Mr. Wesley had been a week or two in America, who should come to
+see him but the Indian chief. Think how excited Mr. Wesley would be! The
+chief's name was Tomo Chachi, and he came looking so grand in all his
+war paint, with his great feather head-dress, and moccasins made of
+buffalo skin, ornamented with pretty coloured beads, just as you have
+seen them in pictures.
+
+Mr. Wesley thought he must dress up too, to receive his distinguished
+visitor, so he put on his gown and cassock, and down he went to see Tomo
+Chachi. Of course Mr. Wesley did not understand the Indian language, but
+there was a woman who did, and she acted as interpreter. "I am glad you
+are come," said Tomo Chachi. "I will go up and speak to the wise men of
+our nation, and I hope they will come and hear you preach."
+
+Then Tomo Chachi's wife, or squaw as she is called, who had come with
+her husband, presented the missionaries with a jar of milk. She meant by
+this that she wanted them to make the story of Jesus Christ very plain
+and simple so that they could understand it, for she said "we are only
+like children." Then she gave them a jar of honey, and by this she meant
+that she hoped the missionaries would be very sweet and nice to them.
+Then Tomo Chachi and his squaw went back to their tepee.
+
+A few months after, Mr. Wesley had a long talk with another tribe of
+Indians, a very wicked tribe called the Chicasaws; but they would not
+allow him to preach to them. They said: "We don't want to be Christians,
+and we won't hear about Christ." So Mr. Wesley had to leave them and go
+back disappointed to Savannah.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+          Proud children.--Edie.--Boys in Georgia.--John and
+          Charles Wesley in the wrong.--Signal
+          failure.--Disappointment.--Return to England.--Mr.
+          Wesley finds out something on the voyage home.--An
+          acrostic.
+
+
+I WONDER if my readers know any boys or girls who sneer and look down
+upon their school companions because they are not so well dressed as
+themselves? It is a cruel, unkind, un-Christ-like thing to do.
+
+I remember seeing a little girl, and it was in a Sunday School too, who
+had on a new summer frock and a new summer hat; and oh! Edie did think
+she looked nice. She kept smoothing her frock down and looking at it,
+and then tossing her head. By her side sat a sweet-faced little girl
+about a year younger than Edie. Annie's dress was of print and quite
+plainly made, but very clean and tidy. After admiring herself a little
+while, Edie turned to Annie and thinking, I suppose, that she might be
+wearing a pinafore, and have a frock underneath, she rudely lifted it
+up, and finding it really was her dress, she turned away with a very
+ugly, disgusted look on her face, and said, scornfully "What a frock!"
+Proud, thoughtless boys and girls never know the hurts they give, and
+the harm they do.
+
+The boys in Georgia were no better than some boys in England. At a
+school where one of the Methodists taught there were some poor boys who
+wore neither shoes nor stockings, and their companions who were better
+off taunted them and made their lives miserable. Their teacher did not
+know what to do, and asked Mr. Wesley for advice. "I'll tell you what
+we'll do," he said; "we'll change schools"--Mr. Wesley taught a school
+too--"and I'll see if I can cure them."
+
+So the two gentlemen changed schools, and when the boys came the next
+morning they found they had a new teacher, and this new teacher, to
+their astonishment, wore neither shoes nor stockings. You can imagine
+how the boys stared; but Mr. Wesley said nothing, just kept them to
+their lessons. This went on for a week, and at the end of that time the
+boys were cured of their pride and vanity.
+
+Though Mr. John and Mr. Charles Wesley were so good, they were not
+perfect. They said and did many unwise things, and only saw their
+mistake when it was too late. One thing was they expected the people to
+lead the same strict lives they did, and to believe everything they
+believed. This, of course, the people of Georgia would not do, they
+thought their ways were just as good as Mr. Wesley's, and I dare say in
+some things they were. Instead of trying to persuade them and explaining
+why one way was better than another, Mr. Wesley told them they _must_ do
+this, and they mustn't do that, until at last they got to dislike him
+very much. One woman got so angry that she knocked him down.
+
+I am sure you will all feel very sorry when you read this, for Mr.
+Wesley was working very hard amongst them, and thought he was doing what
+was right. Mr. Charles did not get on any better at Frederica, where he
+had gone to work and preach. Like his brother, he was very strict and
+expected too much from the people. He tried and tried, not seeing where
+he was to blame, and at last wearied and disappointed he returned to
+England.
+
+After he had gone, Mr. John took his place at Frederica, hoping to get
+on better than he had done at Savannah. It was of no use; he stayed for
+twelve weeks, but things only seemed to get worse and worse. At last he
+had to give up and go back to Savannah. Things, however, were no better
+there, and before long he too began to see that his mission had been a
+failure, and he returned to England a sadder and a wiser man.
+
+In spite of all their mistakes Mr. John and his brother must have done
+some good in Georgia, for the missionary who went after them wrote and
+said: "Mr. Wesley has done much good here, his name is very dear to many
+of the people." It must have made the brothers glad to read this, for it
+is hard when you have been doing what you thought was right, and then
+find it was all wrong.
+
+On his return voyage to England Mr. Wesley had time to think about all
+the things that happened in Georgia. He was feeling dreadfully
+disappointed and discouraged; he had given up everything at home on
+purpose to do good to the people out there. He had meant to convert the
+Indians and comfort and help the Christian exiles, and he was coming
+back not having done either. Poor Mr. Wesley! And the worst of it was,
+the more he thought about it all, the more he began to see that the
+fault was his own.
+
+There was another thing he discovered about himself on that voyage home.
+They encountered a fearful storm, when every one expected to be drowned.
+During those awful hours Mr. Wesley found out, almost to his own
+surprise, that the very thought of death was a terror to him. He knew
+then that there was something wrong, for no Christian ought to fear to
+die. So Mr. Wesley went down on his knees and told God how wrong he had
+been, that he had thought too much of his own opinions and trusted too
+much in himself. He asked God to give him more faith, more peace, more
+love.
+
+He was always glad afterwards that he had gone to Georgia, and thanked
+God for taking him into that strange land, for his failure there had
+humbled him and shown him his weakness and his failings.
+
+It is a grand thing when we get to know ourselves. Let us be always on
+the look-out for our own faults, and when we see them, fight them.
+
+I would like to close this chapter with an acrostic I once heard on the
+word "Faith." It is a thing little folks, yes, and big folks often find
+hard to understand, perhaps this may help you.
+
+What is Faith?
+
+          F ull
+          A ssurance (confidence, having no doubt)
+          I n
+          T rusting
+          H im (Jesus).
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+          George Whitefield, the "boy parson."--The Wesleys
+          back in England.--Long walks.--Preaching by the
+          way-side.--A talk in a stable.--Sermon in
+          Manchester.--Mr. Charles in London.--Wants
+          something he has not got.--Gets it.--Mr. John
+          wants it too.--A top place in the class.
+
+
+YOU remember the Holy Club which the Methodists started at Oxford? Well,
+one of the youngest members was named George Whitefield; he was a pupil
+of Mr. John Wesley's, and when he left Oxford he became a preacher.
+While the two Wesleys were in Georgia, he carried on their work in
+England. He had learnt to love Jesus very dearly, had felt how wicked
+and sinful he was, and had gone to the Saviour and told Him all, asking
+Him to "Create in him a clean heart, and to renew within him a right
+spirit." Then he was so happy in knowing he was forgiven, that he wanted
+every one else to be happy and forgiven too. He was so young when he
+commenced to preach that every one called him the "boy parson;" but he
+talked so earnestly and kindly to the people that crowds everywhere
+flocked to hear him.
+
+When he heard that the two Wesleys were leaving Georgia he determined to
+go and take their place, and see what he could do for the poor exiles.
+Before he left England he preached a good-bye sermon, and told the
+people that he was going this long and dangerous voyage, and perhaps
+they might never see his face again. When they heard this, the children
+and the grown-up people, rich and poor, burst into tears, they loved him
+so much. But as this book is to be about Mr. John Wesley, we must not
+follow Mr. Whitefield across the Atlantic. Try to remember his name
+though, for he and the Wesleys were life-long friends, and you will hear
+about him again further on.
+
+When Mr. John and Mr. Charles got back to England they took up George
+Whitefield's work, going from town to town telling the people about
+Jesus Christ. As there were no railways they had to walk a great deal,
+and they used to speak to the people they met on the roads and in the
+villages through which they passed. Once, when Mr. Wesley and a friend
+were on their way to Manchester, they stayed one night in an inn at
+Stafford. Before they went to bed, Mr. Wesley asked the mistress of the
+house if they might have family prayer. She was quite willing, and so
+all the servants were called in. Next morning, after breakfast, Mr.
+Wesley had a talk with them all again, and even went into the stables
+and spoke to the men there about their sins and about the love of Jesus
+Christ.
+
+He preached in Manchester the next Sunday, and this was his text: "If
+any man be in Christ, he is a new creature" (2 Cor. v. 17). He explained
+to them that when any one begins to love Jesus, and tries to copy His
+life, they grow more and more like what He was. Then everything becomes
+different; the things they loved to do before cease to be a pleasure to
+them, and the places they liked to go to they no longer care to visit;
+they are "_new creatures_ in Christ Jesus."
+
+The next morning (Monday) Mr. Wesley, and the friend who was with him,
+left Manchester and went on to Knutsford. Here, too, the people listened
+attentively, while they preached the gospel of Jesus Christ. They
+visited other towns, and then Mr. Wesley returned to Oxford.
+
+He had not been long there when he heard that his brother Charles was
+very ill in London, and went at once to see him. Charles Wesley had been
+living and working there with some German Christians, or Moravians, as
+they were called, and before long he found that these people had
+something in their lives that he did not possess. Like the Germans he
+met in Georgia, their religion gave them peace and joy on week-days as
+well as on Sundays.
+
+When he was ill, one of these Moravians, named Peter B�hler, came to see
+him. During the little talk they had, the visitor said:
+
+"What makes you hope you are saved?"
+
+"Because I have done my best to serve God," answered Mr. Charles.
+
+You see, he was trusting in all the good deeds he had done, and not on
+Jesus Christ's suffering and death for him.
+
+Mr. B�hler shook his head, and did not say any more then. But he left
+Charles Wesley longing for the something he had not got.
+
+When he was a little better, he was carried to the house of a poor
+working-man named Bray. He was not clever, indeed, he hardly knew how to
+read, but he was a happy believer in Jesus; and he explained to Mr.
+Charles that _doing_ was not enough, that we must believe that Jesus
+Christ died on the cross for us, and that it is only through Him that we
+can pray to God, and only by His death that we can hope to go to heaven.
+
+Then a poor woman came in, and she made him understand better than any
+one; and at last Mr. Charles saw where he had been in the wrong, and
+instead of trusting in his own goodness and in all the kind things he
+had done, he just gave up his faith in these, and trusted alone in the
+dying love of his Saviour, and ours.
+
+I expect all my readers have classes in the schools they go to. Some of
+you are at the top of your class, some of you are in the middle, and
+some of you are--well--near the bottom. I think this is very much the
+way in Christ's school, the only difference is that in your class at
+school there can only be _one_ at the top. In Christ's school there can
+be any number at the top. There are a great number of Christians who are
+only half-way up in the class, and I am afraid there are a still greater
+number at the bottom. That is a place none of us like to be in at
+school; then don't let us be content to keep that place in Christ's
+school; let us all seek and obtain top places.
+
+When Mr. John Wesley visited his brother, he found he had got above him
+in Christ's school; he had taken a top place in the class, and John
+could not rest until he had got a top place too. So he prayed very
+earnestly, and got the people that had helped his brother to talk to
+him, but still he did not seem to understand. Four days after he went to
+a little service, and while the preacher was explaining the change that
+comes in us, when we trust in Jesus alone, John Wesley saw it all, took
+a top place in Christ's school, and joyfully went and told his brother.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+          Methodist rules.--Pulpits closed against Mr.
+          Wesley.--A visit to Germany.--A walk in
+          Holland.--Christian David, the German
+          carpenter.--The Fellow of Lincoln College takes
+          lessons in a cottage.
+
+
+I DARE say many of my readers go to Wesleyan Chapels, and understand
+some of the Methodist rules. Most of these rules were made by the two
+Mr. Wesleys and their friends more than one hundred and fifty years ago,
+and they have been kept by their followers ever since. I want to tell
+you about a few of them.
+
+The people who attended the Methodist meetings were divided into little
+bands or companies, no band to have fewer than five persons in it, and
+none more than ten. They were to meet every week, and each one in turn
+was to tell the rest what troubles and temptations they had had, and how
+God, through Jesus Christ, had helped them since the last meeting.
+
+Every Wednesday evening, at eight o'clock, all the bands joined together
+in one large meeting, which began and ended with hymns and prayer.
+There were many other rules, some of which I will tell you later on,
+others you can read about when you are older.
+
+All this time you must remember that Mr. Wesley was a church clergyman.
+He loved the Church of England very dearly, though there were a great
+many things in it with which he did not agree.
+
+Wherever he preached he told the people just what he believed, and as
+very few clergymen thought as he did, they did not like him speaking his
+opinions so freely. At last, first one and then another said he should
+never preach in their churches again. Yet the message Mr. Wesley gave to
+the people, was the very same message that Christ spoke long before on
+the shores of Galilee.
+
+Mr. Wesley still longed to understand his Bible better, and to learn
+more of Jesus Christ, so he determined to go and visit the Moravians at
+a place called Herrnhuth in Germany, and see if he could get some help
+from them. So one June day, he said good-bye to his mother, and with
+eight of his friends set off. One of these friends was an old member of
+the Holy Club at Oxford. On their way to Herrnhuth, they had to pass
+through Holland. This is what Mr. Wesley says about a walk they had in
+that country:
+
+I never saw such a beautiful road. Walnut trees grow in rows on each
+side, so that it is like walking in a gentleman's garden. We were
+surprised to find that in this country the people at the inns will not
+always take in travellers who ask for food and bed. They refused to
+receive us at several inns. At one of the towns we were asked to go and
+see their church, and when we went in we took off our hats in reverence,
+as we do in England, but the people were not pleased, they said: "You
+must not do so, it is not the custom in this country."
+
+After a long, long journey through Germany, the little party at last
+reached Herrnhuth.
+
+Mr. Wesley had only been a few days there, when he wrote to his brother
+Samuel: "God has given me my wish, I am with those who follow Christ in
+all things, and who walk as He walked."
+
+I must just tell you about one of these Moravians, because he helped Mr.
+Wesley more than any of the others. His name was Christian David. He was
+only an ignorant working-man, and when not preaching was always to be
+found working at his carpenter's bench. But David was Christian in life
+as well as in name; he "walked with God," and whether he preached and
+prayed, or worked with chisel and plane, he did all "in the name of the
+Lord Jesus." He was never tired of telling people about the Saviour he
+loved, and trying to get them to love Him too. He was a man who often
+made mistakes, but as some one has said, "the man who never makes
+mistakes never makes anything;" and Christian David was always ready to
+own his faults when they were pointed out to him.
+
+You remember to what a high position Mr. Wesley had risen at Oxford, and
+how clever he was? Yet Christian David knew more than he did about Jesus
+Christ and His love; and the Fellow of Lincoln College was not too proud
+to go and sit in a cottage and be taught by this humble carpenter, who
+so closely followed the Holy Carpenter of Nazareth.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+          Fetter Lane.--Popular preachers.--Old friends meet
+          again.--Love-feasts.--1739--Small beginning of a
+          great gathering.--A crowded church.--A lightning
+          thought.--But a shocking thing.--George
+          Whitefield's welcome at Bristol.--"You shall not
+          preach in my pulpit."--"Nor mine."--"Nor
+          mine."--Poor Mr. Whitefield.
+
+
+WHILE Mr. Wesley was in Germany, his brother Charles had been preaching
+and working in London, and when Mr. John returned he found about
+thirty-two people had joined the society there. They had hired a room in
+Fetter Lane, and here they held their meetings. Mr. Wesley had come back
+so full of love to Jesus Christ, and therefore so full of love to
+everybody, and so eager for all to be as happy as he was, that he soon
+got many others to join them. When he wrote to his German friends, he
+said: "We are trying here, by God's help, to copy you as you copy
+Christ."
+
+He and his brother still preached in any church where they were allowed,
+and wherever they went crowds of poor people followed to hear them. They
+used to go, too, to the prisons, and the hospitals, and preach to the
+sinful and the suffering. They told them how Jesus forgave sins, and how
+He used to heal the sick; and the sinful were made sorry, and the
+suffering ones were comforted, and many believed in Jesus and prayed for
+forgiveness.
+
+Mr. Wesley had returned from Germany in September; a few months later
+Mr. George Whitefield came back from Georgia. He had got on very well
+with the people there, because he did not try to alter the ways they had
+been accustomed to, unless it was really necessary.
+
+Mr. Wesley went to meet his old friend, and, oh! how pleased they were
+to see each other again. Mr. Whitefield joined the little society in
+Fetter Lane, and they all worked together most happily.
+
+I dare say most of my Methodist readers will have been to a love-feast;
+those of you who have not, will at any rate have heard of them. Well, it
+was just about this time that love-feasts were first started. The little
+bands or companies that I told you about used to join together, and have
+a special prayer meeting once a month on a Saturday; and the following
+day, which, of course, was Sunday, they all used to meet again between
+seven o'clock and ten in the evening for a love-feast--a meal of bread
+and water eaten altogether and with prayer. It was a custom of the
+Moravians, and it was from them Mr. Wesley copied it.
+
+I have also heard that the love-feast was provided for the people, who
+had walked a great many miles to hear Mr. Wesley preach, and were tired
+and hungry. If this was the idea of the love-feast, they would have to
+give the people a great deal more bread than they do now, or they would
+still be hungry when they had done.
+
+The year after Mr. Whitefield returned from Georgia, 1739, was a
+wonderful year for the Methodists. It started with a love-feast and
+prayer meeting, which lasted half through the night. Then a few days
+later, on January 5th, the two Mr. Wesleys and Mr. Whitefield, with four
+other ministers, met together to talk about all they hoped to do during
+the year, and make rules and plans for their helpers and members.
+
+I told you, if you remember, that first one pulpit and then another was
+closed against these clergymen. At last there were only two or three
+churches where they were allowed to preach. One day when Mr. Whitefield
+was preaching in one of these, the people came in such crowds to hear
+him, that hundreds could not get into the church. Some of them went
+away, but a great number stood outside.
+
+All at once there flashed across Mr. Whitefield's mind this thought:
+"Jesus preached in the open air to the people, why can't I?" Numbers
+had often before been turned away when he preached, but he had never
+thought of having a service outside a church, it seemed a most shocking
+thing. However, the message seemed to come straight from God. He dared
+not act on it at once, for you see he was a clergyman, and had always
+been brought up to believe that inside the church was the only place
+where people can properly worship God.
+
+When he mentioned the matter to his friends, some of them were very much
+shocked, and thought to preach in the open air would be a very wrong
+thing. But some said: "We will pray about it, and ask God to show us
+what we ought to do." So they knelt down and prayed to be guided to do
+the right thing.
+
+Soon after this Mr. Whitefield went to Bristol, where he had been liked
+so much before he went to America. When he got there he was invited to
+preach first in one church and then in another, all were open to him.
+But before very long the clergymen in the place showed that they
+disapproved of the plain way in which he spoke to the people, and they
+told him they would not allow him to preach in their pulpits again.
+
+By and by all the churches were closed against him, and there was
+nowhere but the prison where he was allowed to preach. Soon the mayor of
+Bristol closed that door also.
+
+Poor Mr. Whitefield! what could he do now? I think I know one thing he
+would do. He would turn to his Bible, and there he would read: "In all
+thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."
+
+In the next chapter you shall hear how God fulfilled His promise to
+George Whitefield.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+          Kingswood.--Grimy colliers.--The shocking thing is
+          done.--A beautiful church.--From 200 to
+          20,000.--John Wesley shocked.--Drawing lots.--To
+          be or not to be.--To be.--Mr. Wesley gets over the
+          shock.--George Whitefield's "good-bye" to the
+          colliers.
+
+
+LONG, long ago, before all this happened that I have been telling you,
+there was a forest near Bristol where the kings of England used to hunt,
+Kingswood it was called. But at the time of which I write, most of the
+trees had been cut down; a great many coal mines had been dug, and the
+people who lived round about and worked in the mines were a wild and
+wicked lot. They had no churches, and those in Bristol were three or
+four miles away.
+
+Surely, Mr. Whitefield thought, these people ought to have the gospel of
+Jesus Christ preached to them; they have no church, it cannot be wrong
+to preach to them in the open air. So, one Saturday in this year, 1739,
+Mr. Whitefield set off to Kingswood. It was a cold winter's day, but his
+heart was warm inside with love for these poor neglected colliers, and
+he soon got warm outside with his long walk.
+
+When he reached Kingswood he found an open space called Rose Green,
+which he thought was just the place for a service. Standing on a little
+mound which did for a pulpit, he commenced to preach; and surely that
+was the grandest church in which a Methodist minister ever held a
+service. The blue sky of heaven was his roof, the green grass beneath
+him the floor; and as Mr. Whitefield stood in his FIRST FIELD PULPIT,
+his thoughts went back, down the ages, to the dear Master whose steps he
+was seeking to follow--the Preacher of Nazareth, whose pulpit was the
+mountain-side, and whose hearers were the publicans and sinners. Two
+hundred grimy colliers stood and listened to that earnest young
+preacher.
+
+Mr. Whitefield continued his visits to Kingswood; the second time,
+instead of two hundred there were 2,000 eager listeners. The next time
+over 4,000 came to hear; and so the numbers went on increasing until he
+had a congregation of 20,000.
+
+Once, after he had been preaching, he wrote this: "The trees and the
+hedges were all in full leaf, and the sun was shining brightly. All the
+people were silent and still, and God helped me to speak in such a loud
+voice that everybody could hear me. All in the surrounding fields were
+thousands and thousands of people, some in coaches and some on
+horseback, while many had climbed up into the trees to see and hear."
+
+As Mr. Whitefield preached, nearly all were in tears. Many of the men
+had come straight from the coal-pits, and the tears that trickled down
+their cheeks made little white gutters on their grimy faces. Then, in
+the gathering twilight, they sang the closing hymn, and when the last
+echoes died away in the deepening shadows, Mr. Whitefield felt how
+solemn it all was, and he, too, could hardly keep back the tears.
+
+Mr. Whitefield soon found there was more work at Kingswood than he could
+do alone, so he wrote and asked Mr. John Wesley to come and help him.
+Being very _proper_ sort of clergymen, John and Charles Wesley could not
+help thinking it a dreadful, and almost a wrong thing to preach anywhere
+but in a church, or, at any rate, in a room; and for some time they
+could not decide what to do.
+
+They asked the other members at Fetter Lane what they thought about it;
+some said Mr. John ought to go, and some said he ought not. So at last
+they decided to draw lots. You know what that is, don't you? If you look
+in your Bible, in Acts i. 26, you will see that the disciples drew lots
+when they wanted to make up their number to twelve, after wicked Judas
+had killed himself. And in John xix. 24, you can read how the soldiers
+cast lots for the coat that had belonged to Jesus, which they took away
+after they had crucified Him. And in many other places in the Bible we
+read about people casting lots.
+
+So the society at Fetter Lane cast lots, and it came out that Mr. John
+Wesley should go. Everybody was satisfied after this, and even Mr.
+Charles, who more than any of the others had objected, now felt that it
+was right. So Mr. John set off for Bristol and joined his friend.
+
+The first Sunday he was there he heard Mr. Whitefield preach in the open
+air, and this is what he wrote about it: "It seemed such a strange thing
+to preach in the fields, when all my life I had believed in everything
+being done properly and according to the rules of the Church. Indeed, I
+should have thought it almost a sin to preach anywhere else."
+
+However, because of the lots, he felt it was all right; and he was still
+more sure of this when he saw the crowds, who would never have gone into
+a church, listening so intently to God's Word. He very soon got used to
+open-air preaching, and by and by Mr. Whitefield left the work at
+Kingswood to him.
+
+When the people heard that Mr. Whitefield was going to leave them, they
+were very, very sorry; and the day he rode out of Bristol, a number of
+them, about twenty, rode on horseback with him, they could not bear to
+say "good-bye."
+
+As he passed through Kingswood, the poor colliers, who were so grateful
+for all he had done for them, came out to meet him, and told him they
+had a great surprise for him. They had been very busy collecting money
+for a school for poor children, and now they wanted their dear friend,
+Mr. Whitefield, to lay the corner-stone of their new building.
+
+He was surprised and delighted; and when the ceremony was over, he knelt
+down and prayed that the school might soon be completed, and that God's
+blessing might ever rest upon it; and all those rough colliers bowed
+their heads, and uttered a fervent "Amen."
+
+At last "good-bye" was said to the dear minister who had brought them
+the glad tidings of salvation, and leaving them in charge of Mr. Wesley,
+George Whitefield rode away.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+          John Wesley's moral courage.--What some carriage
+          people thought of him.--And why.--The fashionable
+          Beau in the big, white hat.--Interrupts Mr.
+          Wesley.--Gets as good as he gives.--And
+          better.--The King of Bath slinks away.
+
+
+DO you know what "moral courage" is, young readers? How shall I explain
+it? I think you will understand it best if I say it is "courage to do
+what is right." A boy may have courage to fight a bigger boy than
+himself, but he may not have the moral courage to own to a fault before
+his school-fellows, or to side with the right when that side is
+unpopular.
+
+Now, I think John Wesley showed a great deal of moral courage when he
+started to preach in the open air. Remember, he was born a gentleman, he
+was educated as a gentleman, and as Fellow of an Oxford College had
+always mixed with distinguished gentlemen. Then he was brought up a
+strict Churchman, and had always believed that the ways and rules of
+the Church were the only right and proper ways.
+
+Fancy this most particular Church clergyman, wearing his gown and bands,
+just as you have seen him in the pictures, and getting upon a table in
+the open air, or on the stump of a tree, or climbing into a cart and
+preaching to a lot of dirty, ignorant men and women. This was, indeed,
+moral courage; he did it because he felt it was the right thing to do,
+and that God wanted him to do it.
+
+Mr. Wesley was quite as much liked by the people as Mr. Whitefield had
+been, and the sight of him preaching was such a wonderful one, that
+ladies and gentlemen came in their carriages to see and to hear.
+
+In his sermons, Mr. Wesley spoke as plainly to the rich as he did to the
+poor. He told them how God hated sin, and that it was impossible for a
+sinner to get to heaven. Some of the ladies and gentlemen did not like
+this at all, and called Mr. Wesley "rude and ill-mannered," but it made
+them feel uncomfortable all the same.
+
+You have heard of a place called Bath, and that it is noted for its
+mineral waters. It is a fashionable place now, but it was a great deal
+more fashionable in Mr. Wesley's time. Not being far from Bristol, Mr.
+Wesley used sometimes to go and preach there. Once when he went, some of
+his friends said: "Don't preach to-day, for Beau Nash means to come and
+oppose you."
+
+Beau Nash was a gambler, and in other ways, too, a very bad man. But,
+somehow, he always managed to get enough money to make a great show, and
+many of the people looked up to him as a leader of fashion. Indeed, he
+was quite popular among most of the visitors to Bath.
+
+Of course when Mr. Wesley heard that this man was coming to oppose him,
+instead of being frightened, he was all the more determined to preach.
+
+A great number of people had assembled, many of them Nash's friends, who
+had come to see "the fun." By and by Beau Nash himself came, looking
+very grand in a big white hat, and riding in a coach drawn by six grey
+horses, with footmen and coachmen all complete.
+
+Soon after Mr. Wesley had commenced his sermon, Beau Nash interrupted
+him by asking: "Who gave you leave to do what you are doing?"
+
+"Jesus Christ," said Mr. Wesley, "through the Archbishop of Canterbury,
+when he laid his hands upon my head, and said: 'Take thou authority to
+preach the gospel.'"
+
+This answer rather settled Beau Nash. Then he accused Mr. Wesley of
+frightening the people out of their wits.
+
+"Did you ever hear me preach?" said Mr. Wesley.
+
+"No," was the reply.
+
+"Then how do you know I frighten people?"
+
+"By what I have heard."
+
+"Oh!" said Mr. Wesley. "Then is not your name Nash?"
+
+"It is," said the Beau.
+
+"Well, sir, I suppose, then, I must judge you by what I have heard of
+you."
+
+This reply so confounded the young man that he could not say a word, and
+when an old woman in the congregation stood up and told the Beau what
+she thought about him, the "King of Bath," as he was called, slunk away,
+and took himself off.
+
+This affair made a great stir in Bath, and when Mr. Wesley went through
+the town the streets were full of people, hurrying up and down, wanting
+to see him.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+          Good out of evil.--What Mr. Wesley
+          preached.--"Hurrah!"--In the prison.--How the
+          wicked Methodists spoiled the woollen
+          trade.--Emilia Wesley says strong things.--In the
+          sunlight.
+
+
+I KNOW you will have thought it very unkind of the clergymen not
+allowing such a good man as Mr. Wesley to preach in their churches; and
+so it was, very unkind, and very wrong. These clergymen thought so
+themselves after a time; but God often uses the wrong doings of people
+to bring about a great good, and He did so in this case.
+
+Perhaps if the churches had not been closed against Mr. Wesley and Mr.
+Whitefield they would never have preached in the open air, and thousands
+of people, who would not go to a church, might never have heard the
+Gospel of Jesus Christ.
+
+You boys and girls love father and mother and home, do you not? And when
+you have been away at day-school or boarding-school, oh! how glad you
+always are to get to them again. Well, in the same way we all come from
+God; He is our Father, and heaven is our home, and all of us, deep down
+inside of us, have a longing to go home again some day. But Adam and Eve
+had to be punished for their disobedience; and the punishment was that
+they and all that were born after them should die, and never go back to
+home and to God. This was a terrible punishment, was it not? But you
+know how Jesus Christ, God's Son, in His great love and pity for us said
+He would come down from heaven, and be a man on earth; that He would go
+through life just as we have to do, and at last die. Then God said if
+His dear Son did this, and lived on earth a life that should be a
+beautiful copy for men and women and boys and girls to follow; and if
+the people would believe on Him and follow His example, God would
+forgive them, and they should go back to Him, their Father, and to
+heaven their home.
+
+All this Mr. Wesley explained to the people, and told them if they
+believed this and loved and followed the Saviour that died for them,
+they would always be happy, and God would give them His own peace, the
+peace He has promised to those that love Him.
+
+One wonders how the clergymen could disapprove of such preaching, and
+why they should shut Mr. Wesley out of their pulpit, for if they did not
+preach this same Gospel they certainly ought to have done.
+
+However, Mr. Wesley got much larger congregations outside the churches
+than they ever got inside, and wherever he went hundreds of people
+believed the wonderful story he told them, and became true followers of
+the Lord Jesus Christ. Strange things happened at his services; some of
+the people were so overjoyed at what they heard they could not help
+shouting "Hurrah!" and "Hallelujah!" and they poked each other in the
+ribs, as much as to say: "Isn't that good?"
+
+Then, when Mr. Wesley told them how Jesus Christ suffered, and how
+cruelly Judas betrayed Him, and that He allowed all this in order that
+we might be saved, the people would burst into tears, and you could hear
+their sobs all over the great congregation. All sorts of people came to
+the services, thieves and gamblers, poor people and rich people, and all
+heard the same glad tidings of salvation.
+
+Mr. Wesley did not remain at Bristol; several times he went up to
+London, and wherever he went crowds came to hear him. One day when he
+was preaching at Newgate, a prison in London, and was telling the people
+what would become of them if they did not give up their wicked ways, a
+woman whom he had known for many years as a very bad character, burst
+into tears and begged Mr. Wesley to pray for her. Many of the other
+prisoners did the same, and numbers believed in Jesus Christ as their
+Saviour, and became Christian men and we men.
+
+It was just wonderful; but it is sad to think that if these people had
+only heard the Gospel before, they might never have been the wicked men
+and women they were. As soon as ever they heard, they believed.
+
+All the magazines and newspapers that were published were full of the
+doings of the Methodists. They were still called all sorts of names and
+abused dreadfully. But the good people had got so used to this that they
+did not mind, indeed, they hardly expected any other treatment. In those
+days very few of the poor people could read, and one newspaper
+complained that nearly every one who went to hear the Methodists wanted
+to learn to read the Bible, and as soon as ever he could spell out a
+chapter he would go and read it to some one who could not read, and then
+they would talk about it together. This, the paper said, wasted a great
+deal of time, for the men were so busy talking and reading their Bibles
+that they could not get on with their work, and the woollen trade in
+Yorkshire would soon be ruined. Of course this last was not true, and
+was only said to stop the Methodists from preaching. It showed, however,
+how sincere and how much in earnest the people were.
+
+But amidst all the persecutions of mobs of ignorant and brutal men and
+women who knew no better, and of abuse and slander by the rich and the
+educated, who ought to have known better, nothing pained Mr. Wesley so
+much as the unkind words of his sister Emilia. She was his favourite
+sister, and he thought a great deal about her opinion. In an angry
+letter she wrote him, she said the Methodists were "a lot of bad
+people."
+
+However, John Wesley and his friends calmly went on doing the work they
+felt God had called them to do. The peace of God was in their hearts,
+and the sunlight of His love brightened their faces, and made them
+tender and forgiving to all their enemies. As Jesus Christ prayed for
+the cruel men who crucified Him, so they prayed: "Father, forgive them,
+for they know not what they do."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+          Don't believe all you hear.--Mrs. Wesley finds her
+          "dear Jack" true to his colours.--She joins the
+          Methodists.--And thus dreadfully shocks her eldest
+          son.--Death of Mr. Samuel Wesley.--A loving
+          mother's letter to "her boy."
+
+
+I THINK Mr. Wesley's greatest trouble at this time was, that even his
+dear mother, whom he had not seen for a long, long time, believed many
+of the things that people were saying about him, and felt sure he had
+wandered away from the true religion of Jesus Christ.
+
+It does not do for us to believe all we hear, and when at last Mrs.
+Wesley went to London, and saw and talked with her sons, she found all
+the tales had been untrue, and that her "dear Jack" was the same loyal
+soldier and servant of Jesus Christ that he had ever been.
+
+Instead of going back to where she had been living, Mrs. Wesley, freed
+from her fears, remained in London with her "boys," a proud and happy
+mother. She joined the Society in Fetter Lane, went every Sunday to hear
+her sons preach, and helped them in every way she could. Once she stood
+by Mr. Wesley's side when he preached on Kennington Common to a
+congregation of about 20,000 people, and I don't know which was the
+prouder, mother or son.
+
+You remember Mr. Samuel Wesley, the eldest brother? He was one who
+strongly disapproved of open-air preaching, and thought John and Charles
+were very much in the wrong for not behaving like other clergymen. When
+he heard that even his mother had joined the Methodists he was more
+indignant than ever, and wrote her what I think was a very rude letter.
+
+"I was very much surprised and grieved," he said, "when I heard that you
+had joined the Methodists, and, indeed, become one of Jack's
+congregation. My brothers are brothers to me no longer, and now, must my
+mother follow too?"
+
+It is sad to think that two weeks after Mr. Samuel wrote this he was
+taken ill and died in a few hours. He was a clever and a sensible man,
+but he did not understand, or even try to understand, the work his
+brothers were doing, and, therefore, disapproved of it.
+
+When Mr. Wesley heard the news of his brother's death he set off at
+once to Bristol to Mr. Charles, and together they went to Tiverton to
+comfort and help their sister-in-law. They forgot all the unkind things
+their brother had said against them, and only thought how they could
+best show their love and sympathy to those that were left.
+
+Poor Mrs. Wesley was very ill when she heard the sad news. She had
+always dearly-loved her eldest child, and his death was a great sorrow.
+But she said: "It is God's will, therefore it is all right."
+
+You can tell what a real comfort Mr. John was to her at this time, by
+the letter she wrote to Charles at Bristol about a month after Mr.
+Samuel's death. This is what she said:
+
+          "DEAR CHARLES,
+
+          "You cannot want to see me more than I want to see
+          you. Your brother Jack, whom I shall call son
+          Wesley, now that my dear Sam is gone home, has
+          just been in to see me, and has cheered me up ever
+          so much. Indeed, he never comes but he does me
+          good; his visits are all too seldom and too short.
+          For this I cannot blame him, for I know he is
+          about his Heavenly Father's business.
+
+          "But, dear Charles, I do so want one of you, for I
+          feel weak as a little child. I do pray that God
+          will bless you both in your work, and keep you
+          from harm; and that He will give you strength and
+          courage to preach the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.
+
+          "This is the hearty prayer of, dear Charles,
+
+                                      "Your loving mother,
+                                               "SUSANNA WESLEY."
+
+Is not that a loving letter? No wonder Mr. Charles prized it very much.
+Little folks generally take care of all the letters they get. I know I
+did when I was a little girl, indeed I have some of them now. Grown-up
+people usually tear theirs up, they get so many. But this letter that
+Mr. Charles had from his dear old mother was too precious to be so
+treated; he took great care of it, and after his death it was found
+among his papers.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+          A very old school.--The first Methodist
+          Chapel.--Well done, Bristol!--Empty purses.--How
+          they were filled.--The penny-a-week rule.
+
+
+YOU remember the school at Kingswood, that the colliers collected the
+money for and started? Although it is one hundred and fifty years ago
+since it was opened, there has been a school at Kingswood ever since,
+and it is the very oldest thing we have in connection with Methodism.
+
+If you will listen at chapel some time--in October I think it generally
+is--you will hear the minister say: "Collections will be taken to-day,
+morning and evening, on behalf of the Kingswood Schools." When you hear
+this will you just think, that the money you give is for the same school
+that was started by those good-hearted colliers near Bristol, more than
+one hundred and fifty years ago.
+
+Now I must tell you of the very first Methodist Chapel that was ever
+built; for this, too, we have to thank the Bristol people. Having heard
+about Jesus Christ themselves, they were eager for their friends and
+neighbours to hear about Him too. They worked very hard, and were so
+much in earnest inviting people to come to the services, that at last
+the room where they held their meeting got far too small for all the
+people who wanted to come. It was only a tumble-down sort of place, and
+they were afraid the floor might give way or the roof fall in, and
+somebody be hurt.
+
+At last they secured a piece of ground in what was called the Horse Fair
+in Bristol, and one bright May morning, in 1739, the first stone of the
+
+          FIRST METHODIST CHAPEL
+
+was laid, amidst great shouting of praise and thanksgiving. I have
+called it a Chapel, but the Methodists called it a "Preaching House."
+
+You may think what a great deal of money it took to carry on all the
+work that the Methodists were doing; sometimes their purses were very
+empty, and they wondered however they should get them filled again. But
+it was God's work they were doing, and of course the money always came.
+
+Like most Methodist Chapels nowadays, the money to pay for the Bristol
+Preaching House was not got all at once; but a plan was adopted which, I
+think, was a very good one. Every Methodist in Bristol promised to pay
+a penny a week until all the money was raised; and as there were some
+hundreds of Methodists, the debt was soon paid off. Some of the people,
+however, were too poor to pay even this small amount, so it was arranged
+that the richer men should each call upon eleven poorer ones every week,
+and collect their pennies, and when they could not give them, the rich
+man was to make it up. This was the beginning of the weekly class money
+which your fathers and mothers, if they are Methodists, pay in their
+class-meetings to-day.
+
+When Mr. Wesley told the society in Fetter Lane, London, of the good
+plan the Bristol people had made, they adopted it too, and always after
+that wherever the Methodists commenced a society, the penny-a-week rule
+was followed.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+          An explosion.--A new business at the old
+          Foundry.--Mr. Wesley and his mother at
+          home.--Grand helpers.--Poor little Tom.--The worst
+          man in Bristol.--And one of the best.
+
+
+HOW old would John Wesley be in 1716, if he was born in 1703? Thirteen,
+would he not? a school-boy at the Charterhouse School. In that year
+there was a terrible explosion at a cannon foundry, where the guns were
+made for war. The roof of the building was blown off, and a great many
+workmen were injured and killed.
+
+After this explosion, the machinery and iron were removed to Woolwich,
+which, as you will learn in your geography is still the great place for
+making cannon and other weapons of war. All the years from 1716 to 1739
+the old foundry had never been touched, there it was, still in ruins.
+
+One day in this year, 1739, while Mr. Wesley was in London, two
+gentlemen came and asked him if he would preach in this old tumble-down
+place. He consented, and one dreary November morning at eight o'clock,
+before the grey clouds of night had fled, he preached to about six
+thousand people in the old King's Foundry.
+
+The following week many of those who had listened to him, came and
+begged him to buy the old place for a meeting-house. After thinking and
+praying about the matter he consented, and before very long the roof was
+mended, galleries were made, and the first Methodist preaching-place in
+London was ready for use.
+
+Class-rooms and a school-room were afterwards built, and a house fitted
+up where Mr. Wesley and his mother could live. At the end of the chapel
+was another house for his servants and some of his helpers. There was
+also a coach-house and stable where the travelling preachers could "put
+up."
+
+Though Mr. John and Mr. Charles Wesley were so clever and worked so
+hard, they could never have got on without their earnest, loving
+helpers. There was Thomas Maxfield, one of those devoted, go-a-head men
+of Bristol; then there was John Nelson, a stone-mason, in Yorkshire,
+who, when his master wanted him to work on Sunday, refused; and, like
+other Methodists, having become a Christian himself he sought to win
+others for Christ.
+
+Thomas Olivers was another. Poor Thomas, when he was a wee boy, only
+four years old, both his father and his mother died, and little Tom was
+left to grow up a wicked boy. He used to swear and gamble and drink,
+and when he became a man was one of the worst characters in Bristol. But
+he heard Mr. Whitefield preach, and from that time a change came over
+him. He felt he was too great a sinner ever to be forgiven, and would
+kneel down and pray for hours and hours. God saw how sorry he was for
+all his wickedness, and how much he longed to be different, so He just
+whispered His forgiveness, bidding him, "Go and sin no more," and Thomas
+Olivers rose up a converted man, and became as brave a Christian as he
+had been bold a sinner.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+          Billy and Polly.--A little sunbeam visits
+          Sandgate.--What happened at seven o'clock in the
+          morning.--And at five o'clock in the
+          evening.--"The Old, Old Story."--Newcastle wants
+          to know more.--But Newcastle has to wait.--John
+          Wesley goes back to Bristol.--The Kingswood of the
+          North.
+
+
+"WHO'S yon man?"
+
+"Which man?"
+
+"Yon. Him with the long hair, and dressed like a parson."
+
+"I dunno. Why there's two on 'em."
+
+"I say, Polly, let's go and hear 'em, they're singing. Come on, Bob."
+
+Bob and Billy and Polly were very ragged and very dirty children, and
+they lived in Newcastle.
+
+The boys were almost naked, and Polly, though nearly fifteen had no
+clothes on at all, only a dirty bit of blanket wrapped round her. Their
+fathers and mothers worked in the coal mines, and because they had never
+been taught different, they were drunken, swearing, wicked people; even
+the children cursed and swore.
+
+But Bob and Billy and Polly have got to the top of Sandgate, the street
+where their miserable home is; let us follow. Some of their companions
+are with them, children as ragged and dirty as themselves. The women,
+too, have come to their doors to listen. What is it these men are
+singing? Hark!
+
+[Illustration: Music]
+
+          All people that on earth do dwell
+          Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice;
+          Him serve with fear, His praise forth tell:
+          Come ye before Him and rejoice.
+
+It was a lovely May morning, and a kind little sunbeam had left the
+green fields and the chirping birdlets to peep into Sandgate. I think it
+must have heard the singing, and wanted to shine its gladness, that
+God's praises were at last being sung to those poor people.
+
+It was quite early, about seven o'clock in the morning, and some of the
+men and women were still in bed; but little sunbeam went first to one
+and then to another and kissed them awake, and when they had rubbed
+their eyes and opened their ears, they heard a strange sound. What could
+it be? They had never heard anything like it before.
+
+[Illustration: "If you come to yon hill at five o'clock to-night, I'll
+tell you what I mean."--_Page 95._]
+
+They sat up in bed and listened, then they got dressed, and then they
+went out. The music acted like a magic spell, and drew them to it. One
+man, two men, three men, four men, five men; oh, dear! there are too
+many to count. Such a number of women too, why, there must be five
+hundred people all together, and still they keep coming. One of the
+gentlemen is now talking. Listen what he is saying! He is preaching a
+sermon, and this is his text: "_He was wounded for our transgressions,
+He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was
+upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed._" He is telling those poor
+men and women that it was Jesus, the Son of God, who suffered this for
+them, _because He loved them_.
+
+The people, who numbered about twelve hundred, stood gaping and staring,
+they had never heard anything like this before.
+
+"Who are you?" shouted one man.
+
+"What do you mean?" called out another.
+
+The gentleman with the long hair and beautiful face answered them: "If
+you want to know who I am, my name is John Wesley, and if you come to
+yon hill at five o'clock to-night, I'll tell you what I mean."
+
+At five o'clock the hill was covered with people from the top to the
+bottom, and as Mr. Wesley stood with that great crowd round him, all
+eager to learn about the wonderful Saviour who had died for them, and of
+whom they had never heard, tears of pity filled his eyes, and a big love
+for them filled his heart.
+
+Oh, so sweetly and tenderly did he read to them God's own words: "_I
+will heal their back-sliding, I will love them freely_;" and then he
+told them the "Old, Old Story."
+
+He told it very slowly:
+
+            "'That they might take it in,
+          That wonderful redemption,
+            God's remedy for sin.'
+
+He told them the story simply:
+
+            'As to a little child,
+          For they were weak and weary,
+            And helpless and defi'ed.'
+
+He told them the story softly:
+
+            'With earnest tones and grave,
+          For were they not the sinners
+            Whom Jesus came to save?'"
+
+When the preacher finished, the people stood as if spell-bound, then
+they all crowded and pressed round him, full of love and kindness
+towards the man who had brought them such good news. They nearly
+trampled him down in their eagerness to speak to him, and he had to slip
+round a back way in order to escape. When he got to the inn where he was
+staying, he found some of the people had got there before him; they had
+come to beg and pray him to stay among them. No, he could not.
+
+"Stay a few days," said one. No, he could not do that.
+
+"Just one day more," they begged.
+
+Poor Mr. Wesley was very loth to leave these eager hearers, but he had
+promised to be in Bristol on the Tuesday, and this was Sunday night, and
+it would take him all the time to get to his appointment, and he was a
+man that could not break his word. So he was sadly obliged to refuse.
+
+Before very long, however, Mr. Charles Wesley went to Newcastle, and
+after a time, Mr. Wesley himself paid a second visit.
+
+It was a plan of the Methodists always to go to the poorest and most
+uncared-for people. These they generally found among the colliers.
+Wherever there were coal mines, the district round them was sure to be
+the abode of dirt, ignorance, and sin. You remember what a dreadful
+place Kingswood was when the Methodists first went? Because they found
+Newcastle just as bad, they called it "The Kingswood of the North."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+          A magic mirror.--And the picture it shows
+          us.--Billy and Polly again.--Hurrah for
+          Newcastle!--John and Charles Wesley put their
+          heads together.--The result.--Strict
+          Rules.--Circuits in Methodism.
+
+
+HAVE you ever heard of the Magic Mirror? It is a mirror I would like to
+have. You just think of something you would very much like to see;
+something either in the past, the present, or the future, peep into the
+mirror and there it is.
+
+Let us imagine that we have this mirror, and that we want to look at a
+particular part of Newcastle in the year 1742.
+
+What do we see?
+
+A big unfinished building with all the walls standing, but no roof, no
+doors, and no windows. It is a cold winter's day; but in spite of the
+biting wind and the frosty air there are hundreds of people crowding
+inside and outside the walls. Right in the middle stands the gentleman
+with the long hair and the beautiful face.
+
+It is Mr. Wesley opening the first meeting-house in Newcastle. Oh, how
+hard those poor colliers and their wives, yes, and the children too,
+worked to get money to build their chapel. On this opening day they were
+so proud and happy they could not keep still. They kept shouting
+"Hallelujah!" all the time Mr. Wesley was preaching. Three or four times
+he had to stop in the middle of his sermon on purpose to let them praise
+God.
+
+Bob, and Billy, and Polly were at that opening; they loved Mr. Wesley,
+and always tried to get as near to him as they could. They were not
+ragged now, for their fathers and mothers were converted, and their
+money was no longer spent in drink. The children, too, had learnt to
+love Jesus, and were trying to be like Him, and no cursing or swearing
+was ever heard.
+
+Scores of men and women in Newcastle that day, thanked God they had got
+out of bed that Sunday morning in May, and heard Mr. Wesley sing at the
+top of Sandgate.
+
+The Methodists had now chapels or meeting-houses in Bristol, London,
+Kingswood, and Newcastle, and societies were being formed in a great
+many other places. When Mr. Wesley found the work was spreading so fast,
+he saw it was necessary to draw up some general rules for all the
+members to follow.
+
+His brother Charles helped him in this difficult task. These are some of
+the rules which together they drew up, and which all who joined the
+Methodists had to promise to obey.
+
+Members of society must not swear.
+
+Must keep the Sabbath Day holy.
+
+Must not buy or sell intoxicating liquor.
+
+Must not drink intoxicating liquor, except as medicine.
+
+Must not fight.
+
+Must not quarrel.
+
+Must return good for evil.
+
+Must not speak evil of any one.
+
+Must do to others as we would have them do to us.
+
+Must not wear a great deal of jewellery or expensive clothes.
+
+Must not go to any place of amusement where they would not like to meet
+Jesus.
+
+Must not sing songs or read books that will not help them to love God
+more.
+
+Must not buy anything unless they are quite sure they will be able to
+pay for it.
+
+Must be kind to everybody, and give help to all, as far as they are
+able;
+
+      By feeding the hungry;
+      Clothing the naked;
+      Visiting the sick and those in prison;
+      By "running with patience the race that is set before them;"
+      By denying themselves and taking up their cross daily.
+
+They must go to chapel regularly.
+
+Must take the Sacrament.
+
+And, lastly, have family and private prayer every day.
+
+Were not these strict rules? But the people were so much in earnest, and
+had such trust in their leader, Mr. Wesley, that they were quite willing
+to agree to them.
+
+The next thing Mr. Wesley did was to send out his helpers, generally two
+together, to certain districts where they usually remained for a year.
+They had to preach in all the places round about, and each particular
+district or tract of country was called a "circuit." This was the
+beginning of the "circuits" which we have in Methodism to-day. I dare
+say you have often heard father or mother say, "Oh, Mr. So and So has
+gone to another circuit;" or, "Mr. So and So is in our circuit now."
+
+London and Bristol always remained the chief circuits; but before very
+long Newcastle became the next in importance.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+          Another peep into the Magic Mirror.--A pretty
+          picture.--At Epworth.--Mr. Wesley is very unkindly
+          treated.--All for the best.--The curate is
+          "done."--A happy ending to a bad
+          beginning.--"Good-bye, Epworth."
+
+
+SHALL we have another peep into the Magic Mirror? See that pretty
+country church, with the square tower. There are some big trees near,
+looking as if they were tall giants keeping guard; they have no leaves
+on them yet, and their bare arms stretch out a long way as if they were
+trying to reach the church.
+
+If you look carefully you will see buds coming out on the trees, baby
+buds they are, waiting for the sun's kisses. Then they will burst out
+and grow into great leaves that will cover up the naked old trees. Ivy
+climbs up the church wall. I see its dark glossy leaves, for the ivy is
+evergreen.
+
+There are many graves in the churchyard, but you can hardly see them
+because people are sitting on them; such a number of people, hundreds
+more than could ever have got into the church. They are all looking one
+way, and seem to be listening very attentively. What are they looking
+at? They are looking at a gentleman who is standing all alone on a big
+flat tombstone near the church wall. He wears a gown and white bands
+like a clergyman, and he has long hair brushed very smoothly, and a
+beautiful, happy face.
+
+Dear me! did I hear a crash then? And did I hear a hundred young voices
+shouting: "I know who it is, it's Mr. John Wesley"? Why, you must have
+broken the mirror with your shouts. You are right, dears, but you
+shouted rather too soon. I wanted to read what it said on the tombstone
+on which Mr. Wesley was standing. But, never mind, I think I saw some of
+the words:
+
+                  "SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF
+                        SAMUEL WESLEY,
+          FOR THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS RECTOR OF EPWORTH."
+
+Yes, it was his father's grave on which John Wesley was standing.
+
+On his way back from one of his visits to Newcastle he thought he would
+like to see his dear old home once more. It was a long, long time since
+he had been there, and he was not quite sure whether the people would
+have anything to do with him now, for, as leader of the Methodists, he
+had many enemies.
+
+It was Saturday evening in early spring, when he got to the little inn,
+in the long straggling street that was called Epworth village. He had
+not been there very long before three or four poor women found him out,
+one of them an old servant of his mother's.
+
+Next morning, which was Sunday, he went to the curate of the church and
+politely offered to help him with the service. The curate, I am sorry to
+say, was very rude, and refused to let Mr. Wesley take any part in the
+service or to preach in the church at all.
+
+This was a great disappointment, for Mr. Wesley loved the people of
+Epworth, and every stone in the old church was dear to him. His father
+had preached from that pulpit for nearly forty years, and he himself had
+stood there more times than he could count, and it was very hard that he
+was forbidden to take his place there now.
+
+The people were longing to hear him, and when the afternoon service was
+over, and all the folks were leaving the church, one of his friends
+stood in the churchyard and gave out this notice:
+
+          "MR. WESLEY, NOT BEING ALLOWED TO PREACH
+          IN THE CHURCH, INTENDS TO PREACH HERE AT
+                 SIX O'CLOCK THIS EVENING."
+
+It was this picture of Mr. Wesley preaching that the Magic Mirror showed
+us. I expect the curate was very angry at being so "done;" but he could
+not stop Mr. Wesley preaching _outside_ the church.
+
+For a whole week John Wesley preached every evening from his father's
+tombstone. Crowds came to hear him, and hundreds were converted and
+turned from their evil ways. They saw how sinful they had been and
+prayed aloud for forgiveness. Drunkards became sober men, and those who
+cursed and swore were turned into peace-makers.
+
+So dear old Mr. Wesley's prayers were answered, and the people who had
+treated him so unkindly, and whom he had forgiven and loved, now took
+his Saviour to be their Saviour, and his God to be their God.
+
+Indeed Mr. Wesley's visit to his old home, that began so unpleasantly,
+ended very happily, and when his last evening came, both he and his dear
+people found it hard to say "Good-bye."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+          No one like mother.--Sad days at the
+          Foundry.--Mrs. Wesley goes Home through the
+          Beautiful Gate.--A sorrowing son.--Preaching at
+          the open grave.--At work again.--Satan in
+          opposition.--Fireworks, cows, stones, blood, and
+          broken windows.
+
+
+A GOOD mother is a boy's or a girl's best earthly friend. John Wesley
+knew this, and thought there was no mother like _his_ mother. You
+remember how, as a little boy, he always went to her for advice; and
+when he was quite a young man he used to hope that he would die before
+her, for he felt he could not live without his mother. You may think,
+then, how sad he was when, at last, the message came to him that she was
+dying.
+
+He was at Bristol when he received the news, and at once set off for
+London. Arrived at his home at the Foundry, he found his five sisters
+watching round the bed of the dear old mother.
+
+Though she was too ill to speak to them, they could see she was quite
+happy and peaceful, just waiting to be taken Home. Before long the call
+came: "Come up higher."
+
+A great number of people came to the funeral; and as Mr. Wesley stood at
+the graveside, he preached one of his most wonderful sermons. His heart
+was full; he had lost the friend of his life. But he knew it was not for
+ever, one day he would meet her again; and as he looked on those
+hundreds of people gathered there by the open grave, he longed that they
+should, as surely, some day pass Home through the Beautiful Gate.
+
+Work is the best cure for sorrow; and after his dear mother's death, Mr.
+Wesley began his preaching again. Wherever he went people were
+converted, and became followers of Jesus Christ; and also wherever he
+went wicked men and women tried to stop him preaching, and sometimes
+even wanted to kill him. But he was doing God's work, and God took care
+of him.
+
+Once he was preaching to hundreds of people in an open space somewhere
+in London. In the middle of his sermon, several men tried to drive a
+herd of cows among the listeners. They wanted to frighten them, and
+force them to go away. But the cows were wiser than their masters, and
+would not go among the people. Then these bad men started throwing
+stones, and one of them hit Mr. Wesley just between his eyes. What do
+you think he did? Give up preaching and go home? Indeed he did not; he
+just wiped the blood off his face, and went on telling the people to
+repent of their sins and believe on the Son of God. Brave John Wesley!
+
+Bristol, you remember, was the first place where Mr. Wesley preached out
+of doors, and it was at Bristol where there was the first great
+disturbance.
+
+I don't quite know how it was, but just about this time, wherever the
+Methodists went, they were abused and ill-treated. I think Satan was
+beginning to find out how much good the Methodists were doing, and
+thought it was about time he did something to stop it. So, in all the
+towns where the preachers went, he stirred up the worst men and women to
+make rows and disturb the services.
+
+At Chelsea, the rioters threw fireworks into the room; at another place
+they broke in the roof, and some of the people were nearly killed. At
+Bristol, the mob filled the streets, shouting, and cursing, and
+swearing. When the constables caught the ring-leaders and took them
+before the mayor, they began to speak against Mr. Wesley, but the mayor
+stopped them. "Whatever Mr. Wesley is, is nothing to you," he said. "I
+won't allow any rioting in this city, and you must go to prison." This
+was the first and last disturbance at Bristol. But the worst of it was,
+at most of the places, neither the constables nor the mayor would
+interfere, and so the people did just as they liked.
+
+At Wednesbury, in Staffordshire, the Methodists were most cruelly
+treated. One of the rioters used to blow a horn, and then all the mob
+gathered together. They went to every house where there was a Methodist,
+smashed the windows, dragged the furniture out and broke it up, and
+burnt the beds. If the men or women interfered, they just knocked them
+down; even the little children they used to beat. But I think I will
+leave the exciting scenes at Wednesbury for another chapter.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+          Brave as a lion.--A protecting angel.--God's
+          magic.--Foes become friends.--An unpleasant walk
+          in rain and darkness.--What the mayor said.--A
+          free fight.--"Knock the parson down! Kill him at
+          once!"--Magic again.--A butcher to the
+          rescue.--Safe back in Wednesbury.
+
+
+WHEN Mr. Wesley heard how his followers were being treated in
+Wednesbury, he went off at once to their help. Though he was only a
+little man, he was as brave as a lion; he knew he had God at his back,
+and like David before Goliath, like Daniel before Darius, and like
+Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego before Nebuchadnezzar, he did not fear
+what man could do unto him.
+
+God sent His angel to close the lions' mouths so they would not harm
+Daniel; and the same messenger walked in the fiery furnace with the
+three Hebrew youths. So, when Mr. Wesley went straight into the
+market-place in Wednesbury, and fearlessly preached to the hundreds
+assembled there, God's protecting angel breathed silence and calm; not a
+sound of disturbance was heard. In the evening the mob surrounded the
+house where Mr. Wesley was staying, shouting out fiercely:
+
+"Bring out the minister! We will have the minister!"
+
+Mr. Wesley, neither frightened nor excited, quietly asked one of his
+friends to bring in the ringleader of the mob. The man came in, anger
+and fierceness in his eyes. But, somehow, as soon as he stood in the
+presence of that calm, Christ-like man, all his passion went out of him.
+Mr. Wesley then asked him to bring in two or three of his roughest
+companions. The angry men came in. They had wanted to get at the
+minister, now they had the chance. But once inside that room, they found
+they could not touch him. They felt the presence of God's protecting
+angel, and peace took the place of passion, and friendliness the place
+of hatred. Getting Mr. Wesley between them, these strange, new friends
+made a way for him through the mob outside the house.
+
+Then, standing on a chair, Mr. Wesley spoke to the crowd.
+
+"You wanted me," he said. "Here I am. Now what do you want me for?"
+
+"We want you to go with us to the magistrate," they cried.
+
+"I will go with you with all my heart," he replied.
+
+So away went the brave ambassador for Christ, accompanied by hundreds of
+the roughest men and women in Wednesbury.
+
+It was two miles to the magistrate's house, and before they had got
+half-way the night came on, and it began to rain very heavily. This made
+most of the people turn back and hurry home, but two hundred or more
+kept together round Mr. Wesley.
+
+Some of the men ran on first to tell the magistrate they'd got the
+Methodist preacher. Instead of seeming pleased, the magistrate said:
+
+"What have I to do with Mr. Wesley? Take him back again." So he sent
+them off, and went to bed.
+
+By and by the crowd came up to the house, and knocked at the door. When
+the magistrate's son went to them and asked what was the matter, they
+said:
+
+"Why, please, sir, these Methodists sing psalms all day, and make folks
+get up at five o'clock in the morning, and what would your worship
+advise us to do?"
+
+"To go home and be quiet," replied the gentleman.
+
+Finding they could get no help from this magistrate, they hurried poor
+Mr. Wesley off to another. This gentleman, too, had gone to bed, and so
+the mob could do nothing else but go home.
+
+However, before they had got very far they were joined by another rough
+mob from a neighbouring town; and then, in the rain and the darkness,
+the two mobs started fighting and knocking each other down. It was no
+use Mr. Wesley trying to speak, for the shouting and noise was like the
+roaring of the sea. They dragged him along with them until they reached
+the town, and then, seeing the door of a large house open, Mr. Wesley
+tried to get in. But one of the cruel men got him by the hair and pulled
+him back into the middle of the mob; and then they dragged him from one
+end of the town to the other.
+
+"I talked all the time to those that were within hearing," said Mr.
+Wesley, afterwards, "and I never felt the least pain or weariness."
+
+At last he saw a shop door half open, and tried to get in, but the
+gentleman to whom the shop belonged would not let him.
+
+"Why, the people would pull my house down," he said, "if I let you in."
+
+However, Mr. Wesley stood at the door and shouted to the people: "Are
+you willing to hear me speak?"
+
+"No, no; knock him down! Kill him at once!" cried hundreds of voices.
+
+"Nay, let's hear him first," shouted others.
+
+"What harm have I done any of you?" exclaimed the fearless preacher.
+"Which of you have I wronged in word or deed?"
+
+For a quarter of an hour he talked to them, then his voice suddenly gave
+way, the strain had been too great.
+
+Then the cruel mob cried out again: "Bring him away! Bring him away!"
+
+But Mr. Wesley's strength had come back, and he began to pray aloud.
+
+That prayer acted like magic; the man who had just before been the
+leader of that brutal crowd, turning to Mr. Wesley, said: "Sir, I will
+spend my life for you; follow me, and no one here shall touch a hair of
+your head."
+
+Two or three of his companions said almost the same, and surrounded Mr.
+Wesley to protect him. Then four or five rough men set upon them, and
+tried to drag Mr. Wesley away; but a butcher, who was a little further
+off, shouted, "Shame! shame!" and pulled them back one after another.
+Some one else shouted, "For shame! For shame! let the good man go!"
+
+Then, just as if they had been struck by magic, all the people drew back
+right and left, and Mr. Wesley was carried safely through.
+
+[Illustration: "'Knock him down! Kill him at once!' cried hundreds of
+voices."--_Page 114._]
+
+But the danger was not quite over even yet. On the bridge which they had
+to cross, the mob assembled again; but Mr. Wesley's protectors took him
+across a mill-dam and then through some fields, and at last brought him
+safe into Wednesbury, with no other damage than a torn coat and a little
+skin scraped off one of his hands.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+          Mr. Wesley's story of the Wednesbury riot.--How he
+          felt.--The right pocket.--Beautiful hair.--The
+          prize-fighter a good protector.--A brick, a stone,
+          and two hard blows.--Daniel vi. 22.
+
+
+AFTER reading the last exciting chapter, you will all exclaim, "Well,
+Mr. Wesley _was_ a brave man!" and I am sure you will like to hear what
+he himself said about his adventures. These are the very words he wrote
+after the Wednesbury riots:
+
+"From the beginning to the end, I felt as calm as if I had been sitting
+in my study at home. Once it did come into my mind, that if they threw
+me into the river, it would spoil the papers I had in my pocket. I was
+not afraid for myself, for I did not doubt but I could swim across to
+the opposite bank.
+
+"Thinking about it all now, I notice some remarkable circumstances. One
+was, that though several tried to get hold of me, it seemed as if they
+could not, and when at last one did get hold of my coat and tore the
+pocket off, it was the right pocket for him to get, for it contained
+nothing of importance; whereas if he had torn off the other he would
+have got a bank-note with it.
+
+"Another was, a big strong fellow just behind struck at me several times
+with a large oak stick. One blow had it hit me would have killed me, but
+somehow every time he struck, the blow was turned aside. I don't know
+how, for I could not move either to the right hand or to the left.
+
+"Another man came rushing through the crowd and raised his arm to strike
+me. Suddenly he let his arm drop, and only stroked my hair, saying:
+'What beautiful hair he has!'
+
+"It was strange too, that the very first men whose hearts were softened
+were always the leaders of the mob--one of them had been a
+prize-fighter. So that when they took my part I was well protected.
+
+"Again, from first to last I heard no one give me a reviling word, or
+call me by any insolent or disgraceful name whatever. The cry of one and
+all was: 'The Preacher! The Preacher! The Parson! The Minister!'"
+
+Again Mr. Wesley wrote:
+
+"By what gentle and gradual steps does God prepare us for His will! Two
+years ago a brick that was thrown at me grazed my shoulders. Then a year
+after that, the stone struck me between the eyes when I was preaching in
+London. This evening I have received two blows; one man struck me on
+the chest with all his might, and another on the mouth with such force
+that the blood gushed out immediately. But both were as nothing, I felt
+no more pain from either of the blows, than if the men had touched me
+with a straw."
+
+Boys and girls, is not this a wonderful story? Get your Bibles, and look
+in the sixth chapter of the book of Daniel and the twenty-second verse.
+
+Wicked men had laid a trap for King Darius, and because they were
+envious of Daniel, they caused the king to order Daniel to be thrown
+into the lions' den. This made King Darius very unhappy, for he loved
+Daniel. But though he was a heathen king, he had such faith in Daniel's
+God, that he felt sure the lions would not be allowed to hurt him.
+
+King Darius could not sleep all night, for thinking of Daniel all alone
+in the den of those wild beasts; so he got up very early in the morning,
+and went to the den and called to Daniel to know if he were alive. And
+from inside that dismal den with hungry beasts prowling round and round,
+came the bright, cheering voice of the God-protected man: "My God hath
+sent His angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt
+me."
+
+John Wesley was as much among wild beasts at Wednesbury, as ever Daniel
+was in the den of lions, for when men's passions are roused they are no
+better than the beasts. But the arm that was raised to strike, gently
+stroked his hair; the blow that was meant to kill, fell upon an
+invisible head; the leaders of all that was cruel and wicked, were
+struck tender and quiet, and became personal protectors.
+
+Truly Mr. Wesley could have said with Daniel: "My God hath sent His
+angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+          The lion-hearted Wesleys.--And their brave,
+          long-suffering followers.--What Munchin thought of
+          John Wesley.--Hymn 276 and how it came to be
+          written.--The mischievous schoolboy becomes the
+          sweet singer of Methodism.--The wall that sat
+          down.--And the people who sat down with it.
+
+
+THE troubles in Wednesbury were not yet ended. The very magistrates who
+had refused to see Mr. Wesley that night when the mob dragged him to the
+door, a few days later gave orders for the police to search everywhere
+for "those Methodist preachers who go about raising riots."
+
+Even this failed to frighten the brave-hearted Wesleys, for when John
+left Wednesbury his brother Charles took his place. He found the poor
+Methodists still suffering terrible persecutions, but patient and
+forgiving to their enemies. Christ's own words were their help and
+comfort: "_Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness' sake:
+for theirs is the kingdom of heaven_" (Matt. v. 10).
+
+Munchin, the man who had been one of the leaders of the mob and
+afterwards protected Mr. Wesley, had joined the Methodists and become a
+member of society. One day Mr. Charles said to him: "What did you think
+of my brother?"
+
+"Think of him?" said Munchin; "I think he is a man of God; and God was
+surely by his side when so many of us could not kill one man."
+
+The persecutions of the Methodists in Wednesbury continued for a long
+time. The windows of their houses were broken, their tables, chairs, and
+other furniture were smashed to pieces, and their feather-beds were torn
+into shreds. No craven-hearted man would have dared to go into such a
+place of danger, and preach to such fiends in human form; but the
+Wesleys knew no fear when duty called, and again and again they visited
+their poor, persecuted followers. Christ-like men, indeed, they were,
+for, like their Holy Leader, "when they were reviled they reviled not
+again; when they suffered they threatened not."
+
+Mr. Charles composed a hymn after one of the dreadful rows, which shows
+how entirely they trusted in Jesus, and how sure they were that no harm
+could come to them except what He allowed.
+
+Look at number 276 in your Wesley's Hymn-Book, and you will find this
+very hymn. This is the first verse:--
+
+          "Worship and thanks and blessing,
+             And strength ascribe to Jesus!
+           Jesus alone defends His own,
+             When earth and hell oppress us.
+
+          "Jesus with joy we witness
+             Almighty to deliver,
+           Our seals set to, that God is true,
+             And reigns a King for ever."
+
+That reminds me that I must not forget to tell you, by far the greater
+number of the hymns we sing every Sunday in chapel were written by Mr.
+Charles Wesley. Yes, the little mischievous Westminster schoolboy became
+the sweet singer of Methodism. Not only among Methodists are his
+beautiful hymns sung to-day, but in almost every Christian hymn-book in
+the world some of his verses will be found.
+
+You must not think all places were like Wednesbury. Mr. Wesley had often
+very attentive congregations, and the people listened to him gladly.
+Indeed, at an open-air service he once held, the people behaved better
+than I fear we should have done. Part of the congregation sat on a low
+wall built of loose stones; all at once, in the middle of the sermon,
+down came the wall and all the people with it. I think we should have
+burst out laughing, it must have looked so funny. Instead of which,
+there was no laughing and no screaming; the people just kept their
+places, only instead of sitting on the top of the wall they sat at the
+bottom. There was no interruption of the service at all; Mr. Wesley went
+on with his sermon, and the people continued reverent and attentive.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+          The Magic Mirror again.--Sycamore Farm.--Annie's
+          good news.--A chorister up in a tree.--A long,
+          long journey.--Sixty miles a day on horseback.--A
+          Chapel out of doors.--A hard bed and a funny
+          pillow.--Thanksgiving Street.--Ripe Blackberries.
+
+
+WHY, I do believe that Magic Mirror has mended itself, for here it is,
+showing us such a lovely picture--nay, two, I declare. Look at that dear
+old farmhouse; it must surely be called Sycamore Farm, for there are
+great sycamore trees all round the front and the side. At the back, and
+only one field away from the house, are the green slopes of the
+mountain, with a little waterfall tumbling merrily down a crack in its
+side. In front of the farm, shimmering through the leaves of the trees,
+you can see the sunlit waters of a calm lake. The farm is a low
+whitewashed building, and we can see the cows in the distant meadows
+coming home to be milked. No one is with them; but there is a little
+group of people standing at the farmyard gate. The farmer and his wife
+and all the family and servants seem to be there.
+
+Whatever is the matter?
+
+Oh, see! there is a little girl in the middle of the group, and they are
+all listening to what she is saying. Let us listen too.
+
+"Yes, it is quite true; Mr. Wesley _is_ coming. I went to the village
+for mother, and old Downs the cobbler told me, and so did Mrs. Wilson at
+the shop. Everybody is talking about it."
+
+"Ay, but that's good news, lassie!" the old farmer says. "I wonder now
+if he'd come and preach at Sycamore Farm."
+
+The picture has gone.
+
+Oh, but here's the other one. Why, it is the same old farmhouse, and the
+sun is shining on the whitewashed walls and funny little windows. There
+is a great crowd gathered under the shade of the leafy sycamores. See,
+there is the kind-looking farmer, with his sunburnt face, and sitting on
+his knee is Annie, the little girl that brought the good news from the
+village. Right in the midst of the crowd is Mr. Wesley, telling these
+country-people the story of the Cross.
+
+Now that picture has gone too.
+
+Should we not have liked to have been at that service?
+
+I will tell you what Mr. Wesley said about it.
+
+[Illustration: "In the midst of the crowd is Mr. Wesley, telling these
+country-people the story of the Cross."--_Page 124._]
+
+"It was a hot summer day, and we could see the blue, blue sky through
+the leaves of the old sycamores, which shaded us from the heat. Just as
+I began to preach, a little bird perched on a branch close by and began
+to sing. I went on preaching, but its song did not end, it sang on and
+on, and not until the service was quite over did it cease. It was the
+best music for such a church and such a congregation, no harp or organ
+ever sounded half so sweet."
+
+From Westmoreland, where this happened, to Cornwall is a long way, but
+not too far for Mr. Wesley and his horse. He used often to ride sixty
+miles a day; and most of his reading, and the composing of his sermons
+was done while he was on horseback. He travelled in this way for more
+than forty years, and must have gone over 100,000 miles.
+
+In Gwennap, a place in Cornwall, Mr. Wesley found a lovely out-of-doors
+sort of chapel. Some of my readers will have seen the Happy Valley at
+Llandudno; I think the Gwennap chapel must have been something like
+that, only a great deal bigger. This is what Mr. Wesley wrote about his
+first service there:
+
+"I stood on a wall, in the calm, still evening, with the setting sun
+behind, and a great, great multitude before, behind, and on either hand,
+sitting on the hills all round. All could hear quite distinctly, when I
+read to them Christ's own words: 'The disciple is not above his Master,'
+and 'He that taketh not his cross and followeth after Me is not worthy
+of Me.'"
+
+Must it not have been a wonderful sight?
+
+Like other places, Cornwall did not always give a kind welcome to the
+Methodists; indeed, they had sometimes to put up with very rough
+treatment. Often they had to go without food, and the hard floor was
+their only bed.
+
+Once, at a place called St. Ives, Mr. Wesley and his helper, Mr. Nelson,
+slept on the floor for a whole fortnight. One of them had an overcoat
+rolled up for a pillow, and the other a big book. They used to get very
+sore, and sometimes could not sleep for the pain in their poor aching
+bones. But these Methodists had never heard of Grumble Corner,--they
+only knew Thanksgiving Street; and so, instead of murmuring and
+complaining, one night, when the floor seemed harder than ever, Mr.
+Wesley called out: "Let us cheer up, Brother Nelson, for the skin is
+only off one side yet."
+
+Another time, when no one had asked them to dinner or tea, and they were
+riding through a country lane, feeling very hungry, Mr. Wesley stopped
+his horse to gather some blackberries, saying to his friend: "Brother
+Nelson, we ought to be thankful that there are plenty of blackberries,
+for this is the best country I ever saw for getting an appetite, but the
+worst for getting food."
+
+On the whole, however, the Cornish people were not unkind to Mr. Wesley.
+At St. Ives they once gave him a very noisy welcome, shouting, "Hurrah!
+hurrah!" and then going under his bedroom window and singing:
+
+          "John Wesley is come to town,
+           To try if he can pull the churches down."
+
+All this happened during his first visit to Cornwall; and only once
+during the three weeks he was there did he get really abused, and that
+was at St. Ives, when the mob burst into his room, and a rough, cruel
+man struck him on the head.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+          A fight with the sea.--Poor Peter!--A sail in a
+          fisherman's boat.--The song that the waves
+          accompanied.--A climb on Land's End.--Manchester
+          disgraces itself.--Hull still worse.--Matt. v.
+          39.--A brave servant girl.--John Wesley declines
+          to hide.
+
+
+I TOLD you in the last chapter what a wonderful traveller Mr. Wesley
+was; he could walk twenty-four miles a day easily, in either hot or cold
+weather, and his adventures on the roads would almost fill a book.
+
+On one of his later visits to Cornwall, he had a terrible fight with the
+sea; this time he was riding in a coach. He had promised to preach in
+St. Ives at a certain time, and the only way to get there was by
+crossing the sands when the tide was out. His own driver being a
+stranger in the country, he engaged a man named Peter Martin to drive
+him. When they reached the sea-shore they found, to their dismay, that
+the tide was coming in, and the sands they had to cross were already
+partly covered with water. Peter, the old coachman, stopped the horses,
+and told Mr. Wesley that it was not safe to go. Then an old sea-captain
+tried to prevent them, begging them to go back, or they would surely be
+drowned.
+
+"No," said Mr. Wesley, "I've promised to preach at St. Ives, and I must
+keep my promise. Take the sea! Take the sea!" he shouted, putting his
+head out of the carriage window.
+
+In a moment, Peter whipped the horses, and dashed into the waves. The
+wheels of the carriage kept sinking in the deep pits and hollows in the
+sand, while the horses, swimming in the water, snorted and reared with
+fright, and every moment poor Peter expected to be drowned.
+
+Just at this terrible moment, Mr. Wesley put his head out of the
+carriage window; his long white hair--for he was an old man when this
+happened--was dripping with the salt water, which ran down his venerable
+face. He was calm and fearless, unmoved by the roaring of the waves or
+the danger of the situation.
+
+"What is your name, driver?" he shouted.
+
+"Peter, sir," shouted back the man.
+
+"Peter," Mr. Wesley called out again, "fear not; thou shalt not sink."
+
+With spurring and whipping, the poor frightened, tired horses at last
+brought them safely over.
+
+When they reached St. Ives, Mr. Wesley's first care was to see to the
+comfort of his horses and driver. He got warm clothing, and refreshments
+at the inn for Peter, and comfortable stabling for his weary horses;
+then, quite forgetting himself, wet through with the dashing waves, he
+went off to the chapel to preach.
+
+While Mr. Wesley was in Cornwall he paid a flying visit to the Scilly
+Isles. He went over in a fisherman's boat, and sang to the rising and
+falling of the waves:
+
+          "When passing through the watery deep,
+             I ask in faith His promised aid;
+           The waves an awful distance keep,
+             And shrink from my devoted head.
+           Fearless, their violence I dare;
+           They cannot harm,--for God is there."
+
+If you look in your Wesley's Hymn-Book, at hymn 272, you will find this
+verse.
+
+You have all learnt, in your geographies, that Land's End is the most
+southern point in England; look at the very south of Cornwall, and you
+will find it. Mr. Wesley was very fond of this wild, rocky point, with
+oceans rolling on either side,--the English Channel on the one, the
+mighty Atlantic on the other. He paid a last visit to it when he was an
+old, old man, eighty years or more. With furrowed cheeks, white hair
+streaming in the wind, and infirm limbs, he climbed over the steep rocks
+to get a long, last look at his favourite spot, the meeting of the
+waters. I believe hymn 59 was composed by Mr. Wesley as he stood on
+Land's End; this is one of the verses:
+
+          "Lo! on a narrow neck of land,
+           'Twixt two unbounded seas I stand,
+               Secure, insensible;
+           A point of time, a moment's space,
+           Removes me to that heavenly place,
+               Or shuts me up in hell."
+
+But we are getting on too fast, and must go back to the days when Mr.
+Wesley was _not_ an old man. All his time was spent in preaching up and
+down the country, starting fresh societies, and encouraging old ones;
+and almost everywhere he and his helpers met with abuse and rough
+treatment.
+
+In Manchester, which was even then a large and important town, Mr.
+Wesley preached to several thousands of people in the open air. At this
+meeting, his hearers either got tired of listening or they took offence
+at what he said, for, before he had finished, they threatened to bring
+out the fire-engine and squirt water upon him if he did not stop.
+
+At Hull, on his first visit in 1752, lumps of earth and stones were
+thrown at him while he was preaching; and when the service was over, the
+mob followed him, shouting, hooting, and throwing stones until he
+reached his lodging.
+
+Though Mr. Wesley could be as brave as a lion when it was necessary, he
+could also be as gentle as a lamb. Once, when he was preaching at
+Dewsbury, a man rushed up to him in a terrible rage, and struck him with
+all his might on the side of his face. It was such a hard blow that poor
+Mr. Wesley could not keep the tears from coming into his eyes. Instead
+of striking the man back or using angry words, he just did what Christ
+said we should do, he turned his other cheek (Matt. v. 39). The enraged
+man was so surprised at such unexpected gentleness, that he turned away
+and hid his face with shame, and was ever after one of the Methodists'
+greatest friends. Once he even risked his life to save one of their
+chapels from being destroyed.
+
+Another time, when Mr. Wesley was at Falmouth in Cornwall, he called to
+see an invalid lady. The mob heard where he was, and surrounded the
+house, shrieking out: "Bring out the Canorum! Where is the Canorum?"
+This was a nickname which the Cornishmen had given the Methodists. With
+sticks and stones the mob tried to break open the front door of the poor
+sick lady's house; and while they were doing this, all the people in the
+house escaped by the backway, except Mr. Wesley and a servant girl. The
+girl did not like to leave Mr. Wesley alone in this great danger, and
+begged him to get away and hide himself. But John Wesley was not one of
+the "hiding" sort. Instead of that, as soon as they had succeeded in
+bursting the door open, he just walked straight among the mob,
+exclaiming: "Here I am! What have you got to say to me? To which of you
+have I done any wrong?"
+
+He made his way out into the street bare-headed, talking all the time;
+and before he had finished, the ringleader of the mob declared no one
+should touch him, he would be his protector. So he reached his lodgings
+in safety.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI.
+
+          Back in London.--Mr. John and Mr. Charles go
+          visiting.--Too much for one.--Talking matters
+          over.--The first Methodist Conference.--No time to
+          be in a hurry.--What early rising can do.--First
+          tract distributors.--A big district.--Boarding
+          schools 150 years ago.--Dreadful rules.
+
+
+WE have been travelling all over England with Mr. Wesley, now I think we
+must go back to London with him. The society there was still the largest
+in the country: in the year I am writing about (1744), they had one
+thousand nine hundred and fifty members. Mr. Wesley very much wished to
+visit every one of these members, and asked his brother Charles to go
+with him. They started their visiting at six o'clock every morning, and
+did not leave off till six o'clock at night.
+
+Six o'clock a.m. seems a funny time to call and see any one, does it
+not? But you see people used to get up at four or five in the morning in
+those days, and used to go to bed at eight, so it was not really such a
+funny time as it seems.
+
+Though Mr. John and Mr. Charles started so early and worked so late, it
+took them a long, long time to visit all those 1950 members, and when
+they had finished, Mr. Wesley realised for the first time how his work
+had grown. He saw it was impossible, even with his brother's help, to
+manage all the preachers and all the members scattered over the country,
+when even the work in London was more than he could undertake alone. He
+thought about this a great deal, and then he asked four clergymen and
+four of his helpers, or what we should call local preachers, to meet him
+and his brother at the Foundry, to talk things over and decide what
+ought to be done. These gentlemen accepted his invitation, and there, on
+that eventful Monday in June, 1744, the first Methodist Conference met;
+and from that time up to the present, no year has passed but Methodist
+preachers and helpers have gathered together to make plans and talk
+business.
+
+I am sure you must all have heard of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference,
+which is now held every July or August in some one or other of the large
+towns of England. This first conference was opened with solemn prayer
+and a sermon by Mr. Charles Wesley; then all the difficulties of the
+work were talked over, and arrangements made for the future. Mr. John
+Wesley presided, and for forty-six years after, at every conference,
+their beloved leader and head took the chair at this annual gathering.
+
+You will think that what with travelling and preaching, and looking
+after his helpers, and visiting the members, Mr. Wesley could not find
+time for much else. But it is always the busiest people who have the
+most time. As I told you before, Mr. Wesley began his days very early,
+getting up at four o'clock; and by doing this every morning for sixty
+years, he managed not only to preach, and read, and visit, but also to
+write a great many books, and thousands of tracts--one of his books was
+called "Lessons for Children." Many of the tracts were about swearing
+and Sabbath-breaking, and printed on the outside were the words, "Not to
+be sold, but given away"; and he and his preachers used to carry them in
+their pockets and give them to the people they passed on the roads.
+
+Another reason why Mr. Wesley had more time than most people was,
+because he
+
+          NEVER WASTED A MINUTE,
+
+and though he did so much work, he was _never in a hurry_. He used to
+say, "I have no time to be in a hurry." Hurry you know does not always
+mean speed; when things are done in a hurry they are often only half
+done, and have to be done all over again.
+
+You remember how the miners at Kingswood collected money and built a
+school for their children. Well, about ten years afterwards, another
+school was built at Kingswood for the children of the travelling
+preachers. These preachers had not much time to look after their
+families themselves, being so much away from home, and they wanted their
+boys and girls to be taught to read their Bibles and to learn to love
+Jesus. They had some dreadfully strict rules at this boarding school,
+which my readers would not have liked at all, and which I am afraid the
+children there did not like either, for I have heard that some of the
+boys ran away. They had to go to bed every night at eight o'clock, and
+what was worse, get up every morning at four. Then every little boy and
+girl, unless they were poorly, had to fast every Friday, that is, they
+were not allowed to have anything to eat all day until three o'clock.
+But I had better not tell you any more of these dreadful rules, only you
+may be very thankful that you are living in these days, when you have
+much better times than the boys and girls who lived 150 years ago.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII.
+
+          A visit to Ireland.--The sack that did not contain
+          potatoes.--The bogie man.--What the sack did
+          contain.--The prayer-meeting in the barn.--Mr.
+          Charles Wesley gets married.--And so does Mr.
+          John.--Two niggers who became missionaries.
+
+
+IN 1749 Mr. Wesley paid a visit to Ireland, where already he had many
+followers. His brother Charles had visited there two years before, and
+was a great favourite, for the Irish people love music, and would always
+go to hear his hymns.
+
+In many places in Ireland the Methodists were treated quite as badly as
+they were in our own country; but the same angel of the Lord that
+protected them in England followed them across the Irish sea.
+
+There is a funny story told of how they were once saved from a band of
+rough men. The Roman Catholics persecuted them so much at Wexford that
+they were obliged to hold their meeting secretly in a barn. Once, one of
+their persecutors got to know the night they were having a meeting, and
+told his companions he would hide himself in the barn before the service
+began, and then when it commenced he would open the door to them. They
+thought this was a splendid idea. So the man went to the barn, and there
+found an old sack or bag, big enough for him to get into. Into this he
+crept, and by and by the people began to come, and the service
+commenced. First, they sang a hymn; and somehow the man in the bag
+enjoyed it so much, he quite forgot what he had come into the barn for.
+
+He listened until the hymn was finished, and then he listened to the
+prayer that followed, and after that he could not listen any more. He
+couldn't get out of the bag, and he couldn't do anything but groan and
+cry. God, through the hymn and the prayer, had touched his heart, and he
+felt himself to be the greatest sinner in Ireland.
+
+So he groaned and groaned, and at last some of the congregation heard
+him. They looked towards the place where the mysterious sound came from,
+but could see nothing except what looked like a sack of potatoes. Still
+the groaning went on, and some of the people got frightened, and were
+quite sure there was a bogie in the barn. At last one or two ventured to
+go nearer to the sack, then some one peeped in, and the poor trembling
+Irishman was discovered. He confessed to his purpose in hiding himself,
+told them God had stopped him in his evil plan, and begged them to pray
+for him. So the service was turned into a prayer-meeting, the man was
+converted, and became one of the best Methodists in Wexford.
+
+Some of my readers will be wondering if Mr. John or Mr. Charles Wesley
+were ever married, and if they had any boys and girls of their own. Just
+before Mr. Wesley went to Ireland in 1749, he married his brother
+Charles to the daughter of a Welsh gentleman, and Mr. Wesley, himself,
+was married two years later to a lady who was a widow. You will be sorry
+to hear that this lady was not at all nice; she treated her husband most
+unkindly, and made him very unhappy. Though Mr. Wesley was so fond of
+children, he never had any of his own. Mr. Charles had eight, but only
+three lived to grow up. His wife was a good, kind lady, and they were
+very happy. He did not travel about so much after he was married, but
+spent a great deal of his time writing his beautiful hymns.
+
+These two brothers always remained the best of friends. In one of his
+letters, Charles wrote to John: "I wish we could be oftener together; it
+might be better for us both. Let us be useful in our lives, and at our
+death not divided."
+
+Before I close this chapter I want to tell you of the first two black
+men who were converted through the preaching of a Methodist.
+
+Living at Wandsworth, a little place near London where Mr. Wesley had
+gone to preach, was a gentleman named Nathaniel Gilbert. He had come
+from the West Indies, where he employed a great many negroes. Two of
+these negroes he had brought over to England with him, and when Mr.
+Wesley paid a visit to Mr. Gilbert, and preached in his house, these two
+black men were converted. When they returned to the West Indies, they,
+along with Mr. Gilbert, preached the gospel of Jesus Christ to the dark
+people in those far-away islands.
+
+          "Shall we, whose souls are lighted
+             With wisdom from on high,
+           Shall we to men benighted
+             The lamp of life deny?
+           Salvation, oh, salvation,
+             The joyful sound proclaim,
+           Till earth's remotest nation
+             Has learnt Messiah's name."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII.
+
+          Runaway horses.--Two frightened little girls.--A
+          terrible moment.--Safe.--Psalm xci. 11, 12.--Mr.
+          Wesley has a birthday.--A funny receipt for
+          keeping young.
+
+
+ONE more story of how the angel that shut the lions' mouths for Daniel
+took care of God's dear servant, John Wesley. He was staying at
+Newcastle with a Methodist named Mr. Smith, who had married his
+step-daughter. One day a party of them drove to a village a few miles
+off. In the carriage there was Mr. Wesley and a friend, Mr. and Mrs.
+Smith and their two little girls. When they had driven about two miles
+and were just at the top of a hill, suddenly the horses took fright, and
+dashed down the steep road. The poor coachman was thrown off the box,
+and the horses tore away at full speed, sometimes swerving to the edge
+of a ditch on one side of the road, then back again to a ditch on the
+other, but never once going over. When a cart came along, instead of
+running into it, the carriage passed as if the driver had been on the
+box.
+
+At the bottom of the hill was a narrow bridge, which it seemed
+impossible the panting horses could cross safely. But exactly down the
+middle they went, swerving neither to the right or left. Then up the
+hill on the other side they dashed, passing many people on the road, but
+every one afraid to stop their mad career. Near the top of this hill was
+a gate, which led into a farmer's yard. The gate stood open, and turning
+sharp, the horses ran through without even touching gate or post. The
+gate on the other side of the yard was shut, and the terrified people in
+the carriage thought the horses would now be checked. Instead of that,
+they rushed through, breaking it up as if it had only been a spider's
+web, and galloped on through the corn-field.
+
+The two little girls had been almost too frightened to speak, now they
+clung to Mr. Wesley, crying out: "Oh grandpapa, save us! save us!" Mr.
+Wesley, who says he felt no more afraid than if he had been sitting in
+his study, just calmly said to them: "Nothing will hurt you, dears;
+don't be afraid." The horses galloped madly on, till they came to the
+edge of a steep precipice. Would they go over? What would they do? Oh,
+what a terrible moment of suspense.
+
+A gentleman on horseback seeing their danger, just galloped across the
+track of the frightened animals. This acted like magic; they stood still
+at once, and every one was safe. A few minutes more and they would have
+been dashed to pieces. When they turned back into the road they found
+the coachman coming to meet them, and no worse for his fall.
+
+Did not God keep His promise to the man who had "set his love upon Him"?
+"_He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy
+ways: they shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot
+against a stone._"--Psalm xci. 11, 12.
+
+Mr. Wesley was an old man when this happened, just seventy-two; it was
+in June, and his birthday was on the 17th. But he was so strong and
+well, not at all like an old man. Listen to what he says of himself:
+"This is my birthday, the first day of my seventy-second year, and I am
+wondering how it is that I am just as strong as I was thirty years ago.
+Indeed, I am better than I was then; I can see better, and my nerves are
+firmer. The grand cause is 'the good pleasure of God.' But three special
+things have helped to keep me young:
+
+          _First_--Getting up at 4 o'clock every morning for
+          fifty years.
+
+          _Second_--Preaching every morning at five o'clock.
+
+          _Third_--Travelling by sea or land 4,500 miles in
+          every year."
+
+These are funny things to keep any one young, are they not? I am afraid
+if to follow these rules is the only way to keep young, most of my
+readers will be content to grow old.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV.
+
+          Little Mary and what she did with her
+          money.--Caught on the stairs.--Cheered by the
+          children.--Boys and girls converted.
+
+
+IN the year 1770 the Methodists had grown so numerous that they counted
+forty-nine different circuits or societies in England, Scotland, Ireland
+and Wales. They had one hundred and twenty-two travelling preachers, and
+twice as many local preachers, who did not travel, and at the covenant
+service which Mr. Wesley held at the beginning of this year in London,
+there were eighteen hundred members present.
+
+Mr. Wesley, like our ministers nowadays, was often wanting money for
+different purposes, and, like our ministers too, he was always glad of
+the children's help. Once, when the Foundry wanted repairing, he
+specially asked for help at an evening service. A little girl named Mary
+heard him, and thought how much she would like to do something. And this
+is how she managed it.
+
+Mr. Wesley loved children, and used to keep a number of bright new coins
+in his pocket to give to the little folks he met at his friends' houses.
+Mary had always been a great favourite with Mr. Wesley, and a proud
+little girl she was when he took her on his knee and gave her a silver
+penny. He had often done this, and she had treasured up his gifts in a
+little box. Other friends, too, had sometimes given her money, which,
+instead of spending she had saved up.
+
+Well, when she got home after that evening service, she counted up her
+money, and found she had �3. So she went to her mother and asked if she
+might give it all to Mr. Wesley. Her mother was quite willing; so the
+next morning little Mary carried her savings to Mr. Wesley's room. Tears
+came into his eyes as he thanked his little favourite. Taking her in his
+arms, he kissed her very tenderly, and prayed that God's blessing might
+always rest upon her. And it did, for Mary grew up to be an earnest,
+happy Christian.
+
+Here is another story that shows how much Mr. Wesley loved the young
+folks. He was once staying in a house in Bristol where a little boy and
+girl were visiting. The little girl had long, beautiful hair hanging in
+curls down her back. She and her brother were running hand in hand down
+the stairs one day, when Mr. Wesley ran down after them and caught them
+on the landing. He jumped the little girl in his arms and kissed her;
+then putting his hand on the boy's head, he blessed him. Little Robert
+did not think much about this at the time, I dare say, but when he grew
+up, he felt all his life that the blessing of a good man rested upon
+him, and his eyes glistened with tears when he told the story. That
+little boy was the poet Southey, of whom you will read when you are
+older.
+
+When Mr. Wesley wanted recreation or a kind of holiday, he used to go
+off to Kingswood. A few days among the young folks there always cheered
+him, and did him good. He loved to hear their lessons and praise their
+work, and arranged easy grammars and history books for them.
+
+A great many people used to think then, as a few do now, that children
+could not be converted, and that they ought not to be members of
+society. Mr. Wesley never thought so. At Weardale he allowed thirty
+children to become members. At another place quite a number of boys and
+girls came to him after the preaching, wanting him to show them how they
+could belong to Jesus. Mr. Wesley had both then and always the words of
+Jesus Himself, before him, "Suffer the little children to come unto Me,
+and forbid them not;" and so he knelt down with those boys and girls and
+led them to the Good Shepherd, who had laid down His life for them.
+
+The children of Judea loved Jesus, and were glad to be with Him; and Mr.
+Wesley was so like Jesus, so loving and so kind, that the children of
+England could not help loving him, and were glad to be with him. A whole
+crowd once waited in the street a long time for him, and when at last he
+came, they all followed him like so many little lambs after their
+shepherd, as many as could clinging to him. They went to the
+meeting-house with him, and after the service was over would not leave
+until they had all shaken hands with him.
+
+"In Cornwall, Manchester, and Epworth," Mr. Wesley says, "numbers of
+children were converted."
+
+These verses apply to all my readers:
+
+          "God wants the boys, the merry, merry boys,
+           The noisy boys, the funny boys,
+                 The thoughtless boys.
+           God wants the boys with all their joys,
+           That He, as gold, may make them pure,
+           And teach them trials to endure;
+           His heroes brave He'd have them be,
+           Fighting for truth and purity,
+                 God wants the boys.
+
+          "God wants the girls, the happy-hearted girls,
+           The loving girls, the best of girls,
+                 The worst of girls.
+           God wants to make the girls His pearls,
+           And so reflect His holy face,
+           And bring to mind His wondrous grace,
+           That beautiful the world may be,
+           And filled with love and purity.
+                 God wants the girls."
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXV.
+
+          How Mr. Wesley settled a school-boys'
+          quarrel.--Dr. Watts and little birds.--Mr. Wesley,
+          loved and honoured.--A holiday for the children.
+
+
+HERE is a story of how Mr. Wesley settled a dispute between two
+quarrelsome school-boys. When he was an old man, seventy-three, he was
+staying with one of his local preachers, a Mr. Bush, who had a
+boarding-school. One day Mrs. Bush brought to him two boys who had been
+fighting.
+
+"Boys! boys!" said Mr. Wesley:
+
+          "'Birds in their little nests agree,
+              And 'tis a shameful sight,
+            When children of one family
+              Fall out, and chide, and fight!'
+
+You must make it up. Come now, shake hands with each other."
+
+Mr. Wesley, with his long white hair and beautiful face, looked and
+spoke so lovingly, that the boys did at once what he asked them.
+
+"Now," he said, "put your arms round each other's necks, and kiss each
+other."
+
+And the little boys did this too. He was just having his tea when Mrs.
+Bush brought in the culprits, and now taking two pieces of bread and
+butter, he folded them together and told each boy to break a piece off.
+Then he gave each of them a drink of tea out of his own cup.
+
+"Now," he added, "you have broken bread together, and you have drunk out
+of the same cup, now you must be friends." Then he put his hands on the
+boys' heads and blessed them. The next morning at family prayer he
+sought out the boys and blessed them again.
+
+The two lads never forgot this meeting with Mr. Wesley. One of them
+became a magistrate, and when he had children of his own he used to tell
+them this story of his school-days.
+
+I remember that little verse of Dr. Watts' being recited to my brothers
+and me when we were in the nursery, and as I wrote it down I wondered if
+the same thoughts came into the heads of those school-boys that came
+into mine. My dear mother used to look very serious when she said it,
+and it sounded very solemn. But I had often seen little birds
+quarrelling, and I knew that hymn did not tell the truth, and so I felt
+little birds were hardly a proper example to follow. Now, though Dr.
+Watts was not quite correct, still little birds do agree very much
+better than many children; and if they sometimes quarrel, remember they
+are only guided by instinct, while you have sense, and know the
+difference between right and wrong.
+
+You will all be glad to know that before Mr. Wesley died, all the
+ill-will and hatred of the people had changed to love and reverence. The
+very towns where he had been treated most unkindly were now the ones to
+give him the heartiest welcome. Instead of mobs waiting to abuse him,
+crowds gathered to do him honour. In many places the children had a
+holiday from school, the tradespeople closed their shops, and everybody
+tried who could best show their love and respect for the man whom before
+they had treated so unkindly.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI.
+
+          More peeps into the Magic Mirror.--A special
+          picture for Sheffield readers.--Another for young
+          folks in Oldham.--Little Daniel on the pulpit
+          stairs.--Special for Hull.
+
+
+I THINK we must have some more peeps into that Magic Mirror? Will my
+little Sheffield readers take a good look? What do we see? A street in a
+big town, and oh! such crowds and crowds of people on both sides of the
+road. The windows of the houses, too, are all crowded with people. What
+can it all mean? See! there are two men coming along, everybody is
+turning to look at them, and we can hear more than one voice saying:
+"God bless him! God bless him!" Several of the women are wiping their
+eyes with the corner of their aprons; there are tears in many eyes. Look
+at the two men as they come nearer. One is a middle-aged man; the other,
+who is leaning on his arm, wears a black gown and white bands. He is an
+old man, but how beautiful he looks. He has a splendid face, a clear
+skin and rosy cheeks. His eyes are quick and keen, and he has long,
+shiny hair, white and bright like silver.
+
+See now how the children are crowding round him! He is smiling down upon
+them and putting his hands upon their heads as he passes. Now he is
+stretching his hands out towards heaven, and blessing all the people,
+many of whom are weeping aloud. He has passed down the street, and the
+picture has gone. Sheffield readers, that was how your town welcomed and
+honoured dear John Wesley a short time before his death.
+
+Now peep again into the Magic Mirror. And this time I would like my
+Oldham readers to step to the front. See, there is a little boy about
+six years old playing at the door of a house. An old clergyman is
+passing, and stops to speak to the child.
+
+"Where is your father, Daniel?" he says.
+
+"Gone to chapel."
+
+"And your mother?"
+
+"She's gone too," answers Daniel.
+
+"And you shall go too, my boy. You must not miss seeing this great man,
+John Wesley," says the clergyman, as he takes the child's hand and fades
+away from our picture.
+
+But see, there is another coming! It is the inside of a chapel, and
+people are everywhere; in the galleries, in the aisles, in the communion
+rails, everywhere. On the pulpit-stairs some one has found room for a
+little child. Why, it is Daniel, and there is the kind clergyman
+standing near. See, the preacher has finished, and is coming down from
+the pulpit, he is lifting up the little child and is kissing him. Now,
+he has passed into the vestry, and the picture has gone. That, my young
+Oldham readers, was the opening of Manchester St. Chapel on Good Friday,
+1790, when Mr. Wesley was nearly ninety years old.
+
+At Hull, Birmingham, Wednesbury, Chester, Manchester, Liverpool, all
+places where the Methodists had been most cruelly treated, Mr. Wesley
+and his followers were now most kindly welcomed. You remember how Mr.
+Wesley and his brother had been shut out of the churches, very few
+clergymen allowing them to preach in their pulpits. This, too, was all
+changed.
+
+Those of you who live in Hull will like to know that John Wesley, when
+he was eighty-three, was invited by the vicar to preach in your
+beautiful High Church. If any of you have not been inside--but surely
+all my Hull readers have--pay it a visit, and just fancy you see that
+bright-eyed, silver-haired old man, with a voice that had lost little of
+the strength of youth, preaching to the crowds that thronged the
+hallowed place. If those old grey walls could speak, we might know John
+Wesley's very words. He preached again at night, and though so old, was
+unwearied with his work. He went on to Beverley that same evening, and
+the next day travelled seventy-six miles, preached at Malton,
+Pocklington, and Swinefleet, and went to bed without feeling the least
+bit tired. Wonderful John Wesley! God-blest John Wesley!
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVII.
+
+          Beverley friends.--Copy of a letter John Wesley
+          wrote to them.--Mr. Wesley's last visit to
+          Beverley.--What took place in the red-roofed
+          inn.--A race.--A lost ten minutes.
+
+
+YOU, who live in Beverley, will be glad to hear that Mr. Wesley did not
+pass by your dear little town. Indeed, there is a house in Norwood where
+he most probably stayed, and certainly visited; the home of Mr. and Mrs.
+Barton. You shall see an exact copy of a letter he wrote to these
+friends. It has never been printed before, so you are the first of the
+public to see it. It is addressed thus:
+
+            "MRS. JANE BARTON,
+                       "IN NORWOOD, BEVERLEY,
+                                         "YORKSHIRE."
+
+And this is the letter:
+
+[Illustration: Letter]
+
+
+                                                     London
+                                              Nov. 13, 1778
+
+          My Dear Sister
+
+          I am glad Sister Crosby has been at Beverly, &
+          that you had an Opportunity of hearing her. She is
+          useful wheresoever she goes, particularly in
+          exciting Believers to go on to perfection.
+
+          There is frequently something very mysterious in
+          y^e ways of Divine Providence A little of them we
+          may understand; but much more, is beyond our
+          comprehension And we must be content to say, "What
+          thou dost I know not now. But I shall know
+          hereafter." At present, it is sufficient for us to
+          know, That all his ways are many & truth to those
+          that love him.
+
+          Even in these troublous times, there is a very
+          considerable Increase of the Work of God. Cleave
+          to Him with your whole heart, & you will have more
+          & more reason to praise him. I am, My Dear Jenny,
+          Y^r affectionate Brother
+
+                                               JWesley
+
+You must not make a mistake and think that Mr. Wesley was Mrs. Jenny
+Barton's brother really; but it was the custom among the Methodists for
+the members of society to address each other as "Brother So-and-So" and
+"Sister So-and-So," meaning that they were brothers and sisters in
+having the same heavenly Father, and loving the same Saviour.
+
+John Wesley preached in a meeting-house in Wood Lane, which you can
+still see, though it is now turned into cottages; and we may be quite
+sure that the boys and girls who lived in Beverley then, heard his
+loving words, and received his blessing. He once spent two days of his
+birthday month in your quaint old town. The June sun stole through the
+stained windows of the beautiful Minster, and looked into the jackdaws'
+nests on St. Mary's Tower.
+
+There is a funny story told of this last visit, which he paid only a few
+months before his death. He was going to preach in Hull again, and forty
+friends from that town had come over to see him. They were all to have
+dinner together in the red-roofed inn where he was staying, and then
+drive back with him to Hull. Everybody was very merry, and they laughed
+and talked so much that they quite forgot all about the time. Suddenly,
+Mr. Wesley looked at his watch, then jumped up from the dinner table,
+shouted good-bye to his friends, stepped into his carriage, which had
+been waiting some time for him at the door, and was off before his
+astonished friends could say a word. Their horses and carriages were got
+ready with all speed, but it was only by driving very fast that they
+managed to overtake Mr. Wesley before he rode into Hull.
+
+Punctuality was one of Mr. Wesley's strongest points. He could never
+bear to be a minute behind time. Once, when his carriage did not come
+punctually, he was heard to say: "I have lost ten minutes for ever."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVIII.
+
+          Going to sleep.--How John Wesley missed his
+          brother.--A good man's tears.--Getting old.--Mr.
+          Wesley's text for the children.--Last words in
+          Manchester.--In Colchester.--A dinner-hour
+          meeting.--The old ash tree.
+
+
+NOW I must come to what seems to the young a very sad time. When we are
+strong and healthy, and can enjoy all the things God has given us to
+enjoy in this beautiful world, death does seem very sad and sorrowful.
+But think, dear young readers, how you feel when you have been playing
+hard all day, or working at school, and perhaps gone to a party in the
+evening and have not got to bed until 10 o'clock. Is it not very nice
+and very comforting to lay your head on your soft pillow and go to
+sleep? Now this is just how God's people feel when they are tired of
+life's work, they just close their eyes and fall asleep, "asleep in
+Jesus." This is how Mr. Charles Wesley passed away when he was eighty
+years old. Though four years younger than Mr. John, he seemed the older
+man, for he had been weak and infirm for a long time. The two brothers
+had loved each other dearly, and Mr. Wesley felt very lonely when
+"Charlie" died.
+
+Three weeks afterwards, Mr. Wesley, preaching at Bolton, gave out for
+his second hymn No. 140, a hymn composed by Mr. Charles. He tried to
+read the first verse, but when he came to the words
+
+          "My company before is gone,
+           And I am left alone with Thee,"
+
+he could get no further, but just burst into tears, and sat down in the
+pulpit, burying his face in his hands. The singing ceased, and numbers
+of the congregation wept in sympathy at sight of their dear leader's
+sorrow. At last Mr. Wesley recovered himself, and went on with the
+service, which was never forgotten by any of those who were present.
+
+Very soon after this, Mr. Wesley began to feel weak and feeble. Again
+his birthday month came round, the sunny month of June, and on the 17th
+he wrote: "I am eighty-six to-day, and I find I grow old. My eyes are so
+dim that no spectacles will help me, and I cannot read small print
+except in a very strong light. My strength fails me so that I walk much
+slower than I used to do." He was now, for the first time for forty
+years, obliged to give up his five o'clock morning sermons, and was only
+able to preach twice a day. As the months went by, he grew weaker and
+more infirm. Once, as the old man tottered up the pulpit stairs, the
+whole congregation burst into tears.
+
+On Valentine's Day, in 1790, he preached one of his last sermons to his
+_little_ followers. He chose for his text: "Come, ye children, hearken
+unto Me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord." The boys and girls
+flocked from everywhere to hear him, and many who had never loved Jesus
+before, heard Him speaking to them through His dear servant; and
+answering the loving call, came, and from that day became Christ's
+faithful little soldiers.
+
+In the same year, when he was eighty-seven years old, he spent a
+week-end in Manchester, and spoke his last words to his followers there.
+He preached in the old chapel in Oldham Street on the Saturday night,
+and the next day, which was Easter Sunday (April 4th), he assisted in
+giving the Sacrament to sixteen hundred members, and preached both night
+and morning without feeling tired.
+
+A few months later he preached at Colchester; but he was so infirm that
+a minister had to stand on each side of him, and hold him up. His voice
+was feeble and low, and many of the congregation could not hear him; but
+his calm, beautiful face, and long white hair formed a picture that the
+children and grown-up people in Colchester never forgot.
+
+It was in this same year, 1790, that he preached for the last time in
+the open air. It was in Winchelsea, and the time was October, the month
+when nuts and apples are asking to be gathered, and when the leaves put
+on their loveliest dress.
+
+As Mr. Wesley felt his time on earth was drawing to a close, he was all
+the more eager to "tell to all around, what a dear Saviour he had
+found," and how they might find Him too. So he preached at twelve
+o'clock noon, the dinner hour of the workmen, in order that they too
+might have a chance of hearing the good news. A large oak dining-table
+was brought into the churchyard, and there, under the shade of an old
+ash tree, John Wesley gave his last message to those working men. "_The
+kingdom of Heaven is at hand; repent ye, and believe the Gospel_," was
+his text, and as he preached, the tears of the people flowed down their
+cheeks.
+
+Long, long afterwards the old ash tree was known as "Wesley's Tree," and
+the vicar of Winchelsea had hard work to keep it from being cut to
+pieces; for Methodists use to come from all parts to cut a twig in
+remembrance of that last scene in the life of the venerable
+field-preacher.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIX.
+
+          About his "Father's business."--Last
+          advice.--Singing and dying.--"The best of all is,
+          God is with us."--John Wesley passes through the
+          Golden Gates.
+
+
+MOST people think it is time to stop working long before they are
+eighty, but John Wesley at eighty-seven still went about his "Father's
+business." His constant prayer was, "Lord, let me not live to be
+useless." Every meeting he knew might be his last, and when he visited
+the different societies, he used to ask the members to take as his last
+advice: "To love as brothers, to fear God, and to honour the King." He
+closed nearly all these meetings with his brother's hymn:
+
+          "O that without a lingering groan,
+             I may the welcome Word receive;
+           My body with my charge lay down,
+             And cease at once to work and live."
+
+John Wesley's last sermon was preached in a gentleman's dining-room, at
+Leatherhead, a small place about eighteen miles from London. It was on
+February 23rd, 1791, and his text was, "_Seek ye the Lord while He may
+be found, call upon Him while He is near._"--Isa. lv. 6. This was on a
+Wednesday, and the day but one after, Friday, he felt very poorly, and
+said he would like to lie down. At the end of half an hour, some one
+went to his bedroom, and found him so ill that they sent for the doctor.
+On Sunday he seemed better, and got up. He was so cheerful and happy;
+and while sitting in his chair in his bedroom, he repeated a verse from
+one of his brother's hymns:
+
+          "Till glad I lay this body down,
+             Thy servant, Lord, attend;
+           And oh! my life of mercy crown
+             With a triumphant end!"
+
+On Monday night he couldn't sleep, and the next day, some one asked him
+if he had any pain.
+
+"No," he answered. And then he began singing:
+
+          "All glory to God in the sky,
+             And peace upon earth be restored;
+           O, Jesus exalted on high,
+             Appear our omnipotent Lord.
+           Who meanly in Bethlehem born,
+             Didst stoop to redeem a lost race;
+           Once more to Thy people return,
+             And reign in Thy kingdom of grace."
+
+When he had sung two verses, he lay still. After awhile he said, "I want
+to write."
+
+So they brought him ink and paper, and put the pen in his hand; but
+John Wesley's writing days were over.
+
+"I cannot," he said.
+
+"Let me write for you," said one of his friends, "tell me what you want
+to say."
+
+"Nothing," replied the dying Christian, "but that God is with us."
+
+In the morning he wanted to get up, and while his friends were bringing
+him his clothes, he started to sing:
+
+          "I'll praise my Maker while I've breath,
+           And, when my voice is lost in death,
+             Praise shall employ my nobler powers;
+           My days of praise shall ne'er be past,
+           While life, and thought, and being last,
+             Or immortality endures.
+
+          "Happy the man, whose hopes rely
+           On Israel's God: He made the sky,
+             And earth and sea, with all their train;
+           His truth for ever stands secure;
+           He saves the opprest, He feeds the poor,
+             And none shall find His promise vain."
+                                       _Hymn 224._
+
+When he was dressed and seated in his chair, he prayed in a very weak
+voice: "Lord, Thou givest strength to those who can speak, and to those
+who cannot; speak, Lord, to all our hearts."
+
+Then he tried to sing again, but his voice failed him.
+
+He was soon tired of sitting up, and went back to bed. He could not talk
+very much; but twice he lifted his hand in triumph, and said so gladly:
+"The best of all is, God is with us."
+
+A great many friends were standing round his bed; he took each one by
+the hand, and lovingly bade them farewell.
+
+All through Tuesday night, he kept trying to repeat the hymn he had
+sung, but could only say: "I'll praise, I'll praise."
+
+Next morning, about ten o'clock, the Rev. Joseph Bradford, who had been
+his faithful companion and nurse, knelt down at the bedside and prayed.
+Eleven of Mr. Wesley's friends were in the room; they wanted to go with
+their dear leader, right up to the gates that divide our life here from
+our life yonder.
+
+"Farewell," said the dying patriarch. And then, as some one repeated,
+"Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting
+doors; and this Heir of glory shall come in," the Golden Gates opened,
+and the soul of John Wesley passed through.
+
+Those who were left outside the gates, still stood round the bed and
+sang to the departing spirit:
+
+          "Waiting to receive thy spirit,
+             Lo, the Saviour stands above;
+           Shows the purchase of His merit,
+             Reaches out the crown of love."
+
+So died happy John Wesley. Happy in life, happy in death. And the secret
+of his happiness was the secret he proclaimed to thousands of boys and
+girls, as well as men and women, all over this England of ours.
+
+          "O boys, be strong in Jesus;
+             Let those around you see
+           How manly, pure, and generous,
+             A Christian boy can be.
+
+          "O maidens, live for Jesus,
+             Like Him, be kind and true;
+           And let the love from God above
+             Rule all you say and do.
+
+          "Then all the boys and maidens,
+             When life and work are o'er,
+           Will hear from One, the words 'Well done,'
+             And rest for evermore."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+If ever you go to London, you must visit City Road Chapel, for there
+John Wesley was interred, on the 9th of March, 1791, aged nearly
+eighty-eight years.
+
+A great deal was put on his tombstone which you could not understand,
+but it tells how this servant of God laboured to bring men and women to
+know Jesus Christ, and how the lives and hearts of many thousands were
+changed by his preaching.
+
+In Westminster Abbey, too, you will see a marble tablet erected to his
+memory, and that of his brother Charles. Though churches shut their
+doors to him in life, his memory is now so lovingly respected, that the
+finest Cathedral in England has sought to do him honour.
+
+In one of the topmost rooms in the tower at Kingswood School, John
+Wesley's bedstead has recently been discovered. Merely a collection of
+poles and a piece of old sacking, it lay there many a long year, only
+seen by the man who went up the tower to wind the clock. Now it is put
+together, and set in a place of honour; and any of us may see the bed on
+which John Wesley slept, when he visited the boys and girls at
+Kingswood.
+
+Here, too, we may see his chairs and books, and a gown, now torn, which
+he used to wear. The Governor of New Kingswood still sits in the
+high-backed oak chair in which John Wesley sat; and grafted on several
+of the trees in the orchard, are shoots from the very pear tree which
+was planted in the garden of Old Kingswood by the Founder of Methodism.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+          FLETCHER AND SON, PRINTERS, NORWICH.
+
+
+
+
+CATALOGUE OF ...
+
+Prize and Gift Books.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+            ROBERT CULLEY,
+            2 & 3 Ludgate Circus Buildings, Farringdon Street,
+            LONDON, E.C.
+
+
+5/-
+
+          =Sunday School Record, Annual Volume.= Published
+          Weekly, 1/2d. Expounds International Lessons.
+
+
+4/-
+
+          =By Doctor's Orders.= By A. F. PERRAM. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Churchwarden's Daughter:= A present-day Methodist
+          Story. By J. W. KEYWORTH. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Nathan Plaintalk.= By J. W. KEYWORTH. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =The Golden Shoemaker: or, Cobbler Horn.= By J. W.
+          KEYWORTH. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Willie's Secret.= By J. W. KEYWORTH.
+
+
+3/6
+
+          =Among the Roses:= and other Sermons to Children.
+          By REV. SAMUEL GREGORY.
+
+          =By Doctor's Orders:= A Temperance Story. By A. F.
+          PERRAM.
+
+          =Churchwarden's Daughter:= A present-day Methodist
+          Story. By J. W. KEYWORTH.
+
+          =Dr. Blandford's Conscience.= By SARSON C. J.
+          INGHAM.
+
+          =Mother Freeman.= By J. W. KEYWORTH. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Nathan Plaintalk.= By J. W. KEYWORTH.
+
+          =The Golden Shoemaker: or, Cobbler Horn.= By J. W.
+          KEYWORTH.
+
+          =Two Saxon Maidens.= By ELIZA KERR. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Wild Lottie and Wee Winnie:= or, Led by a Little
+          Child. By ASHTON NEILL. Gilt Edges.
+
+
+3/-
+
+          =From under the Shadow.= By ANNIE BROUGHTON
+          FOSKETT. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Melissa's Victory.= By ASHTON NEILL. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Mother Freeman.= By J. W. KEYWORTH.
+
+          =Two Saxon Maidens.= By ELIZA KERR.
+
+          =Sunday School Magazine, Annual Volume.=
+
+          =The Morrison Family:= or, The Way of Duty is the
+          Way of Safety. By EMILY SPRATLING. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Wild Lottie and Wee Winnie:= or, Led by a Little
+          Child. By ASHTON NEILL.
+
+          =Willie's Secret.= By J. W. KEYWORTH.
+
+
+2/6
+
+          =A Methodist Doctor of Ye Olden Time:= a True
+          Story for Boys. By ARTHUR LINCOLN. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Bernard's Holiday in London, Paris, and Rome.= By
+          WM. J. FORSTER. Gilt Edges. Many Illustrations.
+
+          =Daddy's Darlings.= By EDITH GREEVES. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Duchess Renee:= or, An Episode in the History of
+          the Reformation. By SARSON C. J. INGHAM.
+
+          =Fighting against Fate:= or, Brent Brompton's
+          Delusions. By HELEN BRISTON. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =From under the Shadow.= By ANNIE BROUGHTON
+          FOSKETT.
+
+          =General Betty, Maid-of-all-Work.= By EDITH
+          GREEVES. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Love the Conqueror.= By JEANIE FERRY. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Loyalty Rewarded.= By JEANIE FERRY. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Maggie's Life Work:= a Temperance Story. By
+          JEANIE FERRY. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Melissa's Victory.= By ASHTON NEILL.
+
+          =The Morrison Family:= or, the Way of Duty is the
+          Way of Safety. By EMILY SPRATLING.
+
+          =Touching the Kettle:= with Other Stories and
+          Parables. By JOHN TELFORD, B.A. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Words of the Wise:= Daily Reading. By DR. T.
+          BOWMAN STEPHENSON.
+
+
+2-
+
+          =A Methodist Doctor of Ye Olden Time:= a True
+          Story for Boys. By ARTHUR LINCOLN.
+
+          =A Noble Revenge:= or, Thomas Gladwin's Example.
+          By J. W. KEYWORTH. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Arrows for Temperance Bows= (Dialogues). By
+          OLIVER PACIS.
+
+          =A Victory and its Cost:= a Tale of the War of
+          1812. By W. H. WITHROW, M.A.
+
+          =A Woman's Dilemma.= By EDITH CORNFORTH. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =Banners and Battlefields.= By EDITH CORNFORTH.
+          Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Bernard's Holiday in London, Paris, and Rome.= By
+          WM. J. FORSTER. Many Illustrations.
+
+          =Bertha Wynchester.= By EDITH CORNFORTH. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =Bessie's Ministry.= By ALICE J. BRIGGS. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =Beyond the Boundary.= By JENNIE PERRETT. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =Bird Minstrels:= Their Ways and Wanderings. By R.
+          CORLETT COWELL. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Conquering:= or, Bernard's Burden. A Temperance
+          Story. By JEANIE FERRY. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Daddy's Darlings.= By EDITH GREEVES.
+
+          ="Doe no Yll":= or, The Brandon Family Motto. By
+          ANNIE M. YOUNG.
+
+          =Fairy:= a Little Cornish Maid. By ALICE J.
+          BRIGGS.
+
+          =Fettered or Free.= By JEANIE FERRY. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Fifine's Charge:= or, The Little Mother. By WM.
+          J. FORSTER.
+
+          =Fighting against Fate:= or, Brent Brompton's
+          Delusion. By HELEN BRISTON.
+
+          =For John's Sake.= By ANNIE F. PERRAM. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =General Betty, Maid-of-all-Work.= By EDITH
+          GREEVES.
+
+          =Gold and Glitter:= a Temperance Tale. By JEANIE
+          FERRY.
+
+          =Hagar's Reparation.= By EDITH CORNFORTH.
+
+          =Hazel Haldene.= By ELIZA KERR.
+
+          =Her Heart's Desire.= By JEANIE FERRY. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =How Mrs. Hewitt's House was turned out of
+          Window.= By CAROLINE RIGG. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =In Pawn:= a Story of a Pledge. By ANNIE M. YOUNG.
+          Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Ivy Chimneys.= By EDITH CORNFORTH. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Jackalent:= An Epic of the Streets. By ANNIE M.
+          YOUNG. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Kavanagh Major.= By ISABEL S. ROBSON. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Kilkee.= By ELIZA KERR.
+
+          =Leighton Family.= By EDITH E. RHODES. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Leonard's Temptation:= a Story of Gambling. By
+          BESSIE MARCHANT. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Life in Malin's Lea.= By ISABEL S. ROBSON. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =Lottie, Servant and Heroine.= By HELEN BRISTON.
+          Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Love the Conqueror:= or, The Rival Cousins. By
+          JEANIE FERRY.
+
+          =Loyalty Rewarded.= By JEANIE FERRY.
+
+          =Maggie's Life Work.= By JEANIE FERRY.
+
+          =Margaret Wattford:= a Story of the 17th Century.
+          By ALICE J. BRIGGS. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Marjory Flint's Latchkey:= and Other Stories. By
+          W. H. BOOTH, F.R.G.S. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Millie's Experiences:= or Chequered Ways. By
+          NELLIE L. ROYLE. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Mighty Men and their Daring Deeds.= By J. J.
+          ELLIS. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Mystery of Grange Drayton.= By ELIZA KERR. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =Patsy O'Hara, the Child of the Ocean.= By RUTH B.
+          YATES. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Rescued:= or, Kenneth Cresswell's Transformation.
+          By EMILY SPRATLING.
+
+          =Roger's Quest:= a Story of the Days of Queen
+          Elizabeth. By ALICE J. BRIGGS. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Runnelbrook Valley:= a Temperance Story. By MRS.
+          HAYCRAFT. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Scaramouch:= and Other Stories. By ANNIE M.
+          YOUNG. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Secret of Ashton Manor House.= By ELIZA KERR.
+          Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Sire and Son:= A Startling Contrast. By AMOS
+          WHITE.
+
+          =Soul Echoes:= or, Reflected Influence. By SARSON
+          C. J. INGHAM.
+
+          =Stories without Names:= for Young Bible
+          Searchers, with Answers. By ELSIE.
+
+          =Story of John Wesley:= for Boys and Girls. By
+          MARIANNE KIRLEW.
+
+          =Story Weavers:= Writers for the Young. By ISABEL
+          S. ROBSON. Gilt Edges.
+
+[Illustration: (From "General Betty, Maid-of-all-Work.")]
+
+          =Sunrise Corner:= Illustrating Psalm 103. By MRS.
+          HAYCRAFT. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Talks on the Catechism:= Easy Lessons for Young
+          Scholars. By ANNA M. HELLIER.
+
+          =Tents of Kedar:= Bible Talks with Children. By
+          WM. J. FORSTER. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =That Boy Mick.= By ANNIE F. PERRAM. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =The Price She Paid:= a Temperance Tale. By J. W.
+          KEYWORTH. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =The Fortunes of Sir Richard de Thorn, Knight of
+          Kent.= By ALICE J. BRIGGS. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =The Knights of the Tempest:= a Tale of the
+          Lifeboat. By H. PRATER. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =The Scotch Girl's Exile:= a Story of Olden Times.
+          By ALICE J. BRIGGS. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Touching the Kettle:= with Other Stories and
+          Parables. By JOHN TELFORD, B.A.
+
+          =Twelve Famous Girls.= By MARIANNE KIRLEW. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =Two Little Sisters and Humphrey.= By ISABEL S.
+          ROBSON. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Winsome Winnie.= By EMILY SPRATLING. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Yuppie.= By BESSIE MARCHANT. Gilt Edges.
+
+
+
+
+"CONQUERING" SERIES. 1/6
+
+
+          =A Noble Revenge:= or, Thomas Gladwin's Example.
+          By J. W. KEYWORTH.
+
+          =A Woman's Dilemma.= By EDITH CORNFORTH.
+
+          =Banners and Battlefields.= By EDITH GREEVES.
+
+          =Bertha Wynchester.= By EDITH CORNFORTH.
+
+          =Bessie's Ministry.= By ALICE J. BRIGGS.
+
+          =Beyond the Boundary.= By JENNIE PERRETT.
+
+          =Bird Minstrels:= Their Ways and Wanderings. By R.
+          CORLETT COWELL.
+
+          =Broken Purposes:= or, The Good Time Coming. By
+          LILLIE MONTFORT.
+
+          =Blind Olive:= or, Dr. Greyville's Infatuation. By
+          SARSON C. J. INGHAM.
+
+          =Chips from a Temperance Workshop= (Recitation,
+          &c.). By OLIVER PACIS.
+
+          =Conquering:= or, Bernard's Burden. A Temperance
+          Tale. By JEANIE FERRY.
+
+          ="Doe no Yll":= or, The Brandon Family Motto. By
+          ANNIE M. YOUNG.
+
+          =Eleanor's Ambition.= By SARSON C. J. INGHAM.
+
+          =Fairy:= a Little Cornish Maid. By ALICE J.
+          BRIGGS.
+
+          =Fifine's Charge:= or, The Little Mother. By WM.
+          J. FORSTER.
+
+          =Fettered or Free.= By JEANIE FERRY.
+
+          =For John's Sake.= By ANNIE F. PERRAM.
+
+          =Frank Heaton's Dilemma:= and Other Stories. By
+          WM. J. FORSTER. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Gold and Glitter:= a Temperance Tale. By JEANIE
+          FERRY.
+
+          =Harold and his Sisters in Norway.= By HENRY H.
+          M'CULLAGH, B.A.
+
+          =Her Heart's Desire.= By JEANIE FERRY.
+
+          =How Mrs. Hewitt's House was turned out of
+          Window:= Temperance Stories. By CAROLINE RIGG.
+
+          =How to Steer a Ship:= and Other Stories. By REV.
+          SAMUEL GREGORY.
+
+          =In Pawn:= a Story of a Pledge. By ANNIE M. YOUNG.
+
+          =Ivy Chimneys.= By EDITH CORNFORTH.
+
+          =Jackalent:= an Epic of the Streets. By ANNIE M.
+          YOUNG.
+
+          =Kavanagh Major.= By ISABEL S. ROBSON.
+
+          =Leigh on Family.= By EDITH E. RHODES.
+
+          =Leonard's Temptation:= a Story of Gambling. By
+          BESSIE MARCHANT.
+
+          =Life in Malin's Lea.= By ISABEL S. ROBSON.
+
+          =Lottie, Servant and Heroine.= By HELEN BRISTON.
+
+          =Margaret Wattford:= a Story of the 17th Century.
+          By ALICE J. BRIGGS.
+
+          =Marjory Flint's Latchkey:= and Other Stories. By
+          W. H. BOOTH, F.R.G.S.
+
+          =Mighty Men and their Daring Deeds.= By J. J.
+          ELLIS.
+
+          =Mystery of Grange Drayton.= By ELIZA KERR.
+
+          =Our Martha:= or, Careful Without Care. By EDITH
+          GREEVES.
+
+          =Patsy O'Hara, the Child of the Ocean.= By RUTH B.
+          YATES.
+
+          =Rescued:= or, Kenneth Cresswell's Transformation.
+          By EMILY SPRATLING.
+
+          =Roger's Quest:= a Story of the Days of Queen
+          Elizabeth. By ALICE J. BRIGGS.
+
+          =Runnelbrook Valley:= a Temperance Story. By MRS.
+          HAYCRAFT.
+
+          =Scaramouch:= and Other Stories. By ANNIE M.
+          YOUNG.
+
+          =Secret of Ashton Manor House.= By ELIZA KERR.
+
+          =Story of Christian:= Life Pictures from
+          "Pilgrim's Progress." By SAMUEL GREGORY.
+
+          =Story of John Wesley:= for Boys and Girls. By
+          MARIANNE KIRLEW.
+
+          =Story Weavers:= Writers for the Young. By ISABEL
+          S. ROBSON.
+
+          =Sunrise Corner:= Illustrating Psalm 103. By MRS.
+          HAYCRAFT.
+
+          =Tatters and Jennie's Schooldays.= By LILLIE
+          PETHYBRIDGE.
+
+          =That Boy Mick.= By ANNIE F. PERRAM.
+
+          =The Fortunes of Sir Richard de Thorn, Knight of
+          Kent.= By ALICE J. BRIGGS.
+
+          =The Knights of the Tempest:= a Tale of the
+          Lifeboat. By H. PRATER.
+
+          =The Price She Paid:= a Temperance Tale. By J. W.
+          KEYWORTH.
+
+          =The Scotch Girl's Exile:= a Story of Olden Times.
+          By ALICE J. BRIGGS.
+
+          =Twelve Famous Girls.= By MARIANNE KIRLEW.
+
+          =Two Little Sisters and Humphrey.= By ISABEL S.
+          ROBSON.
+
+          =Two Snowy Christmas Eves.= By ELIZA KERR.
+
+          =Winsome Winnie.= By EMILY SPRATLING.
+
+          =Yuppie.= By BESSIE MARCHANT.
+
+    =2 & 3 Ludgate Circus Buildings, Farringdon Street, London, E.C.=
+
+
+
+
+"SUNDAY AFTERNOON" SERIES. 1/6
+
+
+          =A Comet for a Night.= By WM. J. FORSTER. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =A Terrible Fix:= and Other Stories. By WM. J.
+          FORSTER. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Dr. Brown's Bill:= and Other Stories. By ANNIE
+          CRAIG. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Eelin's New Home.= By ISABEL S. ROBSON. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =Florrie's Telegram:= and Other Stories. By WM. J.
+          FORSTER. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Frank Heaton's Dilemma:= and Other Stories. By
+          WM. J. FORSTER. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Gerald's Adventure:= or, Only a Drummer Boy. By
+          ALICE J. BRIGGS. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Ida Graham:= and How She Overcame Her
+          Difficulties. By EMILY SPRATLING. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =In Solomon's Porch:= Bible Talks with Children.
+          By WM. J. FORSTER. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Isabelle's Story.= By ALICE J. BRIGGS. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =It's My Nature.= By HELEN BRISTON. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =John Fletcher, Farmer.= By F. SPENSER. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =Leslie's Revenge.= By WM. J. FORSTER. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Mabel's Three Keys.= By R. SINCLAIR. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Master Piers.= By ISABEL S. ROBSON. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Millie's Experiences:= or Chequered Ways. By
+          NELLIE L. ROYLE.
+
+          =Minnie's Curiosity:= and Other Stories. By WM. J.
+          FORSTER. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Nora's Queer Lesson Book.= By ANNIE CRAIG. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =Notes on the New Brief Catechism:= with
+          Introduction by Rev. R. Culley. By ELSIE.
+
+          =Our Chris.= BY OLD CORNISH. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Our Silver Collection.= By WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+          =Raymond's Magpie.= By WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+          =Reggie's Dream:= and Other Stories. By WM. J.
+          FORSTER.
+
+          =Shad and Shady.= By J. W. KEYWORTH. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Sir Godfrey's Bride.= By RUTH B. YATES.
+
+          =Tell-Tale-Tit.= By BESSIE MARCHANT. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =That Dreadful Boy.= By BESSIE MARCHANT. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =The Fun o' the Fair.= By BESSIE MARCHANT. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =The Old House at Rungate.= By ISABEL S. ROBSON.
+          Gilt Edges.
+
+          =The Owner of Rushcote.= By BESSIE MARCHANT.
+
+          =Those Queer Neighbours:= and Other Stories. By
+          WM. J. FORSTER. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Three Little Vagrants.= By F. SPENSER. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =Through Deep Waters:= a Temperance Story. By S.
+          SPENSER. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Tom and His Chum:= and Other Stories. By ANNIE
+          CRAIG. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Twelve Famous Boys.= By WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+    =2 & 3 Ludgate Circus Buildings, Farringdon Street, London, E.C.=
+
+[Illustration: (From "Millie's Experiences.")]
+
+
+
+
+BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS. 1/6
+
+
+
+          =Animals in Council.= By WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+          =A Royal Letter:= Bible Talks. By WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+          =Our Boys and Girls, Yearly Volume.=
+
+          =Pictures and Stories for Little Folks.= Bevelled
+          Boards, Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Carlo's Visitors.= By WM. J. FORSTER. Bevelled
+          Boards, Gilt Edges.
+
+
+
+
+BOOKS FOR TEACHERS AND WORKERS. 1/6
+
+
+          =A String of Pearls:= Suggestions for Bible Work.
+          By REV. SAMUEL GREGORY.
+
+          =How to Steer a Ship:= and Other Sermons. By REV.
+          SAMUEL GREGORY.
+
+          =Notes on the New Brief Catechism:= with
+          Introduction by Rev. R. Culley. By ELSIE.
+
+          =Sunday School Teaching:= A Manual of Method in
+          Class Instruction, Management, and Discipline, for
+          Sunday School Teachers. By JAMES BAILEY.
+
+          =Sunday School Infant Class Teaching:= A First
+          Year's Course of Lessons for the Infant Class of
+          the Sunday School. By JAMES BAILEY.
+
+          =The Story of the Sunday School:= Genesis and
+          Evolution. By J. HENRY HARRIS.
+
+          =The Tents of Kedar:= and Other Bible Talks. By
+          WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+          =The Wonderful Book:= Twelve Reasons why the Bible
+          is the most Wonderful Book in the World. By G. T.
+          SEYMOUR.
+
+
+
+
+"DOUBLE VOLUME" SERIES. 1/4
+
+
+        =Uncle Jock's Little Girl= }
+        =The Tempest Cousins=      } Two Books in One Volume.
+
+        =Weazel Tim=      }
+        =A Royal Mandate= } Two Books in One Volume.
+
+        =The Children's King=    }
+        =Into the King's Palace= } Two Books in One Volume.
+
+    =2 & 3 Ludgate Circus Buildings, Farringdon Street, London, E.C.=
+
+
+
+
+"LUDGATE" SERIES. 1/-
+
+
+          =A Comet for a Night.= By WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+          =A Royal Mandate.= By EMILY SPRATLING.
+
+          =A Terrible Fix:= and Other Stories. By WM. J.
+          FORSTER.
+
+          =Chrissie's Faults:= or, Fettered by Custom. By
+          JEANIE FERRY.
+
+          =Cousin Jack's Umbrella:= and Other Tales. By WM.
+          J. FORSTER.
+
+          =Donald's Ambition.= By ALICE J. BRIGGS.
+
+          =Dr. Brown's Bill:= and Other Stories. By ANNIE
+          CRAIG.
+
+          =Eelin's New Home.= By ISABEL S. ROBSON.
+
+          =Elise Fontaine:= a Story of Life in Belgium. By
+          ALICE J. BRIGGS.
+
+          =Eric's Hymn:= and Other Stories. By EDITH
+          GREEVES.
+
+          =Esther's Craze:= and Other Life Sketches. By A.
+          F. PERRAM.
+
+          =Florrie's Telegram:= and Other Stories. By WM. J.
+          FORSTER.
+
+          =Frank Heaton's Dilemma:= and Other Stories. By
+          WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+          =Gerald's Adventure:= or, Only a Drummer Boy. By
+          ALICE J. BRIGGS.
+
+          =Grannie's Darling.= By ALICE J. BRIGGS.
+
+          =Ida Graham:= and How She Overcame Her
+          Difficulties. By EMILY SPRATLING.
+
+          =Isabelle's Story.= By ALICE J. BRIGGS.
+
+          =It's My Nature.= By HELEN BRISTON.
+
+          =John Fletcher, Farmer.= By F. SPENSER.
+
+          =Leslie's Revenge.= By WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+          =Little Folks at Kelverton Grange.= By WM. J.
+          FORSTER.
+
+          =Little Jim's Rescue.= By ANNIE F. PERRAM.
+
+          =Lots of Time:= or, Pictures and Stories for Boys
+          and Girls. By ANNIE F. PERRAM.
+
+          =Love and Victory:= Dialogues for Temperance
+          Gatherings.
+
+          =Lucy's Temptation:= a Temperance Story for Young
+          Men and Women. By F. SPENSER.
+
+          =Luther Miller's Ambition:= and How it was
+          Gratified. By LILLIE MONTFORT.
+
+          =Mabel's Three Keys:= and Other Stories. By R.
+          SINCLAIR.
+
+          =Master Piers.= By ISABEL S. ROBSON.
+
+          =Mignon's Message.= By ELIZA KERR.
+
+          =Minnie's Curiosity:= and Other Stories. By WM. J.
+          FORSTER.
+
+          =Nora's Queer Lesson Books.= By ANNIE CRAIG.
+
+          =Our Chris:= and Other Stories. By OLD CORNISH.
+
+          =Our Silver Collection.= By WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+          =Raymond's Magpie.= By WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+          =Recitations for Missionary Meetings, &c.= By F.
+          M. L.
+
+          =Reggie's Dream:= and Other Stories. By WM. J.
+          FORSTER.
+
+          =Ruby Necklet:= Rosie's Temptation. By BETH
+          RICHARDSON.
+
+          =Sir Godfrey's Bride.= By RUTH B. YATES.
+
+          =Songs of Living Things:= for Boys and Girls. By
+          A. H. VINE.
+
+          =Stephen Blakemore's Problem.= By EDITH CORNFORTH.
+
+          =Shad and Shady.= By J. W. KEYWORTH.
+
+          =Tell-Tale-Tit.= By BESSIE MARCHANT.
+
+          =That Dreadful Boy.= By BESSIE MARCHANT.
+
+          =The Fun o' the Fair.= By BESSIE MARCHANT.
+
+          =The Old House at Rungate.= By ISABEL S. ROBSON.
+
+          =The Owner of Rushcote.= By BESSIE MARCHANT.
+
+          =The Tempest Cousins.= By ISABEL S. ROBSON.
+
+          =Those Queer Neighbours:= and Other Stories. By
+          WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+          =Three Little Vagrants.= By F. SPENSER.
+
+          =Three School-Girls:= or, Brenda's Purpose. By F.
+          SPENSER.
+
+          =Through Deep Waters:= a Temperance Story. By F.
+          SPENSER.
+
+          =Tom and His Chum:= and Other Tales. By ANNIE
+          CRAIG.
+
+          =Twelve Famous Boys.= By WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+          =Twentieth Century Book of Dialogues.= Compiled by
+          J. K. TOMALIN.
+
+          =Twentieth Century Reciter.= Compiled by J. K.
+          TOMALIN. Second Edition.
+
+          =Uncle Jock's Little Girl.= By ISABEL S. ROBSON.
+
+          =Weasel Tim.= By BESSIE MARCHANT.
+
+          =Wonderful Half-crown:= and Other Stories. By WM.
+          J. FORSTER.
+
+
+
+
+BOOKS WITH PICTURES FOR INFANTS. 1/-
+
+
+          =A Royal Letter:= Bible Stories. By WM. J.
+          FORSTER.
+
+          =Carlo's Visitors:= and Other Stories. By WM. J.
+          FORSTER.
+
+          =Our Boys and Girls.=
+
+          =Pictures and Stories for Little Folks.= By WM. J.
+          FORSTER.
+
+    =2 & 3 Ludgate Circus Buildings, Farringdon Street, London, E.C.=
+
+[Illustration: (From "The Owner of Rushcote.")]
+
+
+
+
+BOOKS FOR TEACHERS AND WORKERS. 1/-
+
+
+          =In Solomon's Porch:= Bible Talks with Children.
+          By WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+          =In the Sunday School.= Thoughts and Suggestions
+          for Young Teachers. By ANNA M. HELLIER.
+
+          =Into the King's Palace.= By ANNIE M. YOUNG.
+
+          =Junior Society Class Prize Essays.= By REVS. W.
+          B. FITZGERALD, W. H. CHAMINGS, J. SURMAN COOKE.
+
+          =Our Sunday Schools:= A Series of Papers. By REV.
+          C. H. KELLY, &c.
+
+          =Papers Read at London Sunday School Convention.=
+
+          =Take Fast Hold:= Addresses to Children. By J. J.
+          ELLIS.
+
+          =The Children's King:= Bible Talks. By EDITH M.
+          EDWARDS.
+
+          =The Firm Foundation of the Christian Faith:= A
+          Handbook of Christian Evidences. By PROFESSOR J.
+          A. BEET, D.D.
+
+          =Unframed Pictures:= Addresses to Children. By J.
+          J. ELLIS.
+
+
+
+
+"GOLDEN DEEDS" SERIES OF NINEPENNY BOOKS.
+
+
+          =A Heroine in the Strife.= By EMILY SPRATLING.
+
+          =Aunt Chrissie.= By EMILY SPRATLING.
+
+          =Bertram and Gerald:= or, The Gold and the
+          Glitter. By KATE MCCULLAGH.
+
+          =Chappie's Charge Angel:= and Other Stories. By
+          ANNIE M. YOUNG.
+
+          =Effie's Bargain.= By ANNIE CRAIG.
+
+          =Fabian and Phil:= a Story of Two Little Boys. By
+          ISABEL S. ROBSON.
+
+          =Fritz: the Young Swiss Guide.= By ALICE J.
+          BRIGGS.
+
+          =Golden Deeds Told Anew.= By ANNIE CRAIG.
+
+          =Little Barbara's Dream.= By EDITH GREEVES.
+
+          =Little Black Rover:= and Other Stories. By
+          CAROLINE RIGG.
+
+          =Little Miss Pry:= and Other Stories. By ANNIE F.
+          PERRAM.
+
+          =Little Parables for Little Folk.= By EDITH E.
+          RHODES.
+
+          =Marjorie's Stranger.= By ISABEL S. ROBSON.
+
+          =Mattie's Rescue.= By ANNIE CRAIG.
+
+          =Ned's Victory and Dick's Enemy.= By ALICE J.
+          BRIGGS.
+
+          =Nuttie:= or, The Silver Thread of Love. By ISABEL
+          S. ROBSON.
+
+          =Our Cousin Noel:= and Other Stories. By ANNIE
+          CRAIG.
+
+          =Out of the Dark:= a Tale for Girls. By EMILY
+          SPRATLING.
+
+          =Pranks and Prattles.= By EDITH GREEVES.
+
+          =Tony the Cripple:= or, The Child of a King. By
+          RUTH B. YATES.
+
+          =That Odd Little Pair:= or, The Sayings and Doings
+          of Molly and Larry. By ISABEL S. ROBSON.
+
+          =Theodora:= or, Golden Opportunities. By ISABEL S.
+          ROBSON.
+
+          =Alice:= or, The Early Crown.
+
+          =Archer's Chance Shot.= By SARSON C. J. INGHAM.
+
+          =Junior Society Class Prize Essays.= By REVS. W.
+          B. FITZGERALD, W. H. CHAMINGS, J. SURMAN COOKE.
+
+          =In the Sunday School:= Thoughts and Suggestions
+          for Young Teachers. By ANNA M. HELLIER.
+
+          =Meadow Daisy.= By LILLIE MONTFORT.
+
+          =Waiting:= An Allegorical Story. By SARSON C. J.
+          INGHAM.
+
+
+
+
+"GILT SUNSHINE" SERIES OF EIGHTPENNY BOOKS.
+
+
+          =Alice:= or, The Early Crown.
+          =Broughton Manor.=
+          =Carrie's Self Denial.=
+          =Christmas at Rexby Hall.=
+          =Crossing the Rainbow Bridge.=
+          =Dash and His Master.=
+          =David Watson:= or, The Good Pays.
+          =Elsa's Holiday.=
+          =Favourite Recitations for Boys and Girls.=
+          =Fine Herbs.=
+          =For Love's Sweet Sake.=
+          =Jim and His Charges.=
+          =Ladyboy's Story.=
+          =Little Mother and Her Christmas.=
+          =Mop and Meg.=
+          =Ned's Helper.=
+          =Nellie's Promise.=
+          =Oscar's Rebellion.=
+          =Ruth, the Little Hop-picker.=
+          =Sam, the African Boy.=
+          =Schoolroom Stories for Boys.=
+          =Schoolroom Stories for Girls.=
+          =Something to Do, Please.=
+          =Stanley's Pony.=
+          =Sunshine After Rain.=
+          =Tarbarrel Tim.=
+          =The Auto-Biography of Chow.=
+          =The Bite of the Serpent.=
+          =The Seven Edwards.=
+          =Tom Burton's Mistake.=
+          =Wanted a Boy.=
+          =William Tyndale.=
+
+
+
+
+"UNCLE FORSTER'S" EIGHTPENNY BOOKS.
+
+
+          =A Knotty Point.=
+          =Ella's Christmas Letter.=
+          =Harry's Rescue.=
+          =Lucky Carlo.=
+          =Nelson Farm.=
+          =Pitch and Toss.=
+          =The Old Plate's Story.=
+          =The White Mouse.=
+          =The Young Conspirators.=
+          =Twelve Bible Children.=
+          =Voices from a Money Box.=
+
+    =2 & 3 Ludgate Circus Buildings, Farringdon Street, London, E.C.=
+
+
+
+
+"SUNSHINE" SERIES OF SIXPENNY BOOKS.
+
+
+          =Broughton Manor.=
+          =Carrie's Self Denial.=
+          =Christmas at Rexby Hall.=
+          =Crossing the Rainbow Bridge.=
+          =Dash and His Master.=
+          =David Watson:= or, The Good Pays.
+          =Elsa's Holiday.=
+          =Favourite Recitations for Boys and Girls.=
+          =Fine Herbs.=
+          =First Readings:= Scripture for Children.
+          =For Love's Sweet Sake.=
+          =Frank Armstrong.=
+          =Jim and His Charges.=
+          =Ladyboy's Story.=
+          =Little Mother and Her Christmas.=
+          =Mop and Meg.=
+          =Ned's Helper.=
+          =Nellie's Promise.=
+          =Oscar's Rebellion.=
+          =Ruth, the Little Hop-picker.=
+          =Sam, the African Boy.=
+          =Schoolroom Stories for Boys.=
+          =Schoolroom Stories for Girls.=
+          =Something to Do, Please.=
+          =Stanley's Pony.=
+          =Sunshine after Rain.=
+          =William Tyndale.=
+          =Wanted a Boy.=
+          =Tom Burton's Mistake.=
+          =The Seven Edwards.=
+          =The Bite of the Serpent.=
+          =The Auto-Biography of Chow.=
+          =Tarbarrel Tim.=
+
+
+6d.
+
+          =Self Improvement.= A Book for Young Men.
+
+          =Philip Phillips, the Singing Evangelist.= Paper
+          Covers.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+              _Also_
+
+          SUNDAY SCHOOL BUILDINGS:
+              A Book of Plans of S. S. Buildings, 6d.
+
+          SUNDAY SCHOOL REFORM:
+              Two Prize Essays, 1s. net.
+
+    =2 & 3 Ludgate Circus Buildings, Farringdon Street, London, E.C.=
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+The transcription of the letter was done as well as possible. All
+spelling and punctuation anamolies have been retained for the letter
+only. An image is available in the HTML version of this text.
+
+Obvious punctuation errors in the rest of the text repaired.
+
+Page 40, hyphens were added to "S-i-m-m-o-n-d-s" to keep the spaces
+between letters.
+
+Advertising page 6, "Winnnie" changed to "Winnie" (Winsome Winnie)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Story of John Wesley, by Marianne Kirlew
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF JOHN WESLEY ***
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+      The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Story of John Wesley, by Marianne Kirlew.
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+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of John Wesley, by Marianne Kirlew
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Story of John Wesley
+       Told to Boys and Girls
+
+Author: Marianne Kirlew
+
+Release Date: June 3, 2010 [EBook #32669]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF JOHN WESLEY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Emmy, Darleen Dove and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
+produced from images generously made available by The
+Internet Archive)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 388px;">
+<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="388" height="600" alt="Cover" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[ii]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 330px;">
+<img src="images/i-007.png" width="330" height="500" alt="Frontispiece.  &quot;&#39;You seem half starved, dear,&#39; he said.&quot;&mdash;Page 33." title="" />
+<span class="caption"><span style="margin-left: 15em;"><i>Frontispiece.</i></span><br />&quot;&#39;You seem half starved, dear,&#39; he said.&quot;&mdash;<i><a href="#Page_33">Page 33</a>.</i></span>
+</div>
+
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/divider.jpg" width="600" height="96" alt="Divider" title="" />
+</div>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[iii]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>THE STORY OF</h2>
+
+<h1>JOHN WESLEY.</h1>
+
+<h3>Told to Boys and Girls.</h3>
+
+<h3>BY</h3>
+
+<h2>MARIANNE KIRLEW,</h2>
+
+<div class='center'><i>Author of "The Red Thread of Honour," etc., etc.</i><br />
+<br /><br />
+WITH PREFACE BY REV. DINSDALE T. YOUNG.<br /><br /><br /></div>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 127px;">
+<img src="images/emblem.png" width="127" height="127" alt="Emblem" title="" />
+</div>
+
+<div class='center'><br /><br /><br />
+<b>London:</b><br />
+ROBERT CULLEY,<br />
+<small>2 AND 3 LUDGATE CIRCUS BUILDINGS, FARRINGDON STREET, E.C.;</small><br />
+<small>2 CASTLE STREET, CITY ROAD, E.C.</small><br />
+<br /><br /><br /></div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/divider.jpg" width="600" height="96" alt="Divider" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;">
+<img src="images/inscription.png" width="400" height="380" alt="Inscription" title="" />
+</div>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[iv]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+TO THE SACRED MEMORY<br />
+<br />
+OF THE<br />
+<br /></div>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 165px;">
+<img src="images/dear_mother.png" width="165" height="25" alt="Dear Mother," title="" />
+</div><div class='center'><br />
+<br />
+WHO BY PRECEPT AND EXAMPLE<br />
+<br />
+SOUGHT TO BRING UP HER CHILDREN<br />
+<br />
+IN "THE NURTURE AND ADMONITION OF THE LORD";<br />
+<br />
+THIS BOOK IS LOVINGLY DEDICATED<br />
+<br />
+BY HER DAUGHTER.<br />
+&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;
+</div>
+
+
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"<i>That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our
+daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of
+a palace.</i>"&mdash;<span class="smcap">Psalm cxliv.</span> 12.</p></div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[v]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>PREFACE.</h2>
+
+
+<div class='cap'>THE Story of John Wesley is one of which the world
+does not easily weary. There is perennial freshness
+in it. "Age cannot wither it." We may indeed almost
+affirm that it has an "infinite variety."</div>
+
+<p>It is specially important that this remarkable history
+should be re-told for young people. The youth of England
+ought to be fully conversant with John Wesley's unique
+personality and immortal work.</p>
+
+<p>John Wesley's name is far above mere denominationalism.
+He belongs to all the churches, for he belongs to the
+"Holy Catholic Church." He is a great national and
+historic figure. It has ever been claimed by some, whose
+authority is high, that John Wesley was the saviour of
+modern England. Surely there is large truth in this.
+The great religious leader was indeed one of the most
+potent political forces England has known. If there be
+even an approximation towards fact in such a claim, then
+how important for young England to know the record of
+a man so supremely distinguished.</p>
+
+<p>Certainly, on any ground, these pages meet a distinct
+want; and I think it will be the judgment of readers, that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[vi]</a></span>
+they meet it admirably well. Here John Wesley's life is
+traced clearly, even to the point of vividness. The style
+in which the story is told, will be found to add to the
+intrinsic interest of the recital.</p>
+
+<p>The author of this life of Wesley is thoroughly imbued
+with the spirit of her subject, nor does she forget to apply
+the lessons, with which this wonderful life-story is crowded.</p>
+
+<p>If the <i>children</i> of our land could be fired with enthusiasm
+for the truths John Wesley taught and lived, what a blessed
+outlook would there be for England!</p>
+
+<p>We earnestly pray, that many a young reader may be
+stirred to the very depths of his being, by the narration
+here so attractively given. "'Tis a consummation devoutly
+to be wished."</p>
+
+<div class='sig'>
+DINSDALE T. YOUNG.<br />
+</div>
+
+<p><i>Manchester,</i><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>June, 1895.</i></span><br /></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[vii]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2>CONTENTS.</h2>
+
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents">
+<tr><td align='left'><i>Chapter</i></td><td align='right'><i>Page</i></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>I.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>II.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_6">6</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>III.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_10">10</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>IV.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_13">13</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>V.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_19">19</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>VI.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_23">23</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>VII.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_28">28</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>VIII.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_32">32</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>IX.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_35">35</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>X.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_38">38</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XI.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_45">45</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XII.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_49">49</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XIII.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_54">54</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XIV.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_59">59</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XV.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_63">63</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XVI.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_68">68</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XVII.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_73">73</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[viii]</a></span>XVIII.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_77">77</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XIX.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_82">82</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XX.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_86">86</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXI.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_89">89</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXII.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_92">92</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXIII.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_98">98</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXIV.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_102">102</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXV.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_106">106</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXVI.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_110">110</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXVII.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_116">116</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXVIII.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_120">120</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXIX.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_123">123</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXX.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_128">128</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXXI.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_134">134</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXXII.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_138">138</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXXIII.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_142">142</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXXIV.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_145">145</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXXV.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_149">149</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXXVI.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_152">152</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXXVII.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_156">156</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXXVIII.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_159">159</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='right'>XXXIX.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_163">163</a></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 542px;">
+<img src="images/i-016.png" width="542" height="184" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+<h2>THE STORY OF JOHN WESLEY.</h2>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Jacky.&mdash;His brothers and sisters.&mdash;His cottage home.&mdash;What
+happened to the little pet-dog.&mdash;How Jacky's father forgave the wicked
+men of Epworth.&mdash;"Fire! Fire!"</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 102px;">
+<img src="images/cap-l.png" width="102" height="100" alt="L" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />ONG, long ago, more than one hundred
+and fifty years, lived the hero of this
+book. Because his name was John, everybody
+called him Jack or Jacky; and by
+everybody I mean his dear, good father and mother,
+and his eighteen brothers and sisters. Eighteen, did
+I say? Yes, indeed, they counted eighteen; and
+seeing there were so many, I will not trouble you
+with all their names. I will just tell you three.
+Samuel was the eldest, he was the "big brother";
+Jacky was number fifteen, and Kitty and Charlie
+came after him.</div>
+
+<p>But Jacky did not mind all this houseful, I think he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span>
+rather liked it, for you see he always had plenty of
+playmates. His home was in a country village called
+Epworth, in Lincolnshire. If you look on your map
+I think you will find it. The house was like a big
+cottage; the roof had no slates on like ours, but was
+thatched with straw, the same as some of the cottages
+you have seen in the country; and the windows had
+tiny panes of glass, diamond-shaped, and they opened
+like little doors. The walls of the cottage were
+covered with pretty climbing plants, and what was
+best of all, there was a beautiful big garden where
+apple and pear trees grew, and where there was lots
+of room for Jacky and Charlie and the others to run
+about and play "hide and seek."</p>
+
+<p>But I must tell you that a great many wicked
+people lived at Epworth, and Jack's father, who was
+a minister, tried to teach them how wrong it was to
+steal and fight, and do so many cruel things. But his
+preaching only made them very angry with good
+Mr. Wesley, and one of the men, out of spite, cut off
+the legs of his little pet-dog. Was not that a dreadfully
+cruel thing to do?</p>
+
+<p>But Jack's father, because he loved Jesus so much,
+loved these wicked men, and always forgave them.
+He knew if he could get <i>them</i> to love Jesus, they
+would soon stop being cruel and unkind.</p>
+
+<p>One night in winter, when everybody was fast
+asleep, Kitty woke up feeling something very hot on
+her feet. Opening her eyes she was dreadfully<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span>
+frightened to see the bedroom ceiling all on fire.
+She was only a very little girl, but she jumped out of
+bed, and ran to the room where her mother and two
+of her sisters were sleeping. Her father, who was
+in another room, hearing a great noise outside, and
+people calling "Fire! Fire!" jumped up and found
+it was his own house that was in flames. Telling the
+elder girls to be quick and get dressed and to help
+their mother, who was very ill, he ran to the nursery,
+and burst open the door. "Nurse, nurse!" he shouted,
+"be quick and get the children up, the house is on
+fire."</p>
+
+<p>Snatching up baby Charles in her arms, and calling
+to the other children to follow her, the nurse hurried
+down-stairs. But there they found the hall full of
+flames and smoke, and to get out of the front-door
+was impossible. So some of the children got through
+the windows and some through the back-door into
+the garden.</p>
+
+<p>Just as the minister thought he had all his family
+safe, he heard a cry coming from the nursery, and on
+looking round, he found Jacky was missing. He
+rushed into the burning house, and tried to get up the
+stairs, but they were all on fire. What should he do?
+He didn't know. So he just knelt down in the hall
+surrounded by the dreadful flames, and asked God to
+take care of little Jack, and if he couldn't be saved to
+take him to heaven.</p>
+
+<p>Now I must tell you how it was Jack was still in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span>
+the burning house. He had been fast asleep when
+the nurse called, and did not hear her and the other
+children go out of the room. All at once he woke
+up, and seeing a bright light in the room, thought it
+was morning. "Nursie, nursie!" he called, "take me
+up; I want to get up." Of course there was no answer.
+Then he put his head out of the curtains which
+surrounded his little bed, and saw streaks of fire on
+the top of the room. Oh, how frightened he was!</p>
+
+<p>Jacky was only five years old, but he was a brave
+boy, and instead of lying still and screaming and
+crying, he jumped up and ran to the door in his
+night-gown. But the floor and the stairs were all on
+fire. What should he do? He ran back again into
+the room, and climbed on a big box that stood near
+the window. Then some one in the yard saw him
+and shouted: "Fetch a ladder, quick! I see him."</p>
+
+<p>"There's no time," called out somebody else; "the
+roof is falling in. Look here!" said the same man,
+"I'll stand against this wall, and let a man that's not
+very heavy stand on my shoulders, and then we can
+reach the child."</p>
+
+<p>So the strong man fixed himself against the wall,
+and another man climbed on his shoulders, and Jacky
+put out his arms as far as he could, and the man lifted
+him out of the burning room, and he was safe. Two
+minutes afterwards the roof fell in with a big crash.</p>
+
+<p>Jack was carried into a neighbour's house, and they
+all knelt down while the minister thanked God for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span>
+taking care of them, and so wonderfully preserving
+all their lives.</p>
+
+<p>Jack never forgot that terrible night, and all his life
+afterwards he felt that God had saved him from being
+burnt to death, in order that he might do a great deal
+of work for Him.</p>
+
+<p>You will not be surprised to hear, that it was the
+wicked people in Epworth who had set the minister's
+house on fire. But as Jesus forgave His enemies, so
+Mr. Wesley forgave these men, and tried more than
+ever to show them how much Christ loved them.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 158px;">
+<img src="images/i-020.png" width="158" height="169" alt="Bird and nest" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 563px;">
+<img src="images/i-021.png" width="563" height="189" alt="Two sailboats" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Jacky learns his A B C.&mdash;A wise mother.&mdash;Christ's little soldier.&mdash;A
+chatterbox.&mdash;The big brother and the little one.&mdash;Jacky poorly.&mdash;The
+bravest of the brave.&mdash;A proud father.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 96px;">
+<img src="images/cap-j.png" width="96" height="100" alt="J" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />ACK'S father and mother were not rich
+people, and they could not afford to
+send all their children to school, so
+Mrs. Wesley taught them at home, and
+as there were so many of them it was almost like
+a proper school. When Jacky was five years old,
+he became a little scholar. The first day he learnt
+his alphabet, and in three months could read quite
+nicely.</div>
+
+<p>Mrs. Wesley was a dear, kind mother, and took
+a great deal of trouble, and often put herself to
+much pain to train her little boys to be Christian
+gentlemen, and her little girls to be Christian ladies.
+As soon as they could speak, they were taught to
+say their prayers every night and morning, and to
+keep the Sabbath day holy. They were never allowed
+to have anything they cried for, and they were always<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span>
+taught to speak kindly and politely to the servants.
+Bad words were never heard among them, and no
+loud talking or rough play was allowed. This wise
+mother also knew that little people are sometimes
+tempted to tell untruths to hide a fault for fear of
+punishment, so she made it a rule that if any of the
+children did what was naughty, and at once confessed
+and promised not to do it again, they should not be
+whipped.</p>
+
+<p>One of the little boys&mdash;I'm afraid it was Jacky&mdash;did
+not always follow this rule, and so he sometimes
+got what he did not like. But Mrs. Wesley never
+allowed her children to taunt one another with a fault,
+especially when they were trying to do better.</p>
+
+<p>Another thing the children were taught, was to
+respect the rights of property; that is, if Jacky
+wanted Charlie's top, he was not to take it without
+Charlie's leave; and if Emily wanted Sukey's
+brooch, she must ask her sister's permission before
+taking it.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, how dreadfully strict!" I fancy I hear some
+of my readers say. Not at all, dears, it was a mother's
+kindness to her children; for it took far more time,
+and a great deal more trouble to teach them all these
+things than it would have done to let them do as
+they liked. And when Emily and Mollie and Jack
+and Charlie and all the others grew up to be men
+and women, they thanked God for giving them such
+a wise mother.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Once a week Mrs. Wesley used to take each of
+the children into her room, separately, for a quiet
+little talk. They each had their own day for having
+mother <i>all to themselves</i>. Jack had every Thursday,
+and Saturday was Charlie's day. So helpful were
+these little talks with mother, that years afterwards
+when Jack had left home, he wrote and asked his
+mother if she would spare the same time every
+Thursday to pray for him.</p>
+
+<p>Before Jacky was eight years old he loved Jesus
+so much that he wanted every one to know he meant
+to be one of His faithful soldiers. So he asked his
+father if he might go to the communion, which, you
+know, is doing what Christ asked all His followers to
+do, taking bread and drinking wine "<i>in remembrance
+of Him</i>." Though Jack was such a little boy, his
+father knew, by his conduct, that he meant what he
+said, and so he admitted him to the Sacrament of the
+Lord's Supper. I wish all my young readers could
+say, as Jacky could:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"I am a little soldier,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">I'm only eight years old,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I mean to fight for Jesus</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">And wear a crown of gold.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I know He'll make me happy,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">And help me every day,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I'll be His little soldier,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">The Bible says I may."</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>Mrs. Wesley used to have services in her big
+kitchen on a Sunday night, for the servants, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span>
+the poor people who could not walk all the long
+way to church; and little Jack used to sit and listen
+so attentively, while his mother told the people how
+God's Son was put to death on the cruel cross, to
+save them from sin, and to gain for them a place
+in heaven.</p>
+
+<p>Jack, like many another little boy, had rather a
+long tongue, indeed, he was a regular chatterbox.
+His big brother Sam did not always like Jack
+putting his word in, and giving his opinion; he
+would put him down and say: "Child, don't talk
+so much, when you're older you'll find that nothing
+much is done in the world by arguing." His father
+used to stand up for Jack, and would say: "There's
+one thing, our Jack will never do anything without
+giving a good reason for doing it, I know."</p>
+
+<p>You will be sorry to hear that Jacky had a dreadful
+illness when he was nine years old. It was a disease
+that causes a great deal of pain and suffering. But
+Jack remembered that a soldier must be brave, and,
+as Christ's little soldier, he must be the bravest of the
+brave. So Jacky was very patient, and gave his nurse
+as little trouble as he could. His mother wrote to
+Mr. Wesley, who was in London at the time, and
+said, "Jack has borne his illness bravely, like a man,
+and like a little Christian, he has never uttered
+a word of complaint;" and the father, as he folded
+the letter and put it into his pocket, felt proud of
+his little son.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 548px;">
+<img src="images/i-069.png" width="548" height="151" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Jacky at boarding school.&mdash;Bullying.&mdash;Hard lines.&mdash;A morning
+run.&mdash;A Christ-like schoolboy.&mdash;Charlie at Westminster.&mdash;Scotch
+Jamie.&mdash;"Bravo, Captain Charlie!"</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 97px;">
+<img src="images/cap-b.png" width="97" height="100" alt="B" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />Y and by Jack grew to be a big boy of
+eleven, and all this time he had only
+been at the home-school. His parents
+thought he was now quite old enough
+to go to a proper boys' school, and through the
+kindness of a friend, he was sent to a big school in
+London called the Charterhouse.</div>
+
+<p>Here poor Jacky had a very unhappy time for
+two or three years. The big boys took a delight
+in bullying the little ones, especially the new-comers;
+and as Jack had never been from home before, their
+unkindness was hard to bear. Every meal-time each
+boy had to go to the cook's house for his allowance
+of food, and the big boys used to lay wait for the
+little ones as they came out, and snatch away their
+meat; so for a long time Jack had nothing but bread
+to eat at every meal.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Those of my readers who know what boarding-school
+life is to-day, will think this a very funny way
+of getting your food; and so it was, but, you must
+remember, this was in 1714, one hundred and eighty
+years ago, and every thing then was very different
+to what it is now.</p>
+
+<p>Before Jack went to the Charterhouse, his father
+had said to him: "Jack, I should like you to run
+round the school garden every morning before breakfast,
+it will give you an appetite and help to make
+you grow up a strong man." And all the long years
+Jack was at school he never failed to obey his father's
+wish; and, when he grew up, he said this morning
+run had helped to make him the healthy, strong man
+he had always been. But, poor little fellow, it was
+very hard for him, when, feeling dreadfully hungry
+with the fresh air and exercise, the big boys ran off
+with his meat, and left him with only some bread for
+his breakfast.</p>
+
+<p>However, by and by, Jack grew old enough to
+fight for his meat. And when this time came, do
+you think he took his turn at stealing from the little
+boys, and bullying them? Of course you will all
+say: "No, indeed, Jack would never be so mean."
+You are right; instead of treating others as others
+had treated him, he just did what he thought Jesus
+would have done when he was a boy at school.
+He stood up for the little fellows, and fought the
+big boys who tried to steal their meat.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Jack was so quiet and diligent at school, and so
+careful to obey rules, that he soon became a favourite
+with the head-master, Dr. Walker; and when he
+grew to be a man, he forgot all about the hard
+times he had had, and never failed to visit the
+Charterhouse once a year.</p>
+
+<p>When Jack had been two years at this school, his
+brother Charlie was sent to a school at Westminster,
+where his elder brother Samuel was a teacher. Charlie
+was then a bright little boy of nine; he was strong,
+full of spirit and fun, and afraid of nothing. He
+became a great favourite, and was soon looked upon
+as the "captain" of the school. Charlie was as
+generous as he was brave; his great dream was to
+be a good man, and to help others to be good too.</p>
+
+<p>There was a little Scotch laddie at the school
+whom all the other boys used to tease and mock.
+The captain wouldn't stand this; he took Jamie
+under his special protection, shielded him, fought
+for him, and saved him from what would otherwise
+have been a life of misery.</p>
+
+<p>I fancy I hear you all say: "Bravo, Captain
+Charlie!"</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 105px;">
+<img src="images/i-027.png" width="105" height="109" alt="Cherub" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 558px;">
+<img src="images/i-028.png" width="558" height="216" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Jack at Westminster.&mdash;At Oxford.&mdash;Life at College.&mdash;Jack a
+deserter.&mdash;His good angel.&mdash;"He that goes a borrowing, goes
+a sorrowing."&mdash;A bitter disappointment.&mdash;A letter from "Mother."&mdash;Jack's
+decision.&mdash;Father's advice.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 97px;">
+<img src="images/cap-w.png" width="97" height="100" alt="W" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />HEN Jack was sixteen he left the Charterhouse
+School, and joined Charlie at
+Westminster. Here too he was so
+diligent and persevering, that when his
+brother Samuel wrote home to his father, he said:
+"Jack is a brave boy, and learning Hebrew as fast as
+he can." The next year he went to Oxford, where
+he got on splendidly. He was very witty and lively,
+and still <i>very fond of talking;</i> but his was not foolish
+talk, and he always took care to stand up for the
+right.</div>
+
+<p>At first he was much shocked at the drinking and
+gambling, and wickedness of all sorts that went on
+among the students at the university. But when day
+after day we witness wrong-doing, gradually we get<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span>
+less and less shocked, and after a time think little
+about it. This only happens though when we get
+down from our watch-tower, and the enemy has
+a chance to get near to us. Jack's temptations to
+join his fellow students were very great, and I am
+sorry to say, he got "off his guard," and yielded.
+For a time he quite disgraced the colours of his
+regiment, and became a deserter from Christ's army.
+But it was not for long, he remembered what he had
+learnt at home, and how his dear mother had prayed
+for him. He remembered how he had been saved
+from the burning house, and he felt sure that God
+had not spared his life for him to grow up a wicked
+or a worldly man.</p>
+
+<p>He had found it hard work to be a Christian at the
+Charterhouse School, now he found it harder still at
+Christ Church College. He loved fun and merry
+company, and this sometimes led him to seek the
+society of young men who loved their own pleasure
+better than any thing else; and many times Jack,
+following their bad example, did things for which he
+was afterwards very sorry and very much ashamed.</p>
+
+<p>I have somewhere read this line of poetry:</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"The boy that loves his mother<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Is every inch a man,"</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>and if ever boy loved his mother, Jack did. The
+memory of her loving, holy life was Jack's good
+angel; and when temptations proved almost too<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>
+strong for him at Oxford, he wrote and asked her to
+pray for him, and to pray on every Thursday. For
+Thursday had been Jacky's day with mother, ever
+since a little boy he knelt at her knee; and he felt
+that his mother's prayers on <i>that</i> day could not fail
+to bring down God's blessing upon him, and give
+him strength to resist the many evil influences that
+surrounded his college life&mdash;and they did.</div>
+
+<p>I told you before, I think, that Jack's parents were
+not rich; they had never been able to allow him
+much pocket-money, and now at Oxford, when his
+expenses were greater, he somehow could never
+manage to make his money last out. I am afraid he
+was not always as careful as he might have been,
+and I am sorry to say when he was spent up&mdash;which
+was very often&mdash;he did what so many boys and young
+fellows do, borrowed money. This is always foolish,
+for, of course, it cannot make things any better, and
+indeed only makes them worse; because when the
+allowance comes, the debts have to be paid, and there
+is little or no money left. However, neither debt nor
+being short of money troubled Jack at this time;
+indeed he said it was just as well to be poor, for there
+were so many rogues at Oxford, that if you carried
+anything worth stealing, it was not safe to be out at
+night.</p>
+
+<p>One of his friends was once standing at the door of
+a coffee-house about seven o'clock in the evening,
+and happening to look round, in an instant his hat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span>
+and his wig&mdash;they wore wigs in those days&mdash;were
+snatched off his head by a thief, who managed to get
+clear off with his booty. Jack writing home about
+this said: "I am safe from these rogues, for all my
+belongings would not be worth their stealing."</p>
+
+<p>When Jack had been four years at Oxford, and
+was about twenty-one, his brother Samuel wrote to
+tell him he had had the misfortune to break his leg.
+He also told him his mother was coming to London,
+and if he liked he might go and meet her there.</p>
+
+<p>It was a long, long time since Jack had seen his
+mother, and you may imagine his delight when he
+got this letter. He wrote back:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Brother Samuel</span>,</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I am sorry for your misfortune, though glad to hear
+you are getting better. Have you heard of the Dutch
+sailor who having broken one of his legs by a fall from the
+mast, thanked God that he had not broken his neck?
+I expect you are feeling thankful that you did not break
+both legs.</p>
+
+<p>"I cried for joy at the last part of your letter. The two
+things I most wished for of almost anything in the world
+were to see my mother and Westminster again. But I have
+been so often disappointed when I have set my heart on
+some great pleasure, that I will never again be sure of anything
+before it comes.</p>
+
+<div class='sig'>
+<span style="margin-right: 2em;">"Your affectionate brother,</span><br />
+"<span class="smcap">Jack.</span>"<br />
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Poor Jack! it was well he did not anticipate this
+treat too much, for when the time came he hadn't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span>
+enough money to take him to London, and as he was
+already in debt he could not borrow any more. It
+was a bitter disappointment; but when his mother got
+back home again after her visit to London, she wrote
+one of her bright, loving, encouraging letters, which
+did something towards comforting the heart of this
+"mother's boy." This was the letter:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Jack</span>,</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I am uneasy because I have not heard from you.
+Don't just write letter for letter, but let me hear from you
+often, and tell me if you are well, and how much you are
+still in debt.</p>
+
+<p>"Dear Jack, don't be discouraged; do your duty; keep
+close to your studies, and hope for better days. Perhaps
+we may be able to send you a few pounds before the end
+of the year.</p>
+
+<p>"Dear Jacky, I pray Almighty God to bless thee!</p>
+
+<div class='sig'>
+<span style="margin-right: 4em;">"Your mother,</span><br />
+"<span class="smcap">Susanna Wesley.</span>"<br />
+</div></div>
+
+<p>When boys get to be fourteen or sixteen, they
+begin to think and wonder what they will be when
+they are men. Very little boys generally mean to be
+either cab-drivers or engine-drivers; and I did hear
+of one who meant to have a wild beast show when he
+grew up. Jack reached the age of twenty-one, and
+had not decided what he would be.</p>
+
+<p>At last the time came when he must make up his
+mind. After thinking about it very seriously, he
+thought he would like to be a minister like his father.
+So he wrote home and told them his decision.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>His father who had been ill and was unable to use
+his right hand properly, wrote to him that he must
+be quite sure that God had called him to this work
+before he undertook it. "At present," he said,
+"I think you are too young." Then, referring to his
+illness, he said: "You see that time has shaken me by
+the hand; and death is but a little behind him. My
+eyes and heart are almost all I have left, and I bless
+God for them."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Wesley was very glad when she heard that her
+boy wished to be a minister. "God Almighty direct
+and bless you," she wrote to him.</p>
+
+<p>A few months afterwards, Jack's father wrote, and
+told him that he had changed his mind about his being
+too young, and that he would like him to "take
+Orders," that is, to become a minister, the following
+summer. "But in the first place," he said, "if you
+love yourself or me, pray very earnestly about it."</p>
+
+<p>To choose to be Christ's minister, a preacher of the
+gospel, Mr. Wesley knew was a very solemn and
+responsible choice, and he wished Jack to think very
+seriously, and to pray very earnestly before he took
+the important step.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 109px;">
+<img src="images/i-033.png" width="109" height="109" alt="Book" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 542px;">
+<img src="images/i-034.png" width="542" height="161" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Books.&mdash;Two books that left impressions on Jack.&mdash;Must a Christian
+boy be miserable?&mdash;Jack says "No."&mdash;So says Jack's mother.&mdash;Father
+gives his opinion.&mdash;"The Enchanted Rocks;" a fairy story.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;">
+<img src="images/cap-i.png" width="100" height="100" alt="I" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br /> &nbsp; WONDER if any of my readers ever
+think what the books they read are doing
+for them, especially the books they are
+most fond of? Do you know every book
+you read makes <i>you</i> a little bit different? By <i>you</i>,
+I mean the unseen part of you, your mind and
+character.</div>
+
+<p>I remember, when I was somewhere about the
+mischievous age of eight or nine, how fond I used
+to be of getting to the putty round a newly-put-in
+window pane. It was lovely to press my thimble
+on it, and see all the pretty little holes it left; or
+to push a naughty finger deep down into the nice
+soft stuff. Then, when the putty had dried hard,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>
+I used to look with great interest on my work, for
+every impression was there, and could not now be
+removed.</p>
+
+<p>So it is with books, they make an <i>impression</i> on
+you; and you are either a little bit better or a little
+bit worse for every book you read. <i>Take care only
+to read those books that will make you better.</i></p>
+
+<p>The summer after Jack decided to be a minister,
+he read two books which made some big impressions
+on his mind, and left him <i>better</i> than he was before
+reading them. One was called "The Imitation of
+Christ," and the other "Holy Living and Dying."
+They taught him that true religion must be in the
+heart, and that it is not enough for our words and
+actions, as seen and heard by men, to be right, but
+our very thoughts must be pure and good, such as
+would be approved of God. He did not at all agree
+with Thomas &agrave; Kempis, the writer of the first book
+I mentioned, in everything, though, for he made out,
+according to Jack's idea, that we should always be
+miserable.</p>
+
+<p>I think Jack would never have persevered in his
+determination to follow Christ, if he had been convinced
+that "to be good you must be miserable,"
+for he loved fun, and could not help being happy.
+He felt sure Thomas &agrave; Kempis was mistaken,
+especially when he remembered that verse in the
+Bible which says religion's ways "are ways of
+<i>pleasantness</i>" (Prov. iii. 17). When he wrote home, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span>
+asked his mother what she thought, for although
+he was now a young man of twenty-two, he was
+still the old Jack that thought father and mother
+knew better than anybody else.</p>
+
+<p>His mother wrote back that she thought Thomas
+&agrave; Kempis <i>was</i> mistaken, for so many texts in the
+Bible show us that God intends us to be happy and
+full of joy. "And," she said, "if you want to know
+what pleasures are right and wrong, ask yourself:
+'Will it make me love God more, and will it help
+me to be more like my great example, Jesus
+Christ?'"</p>
+
+<p>Jack's father wrote: "I don't altogether agree
+with Thomas &agrave; Kempis; but the world is like a
+siren, and we must beware of her. If the young
+man would rejoice in his youth, let him take care
+that his pleasures are innocent; and in order to do
+this, remember, my son, that for all these things God
+will bring us into judgment."</p>
+
+<p>Some of my readers will hardly understand what
+Mr. Wesley meant when he said the world is "like
+a siren." Most of you have read fairy tales; well,
+a kind of Greek fairy story tells of some beautiful
+maidens, called sirens, who used to sit on some
+dangerous rocks, and play sweetest music. When
+sailors saw them and heard their singing, they
+were drawn by magic nearer and nearer to where
+they were, until at last their boats struck on the
+rocks, and the poor deluded sailors were dragged<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span>
+by the sirens to the bottom of the sea and were
+drowned.</p>
+
+<p>Now, do you see why the world is like a siren?
+Its pleasures all look so beautiful that we are tempted
+to draw nearer and nearer, until at last we are lost
+to all that is holy and good.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 114px;">
+<img src="images/i-037.png" width="114" height="116" alt="Cherub and harp" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 563px;">
+<img src="images/i-083.png" width="563" height="201" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Jack a minister.&mdash;A letter from father.&mdash;Jack's first sermon.&mdash;"Mr.
+John."&mdash;Back at college.&mdash;Temptations and persecutions.&mdash;"For
+Jesus' sake."&mdash;Mr. John's long hair.&mdash;Clever, but not proud.&mdash;Young
+soldiers for Christ.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 97px;">
+<img src="images/cap-w.png" width="97" height="100" alt="W" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />E all love to get letters, do we not? though
+some of us are not so fond of writing
+them. It was in the year 1725, when
+Jack was twenty-two years old, that he
+became a minister; and just about this time he had
+a beautiful letter from his father. In it Mr. Wesley
+said:&mdash;</div>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"God fit you for your great work. Watch and pray;
+believe, love, endure, and be happy, towards which you
+shall never want the most ardent prayers of</p>
+
+<div class='sig'>
+<span style="margin-right: 2em;">"Your affectionate father,</span><br />
+"<span class="smcap">Samuel Wesley.</span>"<br />
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Jack's first sermon was preached at a small town
+near Oxford, and his second at his dear home-village,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span>
+Epworth. Mr. Wesley was getting old, and as he
+had now two churches to look after, the one at
+Epworth and another at a place called Wroote, where
+he and Mrs. Wesley had gone to live, he was very
+glad when his son offered to go and help him. And
+now that Jack has grown up and got to be a proper
+minister, I think we must begin to call him Mr. John.
+Well, Mr. John stayed some time helping his father
+at Wroote and Epworth, and then went back again
+to Oxford, to study for a place in a college there&mdash;Lincoln
+College.</p>
+
+<p>There were several others trying to get this same
+place, and they didn't like Mr. John because he
+would not do the wicked things they did, so they
+made great fun of him, and laughed at him for
+being good. Nobody likes being laughed at; and
+Mr. John didn't, but he bore it bravely; and his
+father comforted him when he wrote: "Never mind
+them, Jack; he is a coward that cannot bear being
+laughed at. Jesus endured a great deal more for
+us, before He entered glory; and unless we follow
+His steps we can never hope to share that glory with
+Him. Bear it patiently, my boy, and be sure you
+never return evil for evil." His mother, too, sent
+loving letters to cheer and comfort him.</p>
+
+<p>So Mr. John worked hard, and bore his persecutions
+patiently&mdash;<i>for Jesus' sake;</i> and in spite of all his
+enemies he won the coveted place, and became Fellow
+of Lincoln College. Oh, how glad and thankful he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>
+was! And his father and mother were so proud and
+happy.</p>
+
+<p>It was just about this time that Mr. Wesley was
+afraid he would have to leave Wroote, and it was
+a great trouble to him. "But," he said, proudly,
+"wherever I am, my Jacky is Fellow of Lincoln."
+As for Jack, he felt it was worth everything to give
+his father and mother such pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>Though he was properly grown up, twenty-three
+years old, Mr. and Mrs. Wesley always thought of
+him as their "boy." Fathers and mothers always
+do this. It doesn't matter how old their children
+grow to be, they love to think of them, and speak
+of them as their "boys" and "girls." Dear readers,
+remember there is no one on earth that loves you,
+or ever will love you with such a big love as father
+and mother. No matter how tall, or how strong, or
+how clever you may grow, they will always love you
+with the same big love they did when you were little
+boys and girls. And, oh! whatever you do, never,
+never grieve these dearest of all dear friends.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Wesley had been longing to see her "boy"
+again, especially now that he had become Fellow
+of Lincoln College. At last her wish was granted.
+There were a great many things that puzzled Jack
+which he wanted to ask his father and mother about.
+So he went and spent a long summer at home, getting
+his hard questions answered, and helping his father
+with the work that was now almost too much for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span>
+him. He had such a happy time that he was almost
+sorry when the autumn came and he had to return
+to Oxford.</p>
+
+<p>Being at school and college costs a great deal
+of money, and Jack knew that his father was not
+a rich man, and that he had hard work often to pay
+his college expenses. Jack had been very sorry to
+be such a burden to his parents, and tried to be as
+careful as he could. Have you ever seen a picture
+of Mr. John Wesley? If you have, you will have
+noticed his long hair. Every one at Oxford wore
+their hair short; but having it cut cost money, and
+John used to say: "I've no money to spend on hair-dressers."
+So, though his fellow-students made great
+fun of him, he saved his money and wore his hair
+long, and in time got so accustomed to it, that he
+wore it long all his life. Now that he was Fellow
+of Lincoln College he received enough money to
+pay his own expenses, and it made him very happy
+to think he need no longer be an expense to his dear
+father. But he resolved still to be as careful as he
+could, and never again to go into debt.</p>
+
+<p>When he went back to his new College, after
+spending the summer at home, he said to himself:
+"I will give up all the old friends who have so often
+tempted me to do things that a Christian ought not
+to do, and I will make new friends of those who will
+help me on my way to heaven." So, though he was
+always polite to the many worldly young men who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span>
+wanted to make his acquaintance, he would not have
+them for his friends. This made some of them say
+very unkind things about him; but Mr. John bore
+it all quietly, and never said unkind things back
+again. He felt he was only treading the path Jesus
+had trod before him, the path which all His disciples
+must follow.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. John got to be so clever that soon he was
+made professor, or teacher of Greek. Some boys
+and girls&mdash;yes, and grown-up people, too&mdash;become
+proud when they get to be clever, but Mr. John did
+not. He determined, more than ever, to be a faithful
+and humble follower of the Lord Jesus. He was
+very patient with his scholars, and tried not only to
+make them learned, but to make them Christians.
+"I want these young soldiers of Christ to be burning
+and shining lights wherever they may go," he said.
+"If they are not all intended to be clergymen, they
+are all intended to be Christians."</p>
+
+<p>In the beginning of the next year (1727), Mr. John
+went home again to help his father, who was getting
+very old, and was often ill. He stayed at Wroote about
+two years, and then went back again to Oxford.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 111px;">
+<img src="images/i-042.png" width="111" height="108" alt="Paper and globe" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 540px;">
+<img src="images/i-043.png" width="540" height="165" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Charlie goes to Oxford.&mdash;Won't have his brother interfere with
+him.&mdash;A change in Charlie.&mdash;Somebody's prayers.&mdash;Charlie's chums,
+and how he treated them.&mdash;Dividing time.&mdash;Nickname.&mdash;A nickname
+honoured.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 97px;">
+<img src="images/cap-b.png" width="97" height="100" alt="B" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />EFORE I tell you any more about
+Mr. John, I am sure you would like to
+know how Charlie has been getting on
+all this long time. We left him, you
+remember, captain of the school at Westminster,
+where his eldest brother Samuel was a teacher. He
+was so clever and brave, and such a generous, loving-hearted
+boy, that he was a favourite with everybody.
+He stayed nine years at Westminster, and then, when
+he was eighteen, went to one of the colleges at
+Oxford. It was not the one Mr. John was at, but,
+being in the same town, the two brothers often saw
+each other.</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Charlie was not a Christian, and made companions
+of the worldly young students who spent their
+time in all sorts of wrong-doings. John was very
+sorry for this, and spoke to him about it; but
+Charlie became very angry at what he called his
+brother's interference, and said: "Do you want me to
+become a saint all at once?"</p>
+
+<p>However, while Mr. John was away at home those
+two years helping his father, Charlie changed very
+much. He became steadier and more thoughtful,
+and even wrote to his brother, and asked for the
+advice he would not have before. "I don't exactly
+know how or when I changed," he said in his letter;
+"but it was soon after you went away. It is owing,
+I believe, to somebody's prayers (my mother's most
+likely) that I am come to think as I do."</p>
+
+<p>When boys and girls or grown-up people become
+Christians, those around them soon find it out.
+Charlie's giddy companions soon saw something was
+wrong with him. He used to be lazy and shirk
+his studies, spending his time with them in pleasure
+and amusement, now he was diligent and worked
+hard.</p>
+
+<p>The next thing they noticed was that he went to
+church regularly and took the Sacrament. And here
+I must tell you how he behaved towards these friends,
+and I know it will make you like Charlie more than
+ever.</p>
+
+<p>I told you before how loving and genial he was,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span>
+and now he did not at all like to give up his old
+chums, and yet he knew that if he meant to travel
+heavenwards he must have companions that were
+going the same way. He longed for his friends to
+become Christians, and talked to them so lovingly
+and so wisely that before very long he got two or
+three of them to join him in fighting against the evils
+of their nature, and encouraging and seeking after
+everything that was good.</p>
+
+<p>You have all read in your English history how
+good King Alfred the Great divided his time; well,
+Charles and his companions divided theirs in a similar
+way. So many hours were spent in study, so many
+in prayer, and so many in sleeping and eating. They
+made other strict rules for themselves, and lived so
+much by what we call "method," that at last they
+got to be called "Methodists."</p>
+
+<p>Boys and girls are very fond of giving nicknames
+to their companions; sometimes it is done in fun, and
+then there is no harm in it,&mdash;but often spite and ill-nature
+suggest the nickname, then it is very wrong
+and very unkind.</p>
+
+<p>Most of the young men at Oxford thought religion
+and goodness were only things to make fun of, so
+Charles and his friends were a butt for their ridicule.
+Because they read their Bibles a great deal they
+called them "Bible Bigots," and "Bible Moths," and
+their meetings they called the "Holy Club."</p>
+
+<p>But "Methodists" was the name that fastened most<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span>
+firmly to them, and, as you know, after all these years,
+this is the name we call ourselves by to-day. Just
+think; a nickname given to a few young men at
+Oxford, more than one hundred and fifty years ago,
+is now held in honour by hundreds of thousands
+of people all over the world.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 130px;">
+<img src="images/i-046.png" width="130" height="129" alt="Bird" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 542px;">
+<img src="images/i-047.png" width="542" height="141" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>The Christian band at Oxford.&mdash;How they spent their time.&mdash;Mr.
+John and the little ragged girl.&mdash;A very early bird.&mdash;Methodist
+rules, and the Methodist guide-book.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 97px;">
+<img src="images/cap-w.png" width="97" height="100" alt="W" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />HEN Mr. John came back to Oxford,
+of course he joined the Christian band,
+and very soon they made him their
+leader. He was cleverer and had more
+experience than the others, and they all looked up to
+him for help and advice. Others joined the club, and
+soon there were twenty-five members.</div>
+
+<p>Do you remember a verse in the Bible that,
+speaking of Jesus, says: "He went about doing
+good"? Well, these young men who were taking
+Jesus for their copy, just did the same; all their
+spare time was spent in "doing good." Some of
+them tried to rescue their fellow-students from bad
+companions and get them to become Christians;
+others visited and helped the poor. Some taught the
+children in the workhouse, and some got leave to go<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span>
+into the prison and read to the prisoners. Very few
+of them were rich, but they denied themselves things
+they really wanted in order to buy books, and
+medicine for the poor. Every night they used to
+have a meeting to talk over what they had done, and
+settle their work for the next day.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. John started a school for poor little children;
+he paid a teacher to teach them, and bought clothes
+for the boys and girls whose parents could not afford
+to buy them. Once a little girl from the school called
+to see Mr. John. It was a cold winter's day, and she
+was very poorly clad.</p>
+
+<p>"You seem half starved, dear," he said; "have
+you nothing to wear but that cotton frock?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir," she answered; "this is the only frock
+I have."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. John put his hand into his pocket, but, alas! he
+found no money there, it had all gone. Just then
+he caught sight of the pictures on the walls of his
+room, and he thought: "How can I allow these
+beautiful pictures to hang here while Christ's poor are
+starving?"</p>
+
+<p>We are not told, but I think we can be quite sure
+that the pictures were sold, and that the little girl got
+a warm winter's frock.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. John was just as careful of his time as his
+money, he never wasted a moment. He believed
+in the proverb you have often heard: "Early to bed
+and early to rise." Some people say: "Get up with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span>
+the lark," but I think Mr. John was always up before
+that little bird even awoke. Every morning when
+the clock struck four he jumped out of bed, and
+began his work. Wasn't that early? I wonder
+which of us would like to get up at that time? And
+he did not do this only when he was young, he did it
+all his life, even when he was an old, old man.</p>
+
+<p>I told you these "Methodists" made rules for
+themselves. One of them was to set apart special
+days for special prayer for their friends and pupils.
+And another one which we all should copy was:
+<span class="smcap">Never to speak unkindly of any one</span>. The
+Bible was their Guide Book, and it told them, as it
+will tell us, all they ought to do, and all they ought
+not to do.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 125px;">
+<img src="images/i-049.png" width="125" height="126" alt="Cherub" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 530px;">
+<img src="images/i-050.png" width="530" height="148" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>A long walk.&mdash;More persecutions.&mdash;Mr. John's illness.&mdash;Not afraid
+to die.&mdash;Mrs. Wesley scolds.&mdash;Home again.&mdash;A proud father.&mdash;Mr.
+Wesley's opinion about fasting.&mdash;At Wroote once more.&mdash;Mr. Wesley's
+"Good-bye."</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 97px;">
+<img src="images/cap-w.png" width="97" height="100" alt="W" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />ILL you look on your map of England
+and find London? Now find Oxford.
+The two places are a long way apart, are
+they not?</div>
+
+<p>Well, do you know Mr. John and Mr. Charles
+Wesley used often to walk all that long way to see
+a friend. You know there were no railways in those
+days, and to go by coach cost a great deal of money.
+This friend's name was Mr. Law; he was a very good
+man, and encouraged and helped the two brothers
+very much. He taught them that "religion is the
+simplest thing in the world." He said: "It is just
+this, 'We love Jesus, because Jesus first loved us.'"</p>
+
+<p>At Oxford, the Methodists were still called all sorts
+of names and made great fun of, not only by the idle,
+wicked students, but even by clever and learned men<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span>
+who ought to have known better. Some of their
+enemies said: "They only make friends with those
+who are as queer as themselves." But Mr. John
+showed them this was not true, for in every way he
+could he helped and showed kindness to those who
+said the most unkind things.</p>
+
+<p>Hard work, close study, and fasting, at last made
+Mr. John very ill; one night he thought he was going
+to die. He was not at all afraid, he just prayed,
+"O God, prepare me for Thy coming." But God had
+a great deal of work for His servant to do, and did
+not let him die. With care and a doctor's skill he
+got quite better.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Mrs. Wesley was often anxious about her two
+Oxford sons, and once wrote them quite a scolding
+letter. "Unless you take more care of yourselves,"
+she said, "you will both be ill. You ought to know
+better than to do as you are doing." Mrs. Wesley
+did not agree with them fasting so much; she believed
+God meant us to take all the food necessary to
+support our bodies.</p>
+
+<p>Just about this time, Mr. Samuel&mdash;the big brother&mdash;got
+an appointment as master of a boys' school somewhere
+in the West of England; but before he went to
+his new place he thought he would like to go home,
+and see his dear father and mother.</p>
+
+<p>When his brothers at Oxford heard this, they
+thought they would go too, so that they might all be
+together in the old home once more. And, oh, what<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span>
+a happy time they had! Mr. Wesley was getting very
+old, and he was so proud to have his "boys" with
+him again. He talked very seriously to John and
+Charles, and told them he did not at all approve of
+their way of living. He said he was sure God never
+meant us to fast so much as to injure our health, or
+to shut ourselves up and be so much alone. Jesus
+said: "Let your light shine <i>before men;</i>" our light
+should be where <i>everybody</i> can see it. I am sure old
+Mr. Wesley was right.</p>
+
+<p>A few months later, and the brothers were again at
+Wroote, standing by the bedside of their dying
+father. "I am very near heaven," he said, as they
+gathered round him, "Good-bye!" And "father"
+went Home.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 109px;">
+<img src="images/i-033.png" width="109" height="109" alt="Book" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 540px;">
+<img src="images/i-053.png" width="540" height="167" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>A corner in America.&mdash;Wanted a missionary.&mdash;Mrs. Wesley gives
+up her sons to God's work.&mdash;At the dock-side.&mdash;The good ship
+"Simmonds."&mdash;Life on board.&mdash;A terrible storm.&mdash;The German
+Christians who were not afraid.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;">
+<img src="images/cap-i.png" width="100" height="100" alt="I" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />F you look on your map of the United
+States, you will see in the south-east,
+a little corner called Georgia. It was to
+this place that a number of poor people
+from England had emigrated; people who had been
+cruelly treated in prison, and on being released had
+no work to do and nowhere to go. Some kind
+Christian gentlemen collected money to help them to
+get to Georgia, where they could have plenty of
+work and plenty of food. A number of poor
+Germans, too, who had been persecuted in their own
+country because of their religion, also went out to
+this place where they could worship God as they
+chose, without fear of cruel treatment.</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>When people are driven out of their own country
+like this, they are called "exiles," and though this
+little band of exiles found work and food, and
+freedom to worship God in the new land, they had no
+minister. So the gentlemen who had raised the
+money, and who knew what brave, good men
+Mr. John and Mr. Charles Wesley were, asked them
+if they would go out and minister to these poor
+people in Georgia. "You are just the men to comfort
+and teach them," they said.</p>
+
+<p>Then, too, a number of Indians lived in Georgia,
+and they wanted to be friends with the white strangers,
+and General Oglethorpe and Dr. Burton, the gentlemen
+I mentioned, thought it would be a good
+opportunity to preach the gospel to them.</p>
+
+<p>When Mr. John Wesley was first asked, he said:
+"No, I cannot go, I cannot leave my mother." Then
+they said: "Will you go if your mother gives her
+consent?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said John, feeling quite sure she would
+never give it.</p>
+
+<p>So he went to Epworth and told his mother all
+about the matter. Then he waited for her reply.
+Mrs. Wesley loved her "boy" John very, very dearly,
+and if he went to America she might never see him
+again, and yet her answer came: "If I had twenty
+sons, I would give them all up for such a work."</p>
+
+<p>Even after obtaining this unexpected consent,
+John did not decide to go until he had asked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span>
+the advice of his brother Samuel and his friend
+Mr. Law, both of whom advised him to undertake
+the work. Then both he and his brother sent in
+their decision to General Oglethorpe, and began
+making preparations for their long journey across
+the Atlantic Ocean.</p>
+
+<p>Now I want us to imagine ourselves at Gravesend,
+a place on the river Thames near London. Look at
+all those ships in the docks! See, there is one that
+looks just ready to sail! Can you read the name of
+it? "S&nbsp;i&nbsp;m&nbsp;m&nbsp;o&nbsp;n&nbsp;d&nbsp;s"&mdash;"Simmonds." Yes, that is its
+name. Let us button up our coats, as it is a sharp
+October day, and watch the passengers go on board.</p>
+
+<p>Look at that little man with the nice face, and
+a lot of colour in his cheeks! What long hair he
+has! and how smooth it is! It looks as if he brushed
+it a great deal. See, he is looking this way, and we
+can notice his beautiful forehead and his bright eyes.
+Why that must be Mr. John Wesley! And, of
+course, that is his brother Charles talking to some
+gentlemen on the deck. See, he is holding a book
+close to his eyes&mdash;he must be short-sighted. Listen,
+how the others are laughing! I expect he is making
+a joke. Now he is walking off arm in arm with one
+of his companions. He seems to be still loving-hearted
+and full of fun, the same Charlie he was at
+Westminster School only grown big.</p>
+
+<p>A number of Germans were also on board the
+"Simmonds," all bound for Georgia. Before they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span>
+had been many days at sea, John Wesley found out
+that they were earnest Christians, and he began at
+once to learn German in order that he might talk to
+them.</p>
+
+<p>The brothers had not taken their father's advice
+about fasting; they and some other Methodists who
+were their fellow-passengers still thought they ought
+to do with as little food as possible, and with as few
+comforts. They ate nothing but rice, biscuits, and
+bread, and John Wesley slept on the floor. He was
+obliged to do it one night, because the waves got into
+the ship and wet his bed, and because he slept so well
+that night, he thought the floor was good enough for
+him, and continued to sleep on it.</p>
+
+<p>I expect you wonder how they spent their time
+during the long, long voyage to Georgia. I will tell
+you. They made the same strict rules for themselves
+that they did at Oxford. They got up every morning
+at four o'clock, and spent the time in private prayer
+until five o'clock. Then they all read the Bible
+together until seven. After that they had breakfast,
+and then public prayers for everybody on the ship
+who would come. Then from nine to twelve&mdash;just
+your school-time, little readers, is it not?&mdash;Mr. John
+studied his German; somebody else studied Greek,
+another taught the children on board, and Mr.
+Charles wrote sermons. Then at twelve o'clock they
+all met and told each other how they had been
+getting along, and what they had been doing. At<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span>
+one o'clock they had dinner, and after that they read
+or preached to those on board until four o'clock.
+Then they studied and preached and prayed again
+until nine, when they went to bed. Were not these
+strict rules? I wonder if they ever had the headache?
+I am afraid we should, if we studied so hard
+and so long.</p>
+
+<p>Have you ever been to Liverpool, and seen one
+of those beautiful vessels that go to America?
+They are as nice and as comfortable as the best of
+your own homes, and you can get to the other side of
+the Atlantic in about ten days. But at the time of
+which I write, more than one hundred and fifty years
+ago, travelling was very different. The ships were
+much smaller, and tossed about a great deal more,
+and the passengers had to put up with a great many
+discomforts. Then again, it took weeks, instead of
+days, to get across to America.</p>
+
+<p>The passengers on board the "Simmonds" met
+with some terrible storms; often the great waves
+would dash over their little ship, until it seemed as if
+it must sink and never rise again.</p>
+
+<p>One of these storms began on a Sunday, about
+twelve o'clock in the middle of the day. The wind
+roared round them, and the waves, rising like
+mountains, kept washing over and over the decks.
+Every ten minutes came a shock against the side of
+the boat, that seemed as if it would dash the planks
+in pieces.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>During this storm as Mr. Wesley was coming out
+of the cabin-door, a big wave knocked him down.
+There he lay stunned and bruised, until some one
+came to his help. When he felt better, he went and
+comforted the poor English passengers, who were
+dreadfully afraid, and were screaming and crying in
+their fear. Then he went among the Germans, but
+they needed no comfort from him. He heard them
+singing as he got near, and found them calm and
+quiet, not the least bit frightened.</p>
+
+<p>"Were you not afraid?" Mr. Wesley asked them
+when the storm was over.</p>
+
+<p>"No," they answered, "we are not afraid to
+die."</p>
+
+<p>"But were not the children frightened?" he said.</p>
+
+<p>"No," they said again, "our children are not afraid
+to die either."</p>
+
+<p>During that terrible storm they had remembered
+how Jesus stilled the tempest on the Lake of Galilee,
+and His voice seemed to say to them now: "Peace,
+be still."</p>
+
+<p>This reminds me of a piece of poetry, which I dare
+say some of you have read. It is about a little girl
+whose father was a captain, and once when there was
+an awful storm, and even the captain himself was
+frightened:</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">"&mdash;&mdash;his little daughter</span><br />
+Took her father by the hand,<br />
+And said: 'Is not God upon the water<br />
+Just the same as on the land?'"<br />
+</div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"<i>The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of
+many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea:</i>"
+Psa. xciii. 4.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves
+thereof are still:</i>" Psa. cvii. 29.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 107px;">
+<img src="images/i-059.png" width="107" height="107" alt="Child" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 542px;">
+<img src="images/i-016.png" width="542" height="184" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>In the Savannah river.&mdash;Landed.&mdash;A prayer meeting on the top
+of a hill.&mdash;German Christians.&mdash;The Indians.&mdash;Tomo Chachi and his
+squaw.&mdash;Their welcome to Mr. Wesley.&mdash;A jar of milk and a jar
+of honey.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 101px;">
+<img src="images/cap-a.png" width="101" height="100" alt="A" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />T last storms and dangers were over, and
+the good ship "Simmonds" floated safely
+in the smooth waters of the Savannah
+river. You can find this on your map.
+They cast anchor near a little island called Tybee
+Island, where beautiful pine trees grew all along the
+shore.</div>
+
+<p>The first thing they did on landing was to go to
+the top of a hill, kneel down together, and thank God
+for bringing them safely across the ocean. You
+remember Noah's first act after leaving the ship that
+God put him into when the world was drowned, was
+to offer a sacrifice of thankfulness for God's care over
+him. And when Abraham got safely into the strange
+land to which God sent him, the first thing he did<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span>
+was to offer sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. In
+the same way the little missionary band from England
+showed their reverence and gratitude to the God who
+rules earth, sky, and sea.</p>
+
+<p>When they got to the town of Savannah they
+found it a very small place. There were only about
+forty houses, besides a church, a prison built of logs
+of wood, and a mill where everybody took their corn
+to be ground.</p>
+
+<p>I told you, if you remember, that besides the poor
+English exiles there were a number of German
+Christians. These were called Moravians, and they
+were so glad to have a minister that they came to
+meet Mr. Wesley, and told him how pleased they
+were to see him. Mr. Wesley and one of his friends
+lived with them in Savannah for a long time, and
+they soon found what earnest real Christians they were,
+true followers of the Lord Jesus. You know it is the
+people you live with that know you the best, and this
+is what Mr. Wesley wrote about these Moravians.
+"We were in the same room with them from morning
+till night, except when we went out for a walk. They
+were never idle, were always happy, and always kind
+to one another. They were true copies in all things
+of their Saviour Jesus Christ." Was not that a
+splendid character to have, and would it not be nice
+if those whom we live with could say the same of us?</p>
+
+<p>There was something near Savannah that you
+would have liked to see, especially the boys, and that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span>
+was an Indian town. If there was one thing more
+than another that drew Mr. Wesley to Georgia it was
+the Indians. I expect, like you, he had loved to read
+and hear about them; now he had a chance to see
+them. But what he longed for most of all was to
+tell them about Jesus, and to get them to become
+Christians. The Indians lived in tents or tepees as
+they are called, and a number of these tepees all put
+up close together was called a town; one of these
+towns was only about twenty minutes' walk from
+Savannah.</p>
+
+<p>After Mr. Wesley had been a week or two in
+America, who should come to see him but the Indian
+chief. Think how excited Mr. Wesley would be!
+The chief's name was Tomo Chachi, and he came
+looking so grand in all his war paint, with his great
+feather head-dress, and moccasins made of buffalo
+skin, ornamented with pretty coloured beads, just
+as you have seen them in pictures.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Wesley thought he must dress up too, to
+receive his distinguished visitor, so he put on his
+gown and cassock, and down he went to see Tomo
+Chachi. Of course Mr. Wesley did not understand
+the Indian language, but there was a woman who did,
+and she acted as interpreter. "I am glad you are
+come," said Tomo Chachi. "I will go up and speak
+to the wise men of our nation, and I hope they will
+come and hear you preach."</p>
+
+<p>Then Tomo Chachi's wife, or squaw as she is called,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span>
+who had come with her husband, presented the
+missionaries with a jar of milk. She meant by this
+that she wanted them to make the story of Jesus
+Christ very plain and simple so that they could
+understand it, for she said "we are only like children."
+Then she gave them a jar of honey, and by this
+she meant that she hoped the missionaries would
+be very sweet and nice to them. Then Tomo Chachi
+and his squaw went back to their tepee.</p>
+
+<p>A few months after, Mr. Wesley had a long talk
+with another tribe of Indians, a very wicked tribe
+called the Chicasaws; but they would not allow him
+to preach to them. They said: "We don't want
+to be Christians, and we won't hear about Christ."
+So Mr. Wesley had to leave them and go back
+disappointed to Savannah.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 115px;">
+<img src="images/i-063.png" width="115" height="115" alt="Cherub" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 563px;">
+<img src="images/i-021.png" width="563" height="189" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Proud children.&mdash;Edie.&mdash;Boys in Georgia.&mdash;John and Charles
+Wesley in the wrong.&mdash;Signal failure.&mdash;Disappointment.&mdash;Return to
+England.&mdash;Mr. Wesley finds out something on the voyage home.&mdash;An
+acrostic.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;">
+<img src="images/cap-i.png" width="100" height="100" alt="I" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br /> &nbsp;  WONDER if my readers know any boys
+or girls who sneer and look down upon
+their school companions because they are
+not so well dressed as themselves? It
+is a cruel, unkind, un-Christ-like thing to do.</div>
+
+<p>I remember seeing a little girl, and it was in
+a Sunday School too, who had on a new summer frock
+and a new summer hat; and oh! Edie did think she
+looked nice. She kept smoothing her frock down
+and looking at it, and then tossing her head. By her
+side sat a sweet-faced little girl about a year younger
+than Edie. Annie's dress was of print and quite
+plainly made, but very clean and tidy. After
+admiring herself a little while, Edie turned to Annie
+and thinking, I suppose, that she might be wearing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span>
+a pinafore, and have a frock underneath, she rudely
+lifted it up, and finding it really was her dress, she
+turned away with a very ugly, disgusted look on
+her face, and said, scornfully "What a frock!"
+Proud, thoughtless boys and girls never know the
+hurts they give, and the harm they do.</p>
+
+<p>The boys in Georgia were no better than some
+boys in England. At a school where one of the
+Methodists taught there were some poor boys
+who wore neither shoes nor stockings, and their
+companions who were better off taunted them and
+made their lives miserable. Their teacher did not
+know what to do, and asked Mr. Wesley for advice.
+"I'll tell you what we'll do," he said; "we'll change
+schools"&mdash;Mr. Wesley taught a school too&mdash;"and I'll
+see if I can cure them."</p>
+
+<p>So the two gentlemen changed schools, and when
+the boys came the next morning they found they had
+a new teacher, and this new teacher, to their astonishment,
+wore neither shoes nor stockings. You can
+imagine how the boys stared; but Mr. Wesley said
+nothing, just kept them to their lessons. This went
+on for a week, and at the end of that time the boys
+were cured of their pride and vanity.</p>
+
+<p>Though Mr. John and Mr. Charles Wesley were
+so good, they were not perfect. They said and did
+many unwise things, and only saw their mistake
+when it was too late. One thing was they expected
+the people to lead the same strict lives they did, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span>
+to believe everything they believed. This, of course,
+the people of Georgia would not do, they thought
+their ways were just as good as Mr. Wesley's, and
+I dare say in some things they were. Instead of
+trying to persuade them and explaining why one way
+was better than another, Mr. Wesley told them they
+<i>must</i> do this, and they mustn't do that, until at last
+they got to dislike him very much. One woman got
+so angry that she knocked him down.</p>
+
+<p>I am sure you will all feel very sorry when you
+read this, for Mr. Wesley was working very hard
+amongst them, and thought he was doing what was
+right. Mr. Charles did not get on any better at
+Frederica, where he had gone to work and preach.
+Like his brother, he was very strict and expected too
+much from the people. He tried and tried, not
+seeing where he was to blame, and at last wearied
+and disappointed he returned to England.</p>
+
+<p>After he had gone, Mr. John took his place at
+Frederica, hoping to get on better than he had done
+at Savannah. It was of no use; he stayed for twelve
+weeks, but things only seemed to get worse and
+worse. At last he had to give up and go back to
+Savannah. Things, however, were no better there,
+and before long he too began to see that his mission
+had been a failure, and he returned to England
+a sadder and a wiser man.</p>
+
+<p>In spite of all their mistakes Mr. John and his
+brother must have done some good in Georgia, for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span>
+the missionary who went after them wrote and said:
+"Mr. Wesley has done much good here, his name
+is very dear to many of the people." It must have
+made the brothers glad to read this, for it is hard
+when you have been doing what you thought was
+right, and then find it was all wrong.</p>
+
+<p>On his return voyage to England Mr. Wesley had
+time to think about all the things that happened in
+Georgia. He was feeling dreadfully disappointed
+and discouraged; he had given up everything at
+home on purpose to do good to the people out there.
+He had meant to convert the Indians and comfort
+and help the Christian exiles, and he was coming
+back not having done either. Poor Mr. Wesley!
+And the worst of it was, the more he thought about
+it all, the more he began to see that the fault was his
+own.</p>
+
+<p>There was another thing he discovered about himself
+on that voyage home. They encountered a fearful
+storm, when every one expected to be drowned.
+During those awful hours Mr. Wesley found out,
+almost to his own surprise, that the very thought
+of death was a terror to him. He knew then that
+there was something wrong, for no Christian ought to
+fear to die. So Mr. Wesley went down on his knees
+and told God how wrong he had been, that he had
+thought too much of his own opinions and trusted
+too much in himself. He asked God to give him
+more faith, more peace, more love.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>He was always glad afterwards that he had gone
+to Georgia, and thanked God for taking him into that
+strange land, for his failure there had humbled him
+and shown him his weakness and his failings.</p>
+
+<p>It is a grand thing when we get to know ourselves.
+Let us be always on the look-out for our own faults,
+and when we see them, fight them.</p>
+
+<p>I would like to close this chapter with an acrostic
+I once heard on the word "Faith." It is a thing little
+folks, yes, and big folks often find hard to understand,
+perhaps this may help you.</p>
+
+<p>What is Faith?</p>
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Faith">
+<tr><td align='center'>F</td><td align='left'>ull</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center'>A</td><td align='left'>ssurance (confidence, having no doubt)</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center'>I</td><td align='left'>n</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center'>T</td><td align='left'>rusting</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='center'>H</td><td align='left'>im (Jesus).</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 98px;">
+<img src="images/i-068.png" width="98" height="100" alt="Book and globe" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 548px;">
+<img src="images/i-069.png" width="548" height="151" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>George Whitefield, the "boy parson."&mdash;The Wesleys back in
+England.&mdash;Long walks.&mdash;Preaching by the way-side.&mdash;A talk in a
+stable.&mdash;Sermon in Manchester.&mdash;Mr. Charles in London.&mdash;Wants
+something he has not got.&mdash;Gets it.&mdash;Mr. John wants it too.&mdash;A top
+place in the class.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 101px;">
+<img src="images/cap-y.png" width="101" height="100" alt="Y" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />OU remember the Holy Club which the
+Methodists started at Oxford? Well,
+one of the youngest members was named
+George Whitefield; he was a pupil of
+Mr. John Wesley's, and when he left Oxford he
+became a preacher. While the two Wesleys were
+in Georgia, he carried on their work in England.
+He had learnt to love Jesus very dearly, had felt
+how wicked and sinful he was, and had gone to the
+Saviour and told Him all, asking Him to "Create
+in him a clean heart, and to renew within him a right
+spirit." Then he was so happy in knowing he was
+forgiven, that he wanted every one else to be happy
+and forgiven too. He was so young when he commenced
+to preach that every one called him the
+"boy parson;" but he talked so earnestly and kindly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span>
+to the people that crowds everywhere flocked to
+hear him.</div>
+
+<p>When he heard that the two Wesleys were leaving
+Georgia he determined to go and take their place, and
+see what he could do for the poor exiles. Before
+he left England he preached a good-bye sermon,
+and told the people that he was going this long
+and dangerous voyage, and perhaps they might never
+see his face again. When they heard this, the
+children and the grown-up people, rich and poor,
+burst into tears, they loved him so much. But as
+this book is to be about Mr. John Wesley, we must
+not follow Mr. Whitefield across the Atlantic. Try
+to remember his name though, for he and the Wesleys
+were life-long friends, and you will hear about him
+again further on.</p>
+
+<p>When Mr. John and Mr. Charles got back to
+England they took up George Whitefield's work,
+going from town to town telling the people about
+Jesus Christ. As there were no railways they had
+to walk a great deal, and they used to speak to
+the people they met on the roads and in the
+villages through which they passed. Once, when
+Mr. Wesley and a friend were on their way to
+Manchester, they stayed one night in an inn at
+Stafford. Before they went to bed, Mr. Wesley
+asked the mistress of the house if they might have
+family prayer. She was quite willing, and so all the
+servants were called in. Next morning, after breakfast,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>
+Mr. Wesley had a talk with them all again, and
+even went into the stables and spoke to the men
+there about their sins and about the love of Jesus
+Christ.</p>
+
+<p>He preached in Manchester the next Sunday, and
+this was his text: "If any man be in Christ, he is
+a new creature" (2 Cor. v. 17). He explained to
+them that when any one begins to love Jesus, and
+tries to copy His life, they grow more and more like
+what He was. Then everything becomes different;
+the things they loved to do before cease to be a
+pleasure to them, and the places they liked to go
+to they no longer care to visit; they are "<i>new
+creatures</i> in Christ Jesus."</p>
+
+<p>The next morning (Monday) Mr. Wesley, and the
+friend who was with him, left Manchester and went
+on to Knutsford. Here, too, the people listened
+attentively, while they preached the gospel of Jesus
+Christ. They visited other towns, and then Mr. Wesley
+returned to Oxford.</p>
+
+<p>He had not been long there when he heard that
+his brother Charles was very ill in London, and went
+at once to see him. Charles Wesley had been living
+and working there with some German Christians, or
+Moravians, as they were called, and before long he
+found that these people had something in their lives
+that he did not possess. Like the Germans he met
+in Georgia, their religion gave them peace and joy
+on week-days as well as on Sundays.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>When he was ill, one of these Moravians, named
+Peter B&ouml;hler, came to see him. During the little
+talk they had, the visitor said:</p>
+
+<p>"What makes you hope you are saved?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because I have done my best to serve God,"
+answered Mr. Charles.</p>
+
+<p>You see, he was trusting in all the good deeds he
+had done, and not on Jesus Christ's suffering and
+death for him.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. B&ouml;hler shook his head, and did not say any
+more then. But he left Charles Wesley longing for
+the something he had not got.</p>
+
+<p>When he was a little better, he was carried to the
+house of a poor working-man named Bray. He was
+not clever, indeed, he hardly knew how to read, but
+he was a happy believer in Jesus; and he explained
+to Mr. Charles that <i>doing</i> was not enough, that we
+must believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for
+us, and that it is only through Him that we can
+pray to God, and only by His death that we can
+hope to go to heaven.</p>
+
+<p>Then a poor woman came in, and she made him
+understand better than any one; and at last Mr. Charles
+saw where he had been in the wrong, and instead of
+trusting in his own goodness and in all the kind
+things he had done, he just gave up his faith in these,
+and trusted alone in the dying love of his Saviour,
+and ours.</p>
+
+<p>I expect all my readers have classes in the schools<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span>
+they go to. Some of you are at the top of your
+class, some of you are in the middle, and some of
+you are&mdash;well&mdash;near the bottom. I think this is very
+much the way in Christ's school, the only difference
+is that in your class at school there can only be <i>one</i>
+at the top. In Christ's school there can be any
+number at the top. There are a great number of
+Christians who are only half-way up in the class,
+and I am afraid there are a still greater number at
+the bottom. That is a place none of us like to be
+in at school; then don't let us be content to keep
+that place in Christ's school; let us all seek and
+obtain top places.</p>
+
+<p>When Mr. John Wesley visited his brother, he
+found he had got above him in Christ's school; he
+had taken a top place in the class, and John could
+not rest until he had got a top place too. So he
+prayed very earnestly, and got the people that had
+helped his brother to talk to him, but still he did
+not seem to understand. Four days after he went to
+a little service, and while the preacher was explaining
+the change that comes in us, when we trust in Jesus
+alone, John Wesley saw it all, took a top place in
+Christ's school, and joyfully went and told his
+brother.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 558px;">
+<img src="images/i-028.png" width="558" height="216" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Methodist rules.&mdash;Pulpits closed against Mr. Wesley.&mdash;A visit to
+Germany.&mdash;A walk in Holland.&mdash;Christian David, the German
+carpenter.&mdash;The Fellow of Lincoln College takes lessons in a cottage.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;">
+<img src="images/cap-i.png" width="100" height="100" alt="I" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br /> &nbsp;  DARE say many of my readers go to
+Wesleyan Chapels, and understand some
+of the Methodist rules. Most of these
+rules were made by the two Mr. Wesleys
+and their friends more than one hundred and fifty
+years ago, and they have been kept by their followers
+ever since. I want to tell you about a few of them.</div>
+
+<p>The people who attended the Methodist meetings
+were divided into little bands or companies, no band
+to have fewer than five persons in it, and none more
+than ten. They were to meet every week, and each
+one in turn was to tell the rest what troubles and
+temptations they had had, and how God, through
+Jesus Christ, had helped them since the last meeting.</p>
+
+<p>Every Wednesday evening, at eight o'clock, all the
+bands joined together in one large meeting, which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span>
+began and ended with hymns and prayer. There
+were many other rules, some of which I will tell you
+later on, others you can read about when you are
+older.</p>
+
+<p>All this time you must remember that Mr. Wesley
+was a church clergyman. He loved the Church of
+England very dearly, though there were a great many
+things in it with which he did not agree.</p>
+
+<p>Wherever he preached he told the people just what
+he believed, and as very few clergymen thought as he
+did, they did not like him speaking his opinions so
+freely. At last, first one and then another said he
+should never preach in their churches again. Yet the
+message Mr. Wesley gave to the people, was the very
+same message that Christ spoke long before on the
+shores of Galilee.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Wesley still longed to understand his Bible
+better, and to learn more of Jesus Christ, so he
+determined to go and visit the Moravians at a place
+called Herrnhuth in Germany, and see if he could get
+some help from them. So one June day, he said
+good-bye to his mother, and with eight of his friends
+set off. One of these friends was an old member of
+the Holy Club at Oxford. On their way to
+Herrnhuth, they had to pass through Holland. This
+is what Mr. Wesley says about a walk they had in
+that country:</p>
+
+<p>I never saw such a beautiful road. Walnut trees
+grow in rows on each side, so that it is like walking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span>
+in a gentleman's garden. We were surprised to find
+that in this country the people at the inns will not
+always take in travellers who ask for food and bed.
+They refused to receive us at several inns. At one of
+the towns we were asked to go and see their church,
+and when we went in we took off our hats in
+reverence, as we do in England, but the people were
+not pleased, they said: "You must not do so, it is
+not the custom in this country."</p>
+
+<p>After a long, long journey through Germany, the
+little party at last reached Herrnhuth.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Wesley had only been a few days there, when
+he wrote to his brother Samuel: "God has given me
+my wish, I am with those who follow Christ in all
+things, and who walk as He walked."</p>
+
+<p>I must just tell you about one of these Moravians,
+because he helped Mr. Wesley more than any of the
+others. His name was Christian David. He was
+only an ignorant working-man, and when not
+preaching was always to be found working at his
+carpenter's bench. But David was Christian in life as
+well as in name; he "walked with God," and whether
+he preached and prayed, or worked with chisel and
+plane, he did all "in the name of the Lord Jesus."
+He was never tired of telling people about the Saviour
+he loved, and trying to get them to love Him too.
+He was a man who often made mistakes, but as some
+one has said, "the man who never makes mistakes
+never makes anything;" and Christian David was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span>
+always ready to own his faults when they were
+pointed out to him.</p>
+
+<p>You remember to what a high position Mr. Wesley
+had risen at Oxford, and how clever he was? Yet
+Christian David knew more than he did about Jesus
+Christ and His love; and the Fellow of Lincoln
+College was not too proud to go and sit in a cottage
+and be taught by this humble carpenter, who so
+closely followed the Holy Carpenter of Nazareth.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 110px;">
+<img src="images/i-077.png" width="110" height="110" alt="Child" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 542px;">
+<img src="images/i-034.png" width="542" height="161" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Fetter Lane.&mdash;Popular preachers.&mdash;Old friends meet again.&mdash;Love-feasts.&mdash;1739&mdash;Small
+beginning of a great gathering.&mdash;A crowded
+church.&mdash;A lightning thought.&mdash;But a shocking thing.&mdash;George
+Whitefield's welcome at Bristol.&mdash;"You shall not preach in my
+pulpit."&mdash;"Nor mine."&mdash;"Nor mine."&mdash;Poor Mr. Whitefield.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 97px;">
+<img src="images/cap-w.png" width="97" height="100" alt="W" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />HILE Mr. Wesley was in Germany, his
+brother Charles had been preaching and
+working in London, and when Mr. John
+returned he found about thirty-two people
+had joined the society there. They had hired a room
+in Fetter Lane, and here they held their meetings.
+Mr. Wesley had come back so full of love to Jesus
+Christ, and therefore so full of love to everybody,
+and so eager for all to be as happy as he was, that
+he soon got many others to join them. When he
+wrote to his German friends, he said: "We are
+trying here, by God's help, to copy you as you copy
+Christ."</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>He and his brother still preached in any church
+where they were allowed, and wherever they went
+crowds of poor people followed to hear them. They
+used to go, too, to the prisons, and the hospitals, and
+preach to the sinful and the suffering. They told
+them how Jesus forgave sins, and how He used to
+heal the sick; and the sinful were made sorry, and the
+suffering ones were comforted, and many believed in
+Jesus and prayed for forgiveness.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Wesley had returned from Germany in
+September; a few months later Mr. George Whitefield
+came back from Georgia. He had got on very well
+with the people there, because he did not try to alter
+the ways they had been accustomed to, unless it was
+really necessary.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Wesley went to meet his old friend, and, oh!
+how pleased they were to see each other again.
+Mr. Whitefield joined the little society in Fetter
+Lane, and they all worked together most happily.</p>
+
+<p>I dare say most of my Methodist readers will have
+been to a love-feast; those of you who have not, will
+at any rate have heard of them. Well, it was just
+about this time that love-feasts were first started.
+The little bands or companies that I told you about
+used to join together, and have a special prayer
+meeting once a month on a Saturday; and the
+following day, which, of course, was Sunday, they all
+used to meet again between seven o'clock and ten in
+the evening for a love-feast&mdash;a meal of bread and water<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span>
+eaten altogether and with prayer. It was a custom
+of the Moravians, and it was from them Mr. Wesley
+copied it.</p>
+
+<p>I have also heard that the love-feast was provided
+for the people, who had walked a great many miles to
+hear Mr. Wesley preach, and were tired and hungry.
+If this was the idea of the love-feast, they would
+have to give the people a great deal more bread than
+they do now, or they would still be hungry when they
+had done.</p>
+
+<p>The year after Mr. Whitefield returned from
+Georgia, 1739, was a wonderful year for the
+Methodists. It started with a love-feast and prayer
+meeting, which lasted half through the night. Then
+a few days later, on January 5th, the two Mr. Wesleys
+and Mr. Whitefield, with four other ministers, met
+together to talk about all they hoped to do during the
+year, and make rules and plans for their helpers and
+members.</p>
+
+<p>I told you, if you remember, that first one pulpit
+and then another was closed against these clergymen.
+At last there were only two or three churches where
+they were allowed to preach. One day when
+Mr. Whitefield was preaching in one of these, the
+people came in such crowds to hear him, that
+hundreds could not get into the church. Some of
+them went away, but a great number stood outside.</p>
+
+<p>All at once there flashed across Mr. Whitefield's
+mind this thought: "Jesus preached in the open air<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span>
+to the people, why can't I?" Numbers had often
+before been turned away when he preached, but he
+had never thought of having a service outside
+a church, it seemed a most shocking thing. However,
+the message seemed to come straight from God.
+He dared not act on it at once, for you see he was
+a clergyman, and had always been brought up to
+believe that inside the church was the only place
+where people can properly worship God.</p>
+
+<p>When he mentioned the matter to his friends, some
+of them were very much shocked, and thought to
+preach in the open air would be a very wrong thing.
+But some said: "We will pray about it, and ask God
+to show us what we ought to do." So they knelt
+down and prayed to be guided to do the right thing.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after this Mr. Whitefield went to Bristol,
+where he had been liked so much before he went to
+America. When he got there he was invited to
+preach first in one church and then in another, all
+were open to him. But before very long the clergymen
+in the place showed that they disapproved of
+the plain way in which he spoke to the people, and
+they told him they would not allow him to preach in
+their pulpits again.</p>
+
+<p>By and by all the churches were closed against him,
+and there was nowhere but the prison where he was
+allowed to preach. Soon the mayor of Bristol closed
+that door also.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Mr. Whitefield! what could he do now?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span>
+I think I know one thing he would do. He would
+turn to his Bible, and there he would read: "In all
+thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy
+paths."</p>
+
+<p>In the next chapter you shall hear how God
+fulfilled His promise to George Whitefield.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 137px;">
+<img src="images/i-082.png" width="137" height="139" alt="Bird" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 563px;">
+<img src="images/i-083.png" width="563" height="201" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Kingswood.&mdash;Grimy colliers.&mdash;The shocking thing is done.&mdash;A
+beautiful church.&mdash;From 200 to 20,000.&mdash;John Wesley shocked.&mdash;Drawing
+lots.&mdash;To be or not to be.&mdash;To be.&mdash;Mr. Wesley gets over
+the shock.&mdash;George Whitefield's "good-bye" to the colliers.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 102px;">
+<img src="images/cap-l.png" width="102" height="100" alt="L" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />ONG, long ago, before all this happened
+that I have been telling you, there was
+a forest near Bristol where the kings of
+England used to hunt, Kingswood it
+was called. But at the time of which I write, most
+of the trees had been cut down; a great many coal
+mines had been dug, and the people who lived round
+about and worked in the mines were a wild and
+wicked lot. They had no churches, and those in
+Bristol were three or four miles away.</div>
+
+<p>Surely, Mr. Whitefield thought, these people ought
+to have the gospel of Jesus Christ preached to them;
+they have no church, it cannot be wrong to preach
+to them in the open air. So, one Saturday in this
+year, 1739, Mr. Whitefield set off to Kingswood.
+It was a cold winter's day, but his heart was warm<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span>
+inside with love for these poor neglected colliers, and
+he soon got warm outside with his long walk.</p>
+
+<p>When he reached Kingswood he found an open
+space called Rose Green, which he thought was just
+the place for a service. Standing on a little mound
+which did for a pulpit, he commenced to preach;
+and surely that was the grandest church in which
+a Methodist minister ever held a service. The blue
+sky of heaven was his roof, the green grass beneath
+him the floor; and as Mr. Whitefield stood in his
+FIRST FIELD PULPIT, his thoughts went back, down
+the ages, to the dear Master whose steps he was
+seeking to follow&mdash;the Preacher of Nazareth, whose
+pulpit was the mountain-side, and whose hearers
+were the publicans and sinners. Two hundred grimy
+colliers stood and listened to that earnest young
+preacher.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Whitefield continued his visits to Kingswood;
+the second time, instead of two hundred there were
+2,000 eager listeners. The next time over 4,000
+came to hear; and so the numbers went on increasing
+until he had a congregation of 20,000.</p>
+
+<p>Once, after he had been preaching, he wrote this:
+"The trees and the hedges were all in full leaf, and
+the sun was shining brightly. All the people were
+silent and still, and God helped me to speak in such
+a loud voice that everybody could hear me. All in
+the surrounding fields were thousands and thousands
+of people, some in coaches and some on horseback,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span>
+while many had climbed up into the trees to see
+and hear."</p>
+
+<p>As Mr. Whitefield preached, nearly all were in
+tears. Many of the men had come straight from
+the coal-pits, and the tears that trickled down their
+cheeks made little white gutters on their grimy faces.
+Then, in the gathering twilight, they sang the closing
+hymn, and when the last echoes died away in the
+deepening shadows, Mr. Whitefield felt how solemn
+it all was, and he, too, could hardly keep back the
+tears.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Whitefield soon found there was more work
+at Kingswood than he could do alone, so he wrote
+and asked Mr. John Wesley to come and help him.
+Being very <i>proper</i> sort of clergymen, John and
+Charles Wesley could not help thinking it a dreadful,
+and almost a wrong thing to preach anywhere but
+in a church, or, at any rate, in a room; and for some
+time they could not decide what to do.</p>
+
+<p>They asked the other members at Fetter Lane
+what they thought about it; some said Mr. John
+ought to go, and some said he ought not. So at
+last they decided to draw lots. You know what
+that is, don't you? If you look in your Bible, in
+Acts i. 26, you will see that the disciples drew lots
+when they wanted to make up their number to
+twelve, after wicked Judas had killed himself. And
+in John xix. 24, you can read how the soldiers cast
+lots for the coat that had belonged to Jesus, which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span>
+they took away after they had crucified Him. And
+in many other places in the Bible we read about
+people casting lots.</p>
+
+<p>So the society at Fetter Lane cast lots, and it
+came out that Mr. John Wesley should go. Everybody
+was satisfied after this, and even Mr. Charles,
+who more than any of the others had objected, now
+felt that it was right. So Mr. John set off for Bristol
+and joined his friend.</p>
+
+<p>The first Sunday he was there he heard Mr.
+Whitefield preach in the open air, and this is what
+he wrote about it: "It seemed such a strange thing
+to preach in the fields, when all my life I had believed
+in everything being done properly and according to
+the rules of the Church. Indeed, I should have
+thought it almost a sin to preach anywhere else."</p>
+
+<p>However, because of the lots, he felt it was all
+right; and he was still more sure of this when he
+saw the crowds, who would never have gone into a
+church, listening so intently to God's Word. He very
+soon got used to open-air preaching, and by and by
+Mr. Whitefield left the work at Kingswood to him.</p>
+
+<p>When the people heard that Mr. Whitefield was
+going to leave them, they were very, very sorry; and
+the day he rode out of Bristol, a number of them,
+about twenty, rode on horseback with him, they
+could not bear to say "good-bye."</p>
+
+<p>As he passed through Kingswood, the poor colliers,
+who were so grateful for all he had done for them,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span>
+came out to meet him, and told him they had a great
+surprise for him. They had been very busy collecting
+money for a school for poor children, and now they
+wanted their dear friend, Mr. Whitefield, to lay the
+corner-stone of their new building.</p>
+
+<p>He was surprised and delighted; and when the
+ceremony was over, he knelt down and prayed that
+the school might soon be completed, and that God's
+blessing might ever rest upon it; and all those rough
+colliers bowed their heads, and uttered a fervent
+"Amen."</p>
+
+<p>At last "good-bye" was said to the dear minister
+who had brought them the glad tidings of salvation,
+and leaving them in charge of Mr. Wesley, George
+Whitefield rode away.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 105px;">
+<img src="images/i-027.png" width="105" height="109" alt="Cherub" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 540px;">
+<img src="images/i-043.png" width="540" height="165" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>John Wesley's moral courage.&mdash;What some carriage people thought
+of him.&mdash;And why.&mdash;The fashionable Beau in the big, white hat.&mdash;Interrupts
+Mr. Wesley.&mdash;Gets as good as he gives.&mdash;And better.&mdash;The
+King of Bath slinks away.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 97px;">
+<img src="images/cap-d.png" width="97" height="100" alt="D" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />O you know what "moral courage" is, young
+readers? How shall I explain it? I think
+you will understand it best if I say it is
+"courage to do what is right." A boy
+may have courage to fight a bigger boy than himself,
+but he may not have the moral courage to own to
+a fault before his school-fellows, or to side with the
+right when that side is unpopular.</div>
+
+<p>Now, I think John Wesley showed a great deal
+of moral courage when he started to preach in the
+open air. Remember, he was born a gentleman, he
+was educated as a gentleman, and as Fellow of an
+Oxford College had always mixed with distinguished
+gentlemen. Then he was brought up a strict Churchman,
+and had always believed that the ways and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>
+rules of the Church were the only right and proper
+ways.</p>
+
+<p>Fancy this most particular Church clergyman,
+wearing his gown and bands, just as you have seen
+him in the pictures, and getting upon a table in the
+open air, or on the stump of a tree, or climbing into
+a cart and preaching to a lot of dirty, ignorant men
+and women. This was, indeed, moral courage; he
+did it because he felt it was the right thing to do,
+and that God wanted him to do it.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Wesley was quite as much liked by the people
+as Mr. Whitefield had been, and the sight of him
+preaching was such a wonderful one, that ladies and
+gentlemen came in their carriages to see and to hear.</p>
+
+<p>In his sermons, Mr. Wesley spoke as plainly to the
+rich as he did to the poor. He told them how God
+hated sin, and that it was impossible for a sinner to
+get to heaven. Some of the ladies and gentlemen did
+not like this at all, and called Mr. Wesley "rude and
+ill-mannered," but it made them feel uncomfortable
+all the same.</p>
+
+<p>You have heard of a place called Bath, and that
+it is noted for its mineral waters. It is a fashionable
+place now, but it was a great deal more fashionable
+in Mr. Wesley's time. Not being far from Bristol,
+Mr. Wesley used sometimes to go and preach there.
+Once when he went, some of his friends said: "Don't
+preach to-day, for Beau Nash means to come and
+oppose you."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Beau Nash was a gambler, and in other ways, too,
+a very bad man. But, somehow, he always managed
+to get enough money to make a great show, and many
+of the people looked up to him as a leader of fashion.
+Indeed, he was quite popular among most of the
+visitors to Bath.</p>
+
+<p>Of course when Mr. Wesley heard that this man was
+coming to oppose him, instead of being frightened,
+he was all the more determined to preach.</p>
+
+<p>A great number of people had assembled, many
+of them Nash's friends, who had come to see "the
+fun." By and by Beau Nash himself came, looking
+very grand in a big white hat, and riding in a coach
+drawn by six grey horses, with footmen and coachmen
+all complete.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after Mr. Wesley had commenced his sermon,
+Beau Nash interrupted him by asking: "Who gave
+you leave to do what you are doing?"</p>
+
+<p>"Jesus Christ," said Mr. Wesley, "through the
+Archbishop of Canterbury, when he laid his hands
+upon my head, and said: 'Take thou authority to
+preach the gospel.'"</p>
+
+<p>This answer rather settled Beau Nash. Then he
+accused Mr. Wesley of frightening the people out
+of their wits.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you ever hear me preach?" said Mr. Wesley.</p>
+
+<p>"No," was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Then how do you know I frighten people?"</p>
+
+<p>"By what I have heard."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh!" said Mr. Wesley. "Then is not your name
+Nash?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is," said the Beau.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, sir, I suppose, then, I must judge you by
+what I have heard of you."</p>
+
+<p>This reply so confounded the young man that he
+could not say a word, and when an old woman in
+the congregation stood up and told the Beau what
+she thought about him, the "King of Bath," as he
+was called, slunk away, and took himself off.</p>
+
+<p>This affair made a great stir in Bath, and when
+Mr. Wesley went through the town the streets were
+full of people, hurrying up and down, wanting to
+see him.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 121px;">
+<img src="images/i-091.png" width="121" height="120" alt="Child" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 531px;">
+<img src="images/i-092.png" width="531" height="133" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Good out of evil.&mdash;What Mr. Wesley preached.&mdash;"Hurrah!"&mdash;In
+the prison.&mdash;How the wicked Methodists spoiled the woollen trade.&mdash;Emilia
+Wesley says strong things.&mdash;In the sunlight.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;">
+<img src="images/cap-i.png" width="100" height="100" alt="I" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br /> &nbsp;  KNOW you will have thought it very
+unkind of the clergymen not allowing
+such a good man as Mr. Wesley to
+preach in their churches; and so it was,
+very unkind, and very wrong. These clergymen
+thought so themselves after a time; but God often
+uses the wrong doings of people to bring about
+a great good, and He did so in this case.</div>
+
+<p>Perhaps if the churches had not been closed against
+Mr. Wesley and Mr. Whitefield they would never
+have preached in the open air, and thousands of
+people, who would not go to a church, might never
+have heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ.</p>
+
+<p>You boys and girls love father and mother and
+home, do you not? And when you have been away
+at day-school or boarding-school, oh! how glad you
+always are to get to them again. Well, in the same<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span>
+way we all come from God; He is our Father, and
+heaven is our home, and all of us, deep down inside
+of us, have a longing to go home again some day.
+But Adam and Eve had to be punished for their
+disobedience; and the punishment was that they and
+all that were born after them should die, and never go
+back to home and to God. This was a terrible
+punishment, was it not? But you know how Jesus
+Christ, God's Son, in His great love and pity for us
+said He would come down from heaven, and be a man
+on earth; that He would go through life just as we
+have to do, and at last die. Then God said if His
+dear Son did this, and lived on earth a life that should
+be a beautiful copy for men and women and boys
+and girls to follow; and if the people would believe
+on Him and follow His example, God would forgive
+them, and they should go back to Him, their Father,
+and to heaven their home.</p>
+
+<p>All this Mr. Wesley explained to the people, and
+told them if they believed this and loved and followed
+the Saviour that died for them, they would always be
+happy, and God would give them His own peace, the
+peace He has promised to those that love Him.</p>
+
+<p>One wonders how the clergymen could disapprove
+of such preaching, and why they should shut
+Mr. Wesley out of their pulpit, for if they did not
+preach this same Gospel they certainly ought to have
+done.</p>
+
+<p>However, Mr. Wesley got much larger congregations<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span>
+outside the churches than they ever got inside, and
+wherever he went hundreds of people believed the
+wonderful story he told them, and became true
+followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. Strange things
+happened at his services; some of the people were so
+overjoyed at what they heard they could not help
+shouting "Hurrah!" and "Hallelujah!" and they
+poked each other in the ribs, as much as to say:
+"Isn't that good?"</p>
+
+<p>Then, when Mr. Wesley told them how Jesus Christ
+suffered, and how cruelly Judas betrayed Him, and
+that He allowed all this in order that we might be
+saved, the people would burst into tears, and you
+could hear their sobs all over the great congregation.
+All sorts of people came to the services, thieves and
+gamblers, poor people and rich people, and all heard
+the same glad tidings of salvation.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Wesley did not remain at Bristol; several
+times he went up to London, and wherever he went
+crowds came to hear him. One day when he was
+preaching at Newgate, a prison in London, and was
+telling the people what would become of them if they
+did not give up their wicked ways, a woman whom
+he had known for many years as a very bad character,
+burst into tears and begged Mr. Wesley to pray for
+her. Many of the other prisoners did the same, and
+numbers believed in Jesus Christ as their Saviour,
+and became Christian men and we men.</p>
+
+<p>It was just wonderful; but it is sad to think that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span>
+if these people had only heard the Gospel before,
+they might never have been the wicked men and
+women they were. As soon as ever they heard, they
+believed.</p>
+
+<p>All the magazines and newspapers that were
+published were full of the doings of the Methodists.
+They were still called all sorts of names and abused
+dreadfully. But the good people had got so used
+to this that they did not mind, indeed, they hardly
+expected any other treatment. In those days very
+few of the poor people could read, and one newspaper
+complained that nearly every one who went to hear
+the Methodists wanted to learn to read the Bible, and
+as soon as ever he could spell out a chapter he would
+go and read it to some one who could not read,
+and then they would talk about it together. This,
+the paper said, wasted a great deal of time, for the
+men were so busy talking and reading their Bibles
+that they could not get on with their work, and the
+woollen trade in Yorkshire would soon be ruined.
+Of course this last was not true, and was only said to
+stop the Methodists from preaching. It showed,
+however, how sincere and how much in earnest the
+people were.</p>
+
+<p>But amidst all the persecutions of mobs of ignorant
+and brutal men and women who knew no better, and
+of abuse and slander by the rich and the educated,
+who ought to have known better, nothing pained
+Mr. Wesley so much as the unkind words of his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span>
+sister Emilia. She was his favourite sister, and he
+thought a great deal about her opinion. In an angry
+letter she wrote him, she said the Methodists were
+"a lot of bad people."</p>
+
+<p>However, John Wesley and his friends calmly went
+on doing the work they felt God had called them
+to do. The peace of God was in their hearts, and
+the sunlight of His love brightened their faces, and
+made them tender and forgiving to all their enemies.
+As Jesus Christ prayed for the cruel men who
+crucified Him, so they prayed: "Father, forgive them,
+for they know not what they do."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 104px;">
+<img src="images/i-096.png" width="104" height="102" alt="Harp" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 540px;">
+<img src="images/i-053.png" width="540" height="167" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XIX.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Don't believe all you hear.&mdash;Mrs. Wesley finds her "dear Jack"
+true to his colours.&mdash;She joins the Methodists.&mdash;And thus dreadfully
+shocks her eldest son.&mdash;Death of Mr. Samuel Wesley.&mdash;A loving
+mother's letter to "her boy."</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;">
+<img src="images/cap-i.png" width="100" height="100" alt="I" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br /> &nbsp; THINK Mr. Wesley's greatest trouble at
+this time was, that even his dear mother,
+whom he had not seen for a long, long
+time, believed many of the things that
+people were saying about him, and felt sure he had
+wandered away from the true religion of Jesus Christ.</div>
+
+<p>It does not do for us to believe all we hear, and
+when at last Mrs. Wesley went to London, and saw
+and talked with her sons, she found all the tales had
+been untrue, and that her "dear Jack" was the same
+loyal soldier and servant of Jesus Christ that he had
+ever been.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Instead of going back to where she had been living,
+Mrs. Wesley, freed from her fears, remained in
+London with her "boys," a proud and happy mother.
+She joined the Society in Fetter Lane, went every
+Sunday to hear her sons preach, and helped them
+in every way she could. Once she stood by
+Mr. Wesley's side when he preached on Kennington
+Common to a congregation of about 20,000 people,
+and I don't know which was the prouder, mother
+or son.</p>
+
+<p>You remember Mr. Samuel Wesley, the eldest
+brother? He was one who strongly disapproved
+of open-air preaching, and thought John and Charles
+were very much in the wrong for not behaving like
+other clergymen. When he heard that even his mother
+had joined the Methodists he was more indignant
+than ever, and wrote her what I think was a very
+rude letter.</p>
+
+<p>"I was very much surprised and grieved," he said,
+"when I heard that you had joined the Methodists,
+and, indeed, become one of Jack's congregation. My
+brothers are brothers to me no longer, and now, must
+my mother follow too?"</p>
+
+<p>It is sad to think that two weeks after Mr. Samuel
+wrote this he was taken ill and died in a few hours.
+He was a clever and a sensible man, but he did not
+understand, or even try to understand, the work his
+brothers were doing, and, therefore, disapproved of it.</p>
+
+<p>When Mr. Wesley heard the news of his brother's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span>
+death he set off at once to Bristol to Mr. Charles, and
+together they went to Tiverton to comfort and help
+their sister-in-law. They forgot all the unkind things
+their brother had said against them, and only thought
+how they could best show their love and sympathy to
+those that were left.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Mrs. Wesley was very ill when she heard the
+sad news. She had always dearly-loved her eldest
+child, and his death was a great sorrow. But she
+said: "It is God's will, therefore it is all right."</p>
+
+<p>You can tell what a real comfort Mr. John was
+to her at this time, by the letter she wrote to Charles
+at Bristol about a month after Mr. Samuel's death.
+This is what she said:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Charles</span>,</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You cannot want to see me more than I want to see
+you. Your brother Jack, whom I shall call son Wesley,
+now that my dear Sam is gone home, has just been in to see
+me, and has cheered me up ever so much. Indeed, he
+never comes but he does me good; his visits are all too
+seldom and too short. For this I cannot blame him, for
+I know he is about his Heavenly Father's business.</p>
+
+<p>"But, dear Charles, I do so want one of you, for I feel
+weak as a little child. I do pray that God will bless you
+both in your work, and keep you from harm; and that He
+will give you strength and courage to preach the true Gospel
+of Jesus Christ.</p>
+
+<p>"This is the hearty prayer of, dear Charles,</p>
+
+<div class='sig'>
+<span style="margin-right: 4em;">"Your loving mother,</span><br />
+"<span class="smcap">Susanna Wesley</span>."<br />
+</div></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Is not that a loving letter? No wonder Mr. Charles
+prized it very much. Little folks generally take care
+of all the letters they get. I know I did when I was
+a little girl, indeed I have some of them now.
+Grown-up people usually tear theirs up, they get so
+many. But this letter that Mr. Charles had from his
+dear old mother was too precious to be so treated;
+he took great care of it, and after his death it was
+found among his papers.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 112px;">
+<img src="images/i-100.png" width="112" height="123" alt="Dogwood" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 541px;">
+<img src="images/i-101.png" width="541" height="140" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XX.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>A very old school.&mdash;The first Methodist Chapel.&mdash;Well done,
+Bristol!&mdash;Empty purses.&mdash;How they were filled.&mdash;The penny-a-week
+rule.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 101px;">
+<img src="images/cap-y.png" width="101" height="100" alt="Y" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />OU remember the school at Kingswood,
+that the colliers collected the money for
+and started? Although it is one hundred
+and fifty years ago since it was opened,
+there has been a school at Kingswood ever since, and
+it is the very oldest thing we have in connection with
+Methodism.</div>
+
+<p>If you will listen at chapel some time&mdash;in October
+I think it generally is&mdash;you will hear the minister
+say: "Collections will be taken to-day, morning and
+evening, on behalf of the Kingswood Schools." When
+you hear this will you just think, that the money you
+give is for the same school that was started by those
+good-hearted colliers near Bristol, more than one
+hundred and fifty years ago.</p>
+
+<p>Now I must tell you of the very first Methodist<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span>
+Chapel that was ever built; for this, too, we have to
+thank the Bristol people. Having heard about Jesus
+Christ themselves, they were eager for their friends
+and neighbours to hear about Him too. They worked
+very hard, and were so much in earnest inviting
+people to come to the services, that at last the room
+where they held their meeting got far too small for
+all the people who wanted to come. It was only
+a tumble-down sort of place, and they were afraid the
+floor might give way or the roof fall in, and somebody
+be hurt.</p>
+
+<p>At last they secured a piece of ground in what was
+called the Horse Fair in Bristol, and one bright May
+morning, in 1739, the first stone of the</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+FIRST METHODIST CHAPEL<br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>was laid, amidst great shouting of praise and
+thanksgiving. I have called it a Chapel, but the
+Methodists called it a "Preaching House."</div>
+
+<p>You may think what a great deal of money it took
+to carry on all the work that the Methodists were
+doing; sometimes their purses were very empty, and
+they wondered however they should get them filled
+again. But it was God's work they were doing, and
+of course the money always came.</p>
+
+<p>Like most Methodist Chapels nowadays, the
+money to pay for the Bristol Preaching House was
+not got all at once; but a plan was adopted which,
+I think, was a very good one. Every Methodist in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>
+Bristol promised to pay a penny a week until all
+the money was raised; and as there were some
+hundreds of Methodists, the debt was soon paid off.
+Some of the people, however, were too poor to pay
+even this small amount, so it was arranged that the
+richer men should each call upon eleven poorer ones
+every week, and collect their pennies, and when they
+could not give them, the rich man was to make it up.
+This was the beginning of the weekly class money
+which your fathers and mothers, if they are Methodists,
+pay in their class-meetings to-day.</p>
+
+<p>When Mr. Wesley told the society in Fetter Lane,
+London, of the good plan the Bristol people had
+made, they adopted it too, and always after that
+wherever the Methodists commenced a society, the
+penny-a-week rule was followed.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 109px;">
+<img src="images/i-033.png" width="109" height="109" alt="Book" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 529px;">
+<img src="images/i-104.png" width="529" height="179" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXI.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>An explosion.&mdash;A new business at the old Foundry.&mdash;Mr. Wesley
+and his mother at home.&mdash;Grand helpers.&mdash;Poor little Tom.&mdash;The
+worst man in Bristol.&mdash;And one of the best.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;">
+<img src="images/cap-h.png" width="100" height="100" alt="H" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />OW old would John Wesley be in 1716, if
+he was born in 1703? Thirteen, would
+he not? a school-boy at the Charterhouse
+School. In that year there was a terrible
+explosion at a cannon foundry, where the guns were
+made for war. The roof of the building was blown
+off, and a great many workmen were injured and killed.</div>
+
+<p>After this explosion, the machinery and iron were
+removed to Woolwich, which, as you will learn in
+your geography is still the great place for making
+cannon and other weapons of war. All the years
+from 1716 to 1739 the old foundry had never been
+touched, there it was, still in ruins.</p>
+
+<p>One day in this year, 1739, while Mr. Wesley was
+in London, two gentlemen came and asked him if he
+would preach in this old tumble-down place. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span>
+consented, and one dreary November morning at
+eight o'clock, before the grey clouds of night had fled,
+he preached to about six thousand people in the old
+King's Foundry.</p>
+
+<p>The following week many of those who had
+listened to him, came and begged him to buy the old
+place for a meeting-house. After thinking and
+praying about the matter he consented, and before
+very long the roof was mended, galleries were made,
+and the first Methodist preaching-place in London
+was ready for use.</p>
+
+<p>Class-rooms and a school-room were afterwards
+built, and a house fitted up where Mr. Wesley and
+his mother could live. At the end of the chapel
+was another house for his servants and some of
+his helpers. There was also a coach-house and stable
+where the travelling preachers could "put up."</p>
+
+<p>Though Mr. John and Mr. Charles Wesley were so
+clever and worked so hard, they could never have got
+on without their earnest, loving helpers. There was
+Thomas Maxfield, one of those devoted, go-a-head
+men of Bristol; then there was John Nelson, a stone-mason,
+in Yorkshire, who, when his master wanted
+him to work on Sunday, refused; and, like other
+Methodists, having become a Christian himself he
+sought to win others for Christ.</p>
+
+<p>Thomas Olivers was another. Poor Thomas, when
+he was a wee boy, only four years old, both his
+father and his mother died, and little Tom was left to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span>
+grow up a wicked boy. He used to swear and
+gamble and drink, and when he became a man was
+one of the worst characters in Bristol. But he heard
+Mr. Whitefield preach, and from that time a change
+came over him. He felt he was too great a sinner
+ever to be forgiven, and would kneel down and pray
+for hours and hours. God saw how sorry he was for
+all his wickedness, and how much he longed to be
+different, so He just whispered His forgiveness,
+bidding him, "Go and sin no more," and Thomas
+Olivers rose up a converted man, and became as
+brave a Christian as he had been bold a sinner.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 125px;">
+<img src="images/i-049.png" width="125" height="126" alt="cherub" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 538px;">
+<img src="images/i-107.png" width="538" height="145" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXII.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Billy and Polly.&mdash;A little sunbeam visits Sandgate.&mdash;What happened
+at seven o'clock in the morning.&mdash;And at five o'clock in the evening.&mdash;"The
+Old, Old Story."&mdash;Newcastle wants to know more.&mdash;But
+Newcastle has to wait.&mdash;John Wesley goes back to Bristol.&mdash;The
+Kingswood of the North.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 115px;">
+<img src="images/cap-w-quote.png" width="115" height="100" alt="W" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />HO'S yon man?"</div>
+
+<p>"Which man?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yon. Him with the long hair, and
+dressed like a parson."</p>
+
+<p>"I dunno. Why there's two on 'em."</p>
+
+<p>"I say, Polly, let's go and hear 'em, they're singing.
+Come on, Bob."</p>
+
+<p>Bob and Billy and Polly were very ragged and
+very dirty children, and they lived in Newcastle.</p>
+
+<p>The boys were almost naked, and Polly, though
+nearly fifteen had no clothes on at all, only a dirty
+bit of blanket wrapped round her. Their fathers and
+mothers worked in the coal mines, and because they
+had never been taught different, they were drunken,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span>
+swearing, wicked people; even the children cursed
+and swore.</p>
+
+<p>But Bob and Billy and Polly have got to the top
+of Sandgate, the street where their miserable home
+is; let us follow. Some of their companions are
+with them, children as ragged and dirty as themselves.
+The women, too, have come to their doors to listen.
+What is it these men are singing? Hark!</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/music.png" width="500" height="747" alt="Music" title="" />
+</div>
+<div class="center"><small>[<i>Transcriber's Note: You can play this music (MIDI file) by clicking</i> <a href="music/hundredth.mid">here</a>.]</small></div>
+<div class='poem'><br />
+All people that on earth do dwell<br />
+Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice;<br />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span>Him serve with fear, His praise forth tell:<br />
+Come ye before Him and rejoice.<br />
+</div>
+
+<p>It was a lovely May morning, and a kind little sunbeam
+had left the green fields and the chirping
+birdlets to peep into Sandgate. I think it must have
+heard the singing, and wanted to shine its gladness,
+that God's praises were at last being sung to those
+poor people.</p>
+
+<p>It was quite early, about seven o'clock in the
+morning, and some of the men and women were
+still in bed; but little sunbeam went first to one
+and then to another and kissed them awake, and
+when they had rubbed their eyes and opened their
+ears, they heard a strange sound. What could
+it be? They had never heard anything like it
+before.</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 343px;">
+<img src="images/i-111.png" width="343" height="500" alt="&quot;If you come to yon hill at five o&#39;clock to-night, I&#39;ll tell you what I mean.&quot;&mdash;Page 95." title="" />
+<span class="caption">&quot;If you come to yon hill at five o&#39;clock to-night, I&#39;ll tell you what I mean.&quot;&mdash;<a href="#Page_95">Page 95</a>.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>They sat up in bed and listened, then they got
+dressed, and then they went out. The music acted
+like a magic spell, and drew them to it. One man,
+two men, three men, four men, five men; oh, dear!
+there are too many to count. Such a number of
+women too, why, there must be five hundred people
+all together, and still they keep coming. One of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span>
+gentlemen is now talking. Listen what he is saying!
+He is preaching a sermon, and this is his text: "<i>He
+was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised
+for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was
+upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.</i>" He is
+telling those poor men and women that it was Jesus,
+the Son of God, who suffered this for them, <i>because
+He loved them</i>.</p>
+
+<p>The people, who numbered about twelve hundred,
+stood gaping and staring, they had never heard anything
+like this before.</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you?" shouted one man.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean?" called out another.</p>
+
+<p>The gentleman with the long hair and beautiful
+face answered them: "If you want to know who
+I am, my name is John Wesley, and if you come to
+yon hill at five o'clock to-night, I'll tell you what
+I mean."</p>
+
+<p>At five o'clock the hill was covered with people
+from the top to the bottom, and as Mr. Wesley stood
+with that great crowd round him, all eager to learn
+about the wonderful Saviour who had died for them,
+and of whom they had never heard, tears of pity
+filled his eyes, and a big love for them filled his
+heart.</p>
+
+<p>Oh, so sweetly and tenderly did he read to them
+God's own words: "<i>I will heal their back-sliding,
+I will love them freely;</i>" and then he told them the
+"Old, Old Story."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>He told it very slowly:</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">"'That they might take it in,</span><br />
+That wonderful redemption,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">God's remedy for sin.'</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>He told them the story simply:</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'As to a little child,</span><br />
+For they were weak and weary,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And helpless and defi'ed.'</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>He told them the story softly:</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'With earnest tones and grave,</span><br />
+For were they not the sinners<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Whom Jesus came to save?'"</span><br />
+<br /><br /></div>
+
+
+
+<p>When the preacher finished, the people stood as if
+spell-bound, then they all crowded and pressed round
+him, full of love and kindness towards the man who
+had brought them such good news. They nearly
+trampled him down in their eagerness to speak to
+him, and he had to slip round a back way in order to
+escape. When he got to the inn where he was
+staying, he found some of the people had got there
+before him; they had come to beg and pray him to
+stay among them. No, he could not.</p>
+
+<p>"Stay a few days," said one. No, he could not do
+that.</p>
+
+<p>"Just one day more," they begged.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Mr. Wesley was very loth to leave these
+eager hearers, but he had promised to be in Bristol
+on the Tuesday, and this was Sunday night, and it
+would take him all the time to get to his appointment,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span>
+and he was a man that could not break his word. So
+he was sadly obliged to refuse.</p>
+
+<p>Before very long, however, Mr. Charles Wesley
+went to Newcastle, and after a time, Mr. Wesley himself
+paid a second visit.</p>
+
+<p>It was a plan of the Methodists always to go to the
+poorest and most uncared-for people. These they
+generally found among the colliers. Wherever there
+were coal mines, the district round them was sure to
+be the abode of dirt, ignorance, and sin. You
+remember what a dreadful place Kingswood was
+when the Methodists first went? Because they
+found Newcastle just as bad, they called it "The
+Kingswood of the North."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 109px;">
+<img src="images/i-033.png" width="109" height="109" alt="Book" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 530px;">
+<img src="images/i-115.png" width="530" height="146" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>A magic mirror.&mdash;And the picture it shows us.&mdash;Billy and Polly
+again.&mdash;Hurrah for Newcastle!&mdash;John and Charles Wesley put their
+heads together.&mdash;The result.&mdash;Strict Rules.&mdash;Circuits in Methodism.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;">
+<img src="images/cap-h.png" width="100" height="100" alt="H" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />AVE you ever heard of the Magic Mirror?
+It is a mirror I would like to have. You
+just think of something you would very
+much like to see; something either in the
+past, the present, or the future, peep into the mirror
+and there it is.</div>
+
+<p>Let us imagine that we have this mirror, and that
+we want to look at a particular part of Newcastle
+in the year 1742.</p>
+
+<p>What do we see?</p>
+
+<p>A big unfinished building with all the walls standing,
+but no roof, no doors, and no windows. It is a cold
+winter's day; but in spite of the biting wind and the
+frosty air there are hundreds of people crowding
+inside and outside the walls. Right in the middle<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span>
+stands the gentleman with the long hair and the
+beautiful face.</p>
+
+<p>It is Mr. Wesley opening the first meeting-house in
+Newcastle. Oh, how hard those poor colliers and
+their wives, yes, and the children too, worked to get
+money to build their chapel. On this opening day
+they were so proud and happy they could not keep
+still. They kept shouting "Hallelujah!" all the time
+Mr. Wesley was preaching. Three or four times he
+had to stop in the middle of his sermon on purpose
+to let them praise God.</p>
+
+<p>Bob, and Billy, and Polly were at that opening;
+they loved Mr. Wesley, and always tried to get as
+near to him as they could. They were not ragged
+now, for their fathers and mothers were converted,
+and their money was no longer spent in drink. The
+children, too, had learnt to love Jesus, and were trying
+to be like Him, and no cursing or swearing was ever
+heard.</p>
+
+<p>Scores of men and women in Newcastle that day,
+thanked God they had got out of bed that Sunday
+morning in May, and heard Mr. Wesley sing at the
+top of Sandgate.</p>
+
+<p>The Methodists had now chapels or meeting-houses
+in Bristol, London, Kingswood, and Newcastle, and
+societies were being formed in a great many other
+places. When Mr. Wesley found the work was
+spreading so fast, he saw it was necessary to draw up
+some general rules for all the members to follow.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>His brother Charles helped him in this difficult
+task. These are some of the rules which together
+they drew up, and which all who joined the Methodists
+had to promise to obey.</p>
+
+<p>Members of society must not swear.</p>
+
+<p>Must keep the Sabbath Day holy.</p>
+
+<p>Must not buy or sell intoxicating liquor.</p>
+
+<p>Must not drink intoxicating liquor, except as
+medicine.</p>
+
+<p>Must not fight.</p>
+
+<p>Must not quarrel.</p>
+
+<p>Must return good for evil.</p>
+
+<p>Must not speak evil of any one.</p>
+
+<p>Must do to others as we would have them do to us.</p>
+
+<p>Must not wear a great deal of jewellery or expensive
+clothes.</p>
+
+<p>Must not go to any place of amusement where they
+would not like to meet Jesus.</p>
+
+<p>Must not sing songs or read books that will not
+help them to love God more.</p>
+
+<p>Must not buy anything unless they are quite sure
+they will be able to pay for it.</p>
+
+<p>Must be kind to everybody, and give help to all, as
+far as they are able;</p>
+
+<div class='blockquot2'>
+By feeding the hungry;<br />
+Clothing the naked;<br />
+Visiting the sick and those in prison;<br />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span>By "running with patience the race that is set before them;"<br />
+By denying themselves and taking up their cross daily.<br />
+</div>
+
+<p>They must go to chapel regularly.</p>
+
+<p>Must take the Sacrament.</p>
+
+<p>And, lastly, have family and private prayer every
+day.</p>
+
+<p>Were not these strict rules? But the people were
+so much in earnest, and had such trust in their leader,
+Mr. Wesley, that they were quite willing to agree
+to them.</p>
+
+<p>The next thing Mr. Wesley did was to send out his
+helpers, generally two together, to certain districts
+where they usually remained for a year. They had
+to preach in all the places round about, and each
+particular district or tract of country was called
+a "circuit." This was the beginning of the "circuits"
+which we have in Methodism to-day. I dare say you
+have often heard father or mother say, "Oh, Mr.
+So and So has gone to another circuit;" or, "Mr.
+So and So is in our circuit now."</p>
+
+<p>London and Bristol always remained the chief
+circuits; but before very long Newcastle became the
+next in importance.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 106px;">
+<img src="images/i-154.png" width="106" height="108" alt="Child" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 530px;">
+<img src="images/i-115.png" width="530" height="146" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Another peep into the Magic Mirror.&mdash;A pretty picture.&mdash;At
+Epworth.&mdash;Mr. Wesley is very unkindly treated.&mdash;All for the best.&mdash;The
+curate is "done."&mdash;A happy ending to a bad beginning.&mdash;"Good-bye,
+Epworth."</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 98px;">
+<img src="images/cap-s.png" width="98" height="100" alt="S" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />HALL we have another peep into the
+Magic Mirror? See that pretty country
+church, with the square tower. There
+are some big trees near, looking as if they
+were tall giants keeping guard; they have no leaves
+on them yet, and their bare arms stretch out a long
+way as if they were trying to reach the church.</div>
+
+<p>If you look carefully you will see buds coming out
+on the trees, baby buds they are, waiting for the sun's
+kisses. Then they will burst out and grow into great
+leaves that will cover up the naked old trees. Ivy
+climbs up the church wall. I see its dark glossy
+leaves, for the ivy is evergreen.</p>
+
+<p>There are many graves in the churchyard, but you
+can hardly see them because people are sitting on
+them; such a number of people, hundreds more than<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span>
+could ever have got into the church. They are all
+looking one way, and seem to be listening very
+attentively. What are they looking at? They are
+looking at a gentleman who is standing all alone on
+a big flat tombstone near the church wall. He wears
+a gown and white bands like a clergyman, and he has
+long hair brushed very smoothly, and a beautiful,
+happy face.</p>
+
+<p>Dear me! did I hear a crash then? And did
+I hear a hundred young voices shouting: "I know
+who it is, it's Mr. John Wesley"? Why, you must
+have broken the mirror with your shouts. You are
+right, dears, but you shouted rather too soon. I wanted
+to read what it said on the tombstone on which
+Mr. Wesley was standing. But, never mind, I think
+I saw some of the words:</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+"<span class="smcap">Sacred To the Memory of</span><br />
+SAMUEL WESLEY,<br />
+<span class="smcap">For Thirty-eight years Rector of Epworth</span>."<br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>Yes, it was his father's grave on which John Wesley
+was standing.</div>
+
+<p>On his way back from one of his visits to Newcastle
+he thought he would like to see his dear old home
+once more. It was a long, long time since he had
+been there, and he was not quite sure whether the
+people would have anything to do with him now, for,
+as leader of the Methodists, he had many enemies.</p>
+
+<p>It was Saturday evening in early spring, when he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span>
+got to the little inn, in the long straggling street that
+was called Epworth village. He had not been there
+very long before three or four poor women found him
+out, one of them an old servant of his mother's.</p>
+
+<p>Next morning, which was Sunday, he went to the
+curate of the church and politely offered to help him
+with the service. The curate, I am sorry to say, was
+very rude, and refused to let Mr. Wesley take any
+part in the service or to preach in the church at all.</p>
+
+<p>This was a great disappointment, for Mr. Wesley
+loved the people of Epworth, and every stone in
+the old church was dear to him. His father had
+preached from that pulpit for nearly forty years, and
+he himself had stood there more times than he could
+count, and it was very hard that he was forbidden to
+take his place there now.</p>
+
+<p>The people were longing to hear him, and when
+the afternoon service was over, and all the folks were
+leaving the church, one of his friends stood in the
+churchyard and gave out this notice:</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+"<span class="smcap">Mr. Wesley, not being allowed to Preach</span><br />
+<span class="smcap">in the Church, intends to Preach here at</span><br />
+<span class="smcap">six o'clock this evening.</span>"<br />
+</div>
+
+<p>It was this picture of Mr. Wesley preaching that
+the Magic Mirror showed us. I expect the curate
+was very angry at being so "done;" but he could
+not stop Mr. Wesley preaching <i>outside</i> the church.</p>
+
+<p>For a whole week John Wesley preached every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span>
+evening from his father's tombstone. Crowds came
+to hear him, and hundreds were converted and turned
+from their evil ways. They saw how sinful they had
+been and prayed aloud for forgiveness. Drunkards
+became sober men, and those who cursed and swore
+were turned into peace-makers.</p>
+
+<p>So dear old Mr. Wesley's prayers were answered,
+and the people who had treated him so unkindly, and
+whom he had forgiven and loved, now took his
+Saviour to be their Saviour, and his God to be their
+God.</p>
+
+<p>Indeed Mr. Wesley's visit to his old home, that
+began so unpleasantly, ended very happily, and when
+his last evening came, both he and his dear people
+found it hard to say "Good-bye."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 112px;">
+<img src="images/i-122.png" width="112" height="130" alt="Dogwood" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 540px;">
+<img src="images/i-053.png" width="540" height="167" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXV.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>No one like mother.&mdash;Sad days at the Foundry.&mdash;Mrs. Wesley
+goes Home through the Beautiful Gate.&mdash;A sorrowing son.&mdash;Preaching
+at the open grave.&mdash;At work again.&mdash;Satan in opposition.&mdash;Fireworks,
+cows, stones, blood, and broken windows.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 101px;">
+<img src="images/cap-a.png" width="101" height="100" alt="A" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br /> &nbsp; GOOD mother is a boy's or a girl's best
+earthly friend. John Wesley knew this,
+and thought there was no mother like
+<i>his</i> mother. You remember how, as a
+little boy, he always went to her for advice; and
+when he was quite a young man he used to hope
+that he would die before her, for he felt he could
+not live without his mother. You may think, then,
+how sad he was when, at last, the message came to
+him that she was dying.</div>
+
+<p>He was at Bristol when he received the news, and
+at once set off for London. Arrived at his home
+at the Foundry, he found his five sisters watching
+round the bed of the dear old mother.</p>
+
+<p>Though she was too ill to speak to them, they
+could see she was quite happy and peaceful, just<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span>
+waiting to be taken Home. Before long the call
+came: "Come up higher."</p>
+
+<p>A great number of people came to the funeral;
+and as Mr. Wesley stood at the graveside, he preached
+one of his most wonderful sermons. His heart was
+full; he had lost the friend of his life. But he knew
+it was not for ever, one day he would meet her again;
+and as he looked on those hundreds of people gathered
+there by the open grave, he longed that they should,
+as surely, some day pass Home through the Beautiful
+Gate.</p>
+
+<p>Work is the best cure for sorrow; and after his
+dear mother's death, Mr. Wesley began his preaching
+again. Wherever he went people were converted, and
+became followers of Jesus Christ; and also wherever
+he went wicked men and women tried to stop him
+preaching, and sometimes even wanted to kill him.
+But he was doing God's work, and God took care
+of him.</p>
+
+<p>Once he was preaching to hundreds of people in
+an open space somewhere in London. In the middle
+of his sermon, several men tried to drive a herd of
+cows among the listeners. They wanted to frighten
+them, and force them to go away. But the cows
+were wiser than their masters, and would not go
+among the people. Then these bad men started
+throwing stones, and one of them hit Mr. Wesley
+just between his eyes. What do you think he did?
+Give up preaching and go home? Indeed he did<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span>
+not; he just wiped the blood off his face, and went
+on telling the people to repent of their sins and
+believe on the Son of God. Brave John Wesley!</p>
+
+<p>Bristol, you remember, was the first place where
+Mr. Wesley preached out of doors, and it was at
+Bristol where there was the first great disturbance.</p>
+
+<p>I don't quite know how it was, but just about this
+time, wherever the Methodists went, they were abused
+and ill-treated. I think Satan was beginning to find
+out how much good the Methodists were doing, and
+thought it was about time he did something to stop
+it. So, in all the towns where the preachers went,
+he stirred up the worst men and women to make
+rows and disturb the services.</p>
+
+<p>At Chelsea, the rioters threw fireworks into the
+room; at another place they broke in the roof, and
+some of the people were nearly killed. At Bristol,
+the mob filled the streets, shouting, and cursing, and
+swearing. When the constables caught the ring-leaders
+and took them before the mayor, they began
+to speak against Mr. Wesley, but the mayor stopped
+them. "Whatever Mr. Wesley is, is nothing to
+you," he said. "I won't allow any rioting in this
+city, and you must go to prison." This was the
+first and last disturbance at Bristol. But the worst
+of it was, at most of the places, neither the constables
+nor the mayor would interfere, and so the people did
+just as they liked.</p>
+
+<p>At Wednesbury, in Staffordshire, the Methodists<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span>
+were most cruelly treated. One of the rioters used
+to blow a horn, and then all the mob gathered
+together. They went to every house where there
+was a Methodist, smashed the windows, dragged the
+furniture out and broke it up, and burnt the beds.
+If the men or women interfered, they just knocked
+them down; even the little children they used to
+beat. But I think I will leave the exciting scenes
+at Wednesbury for another chapter.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 109px;">
+<img src="images/i-126.png" width="109" height="109" alt="Book and globe" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 542px;">
+<img src="images/i-016.png" width="542" height="184" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Brave as a lion.&mdash;A protecting angel.&mdash;God's magic.&mdash;Foes become
+friends.&mdash;An unpleasant walk in rain and darkness.&mdash;What the
+mayor said.&mdash;A free fight.&mdash;"Knock the parson down! Kill him at
+once!"&mdash;Magic again.&mdash;A butcher to the rescue.&mdash;Safe back in
+Wednesbury.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 97px;">
+<img src="images/cap-w.png" width="97" height="100" alt="W" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />HEN Mr. Wesley heard how his followers
+were being treated in Wednesbury, he
+went off at once to their help. Though
+he was only a little man, he was as brave
+as a lion; he knew he had God at his back, and
+like David before Goliath, like Daniel before Darius,
+and like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego before
+Nebuchadnezzar, he did not fear what man could
+do unto him.</div>
+
+<p>God sent His angel to close the lions' mouths so
+they would not harm Daniel; and the same messenger
+walked in the fiery furnace with the three Hebrew<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span>
+youths. So, when Mr. Wesley went straight into
+the market-place in Wednesbury, and fearlessly
+preached to the hundreds assembled there, God's
+protecting angel breathed silence and calm; not
+a sound of disturbance was heard. In the evening
+the mob surrounded the house where Mr. Wesley
+was staying, shouting out fiercely:</p>
+
+<p>"Bring out the minister! We will have the
+minister!"</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Wesley, neither frightened nor excited, quietly
+asked one of his friends to bring in the ringleader
+of the mob. The man came in, anger and fierceness
+in his eyes. But, somehow, as soon as he stood in
+the presence of that calm, Christ-like man, all his
+passion went out of him. Mr. Wesley then asked
+him to bring in two or three of his roughest
+companions. The angry men came in. They had
+wanted to get at the minister, now they had the
+chance. But once inside that room, they found they
+could not touch him. They felt the presence of
+God's protecting angel, and peace took the place
+of passion, and friendliness the place of hatred.
+Getting Mr. Wesley between them, these strange,
+new friends made a way for him through the mob
+outside the house.</p>
+
+<p>Then, standing on a chair, Mr. Wesley spoke to
+the crowd.</p>
+
+<p>"You wanted me," he said. "Here I am. Now
+what do you want me for?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"We want you to go with us to the magistrate,"
+they cried.</p>
+
+<p>"I will go with you with all my heart," he
+replied.</p>
+
+<p>So away went the brave ambassador for Christ,
+accompanied by hundreds of the roughest men and
+women in Wednesbury.</p>
+
+<p>It was two miles to the magistrate's house, and
+before they had got half-way the night came on,
+and it began to rain very heavily. This made
+most of the people turn back and hurry home,
+but two hundred or more kept together round
+Mr. Wesley.</p>
+
+<p>Some of the men ran on first to tell the magistrate
+they'd got the Methodist preacher. Instead of
+seeming pleased, the magistrate said:</p>
+
+<p>"What have I to do with Mr. Wesley? Take
+him back again." So he sent them off, and went
+to bed.</p>
+
+<p>By and by the crowd came up to the house, and
+knocked at the door. When the magistrate's son
+went to them and asked what was the matter, they
+said:</p>
+
+<p>"Why, please, sir, these Methodists sing psalms all
+day, and make folks get up at five o'clock in the
+morning, and what would your worship advise us
+to do?"</p>
+
+<p>"To go home and be quiet," replied the gentleman.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Finding they could get no help from this
+magistrate, they hurried poor Mr. Wesley off to
+another. This gentleman, too, had gone to bed,
+and so the mob could do nothing else but go
+home.</p>
+
+<p>However, before they had got very far they were
+joined by another rough mob from a neighbouring
+town; and then, in the rain and the darkness, the
+two mobs started fighting and knocking each other
+down. It was no use Mr. Wesley trying to speak,
+for the shouting and noise was like the roaring of
+the sea. They dragged him along with them until
+they reached the town, and then, seeing the door
+of a large house open, Mr. Wesley tried to get in.
+But one of the cruel men got him by the hair and
+pulled him back into the middle of the mob; and
+then they dragged him from one end of the town
+to the other.</p>
+
+<p>"I talked all the time to those that were within
+hearing," said Mr. Wesley, afterwards, "and I never
+felt the least pain or weariness."</p>
+
+<p>At last he saw a shop door half open, and tried
+to get in, but the gentleman to whom the shop
+belonged would not let him.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, the people would pull my house down,"
+he said, "if I let you in."</p>
+<div class="figright" style="width: 334px;">
+<img src="images/i-132.png" width="334" height="500" alt="&quot;&#39;Knock him down! Kill him at once!&#39; cried hundreds of voices.&quot;&mdash;Page 114." title="" />
+<span class="caption">&quot;&#39;Knock him down! Kill him at once!&#39; cried hundreds of voices.&quot;&mdash;<a href="#Page_114">Page 114</a>.</span>
+</div>
+<p>However, Mr. Wesley stood at the door and
+shouted to the people: "Are you willing to hear
+me speak?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No, no; knock him down! Kill him at once!"
+cried hundreds of voices.</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, let's hear him first," shouted others.</p>
+
+<p>"What harm have I done any of you?" exclaimed
+the fearless preacher. "Which of you have I wronged
+in word or deed?"</p>
+
+<p>For a quarter of an hour he talked to them, then
+his voice suddenly gave way, the strain had been
+too great.</p>
+
+<p>Then the cruel mob cried out again: "Bring him
+away! Bring him away!"</p>
+
+<p>But Mr. Wesley's strength had come back, and he
+began to pray aloud.</p>
+
+<p>That prayer acted like magic; the man who had
+just before been the leader of that brutal crowd,
+turning to Mr. Wesley, said: "Sir, I will spend my
+life for you; follow me, and no one here shall touch
+a hair of your head."</p>
+
+<p>Two or three of his companions said almost the
+same, and surrounded Mr. Wesley to protect him.
+Then four or five rough men set upon them, and
+tried to drag Mr. Wesley away; but a butcher, who
+was a little further off, shouted, "Shame! shame!"
+and pulled them back one after another. Some one
+else shouted, "For shame! For shame! let the good
+man go!"</p>
+
+<p>Then, just as if they had been struck by magic, all
+the people drew back right and left, and Mr. Wesley
+was carried safely through.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But the danger was not quite over even yet.
+On the bridge which they had to cross, the mob
+assembled again; but Mr. Wesley's protectors took
+him across a mill-dam and then through some fields,
+and at last brought him safe into Wednesbury, with
+no other damage than a torn coat and a little skin
+scraped off one of his hands.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 111px;">
+<img src="images/i-134.png" width="111" height="111" alt="Cherub and harp" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 563px;">
+<img src="images/i-021.png" width="563" height="189" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Mr. Wesley's story of the Wednesbury riot.&mdash;How he felt.&mdash;The
+right pocket.&mdash;Beautiful hair.&mdash;The prize-fighter a good protector.&mdash;A
+brick, a stone, and two hard blows.&mdash;Daniel vi. 22.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 101px;">
+<img src="images/cap-a.png" width="101" height="100" alt="A" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />FTER reading the last exciting chapter,
+you will all exclaim, "Well, Mr. Wesley
+<i>was</i> a brave man!" and I am sure you
+will like to hear what he himself said
+about his adventures. These are the very words he
+wrote after the Wednesbury riots:</div>
+
+<p>"From the beginning to the end, I felt as calm as if
+I had been sitting in my study at home. Once it did
+come into my mind, that if they threw me into the
+river, it would spoil the papers I had in my pocket.
+I was not afraid for myself, for I did not doubt but
+I could swim across to the opposite bank.</p>
+
+<p>"Thinking about it all now, I notice some remarkable
+circumstances. One was, that though several
+tried to get hold of me, it seemed as if they could
+not, and when at last one did get hold of my coat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span>
+and tore the pocket off, it was the right pocket for
+him to get, for it contained nothing of importance;
+whereas if he had torn off the other he would have
+got a bank-note with it.</p>
+
+<p>"Another was, a big strong fellow just behind
+struck at me several times with a large oak stick.
+One blow had it hit me would have killed me, but
+somehow every time he struck, the blow was turned
+aside. I don't know how, for I could not move either
+to the right hand or to the left.</p>
+
+<p>"Another man came rushing through the crowd
+and raised his arm to strike me. Suddenly he let his
+arm drop, and only stroked my hair, saying: 'What
+beautiful hair he has!'</p>
+
+<p>"It was strange too, that the very first men whose
+hearts were softened were always the leaders of the
+mob&mdash;one of them had been a prize-fighter. So that
+when they took my part I was well protected.</p>
+
+<p>"Again, from first to last I heard no one give me
+a reviling word, or call me by any insolent or
+disgraceful name whatever. The cry of one and all
+was: 'The Preacher! The Preacher! The Parson!
+The Minister!'"</p>
+
+<p>Again Mr. Wesley wrote:</p>
+
+<p>"By what gentle and gradual steps does God
+prepare us for His will! Two years ago a brick that
+was thrown at me grazed my shoulders. Then a year
+after that, the stone struck me between the eyes when
+I was preaching in London. This evening I have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span>
+received two blows; one man struck me on the chest
+with all his might, and another on the mouth with
+such force that the blood gushed out immediately.
+But both were as nothing, I felt no more pain from
+either of the blows, than if the men had touched me
+with a straw."</p>
+
+<p>Boys and girls, is not this a wonderful story? Get
+your Bibles, and look in the sixth chapter of the book
+of Daniel and the twenty-second verse.</p>
+
+<p>Wicked men had laid a trap for King Darius, and
+because they were envious of Daniel, they caused the
+king to order Daniel to be thrown into the lions' den.
+This made King Darius very unhappy, for he loved
+Daniel. But though he was a heathen king, he had
+such faith in Daniel's God, that he felt sure the lions
+would not be allowed to hurt him.</p>
+
+<p>King Darius could not sleep all night, for thinking
+of Daniel all alone in the den of those wild beasts;
+so he got up very early in the morning, and went to
+the den and called to Daniel to know if he were alive.
+And from inside that dismal den with hungry beasts
+prowling round and round, came the bright, cheering
+voice of the God-protected man: "My God hath sent
+His angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they
+have not hurt me."</p>
+
+<p>John Wesley was as much among wild beasts at
+Wednesbury, as ever Daniel was in the den of lions,
+for when men's passions are roused they are no better
+than the beasts. But the arm that was raised to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span>
+strike, gently stroked his hair; the blow that was
+meant to kill, fell upon an invisible head; the leaders
+of all that was cruel and wicked, were struck tender
+and quiet, and became personal protectors.</p>
+
+<p>Truly Mr. Wesley could have said with Daniel:
+"My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the
+lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 103px;">
+<img src="images/i-185.png" width="103" height="104" alt="Harp" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 548px;">
+<img src="images/i-069.png" width="548" height="151" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>The lion-hearted Wesleys.&mdash;And their brave, long-suffering followers.&mdash;What
+Munchin thought of John Wesley.&mdash;Hymn 276 and
+how it came to be written.&mdash;The mischievous schoolboy becomes the
+sweet singer of Methodism.&mdash;The wall that sat down.&mdash;And the
+people who sat down with it.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 102px;">
+<img src="images/cap-t.png" width="102" height="100" alt="T" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />HE troubles in Wednesbury were not yet
+ended. The very magistrates who had
+refused to see Mr. Wesley that night
+when the mob dragged him to the door,
+a few days later gave orders for the police to search
+everywhere for "those Methodist preachers who go
+about raising riots."</div>
+
+<p>Even this failed to frighten the brave-hearted
+Wesleys, for when John left Wednesbury his brother
+Charles took his place. He found the poor Methodists
+still suffering terrible persecutions, but patient and
+forgiving to their enemies. Christ's own words were
+their help and comfort: "<i>Blessed are they that are
+persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the
+kingdom of heaven</i>" (Matt. v. 10).</p>
+
+<p>Munchin, the man who had been one of the leaders<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span>
+of the mob and afterwards protected Mr. Wesley, had
+joined the Methodists and become a member of
+society. One day Mr. Charles said to him: "What
+did you think of my brother?"</p>
+
+<p>"Think of him?" said Munchin; "I think he is
+a man of God; and God was surely by his side when
+so many of us could not kill one man."</p>
+
+<p>The persecutions of the Methodists in Wednesbury
+continued for a long time. The windows of their
+houses were broken, their tables, chairs, and other
+furniture were smashed to pieces, and their feather-beds
+were torn into shreds. No craven-hearted man would
+have dared to go into such a place of danger, and
+preach to such fiends in human form; but the Wesleys
+knew no fear when duty called, and again and again
+they visited their poor, persecuted followers. Christ-like
+men, indeed, they were, for, like their Holy
+Leader, "when they were reviled they reviled not
+again; when they suffered they threatened not."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Charles composed a hymn after one of the
+dreadful rows, which shows how entirely they trusted
+in Jesus, and how sure they were that no harm could
+come to them except what He allowed.</p>
+
+<p>Look at number 276 in your Wesley's Hymn-Book,
+and you will find this very hymn. This is
+the first verse:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"Worship and thanks and blessing,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">And strength ascribe to Jesus!</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Jesus alone defends His own,</span><br />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span><span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">When earth and hell oppress us.</span><br />
+<br />
+"Jesus with joy we witness<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Almighty to deliver,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Our seals set to, that God is true,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">And reigns a King for ever."</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>That reminds me that I must not forget to tell you,
+by far the greater number of the hymns we sing every
+Sunday in chapel were written by Mr. Charles Wesley.
+Yes, the little mischievous Westminster schoolboy
+became the sweet singer of Methodism. Not only
+among Methodists are his beautiful hymns sung
+to-day, but in almost every Christian hymn-book
+in the world some of his verses will be found.</div>
+
+<p>You must not think all places were like Wednesbury.
+Mr. Wesley had often very attentive congregations,
+and the people listened to him gladly. Indeed, at
+an open-air service he once held, the people behaved
+better than I fear we should have done. Part of the
+congregation sat on a low wall built of loose stones;
+all at once, in the middle of the sermon, down came
+the wall and all the people with it. I think we should
+have burst out laughing, it must have looked so funny.
+Instead of which, there was no laughing and no
+screaming; the people just kept their places, only
+instead of sitting on the top of the wall they sat
+at the bottom. There was no interruption of the
+service at all; Mr. Wesley went on with his sermon,
+and the people continued reverent and attentive.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 558px;">
+<img src="images/i-028.png" width="558" height="216" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>The Magic Mirror again.&mdash;Sycamore Farm.&mdash;Annie's good news.&mdash;A
+chorister up in a tree.&mdash;A long, long journey.&mdash;Sixty miles a day
+on horseback.&mdash;A Chapel out of doors.&mdash;A hard bed and a funny
+pillow.&mdash;Thanksgiving Street.&mdash;Ripe Blackberries.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 97px;">
+<img src="images/cap-w.png" width="97" height="100" alt="W" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />HY, I do believe that Magic Mirror has
+mended itself, for here it is, showing us
+such a lovely picture&mdash;nay, two, I declare.
+Look at that dear old farmhouse; it must
+surely be called Sycamore Farm, for there are great
+sycamore trees all round the front and the side.
+At the back, and only one field away from the house,
+are the green slopes of the mountain, with a little
+waterfall tumbling merrily down a crack in its side.
+In front of the farm, shimmering through the leaves
+of the trees, you can see the sunlit waters of a calm
+lake. The farm is a low whitewashed building, and
+we can see the cows in the distant meadows coming
+home to be milked. No one is with them; but there
+is a little group of people standing at the farmyard<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span>
+gate. The farmer and his wife and all the family
+and servants seem to be there.</div>
+
+<p>Whatever is the matter?</p>
+
+<p>Oh, see! there is a little girl in the middle of the
+group, and they are all listening to what she is saying.
+Let us listen too.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it is quite true; Mr. Wesley <i>is</i> coming.
+I went to the village for mother, and old Downs the
+cobbler told me, and so did Mrs. Wilson at the shop.
+Everybody is talking about it."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, but that's good news, lassie!" the old farmer
+says. "I wonder now if he'd come and preach at
+Sycamore Farm."</p>
+
+<p>The picture has gone.</p>
+
+<p>Oh, but here's the other one. Why, it is the same
+old farmhouse, and the sun is shining on the whitewashed
+walls and funny little windows. There is
+a great crowd gathered under the shade of the leafy
+sycamores. See, there is the kind-looking farmer,
+with his sunburnt face, and sitting on his knee is
+Annie, the little girl that brought the good news
+from the village. Right in the midst of the crowd
+is Mr. Wesley, telling these country-people the story
+of the Cross.</p>
+
+<p>Now that picture has gone too.</p>
+
+<p>Should we not have liked to have been at that
+service?</p>
+
+<p>I will tell you what Mr. Wesley said about it.</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 334px;">
+<img src="images/i-144.png" width="334" height="500" alt="&quot;In the midst of the crowd is Mr. Wesley, telling these country-people the story of the Cross.&quot;&mdash;Page 124." title="" />
+<span class="caption">&quot;In the midst of the crowd is Mr. Wesley, telling these country-people the story of the Cross.&quot;&mdash;<a href="#Page_124">Page 124</a>.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>"It was a hot summer day, and we could see the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span>
+blue, blue sky through the leaves of the old sycamores,
+which shaded us from the heat. Just as I began to
+preach, a little bird perched on a branch close by and
+began to sing. I went on preaching, but its song did
+not end, it sang on and on, and not until the service
+was quite over did it cease. It was the best music
+for such a church and such a congregation, no harp
+or organ ever sounded half so sweet."</p>
+
+<p>From Westmoreland, where this happened, to
+Cornwall is a long way, but not too far for Mr. Wesley
+and his horse. He used often to ride sixty miles
+a day; and most of his reading, and the composing
+of his sermons was done while he was on horseback.
+He travelled in this way for more than forty years,
+and must have gone over 100,000 miles.</p>
+
+<p>In Gwennap, a place in Cornwall, Mr. Wesley
+found a lovely out-of-doors sort of chapel. Some of
+my readers will have seen the Happy Valley at
+Llandudno; I think the Gwennap chapel must have
+been something like that, only a great deal bigger.
+This is what Mr. Wesley wrote about his first service
+there:</p>
+
+<p>"I stood on a wall, in the calm, still evening, with
+the setting sun behind, and a great, great multitude
+before, behind, and on either hand, sitting on the
+hills all round. All could hear quite distinctly, when
+I read to them Christ's own words: 'The disciple
+is not above his Master,' and 'He that taketh not his
+cross and followeth after Me is not worthy of Me.'"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Must it not have been a wonderful sight?</p>
+
+<p>Like other places, Cornwall did not always give
+a kind welcome to the Methodists; indeed, they
+had sometimes to put up with very rough treatment.
+Often they had to go without food, and the hard floor
+was their only bed.</p>
+
+<p>Once, at a place called St. Ives, Mr. Wesley and
+his helper, Mr. Nelson, slept on the floor for a whole
+fortnight. One of them had an overcoat rolled up
+for a pillow, and the other a big book. They used
+to get very sore, and sometimes could not sleep for
+the pain in their poor aching bones. But these
+Methodists had never heard of Grumble Corner,&mdash;they
+only knew Thanksgiving Street; and so, instead
+of murmuring and complaining, one night, when the
+floor seemed harder than ever, Mr. Wesley called
+out: "Let us cheer up, Brother Nelson, for the skin
+is only off one side yet."</p>
+
+<p>Another time, when no one had asked them to
+dinner or tea, and they were riding through a country
+lane, feeling very hungry, Mr. Wesley stopped his
+horse to gather some blackberries, saying to his friend:
+"Brother Nelson, we ought to be thankful that there
+are plenty of blackberries, for this is the best country
+I ever saw for getting an appetite, but the worst for
+getting food."</p>
+
+<p>On the whole, however, the Cornish people were
+not unkind to Mr. Wesley. At St. Ives they once
+gave him a very noisy welcome, shouting, "Hurrah!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span>
+hurrah!" and then going under his bedroom window
+and singing:</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"John Wesley is come to town,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">To try if he can pull the churches down."</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>All this happened during his first visit to Cornwall;
+and only once during the three weeks he was there
+did he get really abused, and that was at St. Ives,
+when the mob burst into his room, and a rough, cruel
+man struck him on the head.</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 137px;">
+<img src="images/i-148.png" width="137" height="129" alt="Bird" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 542px;">
+<img src="images/i-034.png" width="542" height="161" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXX.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>A fight with the sea.&mdash;Poor Peter!&mdash;A sail in a fisherman's boat.&mdash;The
+song that the waves accompanied.&mdash;A climb on Land's End.&mdash;Manchester
+disgraces itself.&mdash;Hull still worse.&mdash;Matt. v. 39.&mdash;A brave
+servant girl.&mdash;John Wesley declines to hide.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;">
+<img src="images/cap-i.png" width="100" height="100" alt="I" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br /> &nbsp; TOLD you in the last chapter what
+a wonderful traveller Mr. Wesley was;
+he could walk twenty-four miles a day
+easily, in either hot or cold weather,
+and his adventures on the roads would almost fill
+a book.</div>
+
+<p>On one of his later visits to Cornwall, he had
+a terrible fight with the sea; this time he was riding
+in a coach. He had promised to preach in St. Ives
+at a certain time, and the only way to get there was
+by crossing the sands when the tide was out. His
+own driver being a stranger in the country, he engaged
+a man named Peter Martin to drive him. When they
+reached the sea-shore they found, to their dismay,
+that the tide was coming in, and the sands they had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span>
+to cross were already partly covered with water.
+Peter, the old coachman, stopped the horses, and
+told Mr. Wesley that it was not safe to go. Then
+an old sea-captain tried to prevent them, begging
+them to go back, or they would surely be drowned.</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Mr. Wesley, "I've promised to preach
+at St. Ives, and I must keep my promise. Take the
+sea! Take the sea!" he shouted, putting his head
+out of the carriage window.</p>
+
+<p>In a moment, Peter whipped the horses, and dashed
+into the waves. The wheels of the carriage kept
+sinking in the deep pits and hollows in the sand,
+while the horses, swimming in the water, snorted and
+reared with fright, and every moment poor Peter
+expected to be drowned.</p>
+
+<p>Just at this terrible moment, Mr. Wesley put his
+head out of the carriage window; his long white
+hair&mdash;for he was an old man when this happened&mdash;was
+dripping with the salt water, which ran down his
+venerable face. He was calm and fearless, unmoved
+by the roaring of the waves or the danger of the
+situation.</p>
+
+<p>"What is your name, driver?" he shouted.</p>
+
+<p>"Peter, sir," shouted back the man.</p>
+
+<p>"Peter," Mr. Wesley called out again, "fear not;
+thou shalt not sink."</p>
+
+<p>With spurring and whipping, the poor frightened,
+tired horses at last brought them safely over.</p>
+
+<p>When they reached St. Ives, Mr. Wesley's first<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span>
+care was to see to the comfort of his horses and
+driver. He got warm clothing, and refreshments at
+the inn for Peter, and comfortable stabling for his
+weary horses; then, quite forgetting himself, wet
+through with the dashing waves, he went off to the
+chapel to preach.</p>
+
+<p>While Mr. Wesley was in Cornwall he paid a flying
+visit to the Scilly Isles. He went over in a fisherman's
+boat, and sang to the rising and falling of the
+waves:</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"When passing through the watery deep,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">I ask in faith His promised aid;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The waves an awful distance keep,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">And shrink from my devoted head.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Fearless, their violence I dare;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">They cannot harm,&mdash;for God is there."</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>If you look in your Wesley's Hymn-Book, at hymn
+272, you will find this verse.</div>
+
+<p>You have all learnt, in your geographies, that
+Land's End is the most southern point in England;
+look at the very south of Cornwall, and you will
+find it. Mr. Wesley was very fond of this wild,
+rocky point, with oceans rolling on either side,&mdash;the
+English Channel on the one, the mighty Atlantic
+on the other. He paid a last visit to it when he
+was an old, old man, eighty years or more. With
+furrowed cheeks, white hair streaming in the wind,
+and infirm limbs, he climbed over the steep rocks
+to get a long, last look at his favourite spot, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span>
+meeting of the waters. I believe hymn 59 was
+composed by Mr. Wesley as he stood on Land's End;
+this is one of the verses:</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"Lo! on a narrow neck of land,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">'Twixt two unbounded seas I stand,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Secure, insensible;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">A point of time, a moment's space,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Removes me to that heavenly place,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;">Or shuts me up in hell."</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>But we are getting on too fast, and must go back
+to the days when Mr. Wesley was <i>not</i> an old man.
+All his time was spent in preaching up and down
+the country, starting fresh societies, and encouraging
+old ones; and almost everywhere he and his helpers
+met with abuse and rough treatment.</p>
+
+<p>In Manchester, which was even then a large and
+important town, Mr. Wesley preached to several
+thousands of people in the open air. At this meeting,
+his hearers either got tired of listening or they took
+offence at what he said, for, before he had finished,
+they threatened to bring out the fire-engine and
+squirt water upon him if he did not stop.</p>
+
+<p>At Hull, on his first visit in 1752, lumps of earth
+and stones were thrown at him while he was preaching;
+and when the service was over, the mob followed
+him, shouting, hooting, and throwing stones until he
+reached his lodging.</p>
+
+<p>Though Mr. Wesley could be as brave as a lion
+when it was necessary, he could also be as gentle<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span>
+as a lamb. Once, when he was preaching at Dewsbury,
+a man rushed up to him in a terrible rage, and struck
+him with all his might on the side of his face. It was
+such a hard blow that poor Mr. Wesley could not
+keep the tears from coming into his eyes. Instead
+of striking the man back or using angry words, he
+just did what Christ said we should do, he turned
+his other cheek (Matt. v. 39). The enraged man
+was so surprised at such unexpected gentleness, that
+he turned away and hid his face with shame, and
+was ever after one of the Methodists' greatest friends.
+Once he even risked his life to save one of their
+chapels from being destroyed.</p>
+
+<p>Another time, when Mr. Wesley was at Falmouth
+in Cornwall, he called to see an invalid lady. The
+mob heard where he was, and surrounded the house,
+shrieking out: "Bring out the Canorum! Where is
+the Canorum?" This was a nickname which the
+Cornishmen had given the Methodists. With sticks
+and stones the mob tried to break open the front
+door of the poor sick lady's house; and while they
+were doing this, all the people in the house escaped
+by the backway, except Mr. Wesley and a servant
+girl. The girl did not like to leave Mr. Wesley alone
+in this great danger, and begged him to get away
+and hide himself. But John Wesley was not one
+of the "hiding" sort. Instead of that, as soon as
+they had succeeded in bursting the door open, he just
+walked straight among the mob, exclaiming: "Here<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span>
+I am! What have you got to say to me? To which
+of you have I done any wrong?"</p>
+
+<p>He made his way out into the street bare-headed,
+talking all the time; and before he had finished, the
+ringleader of the mob declared no one should touch
+him, he would be his protector. So he reached his
+lodgings in safety.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 106px;">
+<img src="images/i-154.png" width="106" height="108" alt="Child" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 529px;">
+<img src="images/i-104.png" width="529" height="179" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXI.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Back in London.&mdash;Mr. John and Mr. Charles go visiting.&mdash;Too much
+for one.&mdash;Talking matters over.&mdash;The first Methodist Conference.&mdash;No
+time to be in a hurry.&mdash;What early rising can do.&mdash;First tract
+distributors.&mdash;A big district.&mdash;Boarding schools 150 years ago.&mdash;Dreadful
+rules.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 97px;">
+<img src="images/cap-w.png" width="97" height="100" alt="W" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />E have been travelling all over England
+with Mr. Wesley, now I think we must
+go back to London with him. The
+society there was still the largest in the
+country: in the year I am writing about (1744),
+they had one thousand nine hundred and fifty
+members. Mr. Wesley very much wished to visit
+every one of these members, and asked his brother
+Charles to go with him. They started their visiting
+at six o'clock every morning, and did not leave off
+till six o'clock at night.</div>
+
+<p>Six o'clock a.m. seems a funny time to call and
+see any one, does it not? But you see people used
+to get up at four or five in the morning in those days,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span>
+and used to go to bed at eight, so it was not really
+such a funny time as it seems.</p>
+
+<p>Though Mr. John and Mr. Charles started so
+early and worked so late, it took them a long, long
+time to visit all those 1950 members, and when they
+had finished, Mr. Wesley realised for the first time
+how his work had grown. He saw it was impossible,
+even with his brother's help, to manage all the
+preachers and all the members scattered over the
+country, when even the work in London was more
+than he could undertake alone. He thought about
+this a great deal, and then he asked four clergymen
+and four of his helpers, or what we should call local
+preachers, to meet him and his brother at the Foundry,
+to talk things over and decide what ought to be
+done. These gentlemen accepted his invitation, and
+there, on that eventful Monday in June, 1744, the
+first Methodist Conference met; and from that
+time up to the present, no year has passed but
+Methodist preachers and helpers have gathered
+together to make plans and talk business.</p>
+
+<p>I am sure you must all have heard of the Wesleyan
+Methodist Conference, which is now held every July
+or August in some one or other of the large towns
+of England. This first conference was opened with
+solemn prayer and a sermon by Mr. Charles Wesley;
+then all the difficulties of the work were talked over,
+and arrangements made for the future. Mr. John
+Wesley presided, and for forty-six years after, at every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span>
+conference, their beloved leader and head took the
+chair at this annual gathering.</p>
+
+<p>You will think that what with travelling and
+preaching, and looking after his helpers, and visiting
+the members, Mr. Wesley could not find time for
+much else. But it is always the busiest people who
+have the most time. As I told you before, Mr.
+Wesley began his days very early, getting up at four
+o'clock; and by doing this every morning for sixty
+years, he managed not only to preach, and read, and
+visit, but also to write a great many books, and
+thousands of tracts&mdash;one of his books was called
+"Lessons for Children." Many of the tracts were
+about swearing and Sabbath-breaking, and printed on
+the outside were the words, "Not to be sold, but
+given away"; and he and his preachers used to
+carry them in their pockets and give them to the
+people they passed on the roads.</p>
+
+<p>Another reason why Mr. Wesley had more time
+than most people was, because he</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+NEVER WASTED A MINUTE,<br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>and though he did so much work, he was <i>never in
+a hurry</i>. He used to say, "I have no time to be in
+a hurry." Hurry you know does not always mean
+speed; when things are done in a hurry they are
+often only half done, and have to be done all over
+again.</div>
+
+<p>You remember how the miners at Kingswood<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span>
+collected money and built a school for their children.
+Well, about ten years afterwards, another school was
+built at Kingswood for the children of the travelling
+preachers. These preachers had not much time to
+look after their families themselves, being so much
+away from home, and they wanted their boys and
+girls to be taught to read their Bibles and to learn
+to love Jesus. They had some dreadfully strict rules
+at this boarding school, which my readers would not
+have liked at all, and which I am afraid the children
+there did not like either, for I have heard that some
+of the boys ran away. They had to go to bed every
+night at eight o'clock, and what was worse, get up every
+morning at four. Then every little boy and girl, unless
+they were poorly, had to fast every Friday, that is,
+they were not allowed to have anything to eat all
+day until three o'clock. But I had better not tell you
+any more of these dreadful rules, only you may be
+very thankful that you are living in these days, when
+you have much better times than the boys and girls
+who lived 150 years ago.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 89px;">
+<img src="images/i-158.png" width="89" height="91" alt="Child" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 542px;">
+<img src="images/i-016.png" width="542" height="184" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXII.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>A visit to Ireland.&mdash;The sack that did not contain potatoes.&mdash;The
+bogie man.&mdash;What the sack did contain.&mdash;The prayer-meeting in the
+barn.&mdash;Mr. Charles Wesley gets married.&mdash;And so does Mr. John.&mdash;Two
+niggers who became missionaries.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;">
+<img src="images/cap-i.png" width="100" height="100" alt="I" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />N 1749 Mr. Wesley paid a visit to Ireland,
+where already he had many followers.
+His brother Charles had visited there two
+years before, and was a great favourite,
+for the Irish people love music, and would always
+go to hear his hymns.</div>
+
+<p>In many places in Ireland the Methodists were
+treated quite as badly as they were in our own
+country; but the same angel of the Lord that protected
+them in England followed them across the Irish sea.</p>
+
+<p>There is a funny story told of how they were
+once saved from a band of rough men. The Roman
+Catholics persecuted them so much at Wexford that
+they were obliged to hold their meeting secretly in
+a barn. Once, one of their persecutors got to know<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span>
+the night they were having a meeting, and told his
+companions he would hide himself in the barn before
+the service began, and then when it commenced he
+would open the door to them. They thought this
+was a splendid idea. So the man went to the barn,
+and there found an old sack or bag, big enough for
+him to get into. Into this he crept, and by and by
+the people began to come, and the service commenced.
+First, they sang a hymn; and somehow the man in
+the bag enjoyed it so much, he quite forgot what
+he had come into the barn for.</p>
+
+<p>He listened until the hymn was finished, and then
+he listened to the prayer that followed, and after
+that he could not listen any more. He couldn't get
+out of the bag, and he couldn't do anything but
+groan and cry. God, through the hymn and the
+prayer, had touched his heart, and he felt himself
+to be the greatest sinner in Ireland.</p>
+
+<p>So he groaned and groaned, and at last some
+of the congregation heard him. They looked
+towards the place where the mysterious sound came
+from, but could see nothing except what looked
+like a sack of potatoes. Still the groaning went on,
+and some of the people got frightened, and were quite
+sure there was a bogie in the barn. At last one or
+two ventured to go nearer to the sack, then some
+one peeped in, and the poor trembling Irishman was
+discovered. He confessed to his purpose in hiding
+himself, told them God had stopped him in his evil<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span>
+plan, and begged them to pray for him. So the
+service was turned into a prayer-meeting, the man
+was converted, and became one of the best Methodists
+in Wexford.</p>
+
+<p>Some of my readers will be wondering if Mr. John
+or Mr. Charles Wesley were ever married, and if they
+had any boys and girls of their own. Just before Mr.
+Wesley went to Ireland in 1749, he married his
+brother Charles to the daughter of a Welsh gentleman,
+and Mr. Wesley, himself, was married two years
+later to a lady who was a widow. You will be sorry
+to hear that this lady was not at all nice; she treated
+her husband most unkindly, and made him very
+unhappy. Though Mr. Wesley was so fond of children,
+he never had any of his own. Mr. Charles had eight,
+but only three lived to grow up. His wife was a good,
+kind lady, and they were very happy. He did not
+travel about so much after he was married, but spent
+a great deal of his time writing his beautiful hymns.</p>
+
+<p>These two brothers always remained the best of
+friends. In one of his letters, Charles wrote to John:
+"I wish we could be oftener together; it might be
+better for us both. Let us be useful in our lives,
+and at our death not divided."</p>
+
+<p>Before I close this chapter I want to tell you of
+the first two black men who were converted through
+the preaching of a Methodist.</p>
+
+<p>Living at Wandsworth, a little place near London
+where Mr. Wesley had gone to preach, was a gentleman<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span>
+named Nathaniel Gilbert. He had come from
+the West Indies, where he employed a great many
+negroes. Two of these negroes he had brought over
+to England with him, and when Mr. Wesley paid
+a visit to Mr. Gilbert, and preached in his house,
+these two black men were converted. When they
+returned to the West Indies, they, along with Mr.
+Gilbert, preached the gospel of Jesus Christ to the
+dark people in those far-away islands.</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"Shall we, whose souls are lighted<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">With wisdom from on high,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Shall we to men benighted</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">The lamp of life deny?</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Salvation, oh, salvation,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">The joyful sound proclaim,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Till earth's remotest nation</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Has learnt Messiah's name."</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 111px;">
+<img src="images/i-042.png" width="111" height="108" alt="Book and Globe" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 558px;">
+<img src="images/i-028.png" width="558" height="216" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXIII.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Runaway horses.&mdash;Two frightened little girls.&mdash;A terrible moment.&mdash;Safe.&mdash;Psalm
+xci. 11, 12.&mdash;Mr. Wesley has a birthday.&mdash;A funny receipt
+for keeping young.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;">
+<img src="images/cap-o.png" width="100" height="100" alt="O" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />NE more story of how the angel that shut
+the lions' mouths for Daniel took care
+of God's dear servant, John Wesley. He
+was staying at Newcastle with a Methodist
+named Mr. Smith, who had married his step-daughter.
+One day a party of them drove to a village a few
+miles off. In the carriage there was Mr. Wesley and
+a friend, Mr. and Mrs. Smith and their two little girls.
+When they had driven about two miles and were
+just at the top of a hill, suddenly the horses took
+fright, and dashed down the steep road. The poor
+coachman was thrown off the box, and the horses
+tore away at full speed, sometimes swerving to the
+edge of a ditch on one side of the road, then back
+again to a ditch on the other, but never once going
+over. When a cart came along, instead of running<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span>
+into it, the carriage passed as if the driver had been
+on the box.</div>
+
+<p>At the bottom of the hill was a narrow bridge,
+which it seemed impossible the panting horses could
+cross safely. But exactly down the middle they
+went, swerving neither to the right or left. Then up
+the hill on the other side they dashed, passing many
+people on the road, but every one afraid to stop their
+mad career. Near the top of this hill was a gate,
+which led into a farmer's yard. The gate stood open,
+and turning sharp, the horses ran through without
+even touching gate or post. The gate on the other
+side of the yard was shut, and the terrified people
+in the carriage thought the horses would now be
+checked. Instead of that, they rushed through, breaking
+it up as if it had only been a spider's web, and
+galloped on through the corn-field.</p>
+
+<p>The two little girls had been almost too frightened
+to speak, now they clung to Mr. Wesley, crying out:
+"Oh grandpapa, save us! save us!" Mr. Wesley, who
+says he felt no more afraid than if he had been sitting
+in his study, just calmly said to them: "Nothing will
+hurt you, dears; don't be afraid." The horses galloped
+madly on, till they came to the edge of a steep
+precipice. Would they go over? What would they
+do? Oh, what a terrible moment of suspense.</p>
+
+<p>A gentleman on horseback seeing their danger, just
+galloped across the track of the frightened animals.
+This acted like magic; they stood still at once, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span>
+every one was safe. A few minutes more and they
+would have been dashed to pieces. When they turned
+back into the road they found the coachman coming
+to meet them, and no worse for his fall.</p>
+
+<p>Did not God keep His promise to the man who
+had "set his love upon Him"? "<i>He shall give His
+angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways:
+they shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash
+thy foot against a stone.</i>"&mdash;Psalm xci. 11, 12.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Wesley was an old man when this happened,
+just seventy-two; it was in June, and his birthday
+was on the 17th. But he was so strong and well,
+not at all like an old man. Listen to what he says
+of himself: "This is my birthday, the first day of
+my seventy-second year, and I am wondering how
+it is that I am just as strong as I was thirty years
+ago. Indeed, I am better than I was then; I can
+see better, and my nerves are firmer. The grand
+cause is 'the good pleasure of God.' But three special
+things have helped to keep me young:</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><div class='hang1'><i>First</i>&mdash;Getting up at 4 o'clock every morning for
+fifty years.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><i>Second</i>&mdash;Preaching every morning at five o'clock.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><i>Third</i>&mdash;Travelling by sea or land 4,500 miles in
+every year."</div></div>
+
+<p>These are funny things to keep any one young,
+are they not? I am afraid if to follow these rules
+is the only way to keep young, most of my readers
+will be content to grow old.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 540px;">
+<img src="images/i-053.png" width="540" height="167" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXIV.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Little Mary and what she did with her money.&mdash;Caught on the
+stairs.&mdash;Cheered by the children.&mdash;Boys and girls converted.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;">
+<img src="images/cap-i.png" width="100" height="100" alt="I" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br /> &nbsp; N the year 1770 the Methodists had grown
+so numerous that they counted forty-nine
+different circuits or societies in
+England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
+They had one hundred and twenty-two travelling
+preachers, and twice as many local preachers, who
+did not travel, and at the covenant service which
+Mr. Wesley held at the beginning of this year in
+London, there were eighteen hundred members
+present.</div>
+
+<p>Mr. Wesley, like our ministers nowadays, was
+often wanting money for different purposes, and,
+like our ministers too, he was always glad of the
+children's help. Once, when the Foundry wanted
+repairing, he specially asked for help at an evening
+service. A little girl named Mary heard him, and
+thought how much she would like to do something.
+And this is how she managed it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mr. Wesley loved children, and used to keep a
+number of bright new coins in his pocket to give to
+the little folks he met at his friends' houses. Mary
+had always been a great favourite with Mr. Wesley,
+and a proud little girl she was when he took her on
+his knee and gave her a silver penny. He had often
+done this, and she had treasured up his gifts in
+a little box. Other friends, too, had sometimes given
+her money, which, instead of spending she had
+saved up.</p>
+
+<p>Well, when she got home after that evening service,
+she counted up her money, and found she had &pound;3.
+So she went to her mother and asked if she might
+give it all to Mr. Wesley. Her mother was quite
+willing; so the next morning little Mary carried her
+savings to Mr. Wesley's room. Tears came into his
+eyes as he thanked his little favourite. Taking her
+in his arms, he kissed her very tenderly, and prayed
+that God's blessing might always rest upon her. And
+it did, for Mary grew up to be an earnest, happy
+Christian.</p>
+
+<p>Here is another story that shows how much Mr.
+Wesley loved the young folks. He was once staying
+in a house in Bristol where a little boy and girl were
+visiting. The little girl had long, beautiful hair hanging
+in curls down her back. She and her brother were
+running hand in hand down the stairs one day, when
+Mr. Wesley ran down after them and caught them
+on the landing. He jumped the little girl in his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span>
+arms and kissed her; then putting his hand on the
+boy's head, he blessed him. Little Robert did not
+think much about this at the time, I dare say, but
+when he grew up, he felt all his life that the blessing
+of a good man rested upon him, and his eyes glistened
+with tears when he told the story. That little boy
+was the poet Southey, of whom you will read when
+you are older.</p>
+
+<p>When Mr. Wesley wanted recreation or a kind of
+holiday, he used to go off to Kingswood. A few
+days among the young folks there always cheered
+him, and did him good. He loved to hear their
+lessons and praise their work, and arranged easy
+grammars and history books for them.</p>
+
+<p>A great many people used to think then, as a few
+do now, that children could not be converted, and
+that they ought not to be members of society. Mr.
+Wesley never thought so. At Weardale he allowed
+thirty children to become members. At another place
+quite a number of boys and girls came to him after
+the preaching, wanting him to show them how they
+could belong to Jesus. Mr. Wesley had both then
+and always the words of Jesus Himself, before him,
+"Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid
+them not;" and so he knelt down with those boys
+and girls and led them to the Good Shepherd, who
+had laid down His life for them.</p>
+
+<p>The children of Judea loved Jesus, and were glad
+to be with Him; and Mr. Wesley was so like Jesus,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span>
+so loving and so kind, that the children of England
+could not help loving him, and were glad to be with
+him. A whole crowd once waited in the street a long
+time for him, and when at last he came, they all
+followed him like so many little lambs after their
+shepherd, as many as could clinging to him. They
+went to the meeting-house with him, and after the
+service was over would not leave until they had all
+shaken hands with him.</p>
+
+<p>"In Cornwall, Manchester, and Epworth," Mr.
+Wesley says, "numbers of children were converted."</p>
+
+<p>These verses apply to all my readers:</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"God wants the boys, the merry, merry boys,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The noisy boys, the funny boys,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;">The thoughtless boys.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">God wants the boys with all their joys,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">That He, as gold, may make them pure,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And teach them trials to endure;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">His heroes brave He'd have them be,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Fighting for truth and purity,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;">God wants the boys.</span><br />
+<br />
+"God wants the girls, the happy-hearted girls,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The loving girls, the best of girls,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;">The worst of girls.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">God wants to make the girls His pearls,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And so reflect His holy face,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And bring to mind His wondrous grace,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">That beautiful the world may be,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And filled with love and purity.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;">God wants the girls."</span><br />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 563px;">
+<img src="images/i-083.png" width="563" height="201" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXV.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>How Mr. Wesley settled a school-boys' quarrel.&mdash;Dr. Watts and
+little birds.&mdash;Mr. Wesley, loved and honoured.&mdash;A holiday for the
+children.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;">
+<img src="images/cap-h.png" width="100" height="100" alt="H" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />ERE is a story of how Mr. Wesley settled
+a dispute between two quarrelsome school-boys.
+When he was an old man, seventy-three,
+he was staying with one of his local
+preachers, a Mr. Bush, who had a boarding-school.
+One day Mrs. Bush brought to him two boys who
+had been fighting.</div>
+
+<p>"Boys! boys!" said Mr. Wesley:</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"'Birds in their little nests agree,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And 'tis a shameful sight,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When children of one family</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Fall out, and chide, and fight!'</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>You must make it up. Come now, shake hands with
+each other."</div>
+
+<p>Mr. Wesley, with his long white hair and beautiful<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span>
+face, looked and spoke so lovingly, that the boys
+did at once what he asked them.</p>
+
+<p>"Now," he said, "put your arms round each other's
+necks, and kiss each other."</p>
+
+<p>And the little boys did this too. He was just
+having his tea when Mrs. Bush brought in the culprits,
+and now taking two pieces of bread and butter, he
+folded them together and told each boy to break
+a piece off. Then he gave each of them a drink of
+tea out of his own cup.</p>
+
+<p>"Now," he added, "you have broken bread
+together, and you have drunk out of the same cup,
+now you must be friends." Then he put his hands
+on the boys' heads and blessed them. The next
+morning at family prayer he sought out the boys
+and blessed them again.</p>
+
+<p>The two lads never forgot this meeting with Mr.
+Wesley. One of them became a magistrate, and
+when he had children of his own he used to tell them
+this story of his school-days.</p>
+
+<p>I remember that little verse of Dr. Watts' being
+recited to my brothers and me when we were in the
+nursery, and as I wrote it down I wondered if the
+same thoughts came into the heads of those school-boys
+that came into mine. My dear mother used
+to look very serious when she said it, and it sounded
+very solemn. But I had often seen little birds quarrelling,
+and I knew that hymn did not tell the truth,
+and so I felt little birds were hardly a proper example<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span>
+to follow. Now, though Dr. Watts was not quite
+correct, still little birds do agree very much better
+than many children; and if they sometimes quarrel,
+remember they are only guided by instinct, while you
+have sense, and know the difference between right
+and wrong.</p>
+
+<p>You will all be glad to know that before Mr.
+Wesley died, all the ill-will and hatred of the people
+had changed to love and reverence. The very towns
+where he had been treated most unkindly were now
+the ones to give him the heartiest welcome. Instead
+of mobs waiting to abuse him, crowds gathered to
+do him honour. In many places the children had
+a holiday from school, the tradespeople closed their
+shops, and everybody tried who could best show
+their love and respect for the man whom before they
+had treated so unkindly.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 93px;">
+<img src="images/i-172.png" width="93" height="94" alt="Cherub" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 529px;">
+<img src="images/i-104.png" width="529" height="179" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXVI.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>More peeps into the Magic Mirror.&mdash;A special picture for Sheffield
+readers.&mdash;Another for young folks in Oldham.&mdash;Little Daniel on the
+pulpit stairs.&mdash;Special for Hull.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;">
+<img src="images/cap-i.png" width="100" height="100" alt="I" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br /> &nbsp; THINK we must have some more peeps
+into that Magic Mirror? Will my little
+Sheffield readers take a good look? What
+do we see? A street in a big town, and
+oh! such crowds and crowds of people on both sides
+of the road. The windows of the houses, too, are
+all crowded with people. What can it all mean? See!
+there are two men coming along, everybody is turning
+to look at them, and we can hear more than one
+voice saying: "God bless him! God bless him!"
+Several of the women are wiping their eyes with the
+corner of their aprons; there are tears in many eyes.
+Look at the two men as they come nearer. One is
+a middle-aged man; the other, who is leaning on
+his arm, wears a black gown and white bands. He
+is an old man, but how beautiful he looks. He has<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span>
+a splendid face, a clear skin and rosy cheeks. His
+eyes are quick and keen, and he has long, shiny hair,
+white and bright like silver.</div>
+
+<p>See now how the children are crowding round him!
+He is smiling down upon them and putting his hands
+upon their heads as he passes. Now he is stretching
+his hands out towards heaven, and blessing all the
+people, many of whom are weeping aloud. He has
+passed down the street, and the picture has gone.
+Sheffield readers, that was how your town welcomed
+and honoured dear John Wesley a short time before
+his death.</p>
+
+<p>Now peep again into the Magic Mirror. And this
+time I would like my Oldham readers to step to
+the front. See, there is a little boy about six years
+old playing at the door of a house. An old clergyman
+is passing, and stops to speak to the child.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is your father, Daniel?" he says.</p>
+
+<p>"Gone to chapel."</p>
+
+<p>"And your mother?"</p>
+
+<p>"She's gone too," answers Daniel.</p>
+
+<p>"And you shall go too, my boy. You must not
+miss seeing this great man, John Wesley," says the
+clergyman, as he takes the child's hand and fades
+away from our picture.</p>
+
+<p>But see, there is another coming! It is the inside
+of a chapel, and people are everywhere; in the galleries,
+in the aisles, in the communion rails, everywhere.
+On the pulpit-stairs some one has found room<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span>
+for a little child. Why, it is Daniel, and there is
+the kind clergyman standing near. See, the preacher
+has finished, and is coming down from the pulpit,
+he is lifting up the little child and is kissing him.
+Now, he has passed into the vestry, and the picture
+has gone. That, my young Oldham readers, was
+the opening of Manchester St. Chapel on Good
+Friday, 1790, when Mr. Wesley was nearly ninety
+years old.</p>
+
+<p>At Hull, Birmingham, Wednesbury, Chester, Manchester,
+Liverpool, all places where the Methodists
+had been most cruelly treated, Mr. Wesley and his
+followers were now most kindly welcomed. You
+remember how Mr. Wesley and his brother had been
+shut out of the churches, very few clergymen allowing
+them to preach in their pulpits. This, too, was all
+changed.</p>
+
+<p>Those of you who live in Hull will like to know
+that John Wesley, when he was eighty-three, was
+invited by the vicar to preach in your beautiful High
+Church. If any of you have not been inside&mdash;but
+surely all my Hull readers have&mdash;pay it a visit, and
+just fancy you see that bright-eyed, silver-haired old
+man, with a voice that had lost little of the strength
+of youth, preaching to the crowds that thronged the
+hallowed place. If those old grey walls could speak,
+we might know John Wesley's very words. He
+preached again at night, and though so old, was
+unwearied with his work. He went on to Beverley<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span>
+that same evening, and the next day travelled seventy-six
+miles, preached at Malton, Pocklington, and
+Swinefleet, and went to bed without feeling the least
+bit tired. Wonderful John Wesley! God-blest John
+Wesley!</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 147px;">
+<img src="images/i-176.png" width="147" height="145" alt="Bird" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 540px;">
+<img src="images/i-053.png" width="540" height="167" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXVII.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Beverley friends.&mdash;Copy of a letter John Wesley wrote to them.&mdash;Mr.
+Wesley's last visit to Beverley.&mdash;What took place in the red-roofed
+inn.&mdash;A race.&mdash;A lost ten minutes.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 101px;">
+<img src="images/cap-y.png" width="101" height="100" alt="Y" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />OU, who live in Beverley, will be glad to
+hear that Mr. Wesley did not pass by
+your dear little town. Indeed, there is
+a house in Norwood where he most probably
+stayed, and certainly visited; the home of Mr.
+and Mrs. Barton. You shall see an exact copy of
+a letter he wrote to these friends. It has never been
+printed before, so you are the first of the public to
+see it. It is addressed thus:</div>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"<span class="smcap">Mrs. Jane Barton,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 4em;">"In Norwood, Beverley,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;">"Yorkshire.</span>"</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>And this is the letter:</div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<a href="images/letter-big.jpg"><img src="images/letter.jpg" width="600" height="716" alt="Letter" title="" /></a>
+</div>
+<div class='tnote'>Transcriber's Note: Clicking on this image will show the reader a
+larger image.</div>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>You must not make a mistake and think that Mr.
+Wesley was Mrs. Jenny Barton's brother really;
+but it was the custom among the Methodists for
+the members of society to address each other as
+"Brother So-and-So" and "Sister So-and-So," meaning
+that they were brothers and sisters in having
+the same heavenly Father, and loving the same
+Saviour.</p>
+
+<p>John Wesley preached in a meeting-house in Wood
+Lane, which you can still see, though it is now turned
+into cottages; and we may be quite sure that the
+boys and girls who lived in Beverley then, heard his
+loving words, and received his blessing. He once
+spent two days of his birthday month in your quaint
+old town. The June sun stole through the stained
+windows of the beautiful Minster, and looked into
+the jackdaws' nests on St. Mary's Tower.</p>
+
+<p>There is a funny story told of this last visit, which
+he paid only a few months before his death. He was
+going to preach in Hull again, and forty friends from
+that town had come over to see him. They were all
+to have dinner together in the red-roofed inn where
+he was staying, and then drive back with him to
+Hull. Everybody was very merry, and they laughed
+and talked so much that they quite forgot all about
+the time. Suddenly, Mr. Wesley looked at his watch,
+then jumped up from the dinner table, shouted good-bye
+to his friends, stepped into his carriage, which
+had been waiting some time for him at the door,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span>
+and was off before his astonished friends could say
+a word. Their horses and carriages were got ready
+with all speed, but it was only by driving very fast
+that they managed to overtake Mr. Wesley before
+he rode into Hull.</p>
+
+<p>Punctuality was one of Mr. Wesley's strongest
+points. He could never bear to be a minute behind
+time. Once, when his carriage did not come punctually,
+he was heard to say: "I have lost ten minutes
+for ever."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 102px;">
+<img src="images/i-181.png" width="102" height="100" alt="Cherub and Harp" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 534px;">
+<img src="images/i-182.png" width="534" height="170" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXVIII.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Going to sleep.&mdash;How John Wesley missed his brother.&mdash;A good
+man's tears.&mdash;Getting old.&mdash;Mr. Wesley's text for the children.&mdash;Last
+words in Manchester.&mdash;In Colchester.&mdash;A dinner-hour meeting.&mdash;The
+old ash tree.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 98px;">
+<img src="images/cap-n.png" width="98" height="100" alt="N" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />OW I must come to what seems to the
+young a very sad time. When we are
+strong and healthy, and can enjoy all
+the things God has given us to enjoy
+in this beautiful world, death does seem very sad
+and sorrowful. But think, dear young readers,
+how you feel when you have been playing hard all
+day, or working at school, and perhaps gone to a
+party in the evening and have not got to bed until
+10 o'clock. Is it not very nice and very comforting
+to lay your head on your soft pillow and go to sleep?
+Now this is just how God's people feel when they
+are tired of life's work, they just close their eyes and
+fall asleep, "asleep in Jesus." This is how Mr. Charles
+Wesley passed away when he was eighty years old.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span>
+Though four years younger than Mr. John, he seemed
+the older man, for he had been weak and infirm for
+a long time. The two brothers had loved each other
+dearly, and Mr. Wesley felt very lonely when
+"Charlie" died.</div>
+
+<p>Three weeks afterwards, Mr. Wesley, preaching at
+Bolton, gave out for his second hymn No. 140, a hymn
+composed by Mr. Charles. He tried to read the
+first verse, but when he came to the words</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"My company before is gone,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And I am left alone with Thee,"</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unident'>he could get no further, but just burst into tears,
+and sat down in the pulpit, burying his face in his
+hands. The singing ceased, and numbers of the congregation
+wept in sympathy at sight of their dear
+leader's sorrow. At last Mr. Wesley recovered himself,
+and went on with the service, which was never forgotten
+by any of those who were present.</div>
+
+<p>Very soon after this, Mr. Wesley began to feel weak
+and feeble. Again his birthday month came round,
+the sunny month of June, and on the 17th he wrote:
+"I am eighty-six to-day, and I find I grow old. My
+eyes are so dim that no spectacles will help me, and
+I cannot read small print except in a very strong
+light. My strength fails me so that I walk much
+slower than I used to do." He was now, for the
+first time for forty years, obliged to give up his
+five o'clock morning sermons, and was only able to
+preach twice a day. As the months went by, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span>
+grew weaker and more infirm. Once, as the old man
+tottered up the pulpit stairs, the whole congregation
+burst into tears.</p>
+
+<p>On Valentine's Day, in 1790, he preached one of
+his last sermons to his <i>little</i> followers. He chose for
+his text: "Come, ye children, hearken unto Me: I will
+teach you the fear of the Lord." The boys and girls
+flocked from everywhere to hear him, and many who
+had never loved Jesus before, heard Him speaking to
+them through His dear servant; and answering the
+loving call, came, and from that day became Christ's
+faithful little soldiers.</p>
+
+<p>In the same year, when he was eighty-seven years
+old, he spent a week-end in Manchester, and spoke
+his last words to his followers there. He preached
+in the old chapel in Oldham Street on the Saturday
+night, and the next day, which was Easter Sunday
+(April 4th), he assisted in giving the Sacrament to
+sixteen hundred members, and preached both night
+and morning without feeling tired.</p>
+
+<p>A few months later he preached at Colchester; but
+he was so infirm that a minister had to stand on each
+side of him, and hold him up. His voice was feeble
+and low, and many of the congregation could not
+hear him; but his calm, beautiful face, and long
+white hair formed a picture that the children and
+grown-up people in Colchester never forgot.</p>
+
+<p>It was in this same year, 1790, that he preached
+for the last time in the open air. It was in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span>
+Winchelsea, and the time was October, the month
+when nuts and apples are asking to be gathered, and
+when the leaves put on their loveliest dress.</p>
+
+<p>As Mr. Wesley felt his time on earth was drawing
+to a close, he was all the more eager to "tell to all
+around, what a dear Saviour he had found," and how
+they might find Him too. So he preached at twelve
+o'clock noon, the dinner hour of the workmen, in
+order that they too might have a chance of hearing
+the good news. A large oak dining-table was brought
+into the churchyard, and there, under the shade of an
+old ash tree, John Wesley gave his last message to
+those working men. "<i>The kingdom of Heaven is at
+hand; repent ye, and believe the Gospel</i>," was his text,
+and as he preached, the tears of the people flowed
+down their cheeks.</p>
+
+<p>Long, long afterwards the old ash tree was known
+as "Wesley's Tree," and the vicar of Winchelsea had
+hard work to keep it from being cut to pieces; for
+Methodists use to come from all parts to cut a twig
+in remembrance of that last scene in the life of the
+venerable field-preacher.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 103px;">
+<img src="images/i-185.png" width="103" height="104" alt="Harp" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p>
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 563px;">
+<img src="images/i-021.png" width="563" height="189" alt="Decoration" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h2>CHAPTER XXXIX.</h2>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>About his "Father's business."&mdash;Last advice.&mdash;Singing and dying.&mdash;"The
+best of all is, God is with us."&mdash;John Wesley passes through the
+Golden Gates.</p></div>
+
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 100px;">
+<img src="images/cap-m.png" width="100" height="100" alt="M" title="" />
+</div><div class='unindent'><br />OST people think it is time to stop working
+long before they are eighty, but John
+Wesley at eighty-seven still went about
+his "Father's business." His constant
+prayer was, "Lord, let me not live to be useless."
+Every meeting he knew might be his last, and
+when he visited the different societies, he used
+to ask the members to take as his last advice: "To
+love as brothers, to fear God, and to honour the
+King." He closed nearly all these meetings with
+his brother's hymn:</div>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"O that without a lingering groan,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">I may the welcome Word receive;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">My body with my charge lay down,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">And cease at once to work and live."</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>John Wesley's last sermon was preached in a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span>
+gentleman's dining-room, at Leatherhead, a small
+place about eighteen miles from London. It was
+on February 23rd, 1791, and his text was, "<i>Seek ye
+the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while
+He is near.</i>"&mdash;Isa. lv. 6. This was on a Wednesday,
+and the day but one after, Friday, he felt very poorly,
+and said he would like to lie down. At the end of
+half an hour, some one went to his bedroom, and
+found him so ill that they sent for the doctor. On
+Sunday he seemed better, and got up. He was so
+cheerful and happy; and while sitting in his chair
+in his bedroom, he repeated a verse from one of his
+brother's hymns:</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"Till glad I lay this body down,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Thy servant, Lord, attend;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And oh! my life of mercy crown</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">With a triumphant end!"</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='unindent'>On Monday night he couldn't sleep, and the next
+day, some one asked him if he had any pain.</div>
+
+<p>"No," he answered. And then he began singing:</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"All glory to God in the sky,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">And peace upon earth be restored;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">O, Jesus exalted on high,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Appear our omnipotent Lord.</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Who meanly in Bethlehem born,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Didst stoop to redeem a lost race;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Once more to Thy people return,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">And reign in Thy kingdom of grace."</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>When he had sung two verses, he lay still. After
+awhile he said, "I want to write."</p>
+
+<p>So they brought him ink and paper, and put the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span>
+pen in his hand; but John Wesley's writing days
+were over.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"Let me write for you," said one of his friends,
+"tell me what you want to say."</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing," replied the dying Christian, "but that
+God is with us."</p>
+
+<p>In the morning he wanted to get up, and while
+his friends were bringing him his clothes, he started
+to sing:</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"I'll praise my Maker while I've breath,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And, when my voice is lost in death,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Praise shall employ my nobler powers;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">My days of praise shall ne'er be past,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">While life, and thought, and being last,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Or immortality endures.</span><br />
+<br />
+"Happy the man, whose hopes rely<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">On Israel's God: He made the sky,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">And earth and sea, with all their train;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">His truth for ever stands secure;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">He saves the opprest, He feeds the poor,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">And none shall find His promise vain."</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 14.5em;"><i>Hymn 224.</i></span><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>When he was dressed and seated in his chair, he
+prayed in a very weak voice: "Lord, Thou givest
+strength to those who can speak, and to those who
+cannot; speak, Lord, to all our hearts."</p>
+
+<p>Then he tried to sing again, but his voice failed
+him.</p>
+
+<p>He was soon tired of sitting up, and went back to
+bed. He could not talk very much; but twice he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span>
+lifted his hand in triumph, and said so gladly: "The
+best of all is, God is with us."</p>
+
+<p>A great many friends were standing round his
+bed; he took each one by the hand, and lovingly
+bade them farewell.</p>
+
+<p>All through Tuesday night, he kept trying to
+repeat the hymn he had sung, but could only say:
+"I'll praise, I'll praise."</p>
+
+<p>Next morning, about ten o'clock, the Rev. Joseph
+Bradford, who had been his faithful companion and
+nurse, knelt down at the bedside and prayed. Eleven
+of Mr. Wesley's friends were in the room; they
+wanted to go with their dear leader, right up to
+the gates that divide our life here from our life
+yonder.</p>
+
+<p>"Farewell," said the dying patriarch. And then,
+as some one repeated, "Lift up your heads, O ye
+gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and
+this Heir of glory shall come in," the Golden Gates
+opened, and the soul of John Wesley passed through.</p>
+
+<p>Those who were left outside the gates, still stood
+round the bed and sang to the departing spirit:</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"Waiting to receive thy spirit,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Lo, the Saviour stands above;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Shows the purchase of His merit,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Reaches out the crown of love."</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<p>So died happy John Wesley. Happy in life,
+happy in death. And the secret of his happiness
+was the secret he proclaimed to thousands of boys<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span>
+and girls, as well as men and women, all over this
+England of ours.</p>
+
+<div class='poem'>
+"O boys, be strong in Jesus;<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Let those around you see</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">How manly, pure, and generous,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">A Christian boy can be.</span><br />
+<br />
+"O maidens, live for Jesus,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Like Him, be kind and true;</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And let the love from God above</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Rule all you say and do.</span><br />
+<br />
+"Then all the boys and maidens,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">When life and work are o'er,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Will hear from One, the words 'Well done,'</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">And rest for evermore."</span><br />
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>If ever you go to London, you must visit City
+Road Chapel, for there John Wesley was interred, on
+the 9th of March, 1791, aged nearly eighty-eight
+years.</p>
+
+<p>A great deal was put on his tombstone which you
+could not understand, but it tells how this servant of
+God laboured to bring men and women to know
+Jesus Christ, and how the lives and hearts of many
+thousands were changed by his preaching.</p>
+
+<p>In Westminster Abbey, too, you will see a marble
+tablet erected to his memory, and that of his brother
+Charles. Though churches shut their doors to him
+in life, his memory is now so lovingly respected, that
+the finest Cathedral in England has sought to do
+him honour.</p>
+
+<p>In one of the topmost rooms in the tower at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span>
+Kingswood School, John Wesley's bedstead has
+recently been discovered. Merely a collection of
+poles and a piece of old sacking, it lay there many
+a long year, only seen by the man who went up the
+tower to wind the clock. Now it is put together, and
+set in a place of honour; and any of us may see
+the bed on which John Wesley slept, when he visited
+the boys and girls at Kingswood.</p>
+
+<p>Here, too, we may see his chairs and books, and
+a gown, now torn, which he used to wear. The
+Governor of New Kingswood still sits in the high-backed
+oak chair in which John Wesley sat; and
+grafted on several of the trees in the orchard, are
+shoots from the very pear tree which was planted in
+the garden of Old Kingswood by the Founder of
+Methodism.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 139px;">
+<img src="images/i-191.png" width="139" height="140" alt="Bird" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<div class='center'><br /><br />
+<small>FLETCHER AND SON, PRINTERS, NORWICH.</small><br /></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1_ad" id="Page_1_ad">[1]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;">
+<img src="images/ad-1.png" width="400" height="538" alt="" title="" />
+</div>
+
+
+<h3>ROBERT CULLEY,<br />
+2 &amp; 3 Ludgate Circus Buildings, Farringdon Street,<br />
+LONDON, E.C.</h3>
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2_ad" id="Page_2_ad">[2]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<h2>5/-</h2>
+
+<div class="hang1"><b>Sunday School Record, Annual Volume.</b> Published Weekly, 1/2d.
+Expounds International Lessons.</div>
+
+
+<h2>4/-</h2>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>By Doctor's Orders.</b> By <span class="smcap">A. F. Perram</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Churchwarden's Daughter:</b> A present-day Methodist Story. By <span class="smcap">J. W. Keyworth</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Nathan Plaintalk.</b> By <span class="smcap">J. W. Keyworth</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>The Golden Shoemaker: or, Cobbler Horn.</b> By <span class="smcap">J. W. Keyworth</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Willie's Secret.</b> By <span class="smcap">J. W. Keyworth</span>.</div>
+
+
+<h2>3/6</h2>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Among the Roses:</b> and other Sermons to Children. By <span class="smcap">Rev. Samuel Gregory</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>By Doctor's Orders:</b> A Temperance Story. By <span class="smcap">A. F. Perram</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Churchwarden's Daughter:</b> A present-day Methodist Story. By <span class="smcap">J. W. Keyworth</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Dr. Blandford's Conscience.</b> By <span class="smcap">Sarson C. J. Ingham</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Mother Freeman.</b> By <span class="smcap">J. W. Keyworth</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Nathan Plaintalk.</b> By <span class="smcap">J. W. Keyworth</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>The Golden Shoemaker: or, Cobbler Horn.</b> By <span class="smcap">J. W. Keyworth</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Two Saxon Maidens.</b> By <span class="smcap">Eliza Kerr</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Wild Lottie and Wee Winnie:</b> or, Led by a Little Child. By <span class="smcap">Ashton Neill</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+
+<h2>3/-</h2>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>From under the Shadow.</b> By <span class="smcap">Annie Broughton Foskett</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Melissa's Victory.</b> By <span class="smcap">Ashton Neill</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Mother Freeman.</b> By <span class="smcap">J. W. Keyworth</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Two Saxon Maidens.</b> By <span class="smcap">Eliza Kerr</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Sunday School Magazine, Annual Volume.</b></div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>The Morrison Family:</b> or, The Way of Duty is the Way of Safety. By <span class="smcap">Emily Spratling</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Wild Lottie and Wee Winnie:</b> or, Led by a Little Child. By <span class="smcap">Ashton Neill</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Willie's Secret.</b> By <span class="smcap">J. W. Keyworth.</span></div>
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3_ad" id="Page_3_ad">[3]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<h2>2/6</h2>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>A Methodist Doctor of Ye Olden Time:</b> a True Story for Boys. By
+<span class="smcap">Arthur Lincoln</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Bernard's Holiday in London, Paris, and Rome.</b> By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>. Gilt Edges. Many Illustrations.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Daddy's Darlings.</b> By <span class="smcap">Edith Greeves</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Duchess Renee:</b> or, An Episode in the History of the Reformation. By
+<span class="smcap">Sarson C. J. Ingham</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Fighting against Fate:</b> or, Brent Brompton's Delusions. By <span class="smcap">Helen
+Briston</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>From under the Shadow.</b> By <span class="smcap">Annie Broughton Foskett</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>General Betty, Maid-of-all-Work.</b> By <span class="smcap">Edith Greeves</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Love the Conqueror.</b> By <span class="smcap">Jeanie Ferry</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Loyalty Rewarded.</b> By <span class="smcap">Jeanie Ferry</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Maggie's Life Work:</b> a Temperance Story. By <span class="smcap">Jeanie Ferry</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Melissa's Victory.</b> By <span class="smcap">Ashton Neill</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>The Morrison Family:</b> or, the Way of Duty is the Way of Safety. By
+<span class="smcap">Emily Spratling</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Touching the Kettle:</b> with Other Stories and Parables. By <span class="smcap">John
+Telford, B.A.</span> Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Words of the Wise:</b> Daily Reading. By <span class="smcap">Dr. T. Bowman Stephenson</span>.</div>
+
+
+<h2>2-</h2>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>A Methodist Doctor of Ye Olden Time:</b> a True Story for Boys. By
+<span class="smcap">Arthur Lincoln</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>A Noble Revenge:</b> or, Thomas Gladwin's Example. By <span class="smcap">J. W.
+Keyworth</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Arrows for Temperance Bows</b> (Dialogues). By <span class="smcap">Oliver Pacis</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>A Victory and its Cost:</b> a Tale of the War of 1812. By <span class="smcap">W. H.
+Withrow, M.A.</span></div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>A Woman's Dilemma.</b> By <span class="smcap">Edith Cornforth</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Banners and Battlefields.</b> By <span class="smcap">Edith Cornforth</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Bernard's Holiday in London, Paris, and Rome.</b> By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.
+Many Illustrations.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Bertha Wynchester.</b> By <span class="smcap">Edith Cornforth</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Bessie's Ministry.</b> By <span class="smcap">Alice J. Briggs</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Beyond the Boundary.</b> By <span class="smcap">Jennie Perrett</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Bird Minstrels:</b> Their Ways and Wanderings. By <span class="smcap">R. Corlett Cowell</span>.
+Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Conquering:</b> or, Bernard's Burden. A Temperance Story. By <span class="smcap">Jeanie
+Ferry</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Daddy's Darlings.</b> By <span class="smcap">Edith Greeves</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>"Doe no Yll":</b> or, The Brandon Family Motto. By <span class="smcap">Annie M. Young</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Fairy:</b> a Little Cornish Maid. By <span class="smcap">Alice J. Briggs</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Fettered or Free.</b> By <span class="smcap">Jeanie Ferry</span>. Gilt Edges.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4_ad" id="Page_4_ad">[4]</a></span></div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Fifine's Charge:</b> or, The Little Mother. By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Fighting against Fate:</b> or, Brent Brompton's Delusion. By <span class="smcap">Helen
+Briston</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>For John's Sake.</b> By <span class="smcap">Annie F. Perram</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>General Betty, Maid-of-all-Work.</b> By <span class="smcap">Edith Greeves</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Gold and Glitter:</b> a Temperance Tale. By <span class="smcap">Jeanie Ferry</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Hagar's Reparation.</b> By <span class="smcap">Edith Cornforth</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Hazel Haldene.</b> By <span class="smcap">Eliza Kerr</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Her Heart's Desire.</b> By <span class="smcap">Jeanie Ferry</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>How Mrs. Hewitt's House was turned out of Window.</b> By <span class="smcap">Caroline
+Rigg</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>In Pawn:</b> a Story of a Pledge. By <span class="smcap">Annie M. Young</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Ivy Chimneys.</b> By <span class="smcap">Edith Cornforth</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Jackalent:</b> An Epic of the Streets. By <span class="smcap">Annie M. Young</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Kavanagh Major.</b> By <span class="smcap">Isabel S. Robson</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Kilkee.</b> By <span class="smcap">Eliza Kerr</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Leighton Family.</b> By <span class="smcap">Edith E. Rhodes</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Leonard's Temptation:</b> a Story of Gambling. By <span class="smcap">Bessie Marchant</span>.
+Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Life in Malin's Lea.</b> By <span class="smcap">Isabel S. Robson</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Lottie, Servant and Heroine.</b> By <span class="smcap">Helen Briston</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Love the Conqueror:</b> or, The Rival Cousins. By <span class="smcap">Jeanie Ferry</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Loyalty Rewarded.</b> By <span class="smcap">Jeanie Ferry</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Maggie's Life Work.</b> By <span class="smcap">Jeanie Ferry</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Margaret Wattford:</b> a Story of the 17th Century. By <span class="smcap">Alice J. Briggs</span>.
+Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Marjory Flint's Latchkey:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">W. H. Booth,
+F.R.G.S.</span> Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Millie's Experiences:</b> or Chequered Ways. By <span class="smcap">Nellie L. Royle</span>. Gilt
+Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Mighty Men and their Daring Deeds.</b> By <span class="smcap">J. J. Ellis</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Mystery of Grange Drayton.</b> By <span class="smcap">Eliza Kerr</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Patsy O'Hara, the Child of the Ocean.</b> By <span class="smcap">Ruth B. Yates</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Rescued:</b> or, Kenneth Cresswell's Transformation. By <span class="smcap">Emily Spratling</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Roger's Quest:</b> a Story of the Days of Queen Elizabeth. By <span class="smcap">Alice
+J. Briggs</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Runnelbrook Valley:</b> a Temperance Story. By <span class="smcap">Mrs. Haycraft</span>. Gilt
+Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Scaramouch:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Annie M. Young</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Secret of Ashton Manor House.</b> By <span class="smcap">Eliza Kerr</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Sire and Son:</b> A Startling Contrast. By <span class="smcap">Amos White</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Soul Echoes:</b> or, Reflected Influence. By <span class="smcap">Sarson C. J. Ingham</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Stories without Names:</b> for Young Bible Searchers, with Answers. By
+<span class="smcap">Elsie</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Story of John Wesley:</b> for Boys and Girls. By <span class="smcap">Marianne Kirlew</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Story Weavers:</b> Writers for the Young. By <span class="smcap">Isabel S. Robson</span>. Gilt
+Edges.</div>
+
+
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5_ad" id="Page_5_ad">[5]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 319px;">
+<img src="images/i-196.png" width="319" height="500" alt="(From &quot;General Betty, Maid-of-all-Work.&quot;)" title="" />
+<span class="caption">(From &quot;General Betty, Maid-of-all-Work.&quot;)</span>
+</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6_ad" id="Page_6_ad">[6]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Sunrise Corner:</b> Illustrating Psalm 103. By <span class="smcap">Mrs. Haycraft</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Talks on the Catechism:</b> Easy Lessons for Young Scholars. By <span class="smcap">Anna
+M. Hellier</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Tents of Kedar:</b> Bible Talks with Children. By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.
+Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>That Boy Mick.</b> By <span class="smcap">Annie F. Perram</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>The Price She Paid:</b> a Temperance Tale. By <span class="smcap">J. W. Keyworth</span>. Gilt
+Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>The Fortunes of Sir Richard de Thorn, Knight of Kent.</b> By <span class="smcap">Alice
+J. Briggs</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>The Knights of the Tempest:</b> a Tale of the Lifeboat. By <span class="smcap">H. Prater</span>.
+Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>The Scotch Girl's Exile:</b> a Story of Olden Times. By <span class="smcap">Alice J. Briggs</span>.
+Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Touching the Kettle:</b> with Other Stories and Parables. By <span class="smcap">John
+Telford</span>, B.A.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Twelve Famous Girls.</b> By <span class="smcap">Marianne Kirlew</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Two Little Sisters and Humphrey.</b> By <span class="smcap">Isabel S. Robson</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Winsome <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Winnnie'">Winnie</ins>.</b> By <span class="smcap">Emily Spratling</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Yuppie.</b> By <span class="smcap">Bessie Marchant</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><span class='u'>"CONQUERING" SERIES.</span> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 1/6</h2>
+
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>A Noble Revenge:</b> or, Thomas Gladwin's Example. By <span class="smcap">J. W.
+Keyworth</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>A Woman's Dilemma.</b> By <span class="smcap">Edith Cornforth</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Banners and Battlefields.</b> By <span class="smcap">Edith Greeves</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Bertha Wynchester.</b> By <span class="smcap">Edith Cornforth</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Bessie's Ministry.</b> By <span class="smcap">Alice J. Briggs</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Beyond the Boundary.</b> By <span class="smcap">Jennie Perrett</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Bird Minstrels:</b> Their Ways and Wanderings. By <span class="smcap">R. Corlett Cowell</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Broken Purposes:</b> or, The Good Time Coming. By <span class="smcap">Lillie Montfort</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Blind Olive:</b> or, Dr. Greyville's Infatuation. By <span class="smcap">Sarson C. J. Ingham</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Chips from a Temperance Workshop</b> (Recitation, &amp;c.). By <span class="smcap">Oliver Pacis</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Conquering:</b> or, Bernard's Burden. A Temperance Tale. By <span class="smcap">Jeanie
+Ferry</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>"Doe no Yll":</b> or, The Brandon Family Motto. By <span class="smcap">Annie M. Young</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Eleanor's Ambition.</b> By <span class="smcap">Sarson C. J. Ingham</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Fairy:</b> a Little Cornish Maid. By <span class="smcap">Alice J. Briggs</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Fifine's Charge:</b> or, The Little Mother. By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Fettered or Free.</b> By <span class="smcap">Jeanie Ferry</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>For John's Sake.</b> By <span class="smcap">Annie F. Perram</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Frank Heaton's Dilemma:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster.</span>
+Gilt Edges.</div><div><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7_ad" id="Page_7_ad">[7]</a></span></div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Gold and Glitter:</b> a Temperance Tale. By <span class="smcap">Jeanie Ferry</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Harold and his Sisters in Norway.</b> By <span class="smcap">Henry H. M'Cullagh, B.A.</span></div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Her Heart's Desire.</b> By <span class="smcap">Jeanie Ferry</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>How Mrs. Hewitt's House was turned out of Window:</b> Temperance
+Stories. By <span class="smcap">Caroline Rigg</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>How to Steer a Ship:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Rev. Samuel Gregory</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>In Pawn:</b> a Story of a Pledge. By <span class="smcap">Annie M. Young</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Ivy Chimneys.</b> By <span class="smcap">Edith Cornforth</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Jackalent:</b> an Epic of the Streets. By <span class="smcap">Annie M. Young</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Kavanagh Major.</b> By <span class="smcap">Isabel S. Robson</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Leigh on Family.</b> By <span class="smcap">Edith E. Rhodes</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Leonard's Temptation:</b> a Story of Gambling. By <span class="smcap">Bessie Marchant</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Life in Malin's Lea.</b> By <span class="smcap">Isabel S. Robson</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Lottie, Servant and Heroine.</b> By <span class="smcap">Helen Briston</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Margaret Wattford:</b> a Story of the 17th Century. By <span class="smcap">Alice J. Briggs</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Marjory Flint's Latchkey:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">W. H. Booth,
+F.R.G.S.</span></div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Mighty Men and their Daring Deeds.</b> By <span class="smcap">J. J. Ellis</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Mystery of Grange Drayton.</b> By <span class="smcap">Eliza Kerr</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Our Martha:</b> or, Careful Without Care. By <span class="smcap">Edith Greeves</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Patsy O'Hara, the Child of the Ocean.</b> By <span class="smcap">Ruth B. Yates</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Rescued:</b> or, Kenneth Cresswell's Transformation. By <span class="smcap">Emily Spratling</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Roger's Quest:</b> a Story of the Days of Queen Elizabeth. By <span class="smcap">Alice
+J. Briggs</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Runnelbrook Valley:</b> a Temperance Story. By <span class="smcap">Mrs. Haycraft</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Scaramouch:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Annie M. Young</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Secret of Ashton Manor House.</b> By <span class="smcap">Eliza Kerr</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Story of Christian:</b> Life Pictures from "Pilgrim's Progress." By <span class="smcap">Samuel
+Gregory</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Story of John Wesley:</b> for Boys and Girls. By <span class="smcap">Marianne Kirlew</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Story Weavers:</b> Writers for the Young. By <span class="smcap">Isabel S. Robson</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Sunrise Corner:</b> Illustrating Psalm 103. By <span class="smcap">Mrs. Haycraft</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Tatters and Jennie's Schooldays.</b> By <span class="smcap">Lillie Pethybridge</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>That Boy Mick.</b> By <span class="smcap">Annie F. Perram</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>The Fortunes of Sir Richard de Thorn, Knight of Kent.</b> By <span class="smcap">Alice
+J. Briggs</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>The Knights of the Tempest:</b> a Tale of the Lifeboat. By <span class="smcap">H. Prater</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>The Price She Paid:</b> a Temperance Tale. By <span class="smcap">J. W. Keyworth</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>The Scotch Girl's Exile:</b> a Story of Olden Times. By <span class="smcap">Alice J. Briggs</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Twelve Famous Girls.</b> By <span class="smcap">Marianne Kirlew</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Two Little Sisters and Humphrey.</b> By <span class="smcap">Isabel S. Robson</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Two Snowy Christmas Eves.</b> By <span class="smcap">Eliza Kerr</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Winsome Winnie.</b> By <span class="smcap">Emily Spratling</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Yuppie.</b> By <span class="smcap">Bessie Marchant</span>.</div>
+
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<b>2 &amp; 3 Ludgate Circus Buildings, Farringdon Street, London, E.C.</b><br />
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8_ad" id="Page_8_ad">[8]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><span class='u'>"SUNDAY AFTERNOON" SERIES.</span> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  1/6</h2>
+
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>A Comet for a Night.</b> By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>A Terrible Fix:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Dr. Brown's Bill:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Annie Craig</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Eelin's New Home.</b> By <span class="smcap">Isabel S. Robson</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Florrie's Telegram:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Frank Heaton's Dilemma:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.
+Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Gerald's Adventure:</b> or, Only a Drummer Boy. By <span class="smcap">Alice J. Briggs</span>.
+Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Ida Graham:</b> and How She Overcame Her Difficulties. By <span class="smcap">Emily
+Spratling</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>In Solomon's Porch:</b> Bible Talks with Children. By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.
+Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Isabelle's Story.</b> By <span class="smcap">Alice J. Briggs</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>It's My Nature.</b> By <span class="smcap">Helen Briston</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>John Fletcher, Farmer.</b> By <span class="smcap">F. Spenser</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Leslie's Revenge.</b> By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Mabel's Three Keys.</b> By <span class="smcap">R. Sinclair</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Master Piers.</b> By <span class="smcap">Isabel S. Robson</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Millie's Experiences:</b> or Chequered Ways. By <span class="smcap">Nellie L. Royle</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Minnie's Curiosity:</b> and Other Stories. By<span class="smcap"> Wm. J. Forster</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Nora's Queer Lesson Book.</b> By <span class="smcap">Annie Craig</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Notes on the New Brief Catechism:</b> with Introduction by Rev. R. Culley.
+By <span class="smcap">Elsie</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Our Chris.</b> <span class="smcap">By Old Cornish</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Our Silver Collection.</b> By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Raymond's Magpie.</b> By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Reggie's Dream:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Shad and Shady.</b> By <span class="smcap">J. W. Keyworth</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Sir Godfrey's Bride.</b> By <span class="smcap">Ruth B. Yates</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Tell-Tale-Tit.</b> By <span class="smcap">Bessie Marchant</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>That Dreadful Boy.</b> By <span class="smcap">Bessie Marchant</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>The Fun o' the Fair.</b> By <span class="smcap">Bessie Marchant</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>The Old House at Rungate.</b> By <span class="smcap">Isabel S. Robson</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>The Owner of Rushcote.</b> By <span class="smcap">Bessie Marchant</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Those Queer Neighbours:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.
+Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Three Little Vagrants.</b> By <span class="smcap">F. Spenser</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Through Deep Waters:</b> a Temperance Story. By <span class="smcap">S. Spenser</span>. Gilt
+Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Tom and His Chum:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Annie Craig</span>. Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Twelve Famous Boys.</b> By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<b>2 &amp; 3 Ludgate Circus Buildings, Farringdon Street, London, E.C.</b><br />
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9_ad" id="Page_9_ad">[9]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 320px;">
+<img src="images/i-200.png" width="320" height="500" alt="(From &quot;Millie&#39;s Experiences.&quot;)" title="" />
+<span class="caption">(From &quot;Millie&#39;s Experiences.&quot;)</span>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10_ad" id="Page_10_ad">[10]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><span class='u'>BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS.</span> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  1/6</h2>
+
+
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Animals in Council.</b> By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>A Royal Letter:</b> Bible Talks. By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Our Boys and Girls, Yearly Volume.</b></div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Pictures and Stories for Little Folks.</b> Bevelled Boards, Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Carlo's Visitors.</b> By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>. Bevelled Boards, Gilt Edges.</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><span class='u'>BOOKS FOR TEACHERS AND WORKERS.</span> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  1/6</h2>
+
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>A String of Pearls:</b> Suggestions for Bible Work. By <span class="smcap">Rev. Samuel
+Gregory</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>How to Steer a Ship:</b> and Other Sermons. By <span class="smcap">Rev. Samuel Gregory</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Notes on the New Brief Catechism:</b> with Introduction by Rev. R. Culley.
+By <span class="smcap">Elsie</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Sunday School Teaching:</b> A Manual of Method in Class Instruction,
+Management, and Discipline, for Sunday School Teachers. By
+<span class="smcap">James Bailey</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Sunday School Infant Class Teaching:</b> A First Year's Course of Lessons
+for the Infant Class of the Sunday School. By <span class="smcap">James Bailey</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>The Story of the Sunday School:</b> Genesis and Evolution. By <span class="smcap">J. Henry
+Harris</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>The Tents of Kedar:</b> and Other Bible Talks. By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>The Wonderful Book:</b> Twelve Reasons why the Bible is the most
+Wonderful Book in the World. By <span class="smcap">G. T. Seymour</span>.</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><span class='u'>"DOUBLE VOLUME" SERIES.</span> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  1/4</h2>
+
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Double Volume Series">
+<tr><td align='left' valign='bottom'><b>Uncle Jock's Little Girl</b></td><td align='left' style="white-space: nowrap; font-size: 31pt" rowspan='2'>}</td><td align='left' valign='middle' rowspan='2'>Two Books in One Volume.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' valign='top'><b>The Tempest Cousins</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' valign='bottom'><b>Weazel Tim</b></td><td align='left' style="white-space: nowrap; font-size: 31pt" rowspan='2'>}</td><td align='left' valign='middle' rowspan='2'>Two Books in One Volume.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' valign='top'><b>A Royal Mandate</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' valign='bottom'><b>The Children's King</b></td><td align='left' style="white-space: nowrap; font-size: 31pt" rowspan='2'>}</td><td align='left' valign='middle' rowspan='2'>Two Books in One Volume.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left' valign='top'><b>Into the King's Palace</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<b>2 &amp; 3 Ludgate Circus Buildings, Farringdon Street, London, E.C.</b><br />
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11_ad" id="Page_11_ad">[11]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><span class='u'>"LUDGATE" SERIES.</span> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 1/-</h2>
+
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>A Comet for a Night.</b> By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>A Royal Mandate.</b> By <span class="smcap">Emily Spratling</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>A Terrible Fix:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Chrissie's Faults:</b> or, Fettered by Custom. By <span class="smcap">Jeanie Ferry</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Cousin Jack's Umbrella:</b> and Other Tales. By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Donald's Ambition.</b> By <span class="smcap">Alice J. Briggs</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Dr. Brown's Bill:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Annie Craig</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Eelin's New Home.</b> By <span class="smcap">Isabel S. Robson</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Elise Fontaine:</b> a Story of Life in Belgium. By <span class="smcap">Alice J. Briggs</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Eric's Hymn:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Edith Greeves</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Esther's Craze:</b> and Other Life Sketches. By <span class="smcap">A. F. Perram</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Florrie's Telegram:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Frank Heaton's Dilemma:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Gerald's Adventure:</b> or, Only a Drummer Boy. By <span class="smcap">Alice J. Briggs</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Grannie's Darling.</b> By <span class="smcap">Alice J. Briggs</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Ida Graham:</b> and How She Overcame Her Difficulties. By <span class="smcap">Emily
+Spratling</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Isabelle's Story.</b> By <span class="smcap">Alice J. Briggs</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>It's My Nature.</b> By <span class="smcap">Helen Briston</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>John Fletcher, Farmer.</b> By <span class="smcap">F. Spenser</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Leslie's Revenge.</b> By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Little Folks at Kelverton Grange.</b> By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Little Jim's Rescue.</b> By <span class="smcap">Annie F. Perram</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Lots of Time:</b> or, Pictures and Stories for Boys and Girls. By <span class="smcap">Annie
+F. Perram</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Love and Victory:</b> Dialogues for Temperance Gatherings.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Lucy's Temptation:</b> a Temperance Story for Young Men and Women.
+By <span class="smcap">F. Spenser</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Luther Miller's Ambition:</b> and How it was Gratified. By <span class="smcap">Lillie
+Montfort</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Mabel's Three Keys:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">R. Sinclair</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Master Piers.</b> By <span class="smcap">Isabel S. Robson</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Mignon's Message.</b> By <span class="smcap">Eliza Kerr</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Minnie's Curiosity:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Nora's Queer Lesson Books.</b> By <span class="smcap">Annie Craig</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Our Chris:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Old Cornish</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Our Silver Collection.</b> By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.</div><div><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12_ad" id="Page_12_ad">[12]</a></span></div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Raymond's Magpie.</b> By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Recitations for Missionary Meetings, &amp;c.</b> By <span class="smcap">F. M. L.</span></div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Reggie's Dream:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Ruby Necklet:</b> Rosie's Temptation. By <span class="smcap">Beth Richardson</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Sir Godfrey's Bride.</b> By <span class="smcap">Ruth B. Yates</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Songs of Living Things:</b> for Boys and Girls. By <span class="smcap">A. H. Vine</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Stephen Blakemore's Problem.</b> By <span class="smcap">Edith Cornforth</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Shad and Shady.</b> By <span class="smcap">J. W. Keyworth</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Tell-Tale-Tit.</b> By <span class="smcap">Bessie Marchant</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>That Dreadful Boy.</b> By <span class="smcap">Bessie Marchant</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>The Fun o' the Fair.</b> By <span class="smcap">Bessie Marchant</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>The Old House at Rungate.</b> By <span class="smcap">Isabel S. Robson</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>The Owner of Rushcote.</b> By <span class="smcap">Bessie Marchant</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>The Tempest Cousins.</b> By <span class="smcap">Isabel S. Robson</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Those Queer Neighbours:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Three Little Vagrants.</b> By <span class="smcap">F. Spenser</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Three School-Girls:</b> or, Brenda's Purpose. By <span class="smcap">F. Spenser</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Through Deep Waters:</b> a Temperance Story. By <span class="smcap">F. Spenser</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Tom and His Chum:</b> and Other Tales. By <span class="smcap">Annie Craig</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Twelve Famous Boys.</b> By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Twentieth Century Book of Dialogues.</b> Compiled by <span class="smcap">J. K. Tomalin</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Twentieth Century Reciter.</b> Compiled by <span class="smcap">J. K. Tomalin</span>. Second
+Edition.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Uncle Jock's Little Girl.</b> By <span class="smcap">Isabel S. Robson</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Weasel Tim.</b> By <span class="smcap">Bessie Marchant</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Wonderful Half-crown:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><span class='u'>BOOKS WITH PICTURES FOR INFANTS.</span>&nbsp;  &nbsp;  &nbsp;  1/-</h2>
+
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>A Royal Letter:</b> Bible Stories. By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Carlo's Visitors:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Our Boys and Girls.</b></div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Pictures and Stories for Little Folks.</b> By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.</div>
+
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<b>2 &amp; 3 Ludgate Circus Buildings, Farringdon Street, London, E.C.</b><br />
+</div>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13_ad" id="Page_13_ad">[13]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 318px;">
+<img src="images/i-204.png" width="318" height="500" alt="(From &quot;The Owner of Rushcote.&quot;)" title="" />
+<span class="caption">(From &quot;The Owner of Rushcote.&quot;)</span>
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14_ad" id="Page_14_ad">[14]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><span class='u'>BOOKS FOR TEACHERS AND WORKERS.</span> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;  1/-</h2>
+
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>In Solomon's Porch:</b> Bible Talks with Children. By <span class="smcap">Wm. J. Forster</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>In the Sunday School.</b> Thoughts and Suggestions for Young Teachers.
+By <span class="smcap">Anna M. Hellier</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Into the King's Palace.</b> By <span class="smcap">Annie M. Young</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Junior Society Class Prize Essays.</b> By <span class="smcap">Revs. W. B. Fitzgerald</span>, <span class="smcap">W. H.
+Chamings</span>, <span class="smcap">J. Surman Cooke</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Our Sunday Schools:</b> A Series of Papers. By <span class="smcap">Rev. C. H. Kelly</span>, &amp;c.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Papers Read at London Sunday School Convention.</b></div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Take Fast Hold:</b> Addresses to Children. By <span class="smcap">J. J. Ellis</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>The Children's King:</b> Bible Talks. By <span class="smcap">Edith M. Edwards</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>The Firm Foundation of the Christian Faith:</b> A Handbook of Christian
+Evidences. By <span class="smcap">Professor J. A. Beet, D.D.</span></div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Unframed Pictures:</b> Addresses to Children. By <span class="smcap">J. J. Ellis</span>.</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><span class='u'>"GOLDEN DEEDS" SERIES OF<br />NINEPENNY BOOKS.</span> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; </h2>
+
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>A Heroine in the Strife.</b> By <span class="smcap">Emily Spratling</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Aunt Chrissie.</b> By <span class="smcap">Emily Spratling</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Bertram and Gerald:</b> or, The Gold and the Glitter. By <span class="smcap">Kate
+McCullagh</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Chappie's Charge Angel:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Annie M. Young</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Effie's Bargain.</b> By <span class="smcap">Annie Craig</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Fabian and Phil:</b> a Story of Two Little Boys. By <span class="smcap">Isabel S. Robson</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Fritz: the Young Swiss Guide.</b> By <span class="smcap">Alice J. Briggs</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Golden Deeds Told Anew.</b> By <span class="smcap">Annie Craig</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Little Barbara's Dream.</b> By <span class="smcap">Edith Greeves</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Little Black Rover:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Caroline Rigg</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Little Miss Pry:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Annie F. Perram</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Little Parables for Little Folk.</b> By <span class="smcap">Edith E. Rhodes</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Marjorie's Stranger.</b> By <span class="smcap">Isabel S. Robson</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Mattie's Rescue.</b> By <span class="smcap">Annie Craig</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Ned's Victory and Dick's Enemy.</b> By <span class="smcap">Alice J. Briggs</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Nuttie:</b> or, The Silver Thread of Love. By <span class="smcap">Isabel S. Robson</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Our Cousin Noel:</b> and Other Stories. By <span class="smcap">Annie Craig</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Out of the Dark:</b> a Tale for Girls. By <span class="smcap">Emily Spratling</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Pranks and Prattles.</b> By <span class="smcap">Edith Greeves</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Tony the Cripple:</b> or, The Child of a King. By <span class="smcap">Ruth B. Yates</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>That Odd Little Pair:</b> or, The Sayings and Doings of Molly and Larry.
+By <span class="smcap">Isabel S. Robson</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Theodora:</b> or, Golden Opportunities. By <span class="smcap">Isabel S. Robson</span>.</div><div><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15_ad" id="Page_15_ad">[15]</a></span></div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Alice:</b> or, The Early Crown.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Archer's Chance Shot.</b> By <span class="smcap">Sarson C. J. Ingham</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Junior Society Class Prize Essays.</b> By <span class="smcap">Revs. W. B. Fitzgerald</span>, <span class="smcap">W. H.
+Chamings</span>, <span class="smcap">J. Surman Cooke</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>In the Sunday School:</b> Thoughts and Suggestions for Young Teachers.
+By <span class="smcap">Anna M. Hellier</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Meadow Daisy.</b> By <span class="smcap">Lillie Montfort</span>.</div>
+
+<div class='hang1'><b>Waiting:</b> An Allegorical Story. By <span class="smcap">Sarson C. J. Ingham</span>.</div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><span class='u'>"GILT SUNSHINE" SERIES OF<br />EIGHTPENNY BOOKS.</span></h2>
+
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Gilt Sunshine Series of Eightpenny Books">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Alice:</b> or, The Early Crown.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Broughton Manor.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Carrie's Self Denial.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Christmas at Rexby Hall.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Crossing the Rainbow Bridge.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Dash and His Master.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>David Watson:</b> or, The Good Pays.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Elsa's Holiday.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Favourite Recitations for Boys and Girls.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Fine Herbs.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>For Love's Sweet Sake.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Jim and His Charges.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Ladyboy's Story.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Little Mother and Her Christmas.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Mop and Meg.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Ned's Helper.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Nellie's Promise.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Oscar's Rebellion.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Ruth, the Little Hop-picker.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Sam, the African Boy.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Schoolroom Stories for Boys.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Schoolroom Stories for Girls.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Something to Do, Please.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Stanley's Pony.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Sunshine After Rain.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Tarbarrel Tim.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>The Auto-Biography of Chow.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>The Bite of the Serpent.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>The Seven Edwards.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Tom Burton's Mistake.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Wanted a Boy.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>William Tyndale.</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><span class='u'>"UNCLE FORSTER'S" EIGHTPENNY<br />BOOKS.</span></h2>
+
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Uncle Forster's Eightpenny Books">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>A Knotty Point.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Ella's Christmas Letter.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Harry's Rescue.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Lucky Carlo.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Nelson Farm.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Pitch and Toss.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>The Old Plate's Story.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>The White Mouse.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>The Young Conspirators.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Twelve Bible Children.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Voices from a Money Box.</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<b>2 &amp; 3 Ludgate Circus Buildings, Farringdon Street, London, E.C.</b><br />
+</div>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16_ad" id="Page_16_ad">[16]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><span class='u'>"SUNSHINE" SERIES OF SIXPENNY<br />BOOKS.</span></h2>
+
+
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="SUNSHINE SERIES OF SIXPENNY Books">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Broughton Manor.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Carrie's Self Denial.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Christmas at Rexby Hall.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Crossing the Rainbow Bridge.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Dash and His Master.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>David Watson:</b> or, The Good Pays.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Elsa's Holiday.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Favourite Recitations for Boys and Girls.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Fine Herbs.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>First Readings:</b> Scripture for Children.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>For Love's Sweet Sake.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Frank Armstrong.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Jim and His Charges.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Ladyboy's Story.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Little Mother and Her Christmas.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Mop and Meg.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Ned's Helper.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Nellie's Promise.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Oscar's Rebellion.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Ruth, the Little Hop-picker.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Sam, the African Boy.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Schoolroom Stories for Boys.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Schoolroom Stories for Girls.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Something to Do, Please.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Stanley's Pony.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Sunshine after Rain.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>William Tyndale.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Wanted a Boy.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Tom Burton's Mistake.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>The Seven Edwards.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>The Bite of the Serpent.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>The Auto-Biography of Chow.</b></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>Tarbarrel Tim.</b></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+
+<h2>6d.</h2>
+
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="6d books">
+<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'><b>Self Improvement.</b> A Book for Young Men.</div></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'><b>Philip Phillips, the Singing Evangelist.</b> Paper Covers.</div></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<div class='poem2'>
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Also</i></span><br />
+<br />
+<b><big>SUNDAY SCHOOL BUILDINGS:</big></b><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;"><big><b>A Book of Plans of S. S. Buildings, 6d.</b></big></span><br />
+<br />
+<b><big>SUNDAY SCHOOL REFORM:</big></b><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;"><b><big>Two Prize Essays, 1s. net.</big></b></span><br />
+</div>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<b>2 &amp; 3 Ludgate Circus Buildings, Farringdon Street, London, E.C.</b><br />
+</div>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 243px;">
+<img src="images/back_cover.jpg" width="243" height="300" alt="Back Cover" title="" />
+</div>
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes:</h3>
+<p>Obvious punctuation errors repaired.</p>
+
+<p>The remaining correction made is indicated by dotted line under the correction. Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apprear'">appear</ins>.</p></div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Story of John Wesley, by Marianne Kirlew
+
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+</body>
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of John Wesley, by Marianne Kirlew
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Story of John Wesley
+       Told to Boys and Girls
+
+Author: Marianne Kirlew
+
+Release Date: June 3, 2010 [EBook #32669]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF JOHN WESLEY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Emmy, Darleen Dove and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
+produced from images generously made available by The
+Internet Archive)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: _Frontispiece._
+
+"'You seem half starved, dear,' he said."--_Page 33._]
+
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF JOHN WESLEY.
+
+Told to Boys and Girls.
+
+BY
+
+MARIANNE KIRLEW,
+
+_Author of "The Red Thread of Honour," etc., etc._
+
+WITH PREFACE BY REV. DINSDALE T. YOUNG.
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+          London:
+          ROBERT CULLEY,
+          2 AND 3 LUDGATE CIRCUS BUILDINGS, FARRINGDON STREET, E.C.;
+          2 CASTLE STREET, CITY ROAD, E.C.
+
+
+
+
+          TO THE SACRED MEMORY
+
+          OF THE
+
+          Dear Mother,
+
+          WHO BY PRECEPT AND EXAMPLE
+
+          SOUGHT TO BRING UP HER CHILDREN
+
+          IN "THE NURTURE AND ADMONITION OF THE LORD";
+
+          THIS BOOK IS LOVINGLY DEDICATED
+
+          BY HER DAUGHTER.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+          "_That our sons may be as plants grown up in their
+          youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones,
+          polished after the similitude of a
+          palace._"--PSALM CXLIV. 12.
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+THE Story of John Wesley is one of which the world does not easily
+weary. There is perennial freshness in it. "Age cannot wither it." We
+may indeed almost affirm that it has an "infinite variety."
+
+It is specially important that this remarkable history should be re-told
+for young people. The youth of England ought to be fully conversant with
+John Wesley's unique personality and immortal work.
+
+John Wesley's name is far above mere denominationalism. He belongs to
+all the churches, for he belongs to the "Holy Catholic Church." He is a
+great national and historic figure. It has ever been claimed by some,
+whose authority is high, that John Wesley was the saviour of modern
+England. Surely there is large truth in this. The great religious leader
+was indeed one of the most potent political forces England has known. If
+there be even an approximation towards fact in such a claim, then how
+important for young England to know the record of a man so supremely
+distinguished.
+
+Certainly, on any ground, these pages meet a distinct want; and I think
+it will be the judgment of readers, that they meet it admirably well.
+Here John Wesley's life is traced clearly, even to the point of
+vividness. The style in which the story is told, will be found to add to
+the intrinsic interest of the recital.
+
+The author of this life of Wesley is thoroughly imbued with the spirit
+of her subject, nor does she forget to apply the lessons, with which
+this wonderful life-story is crowded.
+
+If the _children_ of our land could be fired with enthusiasm for the
+truths John Wesley taught and lived, what a blessed outlook would there
+be for England!
+
+We earnestly pray, that many a young reader may be stirred to the very
+depths of his being, by the narration here so attractively given. "'Tis
+a consummation devoutly to be wished."
+
+                                                DINSDALE T. YOUNG.
+
+  _Manchester,
+        June, 1895._
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+          _Chapter_     _Page_
+
+                I.        1
+
+               II.        6
+
+              III.       10
+
+               IV.       13
+
+                V.       19
+
+               VI.       23
+
+              VII.       28
+
+             VIII.       32
+
+               IX.       35
+
+                X.       38
+
+               XI.       45
+
+              XII.       49
+
+             XIII.       54
+
+              XIV.       59
+
+               XV.       63
+
+              XVI.       68
+
+             XVII.       73
+
+            XVIII.       77
+
+              XIX.       82
+
+               XX.       86
+
+              XXI.       89
+
+             XXII.       92
+
+            XXIII.       98
+
+             XXIV.      102
+
+              XXV.      106
+
+             XXVI.      110
+
+            XXVII.      116
+
+           XXVIII.      120
+
+             XXIX.      123
+
+              XXX.      128
+
+             XXXI.      134
+
+            XXXII.      138
+
+           XXXIII.      142
+
+            XXXIV.      145
+
+             XXXV.      149
+
+            XXXVI.      152
+
+           XXXVII.      156
+
+          XXXVIII.      159
+
+            XXXIX.      163
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF JOHN WESLEY.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+          Jacky.--His brothers and sisters.--His cottage
+          home.--What happened to the little pet-dog.--How
+          Jacky's father forgave the wicked men of
+          Epworth.--"Fire! Fire!"
+
+
+LONG, long ago, more than one hundred and fifty years, lived the hero of
+this book. Because his name was John, everybody called him Jack or
+Jacky; and by everybody I mean his dear, good father and mother, and his
+eighteen brothers and sisters. Eighteen, did I say? Yes, indeed, they
+counted eighteen; and seeing there were so many, I will not trouble you
+with all their names. I will just tell you three. Samuel was the eldest,
+he was the "big brother"; Jacky was number fifteen, and Kitty and
+Charlie came after him.
+
+But Jacky did not mind all this houseful, I think he rather liked it,
+for you see he always had plenty of playmates. His home was in a country
+village called Epworth, in Lincolnshire. If you look on your map I think
+you will find it. The house was like a big cottage; the roof had no
+slates on like ours, but was thatched with straw, the same as some of
+the cottages you have seen in the country; and the windows had tiny
+panes of glass, diamond-shaped, and they opened like little doors. The
+walls of the cottage were covered with pretty climbing plants, and what
+was best of all, there was a beautiful big garden where apple and pear
+trees grew, and where there was lots of room for Jacky and Charlie and
+the others to run about and play "hide and seek."
+
+But I must tell you that a great many wicked people lived at Epworth,
+and Jack's father, who was a minister, tried to teach them how wrong it
+was to steal and fight, and do so many cruel things. But his preaching
+only made them very angry with good Mr. Wesley, and one of the men, out
+of spite, cut off the legs of his little pet-dog. Was not that a
+dreadfully cruel thing to do?
+
+But Jack's father, because he loved Jesus so much, loved these wicked
+men, and always forgave them. He knew if he could get _them_ to love
+Jesus, they would soon stop being cruel and unkind.
+
+One night in winter, when everybody was fast asleep, Kitty woke up
+feeling something very hot on her feet. Opening her eyes she was
+dreadfully frightened to see the bedroom ceiling all on fire. She was
+only a very little girl, but she jumped out of bed, and ran to the room
+where her mother and two of her sisters were sleeping. Her father, who
+was in another room, hearing a great noise outside, and people calling
+"Fire! Fire!" jumped up and found it was his own house that was in
+flames. Telling the elder girls to be quick and get dressed and to help
+their mother, who was very ill, he ran to the nursery, and burst open
+the door. "Nurse, nurse!" he shouted, "be quick and get the children up,
+the house is on fire."
+
+Snatching up baby Charles in her arms, and calling to the other children
+to follow her, the nurse hurried down-stairs. But there they found the
+hall full of flames and smoke, and to get out of the front-door was
+impossible. So some of the children got through the windows and some
+through the back-door into the garden.
+
+Just as the minister thought he had all his family safe, he heard a cry
+coming from the nursery, and on looking round, he found Jacky was
+missing. He rushed into the burning house, and tried to get up the
+stairs, but they were all on fire. What should he do? He didn't know. So
+he just knelt down in the hall surrounded by the dreadful flames, and
+asked God to take care of little Jack, and if he couldn't be saved to
+take him to heaven.
+
+Now I must tell you how it was Jack was still in the burning house. He
+had been fast asleep when the nurse called, and did not hear her and the
+other children go out of the room. All at once he woke up, and seeing a
+bright light in the room, thought it was morning. "Nursie, nursie!" he
+called, "take me up; I want to get up." Of course there was no answer.
+Then he put his head out of the curtains which surrounded his little
+bed, and saw streaks of fire on the top of the room. Oh, how frightened
+he was!
+
+Jacky was only five years old, but he was a brave boy, and instead of
+lying still and screaming and crying, he jumped up and ran to the door
+in his night-gown. But the floor and the stairs were all on fire. What
+should he do? He ran back again into the room, and climbed on a big box
+that stood near the window. Then some one in the yard saw him and
+shouted: "Fetch a ladder, quick! I see him."
+
+"There's no time," called out somebody else; "the roof is falling in.
+Look here!" said the same man, "I'll stand against this wall, and let a
+man that's not very heavy stand on my shoulders, and then we can reach
+the child."
+
+So the strong man fixed himself against the wall, and another man
+climbed on his shoulders, and Jacky put out his arms as far as he could,
+and the man lifted him out of the burning room, and he was safe. Two
+minutes afterwards the roof fell in with a big crash.
+
+Jack was carried into a neighbour's house, and they all knelt down while
+the minister thanked God for taking care of them, and so wonderfully
+preserving all their lives.
+
+Jack never forgot that terrible night, and all his life afterwards he
+felt that God had saved him from being burnt to death, in order that he
+might do a great deal of work for Him.
+
+You will not be surprised to hear, that it was the wicked people in
+Epworth who had set the minister's house on fire. But as Jesus forgave
+His enemies, so Mr. Wesley forgave these men, and tried more than ever
+to show them how much Christ loved them.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+          Jacky learns his A B C.--A wise mother.--Christ's
+          little soldier.--A chatterbox.--The big brother
+          and the little one.--Jacky poorly.--The bravest of
+          the brave.--A proud father.
+
+
+JACK'S father and mother were not rich people, and they could not afford
+to send all their children to school, so Mrs. Wesley taught them at
+home, and as there were so many of them it was almost like a proper
+school. When Jacky was five years old, he became a little scholar. The
+first day he learnt his alphabet, and in three months could read quite
+nicely.
+
+Mrs. Wesley was a dear, kind mother, and took a great deal of trouble,
+and often put herself to much pain to train her little boys to be
+Christian gentlemen, and her little girls to be Christian ladies. As
+soon as they could speak, they were taught to say their prayers every
+night and morning, and to keep the Sabbath day holy. They were never
+allowed to have anything they cried for, and they were always taught to
+speak kindly and politely to the servants. Bad words were never heard
+among them, and no loud talking or rough play was allowed. This wise
+mother also knew that little people are sometimes tempted to tell
+untruths to hide a fault for fear of punishment, so she made it a rule
+that if any of the children did what was naughty, and at once confessed
+and promised not to do it again, they should not be whipped.
+
+One of the little boys--I'm afraid it was Jacky--did not always follow
+this rule, and so he sometimes got what he did not like. But Mrs. Wesley
+never allowed her children to taunt one another with a fault, especially
+when they were trying to do better.
+
+Another thing the children were taught, was to respect the rights of
+property; that is, if Jacky wanted Charlie's top, he was not to take it
+without Charlie's leave; and if Emily wanted Sukey's brooch, she must
+ask her sister's permission before taking it.
+
+"Oh, how dreadfully strict!" I fancy I hear some of my readers say. Not
+at all, dears, it was a mother's kindness to her children; for it took
+far more time, and a great deal more trouble to teach them all these
+things than it would have done to let them do as they liked. And when
+Emily and Mollie and Jack and Charlie and all the others grew up to be
+men and women, they thanked God for giving them such a wise mother.
+
+Once a week Mrs. Wesley used to take each of the children into her room,
+separately, for a quiet little talk. They each had their own day for
+having mother _all to themselves_. Jack had every Thursday, and Saturday
+was Charlie's day. So helpful were these little talks with mother, that
+years afterwards when Jack had left home, he wrote and asked his mother
+if she would spare the same time every Thursday to pray for him.
+
+Before Jacky was eight years old he loved Jesus so much that he wanted
+every one to know he meant to be one of His faithful soldiers. So he
+asked his father if he might go to the communion, which, you know, is
+doing what Christ asked all His followers to do, taking bread and
+drinking wine "_in remembrance of Him_." Though Jack was such a little
+boy, his father knew, by his conduct, that he meant what he said, and so
+he admitted him to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. I wish all my
+young readers could say, as Jacky could:--
+
+          "I am a little soldier,
+             I'm only eight years old,
+           I mean to fight for Jesus
+             And wear a crown of gold.
+           I know He'll make me happy,
+             And help me every day,
+           I'll be His little soldier,
+             The Bible says I may."
+
+Mrs. Wesley used to have services in her big kitchen on a Sunday night,
+for the servants, and the poor people who could not walk all the long
+way to church; and little Jack used to sit and listen so attentively,
+while his mother told the people how God's Son was put to death on the
+cruel cross, to save them from sin, and to gain for them a place in
+heaven.
+
+Jack, like many another little boy, had rather a long tongue, indeed, he
+was a regular chatterbox. His big brother Sam did not always like Jack
+putting his word in, and giving his opinion; he would put him down and
+say: "Child, don't talk so much, when you're older you'll find that
+nothing much is done in the world by arguing." His father used to stand
+up for Jack, and would say: "There's one thing, our Jack will never do
+anything without giving a good reason for doing it, I know."
+
+You will be sorry to hear that Jacky had a dreadful illness when he was
+nine years old. It was a disease that causes a great deal of pain and
+suffering. But Jack remembered that a soldier must be brave, and, as
+Christ's little soldier, he must be the bravest of the brave. So Jacky
+was very patient, and gave his nurse as little trouble as he could. His
+mother wrote to Mr. Wesley, who was in London at the time, and said,
+"Jack has borne his illness bravely, like a man, and like a little
+Christian, he has never uttered a word of complaint;" and the father, as
+he folded the letter and put it into his pocket, felt proud of his
+little son.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+          Jacky at boarding school.--Bullying.--Hard
+          lines.--A morning run.--A Christ-like
+          schoolboy.--Charlie at Westminster.--Scotch
+          Jamie.--"Bravo, Captain Charlie!"
+
+
+BY and by Jack grew to be a big boy of eleven, and all this time he had
+only been at the home-school. His parents thought he was now quite old
+enough to go to a proper boys' school, and through the kindness of a
+friend, he was sent to a big school in London called the Charterhouse.
+
+Here poor Jacky had a very unhappy time for two or three years. The big
+boys took a delight in bullying the little ones, especially the
+new-comers; and as Jack had never been from home before, their
+unkindness was hard to bear. Every meal-time each boy had to go to the
+cook's house for his allowance of food, and the big boys used to lay
+wait for the little ones as they came out, and snatch away their meat;
+so for a long time Jack had nothing but bread to eat at every meal.
+
+Those of my readers who know what boarding-school life is to-day, will
+think this a very funny way of getting your food; and so it was, but,
+you must remember, this was in 1714, one hundred and eighty years ago,
+and every thing then was very different to what it is now.
+
+Before Jack went to the Charterhouse, his father had said to him: "Jack,
+I should like you to run round the school garden every morning before
+breakfast, it will give you an appetite and help to make you grow up a
+strong man." And all the long years Jack was at school he never failed
+to obey his father's wish; and, when he grew up, he said this morning
+run had helped to make him the healthy, strong man he had always been.
+But, poor little fellow, it was very hard for him, when, feeling
+dreadfully hungry with the fresh air and exercise, the big boys ran off
+with his meat, and left him with only some bread for his breakfast.
+
+However, by and by, Jack grew old enough to fight for his meat. And when
+this time came, do you think he took his turn at stealing from the
+little boys, and bullying them? Of course you will all say: "No, indeed,
+Jack would never be so mean." You are right; instead of treating others
+as others had treated him, he just did what he thought Jesus would have
+done when he was a boy at school. He stood up for the little fellows,
+and fought the big boys who tried to steal their meat.
+
+Jack was so quiet and diligent at school, and so careful to obey rules,
+that he soon became a favourite with the head-master, Dr. Walker; and
+when he grew to be a man, he forgot all about the hard times he had had,
+and never failed to visit the Charterhouse once a year.
+
+When Jack had been two years at this school, his brother Charlie was
+sent to a school at Westminster, where his elder brother Samuel was a
+teacher. Charlie was then a bright little boy of nine; he was strong,
+full of spirit and fun, and afraid of nothing. He became a great
+favourite, and was soon looked upon as the "captain" of the school.
+Charlie was as generous as he was brave; his great dream was to be a
+good man, and to help others to be good too.
+
+There was a little Scotch laddie at the school whom all the other boys
+used to tease and mock. The captain wouldn't stand this; he took Jamie
+under his special protection, shielded him, fought for him, and saved
+him from what would otherwise have been a life of misery.
+
+I fancy I hear you all say: "Bravo, Captain Charlie!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+          Jack at Westminster.--At Oxford.--Life at
+          College.--Jack a deserter.--His good angel.--"He
+          that goes a borrowing, goes a sorrowing."--A
+          bitter disappointment.--A letter from
+          "Mother."--Jack's decision.--Father's advice.
+
+
+WHEN Jack was sixteen he left the Charterhouse School, and joined
+Charlie at Westminster. Here too he was so diligent and persevering,
+that when his brother Samuel wrote home to his father, he said: "Jack is
+a brave boy, and learning Hebrew as fast as he can." The next year he
+went to Oxford, where he got on splendidly. He was very witty and
+lively, and still _very fond of talking_; but his was not foolish talk,
+and he always took care to stand up for the right.
+
+At first he was much shocked at the drinking and gambling, and
+wickedness of all sorts that went on among the students at the
+university. But when day after day we witness wrong-doing, gradually we
+get less and less shocked, and after a time think little about it. This
+only happens though when we get down from our watch-tower, and the enemy
+has a chance to get near to us. Jack's temptations to join his fellow
+students were very great, and I am sorry to say, he got "off his guard,"
+and yielded. For a time he quite disgraced the colours of his regiment,
+and became a deserter from Christ's army. But it was not for long, he
+remembered what he had learnt at home, and how his dear mother had
+prayed for him. He remembered how he had been saved from the burning
+house, and he felt sure that God had not spared his life for him to grow
+up a wicked or a worldly man.
+
+He had found it hard work to be a Christian at the Charterhouse School,
+now he found it harder still at Christ Church College. He loved fun and
+merry company, and this sometimes led him to seek the society of young
+men who loved their own pleasure better than any thing else; and many
+times Jack, following their bad example, did things for which he was
+afterwards very sorry and very much ashamed.
+
+I have somewhere read this line of poetry:
+
+          "The boy that loves his mother
+             Is every inch a man,"
+
+and if ever boy loved his mother, Jack did. The memory of her loving,
+holy life was Jack's good angel; and when temptations proved almost too
+strong for him at Oxford, he wrote and asked her to pray for him, and to
+pray on every Thursday. For Thursday had been Jacky's day with mother,
+ever since a little boy he knelt at her knee; and he felt that his
+mother's prayers on _that_ day could not fail to bring down God's
+blessing upon him, and give him strength to resist the many evil
+influences that surrounded his college life--and they did.
+
+I told you before, I think, that Jack's parents were not rich; they had
+never been able to allow him much pocket-money, and now at Oxford, when
+his expenses were greater, he somehow could never manage to make his
+money last out. I am afraid he was not always as careful as he might
+have been, and I am sorry to say when he was spent up--which was very
+often--he did what so many boys and young fellows do, borrowed money.
+This is always foolish, for, of course, it cannot make things any
+better, and indeed only makes them worse; because when the allowance
+comes, the debts have to be paid, and there is little or no money left.
+However, neither debt nor being short of money troubled Jack at this
+time; indeed he said it was just as well to be poor, for there were so
+many rogues at Oxford, that if you carried anything worth stealing, it
+was not safe to be out at night.
+
+One of his friends was once standing at the door of a coffee-house about
+seven o'clock in the evening, and happening to look round, in an instant
+his hat and his wig--they wore wigs in those days--were snatched off
+his head by a thief, who managed to get clear off with his booty. Jack
+writing home about this said: "I am safe from these rogues, for all my
+belongings would not be worth their stealing."
+
+When Jack had been four years at Oxford, and was about twenty-one, his
+brother Samuel wrote to tell him he had had the misfortune to break his
+leg. He also told him his mother was coming to London, and if he liked
+he might go and meet her there.
+
+It was a long, long time since Jack had seen his mother, and you may
+imagine his delight when he got this letter. He wrote back:
+
+          "DEAR BROTHER SAMUEL,
+
+          "I am sorry for your misfortune, though glad to
+          hear you are getting better. Have you heard of the
+          Dutch sailor who having broken one of his legs by
+          a fall from the mast, thanked God that he had not
+          broken his neck? I expect you are feeling thankful
+          that you did not break both legs.
+
+          "I cried for joy at the last part of your letter.
+          The two things I most wished for of almost
+          anything in the world were to see my mother and
+          Westminster again. But I have been so often
+          disappointed when I have set my heart on some
+          great pleasure, that I will never again be sure of
+          anything before it comes.
+
+                                "Your affectionate brother,
+                                                       "JACK."
+
+Poor Jack! it was well he did not anticipate this treat too much, for
+when the time came he hadn't enough money to take him to London, and as
+he was already in debt he could not borrow any more. It was a bitter
+disappointment; but when his mother got back home again after her visit
+to London, she wrote one of her bright, loving, encouraging letters,
+which did something towards comforting the heart of this "mother's boy."
+This was the letter:
+
+          "DEAR JACK,
+
+          "I am uneasy because I have not heard from you.
+          Don't just write letter for letter, but let me
+          hear from you often, and tell me if you are well,
+          and how much you are still in debt.
+
+          "Dear Jack, don't be discouraged; do your duty;
+          keep close to your studies, and hope for better
+          days. Perhaps we may be able to send you a few
+          pounds before the end of the year.
+
+          "Dear Jacky, I pray Almighty God to bless thee!
+
+                                      "Your mother,
+                                              "SUSANNA WESLEY."
+
+When boys get to be fourteen or sixteen, they begin to think and wonder
+what they will be when they are men. Very little boys generally mean to
+be either cab-drivers or engine-drivers; and I did hear of one who meant
+to have a wild beast show when he grew up. Jack reached the age of
+twenty-one, and had not decided what he would be.
+
+At last the time came when he must make up his mind. After thinking
+about it very seriously, he thought he would like to be a minister like
+his father. So he wrote home and told them his decision.
+
+His father who had been ill and was unable to use his right hand
+properly, wrote to him that he must be quite sure that God had called
+him to this work before he undertook it. "At present," he said, "I think
+you are too young." Then, referring to his illness, he said: "You see
+that time has shaken me by the hand; and death is but a little behind
+him. My eyes and heart are almost all I have left, and I bless God for
+them."
+
+Mrs. Wesley was very glad when she heard that her boy wished to be a
+minister. "God Almighty direct and bless you," she wrote to him.
+
+A few months afterwards, Jack's father wrote, and told him that he had
+changed his mind about his being too young, and that he would like him
+to "take Orders," that is, to become a minister, the following summer.
+"But in the first place," he said, "if you love yourself or me, pray
+very earnestly about it."
+
+To choose to be Christ's minister, a preacher of the gospel, Mr. Wesley
+knew was a very solemn and responsible choice, and he wished Jack to
+think very seriously, and to pray very earnestly before he took the
+important step.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+          Books.--Two books that left impressions on
+          Jack.--Must a Christian boy be miserable?--Jack
+          says "No."--So says Jack's mother.--Father gives
+          his opinion.--"The Enchanted Rocks;" a fairy
+          story.
+
+
+I WONDER if any of my readers ever think what the books they read are
+doing for them, especially the books they are most fond of? Do you know
+every book you read makes _you_ a little bit different? By _you_, I mean
+the unseen part of you, your mind and character.
+
+I remember, when I was somewhere about the mischievous age of eight or
+nine, how fond I used to be of getting to the putty round a newly-put-in
+window pane. It was lovely to press my thimble on it, and see all the
+pretty little holes it left; or to push a naughty finger deep down into
+the nice soft stuff. Then, when the putty had dried hard, I used to
+look with great interest on my work, for every impression was there, and
+could not now be removed.
+
+So it is with books, they make an _impression_ on you; and you are
+either a little bit better or a little bit worse for every book you
+read. _Take care only to read those books that will make you better._
+
+The summer after Jack decided to be a minister, he read two books which
+made some big impressions on his mind, and left him _better_ than he was
+before reading them. One was called "The Imitation of Christ," and the
+other "Holy Living and Dying." They taught him that true religion must
+be in the heart, and that it is not enough for our words and actions, as
+seen and heard by men, to be right, but our very thoughts must be pure
+and good, such as would be approved of God. He did not at all agree with
+Thomas a Kempis, the writer of the first book I mentioned, in
+everything, though, for he made out, according to Jack's idea, that we
+should always be miserable.
+
+I think Jack would never have persevered in his determination to follow
+Christ, if he had been convinced that "to be good you must be
+miserable," for he loved fun, and could not help being happy. He felt
+sure Thomas a Kempis was mistaken, especially when he remembered that
+verse in the Bible which says religion's ways "are ways of
+_pleasantness_" (Prov. iii. 17). When he wrote home, he asked his
+mother what she thought, for although he was now a young man of
+twenty-two, he was still the old Jack that thought father and mother
+knew better than anybody else.
+
+His mother wrote back that she thought Thomas a Kempis _was_ mistaken,
+for so many texts in the Bible show us that God intends us to be happy
+and full of joy. "And," she said, "if you want to know what pleasures
+are right and wrong, ask yourself: 'Will it make me love God more, and
+will it help me to be more like my great example, Jesus Christ?'"
+
+Jack's father wrote: "I don't altogether agree with Thomas a Kempis; but
+the world is like a siren, and we must beware of her. If the young man
+would rejoice in his youth, let him take care that his pleasures are
+innocent; and in order to do this, remember, my son, that for all these
+things God will bring us into judgment."
+
+Some of my readers will hardly understand what Mr. Wesley meant when he
+said the world is "like a siren." Most of you have read fairy tales;
+well, a kind of Greek fairy story tells of some beautiful maidens,
+called sirens, who used to sit on some dangerous rocks, and play
+sweetest music. When sailors saw them and heard their singing, they were
+drawn by magic nearer and nearer to where they were, until at last their
+boats struck on the rocks, and the poor deluded sailors were dragged by
+the sirens to the bottom of the sea and were drowned.
+
+Now, do you see why the world is like a siren? Its pleasures all look so
+beautiful that we are tempted to draw nearer and nearer, until at last
+we are lost to all that is holy and good.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+          Jack a minister.--A letter from father.--Jack's
+          first sermon.--"Mr. John."--Back at
+          college.--Temptations and persecutions.--"For
+          Jesus' sake."--Mr. John's long hair.--Clever, but
+          not proud.--Young soldiers for Christ.
+
+
+WE all love to get letters, do we not? though some of us are not so fond
+of writing them. It was in the year 1725, when Jack was twenty-two years
+old, that he became a minister; and just about this time he had a
+beautiful letter from his father. In it Mr. Wesley said:--
+
+          "God fit you for your great work. Watch and pray;
+          believe, love, endure, and be happy, towards which
+          you shall never want the most ardent prayers of
+
+                                "Your affectionate father,
+                                                 "SAMUEL WESLEY."
+
+Jack's first sermon was preached at a small town near Oxford, and his
+second at his dear home-village, Epworth. Mr. Wesley was getting old,
+and as he had now two churches to look after, the one at Epworth and
+another at a place called Wroote, where he and Mrs. Wesley had gone to
+live, he was very glad when his son offered to go and help him. And now
+that Jack has grown up and got to be a proper minister, I think we must
+begin to call him Mr. John. Well, Mr. John stayed some time helping his
+father at Wroote and Epworth, and then went back again to Oxford, to
+study for a place in a college there--Lincoln College.
+
+There were several others trying to get this same place, and they didn't
+like Mr. John because he would not do the wicked things they did, so
+they made great fun of him, and laughed at him for being good. Nobody
+likes being laughed at; and Mr. John didn't, but he bore it bravely; and
+his father comforted him when he wrote: "Never mind them, Jack; he is a
+coward that cannot bear being laughed at. Jesus endured a great deal
+more for us, before He entered glory; and unless we follow His steps we
+can never hope to share that glory with Him. Bear it patiently, my boy,
+and be sure you never return evil for evil." His mother, too, sent
+loving letters to cheer and comfort him.
+
+So Mr. John worked hard, and bore his persecutions patiently--_for
+Jesus' sake_; and in spite of all his enemies he won the coveted place,
+and became Fellow of Lincoln College. Oh, how glad and thankful he was!
+And his father and mother were so proud and happy.
+
+It was just about this time that Mr. Wesley was afraid he would have to
+leave Wroote, and it was a great trouble to him. "But," he said,
+proudly, "wherever I am, my Jacky is Fellow of Lincoln." As for Jack, he
+felt it was worth everything to give his father and mother such
+pleasure.
+
+Though he was properly grown up, twenty-three years old, Mr. and Mrs.
+Wesley always thought of him as their "boy." Fathers and mothers always
+do this. It doesn't matter how old their children grow to be, they love
+to think of them, and speak of them as their "boys" and "girls." Dear
+readers, remember there is no one on earth that loves you, or ever will
+love you with such a big love as father and mother. No matter how tall,
+or how strong, or how clever you may grow, they will always love you
+with the same big love they did when you were little boys and girls.
+And, oh! whatever you do, never, never grieve these dearest of all dear
+friends.
+
+Mrs. Wesley had been longing to see her "boy" again, especially now that
+he had become Fellow of Lincoln College. At last her wish was granted.
+There were a great many things that puzzled Jack which he wanted to ask
+his father and mother about. So he went and spent a long summer at home,
+getting his hard questions answered, and helping his father with the
+work that was now almost too much for him. He had such a happy time
+that he was almost sorry when the autumn came and he had to return to
+Oxford.
+
+Being at school and college costs a great deal of money, and Jack knew
+that his father was not a rich man, and that he had hard work often to
+pay his college expenses. Jack had been very sorry to be such a burden
+to his parents, and tried to be as careful as he could. Have you ever
+seen a picture of Mr. John Wesley? If you have, you will have noticed
+his long hair. Every one at Oxford wore their hair short; but having it
+cut cost money, and John used to say: "I've no money to spend on
+hair-dressers." So, though his fellow-students made great fun of him, he
+saved his money and wore his hair long, and in time got so accustomed to
+it, that he wore it long all his life. Now that he was Fellow of Lincoln
+College he received enough money to pay his own expenses, and it made
+him very happy to think he need no longer be an expense to his dear
+father. But he resolved still to be as careful as he could, and never
+again to go into debt.
+
+When he went back to his new College, after spending the summer at home,
+he said to himself: "I will give up all the old friends who have so
+often tempted me to do things that a Christian ought not to do, and I
+will make new friends of those who will help me on my way to heaven."
+So, though he was always polite to the many worldly young men who
+wanted to make his acquaintance, he would not have them for his friends.
+This made some of them say very unkind things about him; but Mr. John
+bore it all quietly, and never said unkind things back again. He felt he
+was only treading the path Jesus had trod before him, the path which all
+His disciples must follow.
+
+Mr. John got to be so clever that soon he was made professor, or teacher
+of Greek. Some boys and girls--yes, and grown-up people, too--become
+proud when they get to be clever, but Mr. John did not. He determined,
+more than ever, to be a faithful and humble follower of the Lord Jesus.
+He was very patient with his scholars, and tried not only to make them
+learned, but to make them Christians. "I want these young soldiers of
+Christ to be burning and shining lights wherever they may go," he said.
+"If they are not all intended to be clergymen, they are all intended to
+be Christians."
+
+In the beginning of the next year (1727), Mr. John went home again to
+help his father, who was getting very old, and was often ill. He stayed
+at Wroote about two years, and then went back again to Oxford.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+          Charlie goes to Oxford.--Won't have his brother
+          interfere with him.--A change in
+          Charlie.--Somebody's prayers.--Charlie's chums,
+          and how he treated them.--Dividing
+          time.--Nickname.--A nickname honoured.
+
+
+BEFORE I tell you any more about Mr. John, I am sure you would like to
+know how Charlie has been getting on all this long time. We left him,
+you remember, captain of the school at Westminster, where his eldest
+brother Samuel was a teacher. He was so clever and brave, and such a
+generous, loving-hearted boy, that he was a favourite with everybody. He
+stayed nine years at Westminster, and then, when he was eighteen, went
+to one of the colleges at Oxford. It was not the one Mr. John was at,
+but, being in the same town, the two brothers often saw each other.
+
+Charlie was not a Christian, and made companions of the worldly young
+students who spent their time in all sorts of wrong-doings. John was
+very sorry for this, and spoke to him about it; but Charlie became very
+angry at what he called his brother's interference, and said: "Do you
+want me to become a saint all at once?"
+
+However, while Mr. John was away at home those two years helping his
+father, Charlie changed very much. He became steadier and more
+thoughtful, and even wrote to his brother, and asked for the advice he
+would not have before. "I don't exactly know how or when I changed," he
+said in his letter; "but it was soon after you went away. It is owing, I
+believe, to somebody's prayers (my mother's most likely) that I am come
+to think as I do."
+
+When boys and girls or grown-up people become Christians, those around
+them soon find it out. Charlie's giddy companions soon saw something was
+wrong with him. He used to be lazy and shirk his studies, spending his
+time with them in pleasure and amusement, now he was diligent and worked
+hard.
+
+The next thing they noticed was that he went to church regularly and
+took the Sacrament. And here I must tell you how he behaved towards
+these friends, and I know it will make you like Charlie more than ever.
+
+I told you before how loving and genial he was, and now he did not at
+all like to give up his old chums, and yet he knew that if he meant to
+travel heavenwards he must have companions that were going the same way.
+He longed for his friends to become Christians, and talked to them so
+lovingly and so wisely that before very long he got two or three of them
+to join him in fighting against the evils of their nature, and
+encouraging and seeking after everything that was good.
+
+You have all read in your English history how good King Alfred the Great
+divided his time; well, Charles and his companions divided theirs in a
+similar way. So many hours were spent in study, so many in prayer, and
+so many in sleeping and eating. They made other strict rules for
+themselves, and lived so much by what we call "method," that at last
+they got to be called "Methodists."
+
+Boys and girls are very fond of giving nicknames to their companions;
+sometimes it is done in fun, and then there is no harm in it,--but often
+spite and ill-nature suggest the nickname, then it is very wrong and
+very unkind.
+
+Most of the young men at Oxford thought religion and goodness were only
+things to make fun of, so Charles and his friends were a butt for their
+ridicule. Because they read their Bibles a great deal they called them
+"Bible Bigots," and "Bible Moths," and their meetings they called the
+"Holy Club."
+
+But "Methodists" was the name that fastened most firmly to them, and,
+as you know, after all these years, this is the name we call ourselves
+by to-day. Just think; a nickname given to a few young men at Oxford,
+more than one hundred and fifty years ago, is now held in honour by
+hundreds of thousands of people all over the world.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+          The Christian band at Oxford.--How they spent
+          their time.--Mr. John and the little ragged
+          girl.--A very early bird.--Methodist rules, and
+          the Methodist guide-book.
+
+
+WHEN Mr. John came back to Oxford, of course he joined the Christian
+band, and very soon they made him their leader. He was cleverer and had
+more experience than the others, and they all looked up to him for help
+and advice. Others joined the club, and soon there were twenty-five
+members.
+
+Do you remember a verse in the Bible that, speaking of Jesus, says: "He
+went about doing good"? Well, these young men who were taking Jesus for
+their copy, just did the same; all their spare time was spent in "doing
+good." Some of them tried to rescue their fellow-students from bad
+companions and get them to become Christians; others visited and helped
+the poor. Some taught the children in the workhouse, and some got leave
+to go into the prison and read to the prisoners. Very few of them were
+rich, but they denied themselves things they really wanted in order to
+buy books, and medicine for the poor. Every night they used to have a
+meeting to talk over what they had done, and settle their work for the
+next day.
+
+Mr. John started a school for poor little children; he paid a teacher to
+teach them, and bought clothes for the boys and girls whose parents
+could not afford to buy them. Once a little girl from the school called
+to see Mr. John. It was a cold winter's day, and she was very poorly
+clad.
+
+"You seem half starved, dear," he said; "have you nothing to wear but
+that cotton frock?"
+
+"No, sir," she answered; "this is the only frock I have."
+
+Mr. John put his hand into his pocket, but, alas! he found no money
+there, it had all gone. Just then he caught sight of the pictures on the
+walls of his room, and he thought: "How can I allow these beautiful
+pictures to hang here while Christ's poor are starving?"
+
+We are not told, but I think we can be quite sure that the pictures were
+sold, and that the little girl got a warm winter's frock.
+
+Mr. John was just as careful of his time as his money, he never wasted a
+moment. He believed in the proverb you have often heard: "Early to bed
+and early to rise." Some people say: "Get up with the lark," but I
+think Mr. John was always up before that little bird even awoke. Every
+morning when the clock struck four he jumped out of bed, and began his
+work. Wasn't that early? I wonder which of us would like to get up at
+that time? And he did not do this only when he was young, he did it all
+his life, even when he was an old, old man.
+
+I told you these "Methodists" made rules for themselves. One of them was
+to set apart special days for special prayer for their friends and
+pupils. And another one which we all should copy was: NEVER TO SPEAK
+UNKINDLY OF ANY ONE. The Bible was their Guide Book, and it told them,
+as it will tell us, all they ought to do, and all they ought not to do.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+          A long walk.--More persecutions.--Mr. John's
+          illness.--Not afraid to die.--Mrs. Wesley
+          scolds.--Home again.--A proud father.--Mr.
+          Wesley's opinion about fasting.--At Wroote once
+          more.--Mr. Wesley's "Good-bye."
+
+
+WILL you look on your map of England and find London? Now find Oxford.
+The two places are a long way apart, are they not?
+
+Well, do you know Mr. John and Mr. Charles Wesley used often to walk all
+that long way to see a friend. You know there were no railways in those
+days, and to go by coach cost a great deal of money. This friend's name
+was Mr. Law; he was a very good man, and encouraged and helped the two
+brothers very much. He taught them that "religion is the simplest thing
+in the world." He said: "It is just this, 'We love Jesus, because Jesus
+first loved us.'"
+
+At Oxford, the Methodists were still called all sorts of names and made
+great fun of, not only by the idle, wicked students, but even by clever
+and learned men who ought to have known better. Some of their enemies
+said: "They only make friends with those who are as queer as
+themselves." But Mr. John showed them this was not true, for in every
+way he could he helped and showed kindness to those who said the most
+unkind things.
+
+Hard work, close study, and fasting, at last made Mr. John very ill; one
+night he thought he was going to die. He was not at all afraid, he just
+prayed, "O God, prepare me for Thy coming." But God had a great deal of
+work for His servant to do, and did not let him die. With care and a
+doctor's skill he got quite better.
+
+Poor Mrs. Wesley was often anxious about her two Oxford sons, and once
+wrote them quite a scolding letter. "Unless you take more care of
+yourselves," she said, "you will both be ill. You ought to know better
+than to do as you are doing." Mrs. Wesley did not agree with them
+fasting so much; she believed God meant us to take all the food
+necessary to support our bodies.
+
+Just about this time, Mr. Samuel--the big brother--got an appointment as
+master of a boys' school somewhere in the West of England; but before he
+went to his new place he thought he would like to go home, and see his
+dear father and mother.
+
+When his brothers at Oxford heard this, they thought they would go too,
+so that they might all be together in the old home once more. And, oh,
+what a happy time they had! Mr. Wesley was getting very old, and he was
+so proud to have his "boys" with him again. He talked very seriously to
+John and Charles, and told them he did not at all approve of their way
+of living. He said he was sure God never meant us to fast so much as to
+injure our health, or to shut ourselves up and be so much alone. Jesus
+said: "Let your light shine _before men_;" our light should be where
+_everybody_ can see it. I am sure old Mr. Wesley was right.
+
+A few months later, and the brothers were again at Wroote, standing by
+the bedside of their dying father. "I am very near heaven," he said, as
+they gathered round him, "Good-bye!" And "father" went Home.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+          A corner in America.--Wanted a missionary.--Mrs.
+          Wesley gives up her sons to God's work.--At the
+          dock-side.--The good ship "Simmonds."--Life on
+          board.--A terrible storm.--The German Christians
+          who were not afraid.
+
+
+IF you look on your map of the United States, you will see in the
+south-east, a little corner called Georgia. It was to this place that a
+number of poor people from England had emigrated; people who had been
+cruelly treated in prison, and on being released had no work to do and
+nowhere to go. Some kind Christian gentlemen collected money to help
+them to get to Georgia, where they could have plenty of work and plenty
+of food. A number of poor Germans, too, who had been persecuted in their
+own country because of their religion, also went out to this place where
+they could worship God as they chose, without fear of cruel treatment.
+
+When people are driven out of their own country like this, they are
+called "exiles," and though this little band of exiles found work and
+food, and freedom to worship God in the new land, they had no minister.
+So the gentlemen who had raised the money, and who knew what brave, good
+men Mr. John and Mr. Charles Wesley were, asked them if they would go
+out and minister to these poor people in Georgia. "You are just the men
+to comfort and teach them," they said.
+
+Then, too, a number of Indians lived in Georgia, and they wanted to be
+friends with the white strangers, and General Oglethorpe and Dr. Burton,
+the gentlemen I mentioned, thought it would be a good opportunity to
+preach the gospel to them.
+
+When Mr. John Wesley was first asked, he said: "No, I cannot go, I
+cannot leave my mother." Then they said: "Will you go if your mother
+gives her consent?"
+
+"Yes," said John, feeling quite sure she would never give it.
+
+So he went to Epworth and told his mother all about the matter. Then he
+waited for her reply. Mrs. Wesley loved her "boy" John very, very
+dearly, and if he went to America she might never see him again, and yet
+her answer came: "If I had twenty sons, I would give them all up for
+such a work."
+
+Even after obtaining this unexpected consent, John did not decide to go
+until he had asked the advice of his brother Samuel and his friend Mr.
+Law, both of whom advised him to undertake the work. Then both he and
+his brother sent in their decision to General Oglethorpe, and began
+making preparations for their long journey across the Atlantic Ocean.
+
+Now I want us to imagine ourselves at Gravesend, a place on the river
+Thames near London. Look at all those ships in the docks! See, there is
+one that looks just ready to sail! Can you read the name of it?
+"S-i-m-m-o-n-d-s"--"Simmonds." Yes, that is its name. Let us button up
+our coats, as it is a sharp October day, and watch the passengers go on
+board.
+
+Look at that little man with the nice face, and a lot of colour in his
+cheeks! What long hair he has! and how smooth it is! It looks as if he
+brushed it a great deal. See, he is looking this way, and we can notice
+his beautiful forehead and his bright eyes. Why that must be Mr. John
+Wesley! And, of course, that is his brother Charles talking to some
+gentlemen on the deck. See, he is holding a book close to his eyes--he
+must be short-sighted. Listen, how the others are laughing! I expect he
+is making a joke. Now he is walking off arm in arm with one of his
+companions. He seems to be still loving-hearted and full of fun, the
+same Charlie he was at Westminster School only grown big.
+
+A number of Germans were also on board the "Simmonds," all bound for
+Georgia. Before they had been many days at sea, John Wesley found out
+that they were earnest Christians, and he began at once to learn German
+in order that he might talk to them.
+
+The brothers had not taken their father's advice about fasting; they and
+some other Methodists who were their fellow-passengers still thought
+they ought to do with as little food as possible, and with as few
+comforts. They ate nothing but rice, biscuits, and bread, and John
+Wesley slept on the floor. He was obliged to do it one night, because
+the waves got into the ship and wet his bed, and because he slept so
+well that night, he thought the floor was good enough for him, and
+continued to sleep on it.
+
+I expect you wonder how they spent their time during the long, long
+voyage to Georgia. I will tell you. They made the same strict rules for
+themselves that they did at Oxford. They got up every morning at four
+o'clock, and spent the time in private prayer until five o'clock. Then
+they all read the Bible together until seven. After that they had
+breakfast, and then public prayers for everybody on the ship who would
+come. Then from nine to twelve--just your school-time, little readers,
+is it not?--Mr. John studied his German; somebody else studied Greek,
+another taught the children on board, and Mr. Charles wrote sermons.
+Then at twelve o'clock they all met and told each other how they had
+been getting along, and what they had been doing. At one o'clock they
+had dinner, and after that they read or preached to those on board until
+four o'clock. Then they studied and preached and prayed again until
+nine, when they went to bed. Were not these strict rules? I wonder if
+they ever had the headache? I am afraid we should, if we studied so hard
+and so long.
+
+Have you ever been to Liverpool, and seen one of those beautiful vessels
+that go to America? They are as nice and as comfortable as the best of
+your own homes, and you can get to the other side of the Atlantic in
+about ten days. But at the time of which I write, more than one hundred
+and fifty years ago, travelling was very different. The ships were much
+smaller, and tossed about a great deal more, and the passengers had to
+put up with a great many discomforts. Then again, it took weeks, instead
+of days, to get across to America.
+
+The passengers on board the "Simmonds" met with some terrible storms;
+often the great waves would dash over their little ship, until it seemed
+as if it must sink and never rise again.
+
+One of these storms began on a Sunday, about twelve o'clock in the
+middle of the day. The wind roared round them, and the waves, rising
+like mountains, kept washing over and over the decks. Every ten minutes
+came a shock against the side of the boat, that seemed as if it would
+dash the planks in pieces.
+
+During this storm as Mr. Wesley was coming out of the cabin-door, a big
+wave knocked him down. There he lay stunned and bruised, until some one
+came to his help. When he felt better, he went and comforted the poor
+English passengers, who were dreadfully afraid, and were screaming and
+crying in their fear. Then he went among the Germans, but they needed no
+comfort from him. He heard them singing as he got near, and found them
+calm and quiet, not the least bit frightened.
+
+"Were you not afraid?" Mr. Wesley asked them when the storm was over.
+
+"No," they answered, "we are not afraid to die."
+
+"But were not the children frightened?" he said.
+
+"No," they said again, "our children are not afraid to die either."
+
+During that terrible storm they had remembered how Jesus stilled the
+tempest on the Lake of Galilee, and His voice seemed to say to them now:
+"Peace, be still."
+
+This reminds me of a piece of poetry, which I dare say some of you have
+read. It is about a little girl whose father was a captain, and once
+when there was an awful storm, and even the captain himself was
+frightened:
+
+              "----his little daughter
+          Took her father by the hand,
+          And said: 'Is not God upon the water
+          Just the same as on the land?'"
+
+"_The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than
+the mighty waves of the sea:_" Psa. xciii. 4.
+
+"_He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still:_"
+Psa. cvii. 29.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+          In the Savannah river.--Landed.--A prayer meeting
+          on the top of a hill.--German Christians.--The
+          Indians.--Tomo Chachi and his squaw.--Their
+          welcome to Mr. Wesley.--A jar of milk and a jar of
+          honey.
+
+
+AT last storms and dangers were over, and the good ship "Simmonds"
+floated safely in the smooth waters of the Savannah river. You can find
+this on your map. They cast anchor near a little island called Tybee
+Island, where beautiful pine trees grew all along the shore.
+
+The first thing they did on landing was to go to the top of a hill,
+kneel down together, and thank God for bringing them safely across the
+ocean. You remember Noah's first act after leaving the ship that God put
+him into when the world was drowned, was to offer a sacrifice of
+thankfulness for God's care over him. And when Abraham got safely into
+the strange land to which God sent him, the first thing he did was to
+offer sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. In the same way the little
+missionary band from England showed their reverence and gratitude to the
+God who rules earth, sky, and sea.
+
+When they got to the town of Savannah they found it a very small place.
+There were only about forty houses, besides a church, a prison built of
+logs of wood, and a mill where everybody took their corn to be ground.
+
+I told you, if you remember, that besides the poor English exiles there
+were a number of German Christians. These were called Moravians, and
+they were so glad to have a minister that they came to meet Mr. Wesley,
+and told him how pleased they were to see him. Mr. Wesley and one of his
+friends lived with them in Savannah for a long time, and they soon found
+what earnest real Christians they were, true followers of the Lord
+Jesus. You know it is the people you live with that know you the best,
+and this is what Mr. Wesley wrote about these Moravians. "We were in the
+same room with them from morning till night, except when we went out for
+a walk. They were never idle, were always happy, and always kind to one
+another. They were true copies in all things of their Saviour Jesus
+Christ." Was not that a splendid character to have, and would it not be
+nice if those whom we live with could say the same of us?
+
+There was something near Savannah that you would have liked to see,
+especially the boys, and that was an Indian town. If there was one
+thing more than another that drew Mr. Wesley to Georgia it was the
+Indians. I expect, like you, he had loved to read and hear about them;
+now he had a chance to see them. But what he longed for most of all was
+to tell them about Jesus, and to get them to become Christians. The
+Indians lived in tents or tepees as they are called, and a number of
+these tepees all put up close together was called a town; one of these
+towns was only about twenty minutes' walk from Savannah.
+
+After Mr. Wesley had been a week or two in America, who should come to
+see him but the Indian chief. Think how excited Mr. Wesley would be! The
+chief's name was Tomo Chachi, and he came looking so grand in all his
+war paint, with his great feather head-dress, and moccasins made of
+buffalo skin, ornamented with pretty coloured beads, just as you have
+seen them in pictures.
+
+Mr. Wesley thought he must dress up too, to receive his distinguished
+visitor, so he put on his gown and cassock, and down he went to see Tomo
+Chachi. Of course Mr. Wesley did not understand the Indian language, but
+there was a woman who did, and she acted as interpreter. "I am glad you
+are come," said Tomo Chachi. "I will go up and speak to the wise men of
+our nation, and I hope they will come and hear you preach."
+
+Then Tomo Chachi's wife, or squaw as she is called, who had come with
+her husband, presented the missionaries with a jar of milk. She meant by
+this that she wanted them to make the story of Jesus Christ very plain
+and simple so that they could understand it, for she said "we are only
+like children." Then she gave them a jar of honey, and by this she meant
+that she hoped the missionaries would be very sweet and nice to them.
+Then Tomo Chachi and his squaw went back to their tepee.
+
+A few months after, Mr. Wesley had a long talk with another tribe of
+Indians, a very wicked tribe called the Chicasaws; but they would not
+allow him to preach to them. They said: "We don't want to be Christians,
+and we won't hear about Christ." So Mr. Wesley had to leave them and go
+back disappointed to Savannah.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+          Proud children.--Edie.--Boys in Georgia.--John and
+          Charles Wesley in the wrong.--Signal
+          failure.--Disappointment.--Return to England.--Mr.
+          Wesley finds out something on the voyage home.--An
+          acrostic.
+
+
+I WONDER if my readers know any boys or girls who sneer and look down
+upon their school companions because they are not so well dressed as
+themselves? It is a cruel, unkind, un-Christ-like thing to do.
+
+I remember seeing a little girl, and it was in a Sunday School too, who
+had on a new summer frock and a new summer hat; and oh! Edie did think
+she looked nice. She kept smoothing her frock down and looking at it,
+and then tossing her head. By her side sat a sweet-faced little girl
+about a year younger than Edie. Annie's dress was of print and quite
+plainly made, but very clean and tidy. After admiring herself a little
+while, Edie turned to Annie and thinking, I suppose, that she might be
+wearing a pinafore, and have a frock underneath, she rudely lifted it
+up, and finding it really was her dress, she turned away with a very
+ugly, disgusted look on her face, and said, scornfully "What a frock!"
+Proud, thoughtless boys and girls never know the hurts they give, and
+the harm they do.
+
+The boys in Georgia were no better than some boys in England. At a
+school where one of the Methodists taught there were some poor boys who
+wore neither shoes nor stockings, and their companions who were better
+off taunted them and made their lives miserable. Their teacher did not
+know what to do, and asked Mr. Wesley for advice. "I'll tell you what
+we'll do," he said; "we'll change schools"--Mr. Wesley taught a school
+too--"and I'll see if I can cure them."
+
+So the two gentlemen changed schools, and when the boys came the next
+morning they found they had a new teacher, and this new teacher, to
+their astonishment, wore neither shoes nor stockings. You can imagine
+how the boys stared; but Mr. Wesley said nothing, just kept them to
+their lessons. This went on for a week, and at the end of that time the
+boys were cured of their pride and vanity.
+
+Though Mr. John and Mr. Charles Wesley were so good, they were not
+perfect. They said and did many unwise things, and only saw their
+mistake when it was too late. One thing was they expected the people to
+lead the same strict lives they did, and to believe everything they
+believed. This, of course, the people of Georgia would not do, they
+thought their ways were just as good as Mr. Wesley's, and I dare say in
+some things they were. Instead of trying to persuade them and explaining
+why one way was better than another, Mr. Wesley told them they _must_ do
+this, and they mustn't do that, until at last they got to dislike him
+very much. One woman got so angry that she knocked him down.
+
+I am sure you will all feel very sorry when you read this, for Mr.
+Wesley was working very hard amongst them, and thought he was doing what
+was right. Mr. Charles did not get on any better at Frederica, where he
+had gone to work and preach. Like his brother, he was very strict and
+expected too much from the people. He tried and tried, not seeing where
+he was to blame, and at last wearied and disappointed he returned to
+England.
+
+After he had gone, Mr. John took his place at Frederica, hoping to get
+on better than he had done at Savannah. It was of no use; he stayed for
+twelve weeks, but things only seemed to get worse and worse. At last he
+had to give up and go back to Savannah. Things, however, were no better
+there, and before long he too began to see that his mission had been a
+failure, and he returned to England a sadder and a wiser man.
+
+In spite of all their mistakes Mr. John and his brother must have done
+some good in Georgia, for the missionary who went after them wrote and
+said: "Mr. Wesley has done much good here, his name is very dear to many
+of the people." It must have made the brothers glad to read this, for it
+is hard when you have been doing what you thought was right, and then
+find it was all wrong.
+
+On his return voyage to England Mr. Wesley had time to think about all
+the things that happened in Georgia. He was feeling dreadfully
+disappointed and discouraged; he had given up everything at home on
+purpose to do good to the people out there. He had meant to convert the
+Indians and comfort and help the Christian exiles, and he was coming
+back not having done either. Poor Mr. Wesley! And the worst of it was,
+the more he thought about it all, the more he began to see that the
+fault was his own.
+
+There was another thing he discovered about himself on that voyage home.
+They encountered a fearful storm, when every one expected to be drowned.
+During those awful hours Mr. Wesley found out, almost to his own
+surprise, that the very thought of death was a terror to him. He knew
+then that there was something wrong, for no Christian ought to fear to
+die. So Mr. Wesley went down on his knees and told God how wrong he had
+been, that he had thought too much of his own opinions and trusted too
+much in himself. He asked God to give him more faith, more peace, more
+love.
+
+He was always glad afterwards that he had gone to Georgia, and thanked
+God for taking him into that strange land, for his failure there had
+humbled him and shown him his weakness and his failings.
+
+It is a grand thing when we get to know ourselves. Let us be always on
+the look-out for our own faults, and when we see them, fight them.
+
+I would like to close this chapter with an acrostic I once heard on the
+word "Faith." It is a thing little folks, yes, and big folks often find
+hard to understand, perhaps this may help you.
+
+What is Faith?
+
+          F ull
+          A ssurance (confidence, having no doubt)
+          I n
+          T rusting
+          H im (Jesus).
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+          George Whitefield, the "boy parson."--The Wesleys
+          back in England.--Long walks.--Preaching by the
+          way-side.--A talk in a stable.--Sermon in
+          Manchester.--Mr. Charles in London.--Wants
+          something he has not got.--Gets it.--Mr. John
+          wants it too.--A top place in the class.
+
+
+YOU remember the Holy Club which the Methodists started at Oxford? Well,
+one of the youngest members was named George Whitefield; he was a pupil
+of Mr. John Wesley's, and when he left Oxford he became a preacher.
+While the two Wesleys were in Georgia, he carried on their work in
+England. He had learnt to love Jesus very dearly, had felt how wicked
+and sinful he was, and had gone to the Saviour and told Him all, asking
+Him to "Create in him a clean heart, and to renew within him a right
+spirit." Then he was so happy in knowing he was forgiven, that he wanted
+every one else to be happy and forgiven too. He was so young when he
+commenced to preach that every one called him the "boy parson;" but he
+talked so earnestly and kindly to the people that crowds everywhere
+flocked to hear him.
+
+When he heard that the two Wesleys were leaving Georgia he determined to
+go and take their place, and see what he could do for the poor exiles.
+Before he left England he preached a good-bye sermon, and told the
+people that he was going this long and dangerous voyage, and perhaps
+they might never see his face again. When they heard this, the children
+and the grown-up people, rich and poor, burst into tears, they loved him
+so much. But as this book is to be about Mr. John Wesley, we must not
+follow Mr. Whitefield across the Atlantic. Try to remember his name
+though, for he and the Wesleys were life-long friends, and you will hear
+about him again further on.
+
+When Mr. John and Mr. Charles got back to England they took up George
+Whitefield's work, going from town to town telling the people about
+Jesus Christ. As there were no railways they had to walk a great deal,
+and they used to speak to the people they met on the roads and in the
+villages through which they passed. Once, when Mr. Wesley and a friend
+were on their way to Manchester, they stayed one night in an inn at
+Stafford. Before they went to bed, Mr. Wesley asked the mistress of the
+house if they might have family prayer. She was quite willing, and so
+all the servants were called in. Next morning, after breakfast, Mr.
+Wesley had a talk with them all again, and even went into the stables
+and spoke to the men there about their sins and about the love of Jesus
+Christ.
+
+He preached in Manchester the next Sunday, and this was his text: "If
+any man be in Christ, he is a new creature" (2 Cor. v. 17). He explained
+to them that when any one begins to love Jesus, and tries to copy His
+life, they grow more and more like what He was. Then everything becomes
+different; the things they loved to do before cease to be a pleasure to
+them, and the places they liked to go to they no longer care to visit;
+they are "_new creatures_ in Christ Jesus."
+
+The next morning (Monday) Mr. Wesley, and the friend who was with him,
+left Manchester and went on to Knutsford. Here, too, the people listened
+attentively, while they preached the gospel of Jesus Christ. They
+visited other towns, and then Mr. Wesley returned to Oxford.
+
+He had not been long there when he heard that his brother Charles was
+very ill in London, and went at once to see him. Charles Wesley had been
+living and working there with some German Christians, or Moravians, as
+they were called, and before long he found that these people had
+something in their lives that he did not possess. Like the Germans he
+met in Georgia, their religion gave them peace and joy on week-days as
+well as on Sundays.
+
+When he was ill, one of these Moravians, named Peter Boehler, came to see
+him. During the little talk they had, the visitor said:
+
+"What makes you hope you are saved?"
+
+"Because I have done my best to serve God," answered Mr. Charles.
+
+You see, he was trusting in all the good deeds he had done, and not on
+Jesus Christ's suffering and death for him.
+
+Mr. Boehler shook his head, and did not say any more then. But he left
+Charles Wesley longing for the something he had not got.
+
+When he was a little better, he was carried to the house of a poor
+working-man named Bray. He was not clever, indeed, he hardly knew how to
+read, but he was a happy believer in Jesus; and he explained to Mr.
+Charles that _doing_ was not enough, that we must believe that Jesus
+Christ died on the cross for us, and that it is only through Him that we
+can pray to God, and only by His death that we can hope to go to heaven.
+
+Then a poor woman came in, and she made him understand better than any
+one; and at last Mr. Charles saw where he had been in the wrong, and
+instead of trusting in his own goodness and in all the kind things he
+had done, he just gave up his faith in these, and trusted alone in the
+dying love of his Saviour, and ours.
+
+I expect all my readers have classes in the schools they go to. Some of
+you are at the top of your class, some of you are in the middle, and
+some of you are--well--near the bottom. I think this is very much the
+way in Christ's school, the only difference is that in your class at
+school there can only be _one_ at the top. In Christ's school there can
+be any number at the top. There are a great number of Christians who are
+only half-way up in the class, and I am afraid there are a still greater
+number at the bottom. That is a place none of us like to be in at
+school; then don't let us be content to keep that place in Christ's
+school; let us all seek and obtain top places.
+
+When Mr. John Wesley visited his brother, he found he had got above him
+in Christ's school; he had taken a top place in the class, and John
+could not rest until he had got a top place too. So he prayed very
+earnestly, and got the people that had helped his brother to talk to
+him, but still he did not seem to understand. Four days after he went to
+a little service, and while the preacher was explaining the change that
+comes in us, when we trust in Jesus alone, John Wesley saw it all, took
+a top place in Christ's school, and joyfully went and told his brother.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+          Methodist rules.--Pulpits closed against Mr.
+          Wesley.--A visit to Germany.--A walk in
+          Holland.--Christian David, the German
+          carpenter.--The Fellow of Lincoln College takes
+          lessons in a cottage.
+
+
+I DARE say many of my readers go to Wesleyan Chapels, and understand
+some of the Methodist rules. Most of these rules were made by the two
+Mr. Wesleys and their friends more than one hundred and fifty years ago,
+and they have been kept by their followers ever since. I want to tell
+you about a few of them.
+
+The people who attended the Methodist meetings were divided into little
+bands or companies, no band to have fewer than five persons in it, and
+none more than ten. They were to meet every week, and each one in turn
+was to tell the rest what troubles and temptations they had had, and how
+God, through Jesus Christ, had helped them since the last meeting.
+
+Every Wednesday evening, at eight o'clock, all the bands joined together
+in one large meeting, which began and ended with hymns and prayer.
+There were many other rules, some of which I will tell you later on,
+others you can read about when you are older.
+
+All this time you must remember that Mr. Wesley was a church clergyman.
+He loved the Church of England very dearly, though there were a great
+many things in it with which he did not agree.
+
+Wherever he preached he told the people just what he believed, and as
+very few clergymen thought as he did, they did not like him speaking his
+opinions so freely. At last, first one and then another said he should
+never preach in their churches again. Yet the message Mr. Wesley gave to
+the people, was the very same message that Christ spoke long before on
+the shores of Galilee.
+
+Mr. Wesley still longed to understand his Bible better, and to learn
+more of Jesus Christ, so he determined to go and visit the Moravians at
+a place called Herrnhuth in Germany, and see if he could get some help
+from them. So one June day, he said good-bye to his mother, and with
+eight of his friends set off. One of these friends was an old member of
+the Holy Club at Oxford. On their way to Herrnhuth, they had to pass
+through Holland. This is what Mr. Wesley says about a walk they had in
+that country:
+
+I never saw such a beautiful road. Walnut trees grow in rows on each
+side, so that it is like walking in a gentleman's garden. We were
+surprised to find that in this country the people at the inns will not
+always take in travellers who ask for food and bed. They refused to
+receive us at several inns. At one of the towns we were asked to go and
+see their church, and when we went in we took off our hats in reverence,
+as we do in England, but the people were not pleased, they said: "You
+must not do so, it is not the custom in this country."
+
+After a long, long journey through Germany, the little party at last
+reached Herrnhuth.
+
+Mr. Wesley had only been a few days there, when he wrote to his brother
+Samuel: "God has given me my wish, I am with those who follow Christ in
+all things, and who walk as He walked."
+
+I must just tell you about one of these Moravians, because he helped Mr.
+Wesley more than any of the others. His name was Christian David. He was
+only an ignorant working-man, and when not preaching was always to be
+found working at his carpenter's bench. But David was Christian in life
+as well as in name; he "walked with God," and whether he preached and
+prayed, or worked with chisel and plane, he did all "in the name of the
+Lord Jesus." He was never tired of telling people about the Saviour he
+loved, and trying to get them to love Him too. He was a man who often
+made mistakes, but as some one has said, "the man who never makes
+mistakes never makes anything;" and Christian David was always ready to
+own his faults when they were pointed out to him.
+
+You remember to what a high position Mr. Wesley had risen at Oxford, and
+how clever he was? Yet Christian David knew more than he did about Jesus
+Christ and His love; and the Fellow of Lincoln College was not too proud
+to go and sit in a cottage and be taught by this humble carpenter, who
+so closely followed the Holy Carpenter of Nazareth.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+          Fetter Lane.--Popular preachers.--Old friends meet
+          again.--Love-feasts.--1739--Small beginning of a
+          great gathering.--A crowded church.--A lightning
+          thought.--But a shocking thing.--George
+          Whitefield's welcome at Bristol.--"You shall not
+          preach in my pulpit."--"Nor mine."--"Nor
+          mine."--Poor Mr. Whitefield.
+
+
+WHILE Mr. Wesley was in Germany, his brother Charles had been preaching
+and working in London, and when Mr. John returned he found about
+thirty-two people had joined the society there. They had hired a room in
+Fetter Lane, and here they held their meetings. Mr. Wesley had come back
+so full of love to Jesus Christ, and therefore so full of love to
+everybody, and so eager for all to be as happy as he was, that he soon
+got many others to join them. When he wrote to his German friends, he
+said: "We are trying here, by God's help, to copy you as you copy
+Christ."
+
+He and his brother still preached in any church where they were allowed,
+and wherever they went crowds of poor people followed to hear them. They
+used to go, too, to the prisons, and the hospitals, and preach to the
+sinful and the suffering. They told them how Jesus forgave sins, and how
+He used to heal the sick; and the sinful were made sorry, and the
+suffering ones were comforted, and many believed in Jesus and prayed for
+forgiveness.
+
+Mr. Wesley had returned from Germany in September; a few months later
+Mr. George Whitefield came back from Georgia. He had got on very well
+with the people there, because he did not try to alter the ways they had
+been accustomed to, unless it was really necessary.
+
+Mr. Wesley went to meet his old friend, and, oh! how pleased they were
+to see each other again. Mr. Whitefield joined the little society in
+Fetter Lane, and they all worked together most happily.
+
+I dare say most of my Methodist readers will have been to a love-feast;
+those of you who have not, will at any rate have heard of them. Well, it
+was just about this time that love-feasts were first started. The little
+bands or companies that I told you about used to join together, and have
+a special prayer meeting once a month on a Saturday; and the following
+day, which, of course, was Sunday, they all used to meet again between
+seven o'clock and ten in the evening for a love-feast--a meal of bread
+and water eaten altogether and with prayer. It was a custom of the
+Moravians, and it was from them Mr. Wesley copied it.
+
+I have also heard that the love-feast was provided for the people, who
+had walked a great many miles to hear Mr. Wesley preach, and were tired
+and hungry. If this was the idea of the love-feast, they would have to
+give the people a great deal more bread than they do now, or they would
+still be hungry when they had done.
+
+The year after Mr. Whitefield returned from Georgia, 1739, was a
+wonderful year for the Methodists. It started with a love-feast and
+prayer meeting, which lasted half through the night. Then a few days
+later, on January 5th, the two Mr. Wesleys and Mr. Whitefield, with four
+other ministers, met together to talk about all they hoped to do during
+the year, and make rules and plans for their helpers and members.
+
+I told you, if you remember, that first one pulpit and then another was
+closed against these clergymen. At last there were only two or three
+churches where they were allowed to preach. One day when Mr. Whitefield
+was preaching in one of these, the people came in such crowds to hear
+him, that hundreds could not get into the church. Some of them went
+away, but a great number stood outside.
+
+All at once there flashed across Mr. Whitefield's mind this thought:
+"Jesus preached in the open air to the people, why can't I?" Numbers
+had often before been turned away when he preached, but he had never
+thought of having a service outside a church, it seemed a most shocking
+thing. However, the message seemed to come straight from God. He dared
+not act on it at once, for you see he was a clergyman, and had always
+been brought up to believe that inside the church was the only place
+where people can properly worship God.
+
+When he mentioned the matter to his friends, some of them were very much
+shocked, and thought to preach in the open air would be a very wrong
+thing. But some said: "We will pray about it, and ask God to show us
+what we ought to do." So they knelt down and prayed to be guided to do
+the right thing.
+
+Soon after this Mr. Whitefield went to Bristol, where he had been liked
+so much before he went to America. When he got there he was invited to
+preach first in one church and then in another, all were open to him.
+But before very long the clergymen in the place showed that they
+disapproved of the plain way in which he spoke to the people, and they
+told him they would not allow him to preach in their pulpits again.
+
+By and by all the churches were closed against him, and there was
+nowhere but the prison where he was allowed to preach. Soon the mayor of
+Bristol closed that door also.
+
+Poor Mr. Whitefield! what could he do now? I think I know one thing he
+would do. He would turn to his Bible, and there he would read: "In all
+thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."
+
+In the next chapter you shall hear how God fulfilled His promise to
+George Whitefield.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+          Kingswood.--Grimy colliers.--The shocking thing is
+          done.--A beautiful church.--From 200 to
+          20,000.--John Wesley shocked.--Drawing lots.--To
+          be or not to be.--To be.--Mr. Wesley gets over the
+          shock.--George Whitefield's "good-bye" to the
+          colliers.
+
+
+LONG, long ago, before all this happened that I have been telling you,
+there was a forest near Bristol where the kings of England used to hunt,
+Kingswood it was called. But at the time of which I write, most of the
+trees had been cut down; a great many coal mines had been dug, and the
+people who lived round about and worked in the mines were a wild and
+wicked lot. They had no churches, and those in Bristol were three or
+four miles away.
+
+Surely, Mr. Whitefield thought, these people ought to have the gospel of
+Jesus Christ preached to them; they have no church, it cannot be wrong
+to preach to them in the open air. So, one Saturday in this year, 1739,
+Mr. Whitefield set off to Kingswood. It was a cold winter's day, but his
+heart was warm inside with love for these poor neglected colliers, and
+he soon got warm outside with his long walk.
+
+When he reached Kingswood he found an open space called Rose Green,
+which he thought was just the place for a service. Standing on a little
+mound which did for a pulpit, he commenced to preach; and surely that
+was the grandest church in which a Methodist minister ever held a
+service. The blue sky of heaven was his roof, the green grass beneath
+him the floor; and as Mr. Whitefield stood in his FIRST FIELD PULPIT,
+his thoughts went back, down the ages, to the dear Master whose steps he
+was seeking to follow--the Preacher of Nazareth, whose pulpit was the
+mountain-side, and whose hearers were the publicans and sinners. Two
+hundred grimy colliers stood and listened to that earnest young
+preacher.
+
+Mr. Whitefield continued his visits to Kingswood; the second time,
+instead of two hundred there were 2,000 eager listeners. The next time
+over 4,000 came to hear; and so the numbers went on increasing until he
+had a congregation of 20,000.
+
+Once, after he had been preaching, he wrote this: "The trees and the
+hedges were all in full leaf, and the sun was shining brightly. All the
+people were silent and still, and God helped me to speak in such a loud
+voice that everybody could hear me. All in the surrounding fields were
+thousands and thousands of people, some in coaches and some on
+horseback, while many had climbed up into the trees to see and hear."
+
+As Mr. Whitefield preached, nearly all were in tears. Many of the men
+had come straight from the coal-pits, and the tears that trickled down
+their cheeks made little white gutters on their grimy faces. Then, in
+the gathering twilight, they sang the closing hymn, and when the last
+echoes died away in the deepening shadows, Mr. Whitefield felt how
+solemn it all was, and he, too, could hardly keep back the tears.
+
+Mr. Whitefield soon found there was more work at Kingswood than he could
+do alone, so he wrote and asked Mr. John Wesley to come and help him.
+Being very _proper_ sort of clergymen, John and Charles Wesley could not
+help thinking it a dreadful, and almost a wrong thing to preach anywhere
+but in a church, or, at any rate, in a room; and for some time they
+could not decide what to do.
+
+They asked the other members at Fetter Lane what they thought about it;
+some said Mr. John ought to go, and some said he ought not. So at last
+they decided to draw lots. You know what that is, don't you? If you look
+in your Bible, in Acts i. 26, you will see that the disciples drew lots
+when they wanted to make up their number to twelve, after wicked Judas
+had killed himself. And in John xix. 24, you can read how the soldiers
+cast lots for the coat that had belonged to Jesus, which they took away
+after they had crucified Him. And in many other places in the Bible we
+read about people casting lots.
+
+So the society at Fetter Lane cast lots, and it came out that Mr. John
+Wesley should go. Everybody was satisfied after this, and even Mr.
+Charles, who more than any of the others had objected, now felt that it
+was right. So Mr. John set off for Bristol and joined his friend.
+
+The first Sunday he was there he heard Mr. Whitefield preach in the open
+air, and this is what he wrote about it: "It seemed such a strange thing
+to preach in the fields, when all my life I had believed in everything
+being done properly and according to the rules of the Church. Indeed, I
+should have thought it almost a sin to preach anywhere else."
+
+However, because of the lots, he felt it was all right; and he was still
+more sure of this when he saw the crowds, who would never have gone into
+a church, listening so intently to God's Word. He very soon got used to
+open-air preaching, and by and by Mr. Whitefield left the work at
+Kingswood to him.
+
+When the people heard that Mr. Whitefield was going to leave them, they
+were very, very sorry; and the day he rode out of Bristol, a number of
+them, about twenty, rode on horseback with him, they could not bear to
+say "good-bye."
+
+As he passed through Kingswood, the poor colliers, who were so grateful
+for all he had done for them, came out to meet him, and told him they
+had a great surprise for him. They had been very busy collecting money
+for a school for poor children, and now they wanted their dear friend,
+Mr. Whitefield, to lay the corner-stone of their new building.
+
+He was surprised and delighted; and when the ceremony was over, he knelt
+down and prayed that the school might soon be completed, and that God's
+blessing might ever rest upon it; and all those rough colliers bowed
+their heads, and uttered a fervent "Amen."
+
+At last "good-bye" was said to the dear minister who had brought them
+the glad tidings of salvation, and leaving them in charge of Mr. Wesley,
+George Whitefield rode away.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+          John Wesley's moral courage.--What some carriage
+          people thought of him.--And why.--The fashionable
+          Beau in the big, white hat.--Interrupts Mr.
+          Wesley.--Gets as good as he gives.--And
+          better.--The King of Bath slinks away.
+
+
+DO you know what "moral courage" is, young readers? How shall I explain
+it? I think you will understand it best if I say it is "courage to do
+what is right." A boy may have courage to fight a bigger boy than
+himself, but he may not have the moral courage to own to a fault before
+his school-fellows, or to side with the right when that side is
+unpopular.
+
+Now, I think John Wesley showed a great deal of moral courage when he
+started to preach in the open air. Remember, he was born a gentleman, he
+was educated as a gentleman, and as Fellow of an Oxford College had
+always mixed with distinguished gentlemen. Then he was brought up a
+strict Churchman, and had always believed that the ways and rules of
+the Church were the only right and proper ways.
+
+Fancy this most particular Church clergyman, wearing his gown and bands,
+just as you have seen him in the pictures, and getting upon a table in
+the open air, or on the stump of a tree, or climbing into a cart and
+preaching to a lot of dirty, ignorant men and women. This was, indeed,
+moral courage; he did it because he felt it was the right thing to do,
+and that God wanted him to do it.
+
+Mr. Wesley was quite as much liked by the people as Mr. Whitefield had
+been, and the sight of him preaching was such a wonderful one, that
+ladies and gentlemen came in their carriages to see and to hear.
+
+In his sermons, Mr. Wesley spoke as plainly to the rich as he did to the
+poor. He told them how God hated sin, and that it was impossible for a
+sinner to get to heaven. Some of the ladies and gentlemen did not like
+this at all, and called Mr. Wesley "rude and ill-mannered," but it made
+them feel uncomfortable all the same.
+
+You have heard of a place called Bath, and that it is noted for its
+mineral waters. It is a fashionable place now, but it was a great deal
+more fashionable in Mr. Wesley's time. Not being far from Bristol, Mr.
+Wesley used sometimes to go and preach there. Once when he went, some of
+his friends said: "Don't preach to-day, for Beau Nash means to come and
+oppose you."
+
+Beau Nash was a gambler, and in other ways, too, a very bad man. But,
+somehow, he always managed to get enough money to make a great show, and
+many of the people looked up to him as a leader of fashion. Indeed, he
+was quite popular among most of the visitors to Bath.
+
+Of course when Mr. Wesley heard that this man was coming to oppose him,
+instead of being frightened, he was all the more determined to preach.
+
+A great number of people had assembled, many of them Nash's friends, who
+had come to see "the fun." By and by Beau Nash himself came, looking
+very grand in a big white hat, and riding in a coach drawn by six grey
+horses, with footmen and coachmen all complete.
+
+Soon after Mr. Wesley had commenced his sermon, Beau Nash interrupted
+him by asking: "Who gave you leave to do what you are doing?"
+
+"Jesus Christ," said Mr. Wesley, "through the Archbishop of Canterbury,
+when he laid his hands upon my head, and said: 'Take thou authority to
+preach the gospel.'"
+
+This answer rather settled Beau Nash. Then he accused Mr. Wesley of
+frightening the people out of their wits.
+
+"Did you ever hear me preach?" said Mr. Wesley.
+
+"No," was the reply.
+
+"Then how do you know I frighten people?"
+
+"By what I have heard."
+
+"Oh!" said Mr. Wesley. "Then is not your name Nash?"
+
+"It is," said the Beau.
+
+"Well, sir, I suppose, then, I must judge you by what I have heard of
+you."
+
+This reply so confounded the young man that he could not say a word, and
+when an old woman in the congregation stood up and told the Beau what
+she thought about him, the "King of Bath," as he was called, slunk away,
+and took himself off.
+
+This affair made a great stir in Bath, and when Mr. Wesley went through
+the town the streets were full of people, hurrying up and down, wanting
+to see him.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+          Good out of evil.--What Mr. Wesley
+          preached.--"Hurrah!"--In the prison.--How the
+          wicked Methodists spoiled the woollen
+          trade.--Emilia Wesley says strong things.--In the
+          sunlight.
+
+
+I KNOW you will have thought it very unkind of the clergymen not
+allowing such a good man as Mr. Wesley to preach in their churches; and
+so it was, very unkind, and very wrong. These clergymen thought so
+themselves after a time; but God often uses the wrong doings of people
+to bring about a great good, and He did so in this case.
+
+Perhaps if the churches had not been closed against Mr. Wesley and Mr.
+Whitefield they would never have preached in the open air, and thousands
+of people, who would not go to a church, might never have heard the
+Gospel of Jesus Christ.
+
+You boys and girls love father and mother and home, do you not? And when
+you have been away at day-school or boarding-school, oh! how glad you
+always are to get to them again. Well, in the same way we all come from
+God; He is our Father, and heaven is our home, and all of us, deep down
+inside of us, have a longing to go home again some day. But Adam and Eve
+had to be punished for their disobedience; and the punishment was that
+they and all that were born after them should die, and never go back to
+home and to God. This was a terrible punishment, was it not? But you
+know how Jesus Christ, God's Son, in His great love and pity for us said
+He would come down from heaven, and be a man on earth; that He would go
+through life just as we have to do, and at last die. Then God said if
+His dear Son did this, and lived on earth a life that should be a
+beautiful copy for men and women and boys and girls to follow; and if
+the people would believe on Him and follow His example, God would
+forgive them, and they should go back to Him, their Father, and to
+heaven their home.
+
+All this Mr. Wesley explained to the people, and told them if they
+believed this and loved and followed the Saviour that died for them,
+they would always be happy, and God would give them His own peace, the
+peace He has promised to those that love Him.
+
+One wonders how the clergymen could disapprove of such preaching, and
+why they should shut Mr. Wesley out of their pulpit, for if they did not
+preach this same Gospel they certainly ought to have done.
+
+However, Mr. Wesley got much larger congregations outside the churches
+than they ever got inside, and wherever he went hundreds of people
+believed the wonderful story he told them, and became true followers of
+the Lord Jesus Christ. Strange things happened at his services; some of
+the people were so overjoyed at what they heard they could not help
+shouting "Hurrah!" and "Hallelujah!" and they poked each other in the
+ribs, as much as to say: "Isn't that good?"
+
+Then, when Mr. Wesley told them how Jesus Christ suffered, and how
+cruelly Judas betrayed Him, and that He allowed all this in order that
+we might be saved, the people would burst into tears, and you could hear
+their sobs all over the great congregation. All sorts of people came to
+the services, thieves and gamblers, poor people and rich people, and all
+heard the same glad tidings of salvation.
+
+Mr. Wesley did not remain at Bristol; several times he went up to
+London, and wherever he went crowds came to hear him. One day when he
+was preaching at Newgate, a prison in London, and was telling the people
+what would become of them if they did not give up their wicked ways, a
+woman whom he had known for many years as a very bad character, burst
+into tears and begged Mr. Wesley to pray for her. Many of the other
+prisoners did the same, and numbers believed in Jesus Christ as their
+Saviour, and became Christian men and we men.
+
+It was just wonderful; but it is sad to think that if these people had
+only heard the Gospel before, they might never have been the wicked men
+and women they were. As soon as ever they heard, they believed.
+
+All the magazines and newspapers that were published were full of the
+doings of the Methodists. They were still called all sorts of names and
+abused dreadfully. But the good people had got so used to this that they
+did not mind, indeed, they hardly expected any other treatment. In those
+days very few of the poor people could read, and one newspaper
+complained that nearly every one who went to hear the Methodists wanted
+to learn to read the Bible, and as soon as ever he could spell out a
+chapter he would go and read it to some one who could not read, and then
+they would talk about it together. This, the paper said, wasted a great
+deal of time, for the men were so busy talking and reading their Bibles
+that they could not get on with their work, and the woollen trade in
+Yorkshire would soon be ruined. Of course this last was not true, and
+was only said to stop the Methodists from preaching. It showed, however,
+how sincere and how much in earnest the people were.
+
+But amidst all the persecutions of mobs of ignorant and brutal men and
+women who knew no better, and of abuse and slander by the rich and the
+educated, who ought to have known better, nothing pained Mr. Wesley so
+much as the unkind words of his sister Emilia. She was his favourite
+sister, and he thought a great deal about her opinion. In an angry
+letter she wrote him, she said the Methodists were "a lot of bad
+people."
+
+However, John Wesley and his friends calmly went on doing the work they
+felt God had called them to do. The peace of God was in their hearts,
+and the sunlight of His love brightened their faces, and made them
+tender and forgiving to all their enemies. As Jesus Christ prayed for
+the cruel men who crucified Him, so they prayed: "Father, forgive them,
+for they know not what they do."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+          Don't believe all you hear.--Mrs. Wesley finds her
+          "dear Jack" true to his colours.--She joins the
+          Methodists.--And thus dreadfully shocks her eldest
+          son.--Death of Mr. Samuel Wesley.--A loving
+          mother's letter to "her boy."
+
+
+I THINK Mr. Wesley's greatest trouble at this time was, that even his
+dear mother, whom he had not seen for a long, long time, believed many
+of the things that people were saying about him, and felt sure he had
+wandered away from the true religion of Jesus Christ.
+
+It does not do for us to believe all we hear, and when at last Mrs.
+Wesley went to London, and saw and talked with her sons, she found all
+the tales had been untrue, and that her "dear Jack" was the same loyal
+soldier and servant of Jesus Christ that he had ever been.
+
+Instead of going back to where she had been living, Mrs. Wesley, freed
+from her fears, remained in London with her "boys," a proud and happy
+mother. She joined the Society in Fetter Lane, went every Sunday to hear
+her sons preach, and helped them in every way she could. Once she stood
+by Mr. Wesley's side when he preached on Kennington Common to a
+congregation of about 20,000 people, and I don't know which was the
+prouder, mother or son.
+
+You remember Mr. Samuel Wesley, the eldest brother? He was one who
+strongly disapproved of open-air preaching, and thought John and Charles
+were very much in the wrong for not behaving like other clergymen. When
+he heard that even his mother had joined the Methodists he was more
+indignant than ever, and wrote her what I think was a very rude letter.
+
+"I was very much surprised and grieved," he said, "when I heard that you
+had joined the Methodists, and, indeed, become one of Jack's
+congregation. My brothers are brothers to me no longer, and now, must my
+mother follow too?"
+
+It is sad to think that two weeks after Mr. Samuel wrote this he was
+taken ill and died in a few hours. He was a clever and a sensible man,
+but he did not understand, or even try to understand, the work his
+brothers were doing, and, therefore, disapproved of it.
+
+When Mr. Wesley heard the news of his brother's death he set off at
+once to Bristol to Mr. Charles, and together they went to Tiverton to
+comfort and help their sister-in-law. They forgot all the unkind things
+their brother had said against them, and only thought how they could
+best show their love and sympathy to those that were left.
+
+Poor Mrs. Wesley was very ill when she heard the sad news. She had
+always dearly-loved her eldest child, and his death was a great sorrow.
+But she said: "It is God's will, therefore it is all right."
+
+You can tell what a real comfort Mr. John was to her at this time, by
+the letter she wrote to Charles at Bristol about a month after Mr.
+Samuel's death. This is what she said:
+
+          "DEAR CHARLES,
+
+          "You cannot want to see me more than I want to see
+          you. Your brother Jack, whom I shall call son
+          Wesley, now that my dear Sam is gone home, has
+          just been in to see me, and has cheered me up ever
+          so much. Indeed, he never comes but he does me
+          good; his visits are all too seldom and too short.
+          For this I cannot blame him, for I know he is
+          about his Heavenly Father's business.
+
+          "But, dear Charles, I do so want one of you, for I
+          feel weak as a little child. I do pray that God
+          will bless you both in your work, and keep you
+          from harm; and that He will give you strength and
+          courage to preach the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.
+
+          "This is the hearty prayer of, dear Charles,
+
+                                      "Your loving mother,
+                                               "SUSANNA WESLEY."
+
+Is not that a loving letter? No wonder Mr. Charles prized it very much.
+Little folks generally take care of all the letters they get. I know I
+did when I was a little girl, indeed I have some of them now. Grown-up
+people usually tear theirs up, they get so many. But this letter that
+Mr. Charles had from his dear old mother was too precious to be so
+treated; he took great care of it, and after his death it was found
+among his papers.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+          A very old school.--The first Methodist
+          Chapel.--Well done, Bristol!--Empty purses.--How
+          they were filled.--The penny-a-week rule.
+
+
+YOU remember the school at Kingswood, that the colliers collected the
+money for and started? Although it is one hundred and fifty years ago
+since it was opened, there has been a school at Kingswood ever since,
+and it is the very oldest thing we have in connection with Methodism.
+
+If you will listen at chapel some time--in October I think it generally
+is--you will hear the minister say: "Collections will be taken to-day,
+morning and evening, on behalf of the Kingswood Schools." When you hear
+this will you just think, that the money you give is for the same school
+that was started by those good-hearted colliers near Bristol, more than
+one hundred and fifty years ago.
+
+Now I must tell you of the very first Methodist Chapel that was ever
+built; for this, too, we have to thank the Bristol people. Having heard
+about Jesus Christ themselves, they were eager for their friends and
+neighbours to hear about Him too. They worked very hard, and were so
+much in earnest inviting people to come to the services, that at last
+the room where they held their meeting got far too small for all the
+people who wanted to come. It was only a tumble-down sort of place, and
+they were afraid the floor might give way or the roof fall in, and
+somebody be hurt.
+
+At last they secured a piece of ground in what was called the Horse Fair
+in Bristol, and one bright May morning, in 1739, the first stone of the
+
+          FIRST METHODIST CHAPEL
+
+was laid, amidst great shouting of praise and thanksgiving. I have
+called it a Chapel, but the Methodists called it a "Preaching House."
+
+You may think what a great deal of money it took to carry on all the
+work that the Methodists were doing; sometimes their purses were very
+empty, and they wondered however they should get them filled again. But
+it was God's work they were doing, and of course the money always came.
+
+Like most Methodist Chapels nowadays, the money to pay for the Bristol
+Preaching House was not got all at once; but a plan was adopted which, I
+think, was a very good one. Every Methodist in Bristol promised to pay
+a penny a week until all the money was raised; and as there were some
+hundreds of Methodists, the debt was soon paid off. Some of the people,
+however, were too poor to pay even this small amount, so it was arranged
+that the richer men should each call upon eleven poorer ones every week,
+and collect their pennies, and when they could not give them, the rich
+man was to make it up. This was the beginning of the weekly class money
+which your fathers and mothers, if they are Methodists, pay in their
+class-meetings to-day.
+
+When Mr. Wesley told the society in Fetter Lane, London, of the good
+plan the Bristol people had made, they adopted it too, and always after
+that wherever the Methodists commenced a society, the penny-a-week rule
+was followed.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+          An explosion.--A new business at the old
+          Foundry.--Mr. Wesley and his mother at
+          home.--Grand helpers.--Poor little Tom.--The worst
+          man in Bristol.--And one of the best.
+
+
+HOW old would John Wesley be in 1716, if he was born in 1703? Thirteen,
+would he not? a school-boy at the Charterhouse School. In that year
+there was a terrible explosion at a cannon foundry, where the guns were
+made for war. The roof of the building was blown off, and a great many
+workmen were injured and killed.
+
+After this explosion, the machinery and iron were removed to Woolwich,
+which, as you will learn in your geography is still the great place for
+making cannon and other weapons of war. All the years from 1716 to 1739
+the old foundry had never been touched, there it was, still in ruins.
+
+One day in this year, 1739, while Mr. Wesley was in London, two
+gentlemen came and asked him if he would preach in this old tumble-down
+place. He consented, and one dreary November morning at eight o'clock,
+before the grey clouds of night had fled, he preached to about six
+thousand people in the old King's Foundry.
+
+The following week many of those who had listened to him, came and
+begged him to buy the old place for a meeting-house. After thinking and
+praying about the matter he consented, and before very long the roof was
+mended, galleries were made, and the first Methodist preaching-place in
+London was ready for use.
+
+Class-rooms and a school-room were afterwards built, and a house fitted
+up where Mr. Wesley and his mother could live. At the end of the chapel
+was another house for his servants and some of his helpers. There was
+also a coach-house and stable where the travelling preachers could "put
+up."
+
+Though Mr. John and Mr. Charles Wesley were so clever and worked so
+hard, they could never have got on without their earnest, loving
+helpers. There was Thomas Maxfield, one of those devoted, go-a-head men
+of Bristol; then there was John Nelson, a stone-mason, in Yorkshire,
+who, when his master wanted him to work on Sunday, refused; and, like
+other Methodists, having become a Christian himself he sought to win
+others for Christ.
+
+Thomas Olivers was another. Poor Thomas, when he was a wee boy, only
+four years old, both his father and his mother died, and little Tom was
+left to grow up a wicked boy. He used to swear and gamble and drink,
+and when he became a man was one of the worst characters in Bristol. But
+he heard Mr. Whitefield preach, and from that time a change came over
+him. He felt he was too great a sinner ever to be forgiven, and would
+kneel down and pray for hours and hours. God saw how sorry he was for
+all his wickedness, and how much he longed to be different, so He just
+whispered His forgiveness, bidding him, "Go and sin no more," and Thomas
+Olivers rose up a converted man, and became as brave a Christian as he
+had been bold a sinner.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+          Billy and Polly.--A little sunbeam visits
+          Sandgate.--What happened at seven o'clock in the
+          morning.--And at five o'clock in the
+          evening.--"The Old, Old Story."--Newcastle wants
+          to know more.--But Newcastle has to wait.--John
+          Wesley goes back to Bristol.--The Kingswood of the
+          North.
+
+
+"WHO'S yon man?"
+
+"Which man?"
+
+"Yon. Him with the long hair, and dressed like a parson."
+
+"I dunno. Why there's two on 'em."
+
+"I say, Polly, let's go and hear 'em, they're singing. Come on, Bob."
+
+Bob and Billy and Polly were very ragged and very dirty children, and
+they lived in Newcastle.
+
+The boys were almost naked, and Polly, though nearly fifteen had no
+clothes on at all, only a dirty bit of blanket wrapped round her. Their
+fathers and mothers worked in the coal mines, and because they had never
+been taught different, they were drunken, swearing, wicked people; even
+the children cursed and swore.
+
+But Bob and Billy and Polly have got to the top of Sandgate, the street
+where their miserable home is; let us follow. Some of their companions
+are with them, children as ragged and dirty as themselves. The women,
+too, have come to their doors to listen. What is it these men are
+singing? Hark!
+
+[Illustration: Music]
+
+          All people that on earth do dwell
+          Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice;
+          Him serve with fear, His praise forth tell:
+          Come ye before Him and rejoice.
+
+It was a lovely May morning, and a kind little sunbeam had left the
+green fields and the chirping birdlets to peep into Sandgate. I think it
+must have heard the singing, and wanted to shine its gladness, that
+God's praises were at last being sung to those poor people.
+
+It was quite early, about seven o'clock in the morning, and some of the
+men and women were still in bed; but little sunbeam went first to one
+and then to another and kissed them awake, and when they had rubbed
+their eyes and opened their ears, they heard a strange sound. What could
+it be? They had never heard anything like it before.
+
+[Illustration: "If you come to yon hill at five o'clock to-night, I'll
+tell you what I mean."--_Page 95._]
+
+They sat up in bed and listened, then they got dressed, and then they
+went out. The music acted like a magic spell, and drew them to it. One
+man, two men, three men, four men, five men; oh, dear! there are too
+many to count. Such a number of women too, why, there must be five
+hundred people all together, and still they keep coming. One of the
+gentlemen is now talking. Listen what he is saying! He is preaching a
+sermon, and this is his text: "_He was wounded for our transgressions,
+He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was
+upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed._" He is telling those poor
+men and women that it was Jesus, the Son of God, who suffered this for
+them, _because He loved them_.
+
+The people, who numbered about twelve hundred, stood gaping and staring,
+they had never heard anything like this before.
+
+"Who are you?" shouted one man.
+
+"What do you mean?" called out another.
+
+The gentleman with the long hair and beautiful face answered them: "If
+you want to know who I am, my name is John Wesley, and if you come to
+yon hill at five o'clock to-night, I'll tell you what I mean."
+
+At five o'clock the hill was covered with people from the top to the
+bottom, and as Mr. Wesley stood with that great crowd round him, all
+eager to learn about the wonderful Saviour who had died for them, and of
+whom they had never heard, tears of pity filled his eyes, and a big love
+for them filled his heart.
+
+Oh, so sweetly and tenderly did he read to them God's own words: "_I
+will heal their back-sliding, I will love them freely_;" and then he
+told them the "Old, Old Story."
+
+He told it very slowly:
+
+            "'That they might take it in,
+          That wonderful redemption,
+            God's remedy for sin.'
+
+He told them the story simply:
+
+            'As to a little child,
+          For they were weak and weary,
+            And helpless and defi'ed.'
+
+He told them the story softly:
+
+            'With earnest tones and grave,
+          For were they not the sinners
+            Whom Jesus came to save?'"
+
+When the preacher finished, the people stood as if spell-bound, then
+they all crowded and pressed round him, full of love and kindness
+towards the man who had brought them such good news. They nearly
+trampled him down in their eagerness to speak to him, and he had to slip
+round a back way in order to escape. When he got to the inn where he was
+staying, he found some of the people had got there before him; they had
+come to beg and pray him to stay among them. No, he could not.
+
+"Stay a few days," said one. No, he could not do that.
+
+"Just one day more," they begged.
+
+Poor Mr. Wesley was very loth to leave these eager hearers, but he had
+promised to be in Bristol on the Tuesday, and this was Sunday night, and
+it would take him all the time to get to his appointment, and he was a
+man that could not break his word. So he was sadly obliged to refuse.
+
+Before very long, however, Mr. Charles Wesley went to Newcastle, and
+after a time, Mr. Wesley himself paid a second visit.
+
+It was a plan of the Methodists always to go to the poorest and most
+uncared-for people. These they generally found among the colliers.
+Wherever there were coal mines, the district round them was sure to be
+the abode of dirt, ignorance, and sin. You remember what a dreadful
+place Kingswood was when the Methodists first went? Because they found
+Newcastle just as bad, they called it "The Kingswood of the North."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+          A magic mirror.--And the picture it shows
+          us.--Billy and Polly again.--Hurrah for
+          Newcastle!--John and Charles Wesley put their
+          heads together.--The result.--Strict
+          Rules.--Circuits in Methodism.
+
+
+HAVE you ever heard of the Magic Mirror? It is a mirror I would like to
+have. You just think of something you would very much like to see;
+something either in the past, the present, or the future, peep into the
+mirror and there it is.
+
+Let us imagine that we have this mirror, and that we want to look at a
+particular part of Newcastle in the year 1742.
+
+What do we see?
+
+A big unfinished building with all the walls standing, but no roof, no
+doors, and no windows. It is a cold winter's day; but in spite of the
+biting wind and the frosty air there are hundreds of people crowding
+inside and outside the walls. Right in the middle stands the gentleman
+with the long hair and the beautiful face.
+
+It is Mr. Wesley opening the first meeting-house in Newcastle. Oh, how
+hard those poor colliers and their wives, yes, and the children too,
+worked to get money to build their chapel. On this opening day they were
+so proud and happy they could not keep still. They kept shouting
+"Hallelujah!" all the time Mr. Wesley was preaching. Three or four times
+he had to stop in the middle of his sermon on purpose to let them praise
+God.
+
+Bob, and Billy, and Polly were at that opening; they loved Mr. Wesley,
+and always tried to get as near to him as they could. They were not
+ragged now, for their fathers and mothers were converted, and their
+money was no longer spent in drink. The children, too, had learnt to
+love Jesus, and were trying to be like Him, and no cursing or swearing
+was ever heard.
+
+Scores of men and women in Newcastle that day, thanked God they had got
+out of bed that Sunday morning in May, and heard Mr. Wesley sing at the
+top of Sandgate.
+
+The Methodists had now chapels or meeting-houses in Bristol, London,
+Kingswood, and Newcastle, and societies were being formed in a great
+many other places. When Mr. Wesley found the work was spreading so fast,
+he saw it was necessary to draw up some general rules for all the
+members to follow.
+
+His brother Charles helped him in this difficult task. These are some of
+the rules which together they drew up, and which all who joined the
+Methodists had to promise to obey.
+
+Members of society must not swear.
+
+Must keep the Sabbath Day holy.
+
+Must not buy or sell intoxicating liquor.
+
+Must not drink intoxicating liquor, except as medicine.
+
+Must not fight.
+
+Must not quarrel.
+
+Must return good for evil.
+
+Must not speak evil of any one.
+
+Must do to others as we would have them do to us.
+
+Must not wear a great deal of jewellery or expensive clothes.
+
+Must not go to any place of amusement where they would not like to meet
+Jesus.
+
+Must not sing songs or read books that will not help them to love God
+more.
+
+Must not buy anything unless they are quite sure they will be able to
+pay for it.
+
+Must be kind to everybody, and give help to all, as far as they are
+able;
+
+      By feeding the hungry;
+      Clothing the naked;
+      Visiting the sick and those in prison;
+      By "running with patience the race that is set before them;"
+      By denying themselves and taking up their cross daily.
+
+They must go to chapel regularly.
+
+Must take the Sacrament.
+
+And, lastly, have family and private prayer every day.
+
+Were not these strict rules? But the people were so much in earnest, and
+had such trust in their leader, Mr. Wesley, that they were quite willing
+to agree to them.
+
+The next thing Mr. Wesley did was to send out his helpers, generally two
+together, to certain districts where they usually remained for a year.
+They had to preach in all the places round about, and each particular
+district or tract of country was called a "circuit." This was the
+beginning of the "circuits" which we have in Methodism to-day. I dare
+say you have often heard father or mother say, "Oh, Mr. So and So has
+gone to another circuit;" or, "Mr. So and So is in our circuit now."
+
+London and Bristol always remained the chief circuits; but before very
+long Newcastle became the next in importance.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+          Another peep into the Magic Mirror.--A pretty
+          picture.--At Epworth.--Mr. Wesley is very unkindly
+          treated.--All for the best.--The curate is
+          "done."--A happy ending to a bad
+          beginning.--"Good-bye, Epworth."
+
+
+SHALL we have another peep into the Magic Mirror? See that pretty
+country church, with the square tower. There are some big trees near,
+looking as if they were tall giants keeping guard; they have no leaves
+on them yet, and their bare arms stretch out a long way as if they were
+trying to reach the church.
+
+If you look carefully you will see buds coming out on the trees, baby
+buds they are, waiting for the sun's kisses. Then they will burst out
+and grow into great leaves that will cover up the naked old trees. Ivy
+climbs up the church wall. I see its dark glossy leaves, for the ivy is
+evergreen.
+
+There are many graves in the churchyard, but you can hardly see them
+because people are sitting on them; such a number of people, hundreds
+more than could ever have got into the church. They are all looking one
+way, and seem to be listening very attentively. What are they looking
+at? They are looking at a gentleman who is standing all alone on a big
+flat tombstone near the church wall. He wears a gown and white bands
+like a clergyman, and he has long hair brushed very smoothly, and a
+beautiful, happy face.
+
+Dear me! did I hear a crash then? And did I hear a hundred young voices
+shouting: "I know who it is, it's Mr. John Wesley"? Why, you must have
+broken the mirror with your shouts. You are right, dears, but you
+shouted rather too soon. I wanted to read what it said on the tombstone
+on which Mr. Wesley was standing. But, never mind, I think I saw some of
+the words:
+
+                  "SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF
+                        SAMUEL WESLEY,
+          FOR THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS RECTOR OF EPWORTH."
+
+Yes, it was his father's grave on which John Wesley was standing.
+
+On his way back from one of his visits to Newcastle he thought he would
+like to see his dear old home once more. It was a long, long time since
+he had been there, and he was not quite sure whether the people would
+have anything to do with him now, for, as leader of the Methodists, he
+had many enemies.
+
+It was Saturday evening in early spring, when he got to the little inn,
+in the long straggling street that was called Epworth village. He had
+not been there very long before three or four poor women found him out,
+one of them an old servant of his mother's.
+
+Next morning, which was Sunday, he went to the curate of the church and
+politely offered to help him with the service. The curate, I am sorry to
+say, was very rude, and refused to let Mr. Wesley take any part in the
+service or to preach in the church at all.
+
+This was a great disappointment, for Mr. Wesley loved the people of
+Epworth, and every stone in the old church was dear to him. His father
+had preached from that pulpit for nearly forty years, and he himself had
+stood there more times than he could count, and it was very hard that he
+was forbidden to take his place there now.
+
+The people were longing to hear him, and when the afternoon service was
+over, and all the folks were leaving the church, one of his friends
+stood in the churchyard and gave out this notice:
+
+          "MR. WESLEY, NOT BEING ALLOWED TO PREACH
+          IN THE CHURCH, INTENDS TO PREACH HERE AT
+                 SIX O'CLOCK THIS EVENING."
+
+It was this picture of Mr. Wesley preaching that the Magic Mirror showed
+us. I expect the curate was very angry at being so "done;" but he could
+not stop Mr. Wesley preaching _outside_ the church.
+
+For a whole week John Wesley preached every evening from his father's
+tombstone. Crowds came to hear him, and hundreds were converted and
+turned from their evil ways. They saw how sinful they had been and
+prayed aloud for forgiveness. Drunkards became sober men, and those who
+cursed and swore were turned into peace-makers.
+
+So dear old Mr. Wesley's prayers were answered, and the people who had
+treated him so unkindly, and whom he had forgiven and loved, now took
+his Saviour to be their Saviour, and his God to be their God.
+
+Indeed Mr. Wesley's visit to his old home, that began so unpleasantly,
+ended very happily, and when his last evening came, both he and his dear
+people found it hard to say "Good-bye."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+          No one like mother.--Sad days at the
+          Foundry.--Mrs. Wesley goes Home through the
+          Beautiful Gate.--A sorrowing son.--Preaching at
+          the open grave.--At work again.--Satan in
+          opposition.--Fireworks, cows, stones, blood, and
+          broken windows.
+
+
+A GOOD mother is a boy's or a girl's best earthly friend. John Wesley
+knew this, and thought there was no mother like _his_ mother. You
+remember how, as a little boy, he always went to her for advice; and
+when he was quite a young man he used to hope that he would die before
+her, for he felt he could not live without his mother. You may think,
+then, how sad he was when, at last, the message came to him that she was
+dying.
+
+He was at Bristol when he received the news, and at once set off for
+London. Arrived at his home at the Foundry, he found his five sisters
+watching round the bed of the dear old mother.
+
+Though she was too ill to speak to them, they could see she was quite
+happy and peaceful, just waiting to be taken Home. Before long the call
+came: "Come up higher."
+
+A great number of people came to the funeral; and as Mr. Wesley stood at
+the graveside, he preached one of his most wonderful sermons. His heart
+was full; he had lost the friend of his life. But he knew it was not for
+ever, one day he would meet her again; and as he looked on those
+hundreds of people gathered there by the open grave, he longed that they
+should, as surely, some day pass Home through the Beautiful Gate.
+
+Work is the best cure for sorrow; and after his dear mother's death, Mr.
+Wesley began his preaching again. Wherever he went people were
+converted, and became followers of Jesus Christ; and also wherever he
+went wicked men and women tried to stop him preaching, and sometimes
+even wanted to kill him. But he was doing God's work, and God took care
+of him.
+
+Once he was preaching to hundreds of people in an open space somewhere
+in London. In the middle of his sermon, several men tried to drive a
+herd of cows among the listeners. They wanted to frighten them, and
+force them to go away. But the cows were wiser than their masters, and
+would not go among the people. Then these bad men started throwing
+stones, and one of them hit Mr. Wesley just between his eyes. What do
+you think he did? Give up preaching and go home? Indeed he did not; he
+just wiped the blood off his face, and went on telling the people to
+repent of their sins and believe on the Son of God. Brave John Wesley!
+
+Bristol, you remember, was the first place where Mr. Wesley preached out
+of doors, and it was at Bristol where there was the first great
+disturbance.
+
+I don't quite know how it was, but just about this time, wherever the
+Methodists went, they were abused and ill-treated. I think Satan was
+beginning to find out how much good the Methodists were doing, and
+thought it was about time he did something to stop it. So, in all the
+towns where the preachers went, he stirred up the worst men and women to
+make rows and disturb the services.
+
+At Chelsea, the rioters threw fireworks into the room; at another place
+they broke in the roof, and some of the people were nearly killed. At
+Bristol, the mob filled the streets, shouting, and cursing, and
+swearing. When the constables caught the ring-leaders and took them
+before the mayor, they began to speak against Mr. Wesley, but the mayor
+stopped them. "Whatever Mr. Wesley is, is nothing to you," he said. "I
+won't allow any rioting in this city, and you must go to prison." This
+was the first and last disturbance at Bristol. But the worst of it was,
+at most of the places, neither the constables nor the mayor would
+interfere, and so the people did just as they liked.
+
+At Wednesbury, in Staffordshire, the Methodists were most cruelly
+treated. One of the rioters used to blow a horn, and then all the mob
+gathered together. They went to every house where there was a Methodist,
+smashed the windows, dragged the furniture out and broke it up, and
+burnt the beds. If the men or women interfered, they just knocked them
+down; even the little children they used to beat. But I think I will
+leave the exciting scenes at Wednesbury for another chapter.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+          Brave as a lion.--A protecting angel.--God's
+          magic.--Foes become friends.--An unpleasant walk
+          in rain and darkness.--What the mayor said.--A
+          free fight.--"Knock the parson down! Kill him at
+          once!"--Magic again.--A butcher to the
+          rescue.--Safe back in Wednesbury.
+
+
+WHEN Mr. Wesley heard how his followers were being treated in
+Wednesbury, he went off at once to their help. Though he was only a
+little man, he was as brave as a lion; he knew he had God at his back,
+and like David before Goliath, like Daniel before Darius, and like
+Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego before Nebuchadnezzar, he did not fear
+what man could do unto him.
+
+God sent His angel to close the lions' mouths so they would not harm
+Daniel; and the same messenger walked in the fiery furnace with the
+three Hebrew youths. So, when Mr. Wesley went straight into the
+market-place in Wednesbury, and fearlessly preached to the hundreds
+assembled there, God's protecting angel breathed silence and calm; not a
+sound of disturbance was heard. In the evening the mob surrounded the
+house where Mr. Wesley was staying, shouting out fiercely:
+
+"Bring out the minister! We will have the minister!"
+
+Mr. Wesley, neither frightened nor excited, quietly asked one of his
+friends to bring in the ringleader of the mob. The man came in, anger
+and fierceness in his eyes. But, somehow, as soon as he stood in the
+presence of that calm, Christ-like man, all his passion went out of him.
+Mr. Wesley then asked him to bring in two or three of his roughest
+companions. The angry men came in. They had wanted to get at the
+minister, now they had the chance. But once inside that room, they found
+they could not touch him. They felt the presence of God's protecting
+angel, and peace took the place of passion, and friendliness the place
+of hatred. Getting Mr. Wesley between them, these strange, new friends
+made a way for him through the mob outside the house.
+
+Then, standing on a chair, Mr. Wesley spoke to the crowd.
+
+"You wanted me," he said. "Here I am. Now what do you want me for?"
+
+"We want you to go with us to the magistrate," they cried.
+
+"I will go with you with all my heart," he replied.
+
+So away went the brave ambassador for Christ, accompanied by hundreds of
+the roughest men and women in Wednesbury.
+
+It was two miles to the magistrate's house, and before they had got
+half-way the night came on, and it began to rain very heavily. This made
+most of the people turn back and hurry home, but two hundred or more
+kept together round Mr. Wesley.
+
+Some of the men ran on first to tell the magistrate they'd got the
+Methodist preacher. Instead of seeming pleased, the magistrate said:
+
+"What have I to do with Mr. Wesley? Take him back again." So he sent
+them off, and went to bed.
+
+By and by the crowd came up to the house, and knocked at the door. When
+the magistrate's son went to them and asked what was the matter, they
+said:
+
+"Why, please, sir, these Methodists sing psalms all day, and make folks
+get up at five o'clock in the morning, and what would your worship
+advise us to do?"
+
+"To go home and be quiet," replied the gentleman.
+
+Finding they could get no help from this magistrate, they hurried poor
+Mr. Wesley off to another. This gentleman, too, had gone to bed, and so
+the mob could do nothing else but go home.
+
+However, before they had got very far they were joined by another rough
+mob from a neighbouring town; and then, in the rain and the darkness,
+the two mobs started fighting and knocking each other down. It was no
+use Mr. Wesley trying to speak, for the shouting and noise was like the
+roaring of the sea. They dragged him along with them until they reached
+the town, and then, seeing the door of a large house open, Mr. Wesley
+tried to get in. But one of the cruel men got him by the hair and pulled
+him back into the middle of the mob; and then they dragged him from one
+end of the town to the other.
+
+"I talked all the time to those that were within hearing," said Mr.
+Wesley, afterwards, "and I never felt the least pain or weariness."
+
+At last he saw a shop door half open, and tried to get in, but the
+gentleman to whom the shop belonged would not let him.
+
+"Why, the people would pull my house down," he said, "if I let you in."
+
+However, Mr. Wesley stood at the door and shouted to the people: "Are
+you willing to hear me speak?"
+
+"No, no; knock him down! Kill him at once!" cried hundreds of voices.
+
+"Nay, let's hear him first," shouted others.
+
+"What harm have I done any of you?" exclaimed the fearless preacher.
+"Which of you have I wronged in word or deed?"
+
+For a quarter of an hour he talked to them, then his voice suddenly gave
+way, the strain had been too great.
+
+Then the cruel mob cried out again: "Bring him away! Bring him away!"
+
+But Mr. Wesley's strength had come back, and he began to pray aloud.
+
+That prayer acted like magic; the man who had just before been the
+leader of that brutal crowd, turning to Mr. Wesley, said: "Sir, I will
+spend my life for you; follow me, and no one here shall touch a hair of
+your head."
+
+Two or three of his companions said almost the same, and surrounded Mr.
+Wesley to protect him. Then four or five rough men set upon them, and
+tried to drag Mr. Wesley away; but a butcher, who was a little further
+off, shouted, "Shame! shame!" and pulled them back one after another.
+Some one else shouted, "For shame! For shame! let the good man go!"
+
+Then, just as if they had been struck by magic, all the people drew back
+right and left, and Mr. Wesley was carried safely through.
+
+[Illustration: "'Knock him down! Kill him at once!' cried hundreds of
+voices."--_Page 114._]
+
+But the danger was not quite over even yet. On the bridge which they had
+to cross, the mob assembled again; but Mr. Wesley's protectors took him
+across a mill-dam and then through some fields, and at last brought him
+safe into Wednesbury, with no other damage than a torn coat and a little
+skin scraped off one of his hands.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+          Mr. Wesley's story of the Wednesbury riot.--How he
+          felt.--The right pocket.--Beautiful hair.--The
+          prize-fighter a good protector.--A brick, a stone,
+          and two hard blows.--Daniel vi. 22.
+
+
+AFTER reading the last exciting chapter, you will all exclaim, "Well,
+Mr. Wesley _was_ a brave man!" and I am sure you will like to hear what
+he himself said about his adventures. These are the very words he wrote
+after the Wednesbury riots:
+
+"From the beginning to the end, I felt as calm as if I had been sitting
+in my study at home. Once it did come into my mind, that if they threw
+me into the river, it would spoil the papers I had in my pocket. I was
+not afraid for myself, for I did not doubt but I could swim across to
+the opposite bank.
+
+"Thinking about it all now, I notice some remarkable circumstances. One
+was, that though several tried to get hold of me, it seemed as if they
+could not, and when at last one did get hold of my coat and tore the
+pocket off, it was the right pocket for him to get, for it contained
+nothing of importance; whereas if he had torn off the other he would
+have got a bank-note with it.
+
+"Another was, a big strong fellow just behind struck at me several times
+with a large oak stick. One blow had it hit me would have killed me, but
+somehow every time he struck, the blow was turned aside. I don't know
+how, for I could not move either to the right hand or to the left.
+
+"Another man came rushing through the crowd and raised his arm to strike
+me. Suddenly he let his arm drop, and only stroked my hair, saying:
+'What beautiful hair he has!'
+
+"It was strange too, that the very first men whose hearts were softened
+were always the leaders of the mob--one of them had been a
+prize-fighter. So that when they took my part I was well protected.
+
+"Again, from first to last I heard no one give me a reviling word, or
+call me by any insolent or disgraceful name whatever. The cry of one and
+all was: 'The Preacher! The Preacher! The Parson! The Minister!'"
+
+Again Mr. Wesley wrote:
+
+"By what gentle and gradual steps does God prepare us for His will! Two
+years ago a brick that was thrown at me grazed my shoulders. Then a year
+after that, the stone struck me between the eyes when I was preaching in
+London. This evening I have received two blows; one man struck me on
+the chest with all his might, and another on the mouth with such force
+that the blood gushed out immediately. But both were as nothing, I felt
+no more pain from either of the blows, than if the men had touched me
+with a straw."
+
+Boys and girls, is not this a wonderful story? Get your Bibles, and look
+in the sixth chapter of the book of Daniel and the twenty-second verse.
+
+Wicked men had laid a trap for King Darius, and because they were
+envious of Daniel, they caused the king to order Daniel to be thrown
+into the lions' den. This made King Darius very unhappy, for he loved
+Daniel. But though he was a heathen king, he had such faith in Daniel's
+God, that he felt sure the lions would not be allowed to hurt him.
+
+King Darius could not sleep all night, for thinking of Daniel all alone
+in the den of those wild beasts; so he got up very early in the morning,
+and went to the den and called to Daniel to know if he were alive. And
+from inside that dismal den with hungry beasts prowling round and round,
+came the bright, cheering voice of the God-protected man: "My God hath
+sent His angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt
+me."
+
+John Wesley was as much among wild beasts at Wednesbury, as ever Daniel
+was in the den of lions, for when men's passions are roused they are no
+better than the beasts. But the arm that was raised to strike, gently
+stroked his hair; the blow that was meant to kill, fell upon an
+invisible head; the leaders of all that was cruel and wicked, were
+struck tender and quiet, and became personal protectors.
+
+Truly Mr. Wesley could have said with Daniel: "My God hath sent His
+angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+          The lion-hearted Wesleys.--And their brave,
+          long-suffering followers.--What Munchin thought of
+          John Wesley.--Hymn 276 and how it came to be
+          written.--The mischievous schoolboy becomes the
+          sweet singer of Methodism.--The wall that sat
+          down.--And the people who sat down with it.
+
+
+THE troubles in Wednesbury were not yet ended. The very magistrates who
+had refused to see Mr. Wesley that night when the mob dragged him to the
+door, a few days later gave orders for the police to search everywhere
+for "those Methodist preachers who go about raising riots."
+
+Even this failed to frighten the brave-hearted Wesleys, for when John
+left Wednesbury his brother Charles took his place. He found the poor
+Methodists still suffering terrible persecutions, but patient and
+forgiving to their enemies. Christ's own words were their help and
+comfort: "_Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness' sake:
+for theirs is the kingdom of heaven_" (Matt. v. 10).
+
+Munchin, the man who had been one of the leaders of the mob and
+afterwards protected Mr. Wesley, had joined the Methodists and become a
+member of society. One day Mr. Charles said to him: "What did you think
+of my brother?"
+
+"Think of him?" said Munchin; "I think he is a man of God; and God was
+surely by his side when so many of us could not kill one man."
+
+The persecutions of the Methodists in Wednesbury continued for a long
+time. The windows of their houses were broken, their tables, chairs, and
+other furniture were smashed to pieces, and their feather-beds were torn
+into shreds. No craven-hearted man would have dared to go into such a
+place of danger, and preach to such fiends in human form; but the
+Wesleys knew no fear when duty called, and again and again they visited
+their poor, persecuted followers. Christ-like men, indeed, they were,
+for, like their Holy Leader, "when they were reviled they reviled not
+again; when they suffered they threatened not."
+
+Mr. Charles composed a hymn after one of the dreadful rows, which shows
+how entirely they trusted in Jesus, and how sure they were that no harm
+could come to them except what He allowed.
+
+Look at number 276 in your Wesley's Hymn-Book, and you will find this
+very hymn. This is the first verse:--
+
+          "Worship and thanks and blessing,
+             And strength ascribe to Jesus!
+           Jesus alone defends His own,
+             When earth and hell oppress us.
+
+          "Jesus with joy we witness
+             Almighty to deliver,
+           Our seals set to, that God is true,
+             And reigns a King for ever."
+
+That reminds me that I must not forget to tell you, by far the greater
+number of the hymns we sing every Sunday in chapel were written by Mr.
+Charles Wesley. Yes, the little mischievous Westminster schoolboy became
+the sweet singer of Methodism. Not only among Methodists are his
+beautiful hymns sung to-day, but in almost every Christian hymn-book in
+the world some of his verses will be found.
+
+You must not think all places were like Wednesbury. Mr. Wesley had often
+very attentive congregations, and the people listened to him gladly.
+Indeed, at an open-air service he once held, the people behaved better
+than I fear we should have done. Part of the congregation sat on a low
+wall built of loose stones; all at once, in the middle of the sermon,
+down came the wall and all the people with it. I think we should have
+burst out laughing, it must have looked so funny. Instead of which,
+there was no laughing and no screaming; the people just kept their
+places, only instead of sitting on the top of the wall they sat at the
+bottom. There was no interruption of the service at all; Mr. Wesley went
+on with his sermon, and the people continued reverent and attentive.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+          The Magic Mirror again.--Sycamore Farm.--Annie's
+          good news.--A chorister up in a tree.--A long,
+          long journey.--Sixty miles a day on horseback.--A
+          Chapel out of doors.--A hard bed and a funny
+          pillow.--Thanksgiving Street.--Ripe Blackberries.
+
+
+WHY, I do believe that Magic Mirror has mended itself, for here it is,
+showing us such a lovely picture--nay, two, I declare. Look at that dear
+old farmhouse; it must surely be called Sycamore Farm, for there are
+great sycamore trees all round the front and the side. At the back, and
+only one field away from the house, are the green slopes of the
+mountain, with a little waterfall tumbling merrily down a crack in its
+side. In front of the farm, shimmering through the leaves of the trees,
+you can see the sunlit waters of a calm lake. The farm is a low
+whitewashed building, and we can see the cows in the distant meadows
+coming home to be milked. No one is with them; but there is a little
+group of people standing at the farmyard gate. The farmer and his wife
+and all the family and servants seem to be there.
+
+Whatever is the matter?
+
+Oh, see! there is a little girl in the middle of the group, and they are
+all listening to what she is saying. Let us listen too.
+
+"Yes, it is quite true; Mr. Wesley _is_ coming. I went to the village
+for mother, and old Downs the cobbler told me, and so did Mrs. Wilson at
+the shop. Everybody is talking about it."
+
+"Ay, but that's good news, lassie!" the old farmer says. "I wonder now
+if he'd come and preach at Sycamore Farm."
+
+The picture has gone.
+
+Oh, but here's the other one. Why, it is the same old farmhouse, and the
+sun is shining on the whitewashed walls and funny little windows. There
+is a great crowd gathered under the shade of the leafy sycamores. See,
+there is the kind-looking farmer, with his sunburnt face, and sitting on
+his knee is Annie, the little girl that brought the good news from the
+village. Right in the midst of the crowd is Mr. Wesley, telling these
+country-people the story of the Cross.
+
+Now that picture has gone too.
+
+Should we not have liked to have been at that service?
+
+I will tell you what Mr. Wesley said about it.
+
+[Illustration: "In the midst of the crowd is Mr. Wesley, telling these
+country-people the story of the Cross."--_Page 124._]
+
+"It was a hot summer day, and we could see the blue, blue sky through
+the leaves of the old sycamores, which shaded us from the heat. Just as
+I began to preach, a little bird perched on a branch close by and began
+to sing. I went on preaching, but its song did not end, it sang on and
+on, and not until the service was quite over did it cease. It was the
+best music for such a church and such a congregation, no harp or organ
+ever sounded half so sweet."
+
+From Westmoreland, where this happened, to Cornwall is a long way, but
+not too far for Mr. Wesley and his horse. He used often to ride sixty
+miles a day; and most of his reading, and the composing of his sermons
+was done while he was on horseback. He travelled in this way for more
+than forty years, and must have gone over 100,000 miles.
+
+In Gwennap, a place in Cornwall, Mr. Wesley found a lovely out-of-doors
+sort of chapel. Some of my readers will have seen the Happy Valley at
+Llandudno; I think the Gwennap chapel must have been something like
+that, only a great deal bigger. This is what Mr. Wesley wrote about his
+first service there:
+
+"I stood on a wall, in the calm, still evening, with the setting sun
+behind, and a great, great multitude before, behind, and on either hand,
+sitting on the hills all round. All could hear quite distinctly, when I
+read to them Christ's own words: 'The disciple is not above his Master,'
+and 'He that taketh not his cross and followeth after Me is not worthy
+of Me.'"
+
+Must it not have been a wonderful sight?
+
+Like other places, Cornwall did not always give a kind welcome to the
+Methodists; indeed, they had sometimes to put up with very rough
+treatment. Often they had to go without food, and the hard floor was
+their only bed.
+
+Once, at a place called St. Ives, Mr. Wesley and his helper, Mr. Nelson,
+slept on the floor for a whole fortnight. One of them had an overcoat
+rolled up for a pillow, and the other a big book. They used to get very
+sore, and sometimes could not sleep for the pain in their poor aching
+bones. But these Methodists had never heard of Grumble Corner,--they
+only knew Thanksgiving Street; and so, instead of murmuring and
+complaining, one night, when the floor seemed harder than ever, Mr.
+Wesley called out: "Let us cheer up, Brother Nelson, for the skin is
+only off one side yet."
+
+Another time, when no one had asked them to dinner or tea, and they were
+riding through a country lane, feeling very hungry, Mr. Wesley stopped
+his horse to gather some blackberries, saying to his friend: "Brother
+Nelson, we ought to be thankful that there are plenty of blackberries,
+for this is the best country I ever saw for getting an appetite, but the
+worst for getting food."
+
+On the whole, however, the Cornish people were not unkind to Mr. Wesley.
+At St. Ives they once gave him a very noisy welcome, shouting, "Hurrah!
+hurrah!" and then going under his bedroom window and singing:
+
+          "John Wesley is come to town,
+           To try if he can pull the churches down."
+
+All this happened during his first visit to Cornwall; and only once
+during the three weeks he was there did he get really abused, and that
+was at St. Ives, when the mob burst into his room, and a rough, cruel
+man struck him on the head.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+          A fight with the sea.--Poor Peter!--A sail in a
+          fisherman's boat.--The song that the waves
+          accompanied.--A climb on Land's End.--Manchester
+          disgraces itself.--Hull still worse.--Matt. v.
+          39.--A brave servant girl.--John Wesley declines
+          to hide.
+
+
+I TOLD you in the last chapter what a wonderful traveller Mr. Wesley
+was; he could walk twenty-four miles a day easily, in either hot or cold
+weather, and his adventures on the roads would almost fill a book.
+
+On one of his later visits to Cornwall, he had a terrible fight with the
+sea; this time he was riding in a coach. He had promised to preach in
+St. Ives at a certain time, and the only way to get there was by
+crossing the sands when the tide was out. His own driver being a
+stranger in the country, he engaged a man named Peter Martin to drive
+him. When they reached the sea-shore they found, to their dismay, that
+the tide was coming in, and the sands they had to cross were already
+partly covered with water. Peter, the old coachman, stopped the horses,
+and told Mr. Wesley that it was not safe to go. Then an old sea-captain
+tried to prevent them, begging them to go back, or they would surely be
+drowned.
+
+"No," said Mr. Wesley, "I've promised to preach at St. Ives, and I must
+keep my promise. Take the sea! Take the sea!" he shouted, putting his
+head out of the carriage window.
+
+In a moment, Peter whipped the horses, and dashed into the waves. The
+wheels of the carriage kept sinking in the deep pits and hollows in the
+sand, while the horses, swimming in the water, snorted and reared with
+fright, and every moment poor Peter expected to be drowned.
+
+Just at this terrible moment, Mr. Wesley put his head out of the
+carriage window; his long white hair--for he was an old man when this
+happened--was dripping with the salt water, which ran down his venerable
+face. He was calm and fearless, unmoved by the roaring of the waves or
+the danger of the situation.
+
+"What is your name, driver?" he shouted.
+
+"Peter, sir," shouted back the man.
+
+"Peter," Mr. Wesley called out again, "fear not; thou shalt not sink."
+
+With spurring and whipping, the poor frightened, tired horses at last
+brought them safely over.
+
+When they reached St. Ives, Mr. Wesley's first care was to see to the
+comfort of his horses and driver. He got warm clothing, and refreshments
+at the inn for Peter, and comfortable stabling for his weary horses;
+then, quite forgetting himself, wet through with the dashing waves, he
+went off to the chapel to preach.
+
+While Mr. Wesley was in Cornwall he paid a flying visit to the Scilly
+Isles. He went over in a fisherman's boat, and sang to the rising and
+falling of the waves:
+
+          "When passing through the watery deep,
+             I ask in faith His promised aid;
+           The waves an awful distance keep,
+             And shrink from my devoted head.
+           Fearless, their violence I dare;
+           They cannot harm,--for God is there."
+
+If you look in your Wesley's Hymn-Book, at hymn 272, you will find this
+verse.
+
+You have all learnt, in your geographies, that Land's End is the most
+southern point in England; look at the very south of Cornwall, and you
+will find it. Mr. Wesley was very fond of this wild, rocky point, with
+oceans rolling on either side,--the English Channel on the one, the
+mighty Atlantic on the other. He paid a last visit to it when he was an
+old, old man, eighty years or more. With furrowed cheeks, white hair
+streaming in the wind, and infirm limbs, he climbed over the steep rocks
+to get a long, last look at his favourite spot, the meeting of the
+waters. I believe hymn 59 was composed by Mr. Wesley as he stood on
+Land's End; this is one of the verses:
+
+          "Lo! on a narrow neck of land,
+           'Twixt two unbounded seas I stand,
+               Secure, insensible;
+           A point of time, a moment's space,
+           Removes me to that heavenly place,
+               Or shuts me up in hell."
+
+But we are getting on too fast, and must go back to the days when Mr.
+Wesley was _not_ an old man. All his time was spent in preaching up and
+down the country, starting fresh societies, and encouraging old ones;
+and almost everywhere he and his helpers met with abuse and rough
+treatment.
+
+In Manchester, which was even then a large and important town, Mr.
+Wesley preached to several thousands of people in the open air. At this
+meeting, his hearers either got tired of listening or they took offence
+at what he said, for, before he had finished, they threatened to bring
+out the fire-engine and squirt water upon him if he did not stop.
+
+At Hull, on his first visit in 1752, lumps of earth and stones were
+thrown at him while he was preaching; and when the service was over, the
+mob followed him, shouting, hooting, and throwing stones until he
+reached his lodging.
+
+Though Mr. Wesley could be as brave as a lion when it was necessary, he
+could also be as gentle as a lamb. Once, when he was preaching at
+Dewsbury, a man rushed up to him in a terrible rage, and struck him with
+all his might on the side of his face. It was such a hard blow that poor
+Mr. Wesley could not keep the tears from coming into his eyes. Instead
+of striking the man back or using angry words, he just did what Christ
+said we should do, he turned his other cheek (Matt. v. 39). The enraged
+man was so surprised at such unexpected gentleness, that he turned away
+and hid his face with shame, and was ever after one of the Methodists'
+greatest friends. Once he even risked his life to save one of their
+chapels from being destroyed.
+
+Another time, when Mr. Wesley was at Falmouth in Cornwall, he called to
+see an invalid lady. The mob heard where he was, and surrounded the
+house, shrieking out: "Bring out the Canorum! Where is the Canorum?"
+This was a nickname which the Cornishmen had given the Methodists. With
+sticks and stones the mob tried to break open the front door of the poor
+sick lady's house; and while they were doing this, all the people in the
+house escaped by the backway, except Mr. Wesley and a servant girl. The
+girl did not like to leave Mr. Wesley alone in this great danger, and
+begged him to get away and hide himself. But John Wesley was not one of
+the "hiding" sort. Instead of that, as soon as they had succeeded in
+bursting the door open, he just walked straight among the mob,
+exclaiming: "Here I am! What have you got to say to me? To which of you
+have I done any wrong?"
+
+He made his way out into the street bare-headed, talking all the time;
+and before he had finished, the ringleader of the mob declared no one
+should touch him, he would be his protector. So he reached his lodgings
+in safety.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI.
+
+          Back in London.--Mr. John and Mr. Charles go
+          visiting.--Too much for one.--Talking matters
+          over.--The first Methodist Conference.--No time to
+          be in a hurry.--What early rising can do.--First
+          tract distributors.--A big district.--Boarding
+          schools 150 years ago.--Dreadful rules.
+
+
+WE have been travelling all over England with Mr. Wesley, now I think we
+must go back to London with him. The society there was still the largest
+in the country: in the year I am writing about (1744), they had one
+thousand nine hundred and fifty members. Mr. Wesley very much wished to
+visit every one of these members, and asked his brother Charles to go
+with him. They started their visiting at six o'clock every morning, and
+did not leave off till six o'clock at night.
+
+Six o'clock a.m. seems a funny time to call and see any one, does it
+not? But you see people used to get up at four or five in the morning in
+those days, and used to go to bed at eight, so it was not really such a
+funny time as it seems.
+
+Though Mr. John and Mr. Charles started so early and worked so late, it
+took them a long, long time to visit all those 1950 members, and when
+they had finished, Mr. Wesley realised for the first time how his work
+had grown. He saw it was impossible, even with his brother's help, to
+manage all the preachers and all the members scattered over the country,
+when even the work in London was more than he could undertake alone. He
+thought about this a great deal, and then he asked four clergymen and
+four of his helpers, or what we should call local preachers, to meet him
+and his brother at the Foundry, to talk things over and decide what
+ought to be done. These gentlemen accepted his invitation, and there, on
+that eventful Monday in June, 1744, the first Methodist Conference met;
+and from that time up to the present, no year has passed but Methodist
+preachers and helpers have gathered together to make plans and talk
+business.
+
+I am sure you must all have heard of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference,
+which is now held every July or August in some one or other of the large
+towns of England. This first conference was opened with solemn prayer
+and a sermon by Mr. Charles Wesley; then all the difficulties of the
+work were talked over, and arrangements made for the future. Mr. John
+Wesley presided, and for forty-six years after, at every conference,
+their beloved leader and head took the chair at this annual gathering.
+
+You will think that what with travelling and preaching, and looking
+after his helpers, and visiting the members, Mr. Wesley could not find
+time for much else. But it is always the busiest people who have the
+most time. As I told you before, Mr. Wesley began his days very early,
+getting up at four o'clock; and by doing this every morning for sixty
+years, he managed not only to preach, and read, and visit, but also to
+write a great many books, and thousands of tracts--one of his books was
+called "Lessons for Children." Many of the tracts were about swearing
+and Sabbath-breaking, and printed on the outside were the words, "Not to
+be sold, but given away"; and he and his preachers used to carry them in
+their pockets and give them to the people they passed on the roads.
+
+Another reason why Mr. Wesley had more time than most people was,
+because he
+
+          NEVER WASTED A MINUTE,
+
+and though he did so much work, he was _never in a hurry_. He used to
+say, "I have no time to be in a hurry." Hurry you know does not always
+mean speed; when things are done in a hurry they are often only half
+done, and have to be done all over again.
+
+You remember how the miners at Kingswood collected money and built a
+school for their children. Well, about ten years afterwards, another
+school was built at Kingswood for the children of the travelling
+preachers. These preachers had not much time to look after their
+families themselves, being so much away from home, and they wanted their
+boys and girls to be taught to read their Bibles and to learn to love
+Jesus. They had some dreadfully strict rules at this boarding school,
+which my readers would not have liked at all, and which I am afraid the
+children there did not like either, for I have heard that some of the
+boys ran away. They had to go to bed every night at eight o'clock, and
+what was worse, get up every morning at four. Then every little boy and
+girl, unless they were poorly, had to fast every Friday, that is, they
+were not allowed to have anything to eat all day until three o'clock.
+But I had better not tell you any more of these dreadful rules, only you
+may be very thankful that you are living in these days, when you have
+much better times than the boys and girls who lived 150 years ago.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII.
+
+          A visit to Ireland.--The sack that did not contain
+          potatoes.--The bogie man.--What the sack did
+          contain.--The prayer-meeting in the barn.--Mr.
+          Charles Wesley gets married.--And so does Mr.
+          John.--Two niggers who became missionaries.
+
+
+IN 1749 Mr. Wesley paid a visit to Ireland, where already he had many
+followers. His brother Charles had visited there two years before, and
+was a great favourite, for the Irish people love music, and would always
+go to hear his hymns.
+
+In many places in Ireland the Methodists were treated quite as badly as
+they were in our own country; but the same angel of the Lord that
+protected them in England followed them across the Irish sea.
+
+There is a funny story told of how they were once saved from a band of
+rough men. The Roman Catholics persecuted them so much at Wexford that
+they were obliged to hold their meeting secretly in a barn. Once, one of
+their persecutors got to know the night they were having a meeting, and
+told his companions he would hide himself in the barn before the service
+began, and then when it commenced he would open the door to them. They
+thought this was a splendid idea. So the man went to the barn, and there
+found an old sack or bag, big enough for him to get into. Into this he
+crept, and by and by the people began to come, and the service
+commenced. First, they sang a hymn; and somehow the man in the bag
+enjoyed it so much, he quite forgot what he had come into the barn for.
+
+He listened until the hymn was finished, and then he listened to the
+prayer that followed, and after that he could not listen any more. He
+couldn't get out of the bag, and he couldn't do anything but groan and
+cry. God, through the hymn and the prayer, had touched his heart, and he
+felt himself to be the greatest sinner in Ireland.
+
+So he groaned and groaned, and at last some of the congregation heard
+him. They looked towards the place where the mysterious sound came from,
+but could see nothing except what looked like a sack of potatoes. Still
+the groaning went on, and some of the people got frightened, and were
+quite sure there was a bogie in the barn. At last one or two ventured to
+go nearer to the sack, then some one peeped in, and the poor trembling
+Irishman was discovered. He confessed to his purpose in hiding himself,
+told them God had stopped him in his evil plan, and begged them to pray
+for him. So the service was turned into a prayer-meeting, the man was
+converted, and became one of the best Methodists in Wexford.
+
+Some of my readers will be wondering if Mr. John or Mr. Charles Wesley
+were ever married, and if they had any boys and girls of their own. Just
+before Mr. Wesley went to Ireland in 1749, he married his brother
+Charles to the daughter of a Welsh gentleman, and Mr. Wesley, himself,
+was married two years later to a lady who was a widow. You will be sorry
+to hear that this lady was not at all nice; she treated her husband most
+unkindly, and made him very unhappy. Though Mr. Wesley was so fond of
+children, he never had any of his own. Mr. Charles had eight, but only
+three lived to grow up. His wife was a good, kind lady, and they were
+very happy. He did not travel about so much after he was married, but
+spent a great deal of his time writing his beautiful hymns.
+
+These two brothers always remained the best of friends. In one of his
+letters, Charles wrote to John: "I wish we could be oftener together; it
+might be better for us both. Let us be useful in our lives, and at our
+death not divided."
+
+Before I close this chapter I want to tell you of the first two black
+men who were converted through the preaching of a Methodist.
+
+Living at Wandsworth, a little place near London where Mr. Wesley had
+gone to preach, was a gentleman named Nathaniel Gilbert. He had come
+from the West Indies, where he employed a great many negroes. Two of
+these negroes he had brought over to England with him, and when Mr.
+Wesley paid a visit to Mr. Gilbert, and preached in his house, these two
+black men were converted. When they returned to the West Indies, they,
+along with Mr. Gilbert, preached the gospel of Jesus Christ to the dark
+people in those far-away islands.
+
+          "Shall we, whose souls are lighted
+             With wisdom from on high,
+           Shall we to men benighted
+             The lamp of life deny?
+           Salvation, oh, salvation,
+             The joyful sound proclaim,
+           Till earth's remotest nation
+             Has learnt Messiah's name."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII.
+
+          Runaway horses.--Two frightened little girls.--A
+          terrible moment.--Safe.--Psalm xci. 11, 12.--Mr.
+          Wesley has a birthday.--A funny receipt for
+          keeping young.
+
+
+ONE more story of how the angel that shut the lions' mouths for Daniel
+took care of God's dear servant, John Wesley. He was staying at
+Newcastle with a Methodist named Mr. Smith, who had married his
+step-daughter. One day a party of them drove to a village a few miles
+off. In the carriage there was Mr. Wesley and a friend, Mr. and Mrs.
+Smith and their two little girls. When they had driven about two miles
+and were just at the top of a hill, suddenly the horses took fright, and
+dashed down the steep road. The poor coachman was thrown off the box,
+and the horses tore away at full speed, sometimes swerving to the edge
+of a ditch on one side of the road, then back again to a ditch on the
+other, but never once going over. When a cart came along, instead of
+running into it, the carriage passed as if the driver had been on the
+box.
+
+At the bottom of the hill was a narrow bridge, which it seemed
+impossible the panting horses could cross safely. But exactly down the
+middle they went, swerving neither to the right or left. Then up the
+hill on the other side they dashed, passing many people on the road, but
+every one afraid to stop their mad career. Near the top of this hill was
+a gate, which led into a farmer's yard. The gate stood open, and turning
+sharp, the horses ran through without even touching gate or post. The
+gate on the other side of the yard was shut, and the terrified people in
+the carriage thought the horses would now be checked. Instead of that,
+they rushed through, breaking it up as if it had only been a spider's
+web, and galloped on through the corn-field.
+
+The two little girls had been almost too frightened to speak, now they
+clung to Mr. Wesley, crying out: "Oh grandpapa, save us! save us!" Mr.
+Wesley, who says he felt no more afraid than if he had been sitting in
+his study, just calmly said to them: "Nothing will hurt you, dears;
+don't be afraid." The horses galloped madly on, till they came to the
+edge of a steep precipice. Would they go over? What would they do? Oh,
+what a terrible moment of suspense.
+
+A gentleman on horseback seeing their danger, just galloped across the
+track of the frightened animals. This acted like magic; they stood still
+at once, and every one was safe. A few minutes more and they would have
+been dashed to pieces. When they turned back into the road they found
+the coachman coming to meet them, and no worse for his fall.
+
+Did not God keep His promise to the man who had "set his love upon Him"?
+"_He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy
+ways: they shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot
+against a stone._"--Psalm xci. 11, 12.
+
+Mr. Wesley was an old man when this happened, just seventy-two; it was
+in June, and his birthday was on the 17th. But he was so strong and
+well, not at all like an old man. Listen to what he says of himself:
+"This is my birthday, the first day of my seventy-second year, and I am
+wondering how it is that I am just as strong as I was thirty years ago.
+Indeed, I am better than I was then; I can see better, and my nerves are
+firmer. The grand cause is 'the good pleasure of God.' But three special
+things have helped to keep me young:
+
+          _First_--Getting up at 4 o'clock every morning for
+          fifty years.
+
+          _Second_--Preaching every morning at five o'clock.
+
+          _Third_--Travelling by sea or land 4,500 miles in
+          every year."
+
+These are funny things to keep any one young, are they not? I am afraid
+if to follow these rules is the only way to keep young, most of my
+readers will be content to grow old.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV.
+
+          Little Mary and what she did with her
+          money.--Caught on the stairs.--Cheered by the
+          children.--Boys and girls converted.
+
+
+IN the year 1770 the Methodists had grown so numerous that they counted
+forty-nine different circuits or societies in England, Scotland, Ireland
+and Wales. They had one hundred and twenty-two travelling preachers, and
+twice as many local preachers, who did not travel, and at the covenant
+service which Mr. Wesley held at the beginning of this year in London,
+there were eighteen hundred members present.
+
+Mr. Wesley, like our ministers nowadays, was often wanting money for
+different purposes, and, like our ministers too, he was always glad of
+the children's help. Once, when the Foundry wanted repairing, he
+specially asked for help at an evening service. A little girl named Mary
+heard him, and thought how much she would like to do something. And this
+is how she managed it.
+
+Mr. Wesley loved children, and used to keep a number of bright new coins
+in his pocket to give to the little folks he met at his friends' houses.
+Mary had always been a great favourite with Mr. Wesley, and a proud
+little girl she was when he took her on his knee and gave her a silver
+penny. He had often done this, and she had treasured up his gifts in a
+little box. Other friends, too, had sometimes given her money, which,
+instead of spending she had saved up.
+
+Well, when she got home after that evening service, she counted up her
+money, and found she had L3. So she went to her mother and asked if she
+might give it all to Mr. Wesley. Her mother was quite willing; so the
+next morning little Mary carried her savings to Mr. Wesley's room. Tears
+came into his eyes as he thanked his little favourite. Taking her in his
+arms, he kissed her very tenderly, and prayed that God's blessing might
+always rest upon her. And it did, for Mary grew up to be an earnest,
+happy Christian.
+
+Here is another story that shows how much Mr. Wesley loved the young
+folks. He was once staying in a house in Bristol where a little boy and
+girl were visiting. The little girl had long, beautiful hair hanging in
+curls down her back. She and her brother were running hand in hand down
+the stairs one day, when Mr. Wesley ran down after them and caught them
+on the landing. He jumped the little girl in his arms and kissed her;
+then putting his hand on the boy's head, he blessed him. Little Robert
+did not think much about this at the time, I dare say, but when he grew
+up, he felt all his life that the blessing of a good man rested upon
+him, and his eyes glistened with tears when he told the story. That
+little boy was the poet Southey, of whom you will read when you are
+older.
+
+When Mr. Wesley wanted recreation or a kind of holiday, he used to go
+off to Kingswood. A few days among the young folks there always cheered
+him, and did him good. He loved to hear their lessons and praise their
+work, and arranged easy grammars and history books for them.
+
+A great many people used to think then, as a few do now, that children
+could not be converted, and that they ought not to be members of
+society. Mr. Wesley never thought so. At Weardale he allowed thirty
+children to become members. At another place quite a number of boys and
+girls came to him after the preaching, wanting him to show them how they
+could belong to Jesus. Mr. Wesley had both then and always the words of
+Jesus Himself, before him, "Suffer the little children to come unto Me,
+and forbid them not;" and so he knelt down with those boys and girls and
+led them to the Good Shepherd, who had laid down His life for them.
+
+The children of Judea loved Jesus, and were glad to be with Him; and Mr.
+Wesley was so like Jesus, so loving and so kind, that the children of
+England could not help loving him, and were glad to be with him. A whole
+crowd once waited in the street a long time for him, and when at last he
+came, they all followed him like so many little lambs after their
+shepherd, as many as could clinging to him. They went to the
+meeting-house with him, and after the service was over would not leave
+until they had all shaken hands with him.
+
+"In Cornwall, Manchester, and Epworth," Mr. Wesley says, "numbers of
+children were converted."
+
+These verses apply to all my readers:
+
+          "God wants the boys, the merry, merry boys,
+           The noisy boys, the funny boys,
+                 The thoughtless boys.
+           God wants the boys with all their joys,
+           That He, as gold, may make them pure,
+           And teach them trials to endure;
+           His heroes brave He'd have them be,
+           Fighting for truth and purity,
+                 God wants the boys.
+
+          "God wants the girls, the happy-hearted girls,
+           The loving girls, the best of girls,
+                 The worst of girls.
+           God wants to make the girls His pearls,
+           And so reflect His holy face,
+           And bring to mind His wondrous grace,
+           That beautiful the world may be,
+           And filled with love and purity.
+                 God wants the girls."
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXV.
+
+          How Mr. Wesley settled a school-boys'
+          quarrel.--Dr. Watts and little birds.--Mr. Wesley,
+          loved and honoured.--A holiday for the children.
+
+
+HERE is a story of how Mr. Wesley settled a dispute between two
+quarrelsome school-boys. When he was an old man, seventy-three, he was
+staying with one of his local preachers, a Mr. Bush, who had a
+boarding-school. One day Mrs. Bush brought to him two boys who had been
+fighting.
+
+"Boys! boys!" said Mr. Wesley:
+
+          "'Birds in their little nests agree,
+              And 'tis a shameful sight,
+            When children of one family
+              Fall out, and chide, and fight!'
+
+You must make it up. Come now, shake hands with each other."
+
+Mr. Wesley, with his long white hair and beautiful face, looked and
+spoke so lovingly, that the boys did at once what he asked them.
+
+"Now," he said, "put your arms round each other's necks, and kiss each
+other."
+
+And the little boys did this too. He was just having his tea when Mrs.
+Bush brought in the culprits, and now taking two pieces of bread and
+butter, he folded them together and told each boy to break a piece off.
+Then he gave each of them a drink of tea out of his own cup.
+
+"Now," he added, "you have broken bread together, and you have drunk out
+of the same cup, now you must be friends." Then he put his hands on the
+boys' heads and blessed them. The next morning at family prayer he
+sought out the boys and blessed them again.
+
+The two lads never forgot this meeting with Mr. Wesley. One of them
+became a magistrate, and when he had children of his own he used to tell
+them this story of his school-days.
+
+I remember that little verse of Dr. Watts' being recited to my brothers
+and me when we were in the nursery, and as I wrote it down I wondered if
+the same thoughts came into the heads of those school-boys that came
+into mine. My dear mother used to look very serious when she said it,
+and it sounded very solemn. But I had often seen little birds
+quarrelling, and I knew that hymn did not tell the truth, and so I felt
+little birds were hardly a proper example to follow. Now, though Dr.
+Watts was not quite correct, still little birds do agree very much
+better than many children; and if they sometimes quarrel, remember they
+are only guided by instinct, while you have sense, and know the
+difference between right and wrong.
+
+You will all be glad to know that before Mr. Wesley died, all the
+ill-will and hatred of the people had changed to love and reverence. The
+very towns where he had been treated most unkindly were now the ones to
+give him the heartiest welcome. Instead of mobs waiting to abuse him,
+crowds gathered to do him honour. In many places the children had a
+holiday from school, the tradespeople closed their shops, and everybody
+tried who could best show their love and respect for the man whom before
+they had treated so unkindly.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI.
+
+          More peeps into the Magic Mirror.--A special
+          picture for Sheffield readers.--Another for young
+          folks in Oldham.--Little Daniel on the pulpit
+          stairs.--Special for Hull.
+
+
+I THINK we must have some more peeps into that Magic Mirror? Will my
+little Sheffield readers take a good look? What do we see? A street in a
+big town, and oh! such crowds and crowds of people on both sides of the
+road. The windows of the houses, too, are all crowded with people. What
+can it all mean? See! there are two men coming along, everybody is
+turning to look at them, and we can hear more than one voice saying:
+"God bless him! God bless him!" Several of the women are wiping their
+eyes with the corner of their aprons; there are tears in many eyes. Look
+at the two men as they come nearer. One is a middle-aged man; the other,
+who is leaning on his arm, wears a black gown and white bands. He is an
+old man, but how beautiful he looks. He has a splendid face, a clear
+skin and rosy cheeks. His eyes are quick and keen, and he has long,
+shiny hair, white and bright like silver.
+
+See now how the children are crowding round him! He is smiling down upon
+them and putting his hands upon their heads as he passes. Now he is
+stretching his hands out towards heaven, and blessing all the people,
+many of whom are weeping aloud. He has passed down the street, and the
+picture has gone. Sheffield readers, that was how your town welcomed and
+honoured dear John Wesley a short time before his death.
+
+Now peep again into the Magic Mirror. And this time I would like my
+Oldham readers to step to the front. See, there is a little boy about
+six years old playing at the door of a house. An old clergyman is
+passing, and stops to speak to the child.
+
+"Where is your father, Daniel?" he says.
+
+"Gone to chapel."
+
+"And your mother?"
+
+"She's gone too," answers Daniel.
+
+"And you shall go too, my boy. You must not miss seeing this great man,
+John Wesley," says the clergyman, as he takes the child's hand and fades
+away from our picture.
+
+But see, there is another coming! It is the inside of a chapel, and
+people are everywhere; in the galleries, in the aisles, in the communion
+rails, everywhere. On the pulpit-stairs some one has found room for a
+little child. Why, it is Daniel, and there is the kind clergyman
+standing near. See, the preacher has finished, and is coming down from
+the pulpit, he is lifting up the little child and is kissing him. Now,
+he has passed into the vestry, and the picture has gone. That, my young
+Oldham readers, was the opening of Manchester St. Chapel on Good Friday,
+1790, when Mr. Wesley was nearly ninety years old.
+
+At Hull, Birmingham, Wednesbury, Chester, Manchester, Liverpool, all
+places where the Methodists had been most cruelly treated, Mr. Wesley
+and his followers were now most kindly welcomed. You remember how Mr.
+Wesley and his brother had been shut out of the churches, very few
+clergymen allowing them to preach in their pulpits. This, too, was all
+changed.
+
+Those of you who live in Hull will like to know that John Wesley, when
+he was eighty-three, was invited by the vicar to preach in your
+beautiful High Church. If any of you have not been inside--but surely
+all my Hull readers have--pay it a visit, and just fancy you see that
+bright-eyed, silver-haired old man, with a voice that had lost little of
+the strength of youth, preaching to the crowds that thronged the
+hallowed place. If those old grey walls could speak, we might know John
+Wesley's very words. He preached again at night, and though so old, was
+unwearied with his work. He went on to Beverley that same evening, and
+the next day travelled seventy-six miles, preached at Malton,
+Pocklington, and Swinefleet, and went to bed without feeling the least
+bit tired. Wonderful John Wesley! God-blest John Wesley!
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVII.
+
+          Beverley friends.--Copy of a letter John Wesley
+          wrote to them.--Mr. Wesley's last visit to
+          Beverley.--What took place in the red-roofed
+          inn.--A race.--A lost ten minutes.
+
+
+YOU, who live in Beverley, will be glad to hear that Mr. Wesley did not
+pass by your dear little town. Indeed, there is a house in Norwood where
+he most probably stayed, and certainly visited; the home of Mr. and Mrs.
+Barton. You shall see an exact copy of a letter he wrote to these
+friends. It has never been printed before, so you are the first of the
+public to see it. It is addressed thus:
+
+            "MRS. JANE BARTON,
+                       "IN NORWOOD, BEVERLEY,
+                                         "YORKSHIRE."
+
+And this is the letter:
+
+[Illustration: Letter]
+
+
+                                                     London
+                                              Nov. 13, 1778
+
+          My Dear Sister
+
+          I am glad Sister Crosby has been at Beverly, &
+          that you had an Opportunity of hearing her. She is
+          useful wheresoever she goes, particularly in
+          exciting Believers to go on to perfection.
+
+          There is frequently something very mysterious in
+          y^e ways of Divine Providence A little of them we
+          may understand; but much more, is beyond our
+          comprehension And we must be content to say, "What
+          thou dost I know not now. But I shall know
+          hereafter." At present, it is sufficient for us to
+          know, That all his ways are many & truth to those
+          that love him.
+
+          Even in these troublous times, there is a very
+          considerable Increase of the Work of God. Cleave
+          to Him with your whole heart, & you will have more
+          & more reason to praise him. I am, My Dear Jenny,
+          Y^r affectionate Brother
+
+                                               JWesley
+
+You must not make a mistake and think that Mr. Wesley was Mrs. Jenny
+Barton's brother really; but it was the custom among the Methodists for
+the members of society to address each other as "Brother So-and-So" and
+"Sister So-and-So," meaning that they were brothers and sisters in
+having the same heavenly Father, and loving the same Saviour.
+
+John Wesley preached in a meeting-house in Wood Lane, which you can
+still see, though it is now turned into cottages; and we may be quite
+sure that the boys and girls who lived in Beverley then, heard his
+loving words, and received his blessing. He once spent two days of his
+birthday month in your quaint old town. The June sun stole through the
+stained windows of the beautiful Minster, and looked into the jackdaws'
+nests on St. Mary's Tower.
+
+There is a funny story told of this last visit, which he paid only a few
+months before his death. He was going to preach in Hull again, and forty
+friends from that town had come over to see him. They were all to have
+dinner together in the red-roofed inn where he was staying, and then
+drive back with him to Hull. Everybody was very merry, and they laughed
+and talked so much that they quite forgot all about the time. Suddenly,
+Mr. Wesley looked at his watch, then jumped up from the dinner table,
+shouted good-bye to his friends, stepped into his carriage, which had
+been waiting some time for him at the door, and was off before his
+astonished friends could say a word. Their horses and carriages were got
+ready with all speed, but it was only by driving very fast that they
+managed to overtake Mr. Wesley before he rode into Hull.
+
+Punctuality was one of Mr. Wesley's strongest points. He could never
+bear to be a minute behind time. Once, when his carriage did not come
+punctually, he was heard to say: "I have lost ten minutes for ever."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVIII.
+
+          Going to sleep.--How John Wesley missed his
+          brother.--A good man's tears.--Getting old.--Mr.
+          Wesley's text for the children.--Last words in
+          Manchester.--In Colchester.--A dinner-hour
+          meeting.--The old ash tree.
+
+
+NOW I must come to what seems to the young a very sad time. When we are
+strong and healthy, and can enjoy all the things God has given us to
+enjoy in this beautiful world, death does seem very sad and sorrowful.
+But think, dear young readers, how you feel when you have been playing
+hard all day, or working at school, and perhaps gone to a party in the
+evening and have not got to bed until 10 o'clock. Is it not very nice
+and very comforting to lay your head on your soft pillow and go to
+sleep? Now this is just how God's people feel when they are tired of
+life's work, they just close their eyes and fall asleep, "asleep in
+Jesus." This is how Mr. Charles Wesley passed away when he was eighty
+years old. Though four years younger than Mr. John, he seemed the older
+man, for he had been weak and infirm for a long time. The two brothers
+had loved each other dearly, and Mr. Wesley felt very lonely when
+"Charlie" died.
+
+Three weeks afterwards, Mr. Wesley, preaching at Bolton, gave out for
+his second hymn No. 140, a hymn composed by Mr. Charles. He tried to
+read the first verse, but when he came to the words
+
+          "My company before is gone,
+           And I am left alone with Thee,"
+
+he could get no further, but just burst into tears, and sat down in the
+pulpit, burying his face in his hands. The singing ceased, and numbers
+of the congregation wept in sympathy at sight of their dear leader's
+sorrow. At last Mr. Wesley recovered himself, and went on with the
+service, which was never forgotten by any of those who were present.
+
+Very soon after this, Mr. Wesley began to feel weak and feeble. Again
+his birthday month came round, the sunny month of June, and on the 17th
+he wrote: "I am eighty-six to-day, and I find I grow old. My eyes are so
+dim that no spectacles will help me, and I cannot read small print
+except in a very strong light. My strength fails me so that I walk much
+slower than I used to do." He was now, for the first time for forty
+years, obliged to give up his five o'clock morning sermons, and was only
+able to preach twice a day. As the months went by, he grew weaker and
+more infirm. Once, as the old man tottered up the pulpit stairs, the
+whole congregation burst into tears.
+
+On Valentine's Day, in 1790, he preached one of his last sermons to his
+_little_ followers. He chose for his text: "Come, ye children, hearken
+unto Me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord." The boys and girls
+flocked from everywhere to hear him, and many who had never loved Jesus
+before, heard Him speaking to them through His dear servant; and
+answering the loving call, came, and from that day became Christ's
+faithful little soldiers.
+
+In the same year, when he was eighty-seven years old, he spent a
+week-end in Manchester, and spoke his last words to his followers there.
+He preached in the old chapel in Oldham Street on the Saturday night,
+and the next day, which was Easter Sunday (April 4th), he assisted in
+giving the Sacrament to sixteen hundred members, and preached both night
+and morning without feeling tired.
+
+A few months later he preached at Colchester; but he was so infirm that
+a minister had to stand on each side of him, and hold him up. His voice
+was feeble and low, and many of the congregation could not hear him; but
+his calm, beautiful face, and long white hair formed a picture that the
+children and grown-up people in Colchester never forgot.
+
+It was in this same year, 1790, that he preached for the last time in
+the open air. It was in Winchelsea, and the time was October, the month
+when nuts and apples are asking to be gathered, and when the leaves put
+on their loveliest dress.
+
+As Mr. Wesley felt his time on earth was drawing to a close, he was all
+the more eager to "tell to all around, what a dear Saviour he had
+found," and how they might find Him too. So he preached at twelve
+o'clock noon, the dinner hour of the workmen, in order that they too
+might have a chance of hearing the good news. A large oak dining-table
+was brought into the churchyard, and there, under the shade of an old
+ash tree, John Wesley gave his last message to those working men. "_The
+kingdom of Heaven is at hand; repent ye, and believe the Gospel_," was
+his text, and as he preached, the tears of the people flowed down their
+cheeks.
+
+Long, long afterwards the old ash tree was known as "Wesley's Tree," and
+the vicar of Winchelsea had hard work to keep it from being cut to
+pieces; for Methodists use to come from all parts to cut a twig in
+remembrance of that last scene in the life of the venerable
+field-preacher.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIX.
+
+          About his "Father's business."--Last
+          advice.--Singing and dying.--"The best of all is,
+          God is with us."--John Wesley passes through the
+          Golden Gates.
+
+
+MOST people think it is time to stop working long before they are
+eighty, but John Wesley at eighty-seven still went about his "Father's
+business." His constant prayer was, "Lord, let me not live to be
+useless." Every meeting he knew might be his last, and when he visited
+the different societies, he used to ask the members to take as his last
+advice: "To love as brothers, to fear God, and to honour the King." He
+closed nearly all these meetings with his brother's hymn:
+
+          "O that without a lingering groan,
+             I may the welcome Word receive;
+           My body with my charge lay down,
+             And cease at once to work and live."
+
+John Wesley's last sermon was preached in a gentleman's dining-room, at
+Leatherhead, a small place about eighteen miles from London. It was on
+February 23rd, 1791, and his text was, "_Seek ye the Lord while He may
+be found, call upon Him while He is near._"--Isa. lv. 6. This was on a
+Wednesday, and the day but one after, Friday, he felt very poorly, and
+said he would like to lie down. At the end of half an hour, some one
+went to his bedroom, and found him so ill that they sent for the doctor.
+On Sunday he seemed better, and got up. He was so cheerful and happy;
+and while sitting in his chair in his bedroom, he repeated a verse from
+one of his brother's hymns:
+
+          "Till glad I lay this body down,
+             Thy servant, Lord, attend;
+           And oh! my life of mercy crown
+             With a triumphant end!"
+
+On Monday night he couldn't sleep, and the next day, some one asked him
+if he had any pain.
+
+"No," he answered. And then he began singing:
+
+          "All glory to God in the sky,
+             And peace upon earth be restored;
+           O, Jesus exalted on high,
+             Appear our omnipotent Lord.
+           Who meanly in Bethlehem born,
+             Didst stoop to redeem a lost race;
+           Once more to Thy people return,
+             And reign in Thy kingdom of grace."
+
+When he had sung two verses, he lay still. After awhile he said, "I want
+to write."
+
+So they brought him ink and paper, and put the pen in his hand; but
+John Wesley's writing days were over.
+
+"I cannot," he said.
+
+"Let me write for you," said one of his friends, "tell me what you want
+to say."
+
+"Nothing," replied the dying Christian, "but that God is with us."
+
+In the morning he wanted to get up, and while his friends were bringing
+him his clothes, he started to sing:
+
+          "I'll praise my Maker while I've breath,
+           And, when my voice is lost in death,
+             Praise shall employ my nobler powers;
+           My days of praise shall ne'er be past,
+           While life, and thought, and being last,
+             Or immortality endures.
+
+          "Happy the man, whose hopes rely
+           On Israel's God: He made the sky,
+             And earth and sea, with all their train;
+           His truth for ever stands secure;
+           He saves the opprest, He feeds the poor,
+             And none shall find His promise vain."
+                                       _Hymn 224._
+
+When he was dressed and seated in his chair, he prayed in a very weak
+voice: "Lord, Thou givest strength to those who can speak, and to those
+who cannot; speak, Lord, to all our hearts."
+
+Then he tried to sing again, but his voice failed him.
+
+He was soon tired of sitting up, and went back to bed. He could not talk
+very much; but twice he lifted his hand in triumph, and said so gladly:
+"The best of all is, God is with us."
+
+A great many friends were standing round his bed; he took each one by
+the hand, and lovingly bade them farewell.
+
+All through Tuesday night, he kept trying to repeat the hymn he had
+sung, but could only say: "I'll praise, I'll praise."
+
+Next morning, about ten o'clock, the Rev. Joseph Bradford, who had been
+his faithful companion and nurse, knelt down at the bedside and prayed.
+Eleven of Mr. Wesley's friends were in the room; they wanted to go with
+their dear leader, right up to the gates that divide our life here from
+our life yonder.
+
+"Farewell," said the dying patriarch. And then, as some one repeated,
+"Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting
+doors; and this Heir of glory shall come in," the Golden Gates opened,
+and the soul of John Wesley passed through.
+
+Those who were left outside the gates, still stood round the bed and
+sang to the departing spirit:
+
+          "Waiting to receive thy spirit,
+             Lo, the Saviour stands above;
+           Shows the purchase of His merit,
+             Reaches out the crown of love."
+
+So died happy John Wesley. Happy in life, happy in death. And the secret
+of his happiness was the secret he proclaimed to thousands of boys and
+girls, as well as men and women, all over this England of ours.
+
+          "O boys, be strong in Jesus;
+             Let those around you see
+           How manly, pure, and generous,
+             A Christian boy can be.
+
+          "O maidens, live for Jesus,
+             Like Him, be kind and true;
+           And let the love from God above
+             Rule all you say and do.
+
+          "Then all the boys and maidens,
+             When life and work are o'er,
+           Will hear from One, the words 'Well done,'
+             And rest for evermore."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+If ever you go to London, you must visit City Road Chapel, for there
+John Wesley was interred, on the 9th of March, 1791, aged nearly
+eighty-eight years.
+
+A great deal was put on his tombstone which you could not understand,
+but it tells how this servant of God laboured to bring men and women to
+know Jesus Christ, and how the lives and hearts of many thousands were
+changed by his preaching.
+
+In Westminster Abbey, too, you will see a marble tablet erected to his
+memory, and that of his brother Charles. Though churches shut their
+doors to him in life, his memory is now so lovingly respected, that the
+finest Cathedral in England has sought to do him honour.
+
+In one of the topmost rooms in the tower at Kingswood School, John
+Wesley's bedstead has recently been discovered. Merely a collection of
+poles and a piece of old sacking, it lay there many a long year, only
+seen by the man who went up the tower to wind the clock. Now it is put
+together, and set in a place of honour; and any of us may see the bed on
+which John Wesley slept, when he visited the boys and girls at
+Kingswood.
+
+Here, too, we may see his chairs and books, and a gown, now torn, which
+he used to wear. The Governor of New Kingswood still sits in the
+high-backed oak chair in which John Wesley sat; and grafted on several
+of the trees in the orchard, are shoots from the very pear tree which
+was planted in the garden of Old Kingswood by the Founder of Methodism.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+          FLETCHER AND SON, PRINTERS, NORWICH.
+
+
+
+
+CATALOGUE OF ...
+
+Prize and Gift Books.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+            ROBERT CULLEY,
+            2 & 3 Ludgate Circus Buildings, Farringdon Street,
+            LONDON, E.C.
+
+
+5/-
+
+          =Sunday School Record, Annual Volume.= Published
+          Weekly, 1/2d. Expounds International Lessons.
+
+
+4/-
+
+          =By Doctor's Orders.= By A. F. PERRAM. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Churchwarden's Daughter:= A present-day Methodist
+          Story. By J. W. KEYWORTH. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Nathan Plaintalk.= By J. W. KEYWORTH. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =The Golden Shoemaker: or, Cobbler Horn.= By J. W.
+          KEYWORTH. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Willie's Secret.= By J. W. KEYWORTH.
+
+
+3/6
+
+          =Among the Roses:= and other Sermons to Children.
+          By REV. SAMUEL GREGORY.
+
+          =By Doctor's Orders:= A Temperance Story. By A. F.
+          PERRAM.
+
+          =Churchwarden's Daughter:= A present-day Methodist
+          Story. By J. W. KEYWORTH.
+
+          =Dr. Blandford's Conscience.= By SARSON C. J.
+          INGHAM.
+
+          =Mother Freeman.= By J. W. KEYWORTH. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Nathan Plaintalk.= By J. W. KEYWORTH.
+
+          =The Golden Shoemaker: or, Cobbler Horn.= By J. W.
+          KEYWORTH.
+
+          =Two Saxon Maidens.= By ELIZA KERR. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Wild Lottie and Wee Winnie:= or, Led by a Little
+          Child. By ASHTON NEILL. Gilt Edges.
+
+
+3/-
+
+          =From under the Shadow.= By ANNIE BROUGHTON
+          FOSKETT. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Melissa's Victory.= By ASHTON NEILL. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Mother Freeman.= By J. W. KEYWORTH.
+
+          =Two Saxon Maidens.= By ELIZA KERR.
+
+          =Sunday School Magazine, Annual Volume.=
+
+          =The Morrison Family:= or, The Way of Duty is the
+          Way of Safety. By EMILY SPRATLING. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Wild Lottie and Wee Winnie:= or, Led by a Little
+          Child. By ASHTON NEILL.
+
+          =Willie's Secret.= By J. W. KEYWORTH.
+
+
+2/6
+
+          =A Methodist Doctor of Ye Olden Time:= a True
+          Story for Boys. By ARTHUR LINCOLN. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Bernard's Holiday in London, Paris, and Rome.= By
+          WM. J. FORSTER. Gilt Edges. Many Illustrations.
+
+          =Daddy's Darlings.= By EDITH GREEVES. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Duchess Renee:= or, An Episode in the History of
+          the Reformation. By SARSON C. J. INGHAM.
+
+          =Fighting against Fate:= or, Brent Brompton's
+          Delusions. By HELEN BRISTON. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =From under the Shadow.= By ANNIE BROUGHTON
+          FOSKETT.
+
+          =General Betty, Maid-of-all-Work.= By EDITH
+          GREEVES. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Love the Conqueror.= By JEANIE FERRY. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Loyalty Rewarded.= By JEANIE FERRY. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Maggie's Life Work:= a Temperance Story. By
+          JEANIE FERRY. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Melissa's Victory.= By ASHTON NEILL.
+
+          =The Morrison Family:= or, the Way of Duty is the
+          Way of Safety. By EMILY SPRATLING.
+
+          =Touching the Kettle:= with Other Stories and
+          Parables. By JOHN TELFORD, B.A. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Words of the Wise:= Daily Reading. By DR. T.
+          BOWMAN STEPHENSON.
+
+
+2-
+
+          =A Methodist Doctor of Ye Olden Time:= a True
+          Story for Boys. By ARTHUR LINCOLN.
+
+          =A Noble Revenge:= or, Thomas Gladwin's Example.
+          By J. W. KEYWORTH. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Arrows for Temperance Bows= (Dialogues). By
+          OLIVER PACIS.
+
+          =A Victory and its Cost:= a Tale of the War of
+          1812. By W. H. WITHROW, M.A.
+
+          =A Woman's Dilemma.= By EDITH CORNFORTH. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =Banners and Battlefields.= By EDITH CORNFORTH.
+          Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Bernard's Holiday in London, Paris, and Rome.= By
+          WM. J. FORSTER. Many Illustrations.
+
+          =Bertha Wynchester.= By EDITH CORNFORTH. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =Bessie's Ministry.= By ALICE J. BRIGGS. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =Beyond the Boundary.= By JENNIE PERRETT. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =Bird Minstrels:= Their Ways and Wanderings. By R.
+          CORLETT COWELL. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Conquering:= or, Bernard's Burden. A Temperance
+          Story. By JEANIE FERRY. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Daddy's Darlings.= By EDITH GREEVES.
+
+          ="Doe no Yll":= or, The Brandon Family Motto. By
+          ANNIE M. YOUNG.
+
+          =Fairy:= a Little Cornish Maid. By ALICE J.
+          BRIGGS.
+
+          =Fettered or Free.= By JEANIE FERRY. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Fifine's Charge:= or, The Little Mother. By WM.
+          J. FORSTER.
+
+          =Fighting against Fate:= or, Brent Brompton's
+          Delusion. By HELEN BRISTON.
+
+          =For John's Sake.= By ANNIE F. PERRAM. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =General Betty, Maid-of-all-Work.= By EDITH
+          GREEVES.
+
+          =Gold and Glitter:= a Temperance Tale. By JEANIE
+          FERRY.
+
+          =Hagar's Reparation.= By EDITH CORNFORTH.
+
+          =Hazel Haldene.= By ELIZA KERR.
+
+          =Her Heart's Desire.= By JEANIE FERRY. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =How Mrs. Hewitt's House was turned out of
+          Window.= By CAROLINE RIGG. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =In Pawn:= a Story of a Pledge. By ANNIE M. YOUNG.
+          Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Ivy Chimneys.= By EDITH CORNFORTH. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Jackalent:= An Epic of the Streets. By ANNIE M.
+          YOUNG. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Kavanagh Major.= By ISABEL S. ROBSON. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Kilkee.= By ELIZA KERR.
+
+          =Leighton Family.= By EDITH E. RHODES. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Leonard's Temptation:= a Story of Gambling. By
+          BESSIE MARCHANT. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Life in Malin's Lea.= By ISABEL S. ROBSON. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =Lottie, Servant and Heroine.= By HELEN BRISTON.
+          Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Love the Conqueror:= or, The Rival Cousins. By
+          JEANIE FERRY.
+
+          =Loyalty Rewarded.= By JEANIE FERRY.
+
+          =Maggie's Life Work.= By JEANIE FERRY.
+
+          =Margaret Wattford:= a Story of the 17th Century.
+          By ALICE J. BRIGGS. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Marjory Flint's Latchkey:= and Other Stories. By
+          W. H. BOOTH, F.R.G.S. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Millie's Experiences:= or Chequered Ways. By
+          NELLIE L. ROYLE. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Mighty Men and their Daring Deeds.= By J. J.
+          ELLIS. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Mystery of Grange Drayton.= By ELIZA KERR. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =Patsy O'Hara, the Child of the Ocean.= By RUTH B.
+          YATES. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Rescued:= or, Kenneth Cresswell's Transformation.
+          By EMILY SPRATLING.
+
+          =Roger's Quest:= a Story of the Days of Queen
+          Elizabeth. By ALICE J. BRIGGS. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Runnelbrook Valley:= a Temperance Story. By MRS.
+          HAYCRAFT. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Scaramouch:= and Other Stories. By ANNIE M.
+          YOUNG. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Secret of Ashton Manor House.= By ELIZA KERR.
+          Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Sire and Son:= A Startling Contrast. By AMOS
+          WHITE.
+
+          =Soul Echoes:= or, Reflected Influence. By SARSON
+          C. J. INGHAM.
+
+          =Stories without Names:= for Young Bible
+          Searchers, with Answers. By ELSIE.
+
+          =Story of John Wesley:= for Boys and Girls. By
+          MARIANNE KIRLEW.
+
+          =Story Weavers:= Writers for the Young. By ISABEL
+          S. ROBSON. Gilt Edges.
+
+[Illustration: (From "General Betty, Maid-of-all-Work.")]
+
+          =Sunrise Corner:= Illustrating Psalm 103. By MRS.
+          HAYCRAFT. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Talks on the Catechism:= Easy Lessons for Young
+          Scholars. By ANNA M. HELLIER.
+
+          =Tents of Kedar:= Bible Talks with Children. By
+          WM. J. FORSTER. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =That Boy Mick.= By ANNIE F. PERRAM. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =The Price She Paid:= a Temperance Tale. By J. W.
+          KEYWORTH. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =The Fortunes of Sir Richard de Thorn, Knight of
+          Kent.= By ALICE J. BRIGGS. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =The Knights of the Tempest:= a Tale of the
+          Lifeboat. By H. PRATER. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =The Scotch Girl's Exile:= a Story of Olden Times.
+          By ALICE J. BRIGGS. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Touching the Kettle:= with Other Stories and
+          Parables. By JOHN TELFORD, B.A.
+
+          =Twelve Famous Girls.= By MARIANNE KIRLEW. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =Two Little Sisters and Humphrey.= By ISABEL S.
+          ROBSON. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Winsome Winnie.= By EMILY SPRATLING. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Yuppie.= By BESSIE MARCHANT. Gilt Edges.
+
+
+
+
+"CONQUERING" SERIES. 1/6
+
+
+          =A Noble Revenge:= or, Thomas Gladwin's Example.
+          By J. W. KEYWORTH.
+
+          =A Woman's Dilemma.= By EDITH CORNFORTH.
+
+          =Banners and Battlefields.= By EDITH GREEVES.
+
+          =Bertha Wynchester.= By EDITH CORNFORTH.
+
+          =Bessie's Ministry.= By ALICE J. BRIGGS.
+
+          =Beyond the Boundary.= By JENNIE PERRETT.
+
+          =Bird Minstrels:= Their Ways and Wanderings. By R.
+          CORLETT COWELL.
+
+          =Broken Purposes:= or, The Good Time Coming. By
+          LILLIE MONTFORT.
+
+          =Blind Olive:= or, Dr. Greyville's Infatuation. By
+          SARSON C. J. INGHAM.
+
+          =Chips from a Temperance Workshop= (Recitation,
+          &c.). By OLIVER PACIS.
+
+          =Conquering:= or, Bernard's Burden. A Temperance
+          Tale. By JEANIE FERRY.
+
+          ="Doe no Yll":= or, The Brandon Family Motto. By
+          ANNIE M. YOUNG.
+
+          =Eleanor's Ambition.= By SARSON C. J. INGHAM.
+
+          =Fairy:= a Little Cornish Maid. By ALICE J.
+          BRIGGS.
+
+          =Fifine's Charge:= or, The Little Mother. By WM.
+          J. FORSTER.
+
+          =Fettered or Free.= By JEANIE FERRY.
+
+          =For John's Sake.= By ANNIE F. PERRAM.
+
+          =Frank Heaton's Dilemma:= and Other Stories. By
+          WM. J. FORSTER. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Gold and Glitter:= a Temperance Tale. By JEANIE
+          FERRY.
+
+          =Harold and his Sisters in Norway.= By HENRY H.
+          M'CULLAGH, B.A.
+
+          =Her Heart's Desire.= By JEANIE FERRY.
+
+          =How Mrs. Hewitt's House was turned out of
+          Window:= Temperance Stories. By CAROLINE RIGG.
+
+          =How to Steer a Ship:= and Other Stories. By REV.
+          SAMUEL GREGORY.
+
+          =In Pawn:= a Story of a Pledge. By ANNIE M. YOUNG.
+
+          =Ivy Chimneys.= By EDITH CORNFORTH.
+
+          =Jackalent:= an Epic of the Streets. By ANNIE M.
+          YOUNG.
+
+          =Kavanagh Major.= By ISABEL S. ROBSON.
+
+          =Leigh on Family.= By EDITH E. RHODES.
+
+          =Leonard's Temptation:= a Story of Gambling. By
+          BESSIE MARCHANT.
+
+          =Life in Malin's Lea.= By ISABEL S. ROBSON.
+
+          =Lottie, Servant and Heroine.= By HELEN BRISTON.
+
+          =Margaret Wattford:= a Story of the 17th Century.
+          By ALICE J. BRIGGS.
+
+          =Marjory Flint's Latchkey:= and Other Stories. By
+          W. H. BOOTH, F.R.G.S.
+
+          =Mighty Men and their Daring Deeds.= By J. J.
+          ELLIS.
+
+          =Mystery of Grange Drayton.= By ELIZA KERR.
+
+          =Our Martha:= or, Careful Without Care. By EDITH
+          GREEVES.
+
+          =Patsy O'Hara, the Child of the Ocean.= By RUTH B.
+          YATES.
+
+          =Rescued:= or, Kenneth Cresswell's Transformation.
+          By EMILY SPRATLING.
+
+          =Roger's Quest:= a Story of the Days of Queen
+          Elizabeth. By ALICE J. BRIGGS.
+
+          =Runnelbrook Valley:= a Temperance Story. By MRS.
+          HAYCRAFT.
+
+          =Scaramouch:= and Other Stories. By ANNIE M.
+          YOUNG.
+
+          =Secret of Ashton Manor House.= By ELIZA KERR.
+
+          =Story of Christian:= Life Pictures from
+          "Pilgrim's Progress." By SAMUEL GREGORY.
+
+          =Story of John Wesley:= for Boys and Girls. By
+          MARIANNE KIRLEW.
+
+          =Story Weavers:= Writers for the Young. By ISABEL
+          S. ROBSON.
+
+          =Sunrise Corner:= Illustrating Psalm 103. By MRS.
+          HAYCRAFT.
+
+          =Tatters and Jennie's Schooldays.= By LILLIE
+          PETHYBRIDGE.
+
+          =That Boy Mick.= By ANNIE F. PERRAM.
+
+          =The Fortunes of Sir Richard de Thorn, Knight of
+          Kent.= By ALICE J. BRIGGS.
+
+          =The Knights of the Tempest:= a Tale of the
+          Lifeboat. By H. PRATER.
+
+          =The Price She Paid:= a Temperance Tale. By J. W.
+          KEYWORTH.
+
+          =The Scotch Girl's Exile:= a Story of Olden Times.
+          By ALICE J. BRIGGS.
+
+          =Twelve Famous Girls.= By MARIANNE KIRLEW.
+
+          =Two Little Sisters and Humphrey.= By ISABEL S.
+          ROBSON.
+
+          =Two Snowy Christmas Eves.= By ELIZA KERR.
+
+          =Winsome Winnie.= By EMILY SPRATLING.
+
+          =Yuppie.= By BESSIE MARCHANT.
+
+    =2 & 3 Ludgate Circus Buildings, Farringdon Street, London, E.C.=
+
+
+
+
+"SUNDAY AFTERNOON" SERIES. 1/6
+
+
+          =A Comet for a Night.= By WM. J. FORSTER. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =A Terrible Fix:= and Other Stories. By WM. J.
+          FORSTER. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Dr. Brown's Bill:= and Other Stories. By ANNIE
+          CRAIG. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Eelin's New Home.= By ISABEL S. ROBSON. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =Florrie's Telegram:= and Other Stories. By WM. J.
+          FORSTER. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Frank Heaton's Dilemma:= and Other Stories. By
+          WM. J. FORSTER. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Gerald's Adventure:= or, Only a Drummer Boy. By
+          ALICE J. BRIGGS. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Ida Graham:= and How She Overcame Her
+          Difficulties. By EMILY SPRATLING. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =In Solomon's Porch:= Bible Talks with Children.
+          By WM. J. FORSTER. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Isabelle's Story.= By ALICE J. BRIGGS. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =It's My Nature.= By HELEN BRISTON. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =John Fletcher, Farmer.= By F. SPENSER. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =Leslie's Revenge.= By WM. J. FORSTER. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Mabel's Three Keys.= By R. SINCLAIR. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Master Piers.= By ISABEL S. ROBSON. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Millie's Experiences:= or Chequered Ways. By
+          NELLIE L. ROYLE.
+
+          =Minnie's Curiosity:= and Other Stories. By WM. J.
+          FORSTER. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Nora's Queer Lesson Book.= By ANNIE CRAIG. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =Notes on the New Brief Catechism:= with
+          Introduction by Rev. R. Culley. By ELSIE.
+
+          =Our Chris.= BY OLD CORNISH. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Our Silver Collection.= By WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+          =Raymond's Magpie.= By WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+          =Reggie's Dream:= and Other Stories. By WM. J.
+          FORSTER.
+
+          =Shad and Shady.= By J. W. KEYWORTH. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Sir Godfrey's Bride.= By RUTH B. YATES.
+
+          =Tell-Tale-Tit.= By BESSIE MARCHANT. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =That Dreadful Boy.= By BESSIE MARCHANT. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =The Fun o' the Fair.= By BESSIE MARCHANT. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =The Old House at Rungate.= By ISABEL S. ROBSON.
+          Gilt Edges.
+
+          =The Owner of Rushcote.= By BESSIE MARCHANT.
+
+          =Those Queer Neighbours:= and Other Stories. By
+          WM. J. FORSTER. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Three Little Vagrants.= By F. SPENSER. Gilt
+          Edges.
+
+          =Through Deep Waters:= a Temperance Story. By S.
+          SPENSER. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Tom and His Chum:= and Other Stories. By ANNIE
+          CRAIG. Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Twelve Famous Boys.= By WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+    =2 & 3 Ludgate Circus Buildings, Farringdon Street, London, E.C.=
+
+[Illustration: (From "Millie's Experiences.")]
+
+
+
+
+BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS. 1/6
+
+
+
+          =Animals in Council.= By WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+          =A Royal Letter:= Bible Talks. By WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+          =Our Boys and Girls, Yearly Volume.=
+
+          =Pictures and Stories for Little Folks.= Bevelled
+          Boards, Gilt Edges.
+
+          =Carlo's Visitors.= By WM. J. FORSTER. Bevelled
+          Boards, Gilt Edges.
+
+
+
+
+BOOKS FOR TEACHERS AND WORKERS. 1/6
+
+
+          =A String of Pearls:= Suggestions for Bible Work.
+          By REV. SAMUEL GREGORY.
+
+          =How to Steer a Ship:= and Other Sermons. By REV.
+          SAMUEL GREGORY.
+
+          =Notes on the New Brief Catechism:= with
+          Introduction by Rev. R. Culley. By ELSIE.
+
+          =Sunday School Teaching:= A Manual of Method in
+          Class Instruction, Management, and Discipline, for
+          Sunday School Teachers. By JAMES BAILEY.
+
+          =Sunday School Infant Class Teaching:= A First
+          Year's Course of Lessons for the Infant Class of
+          the Sunday School. By JAMES BAILEY.
+
+          =The Story of the Sunday School:= Genesis and
+          Evolution. By J. HENRY HARRIS.
+
+          =The Tents of Kedar:= and Other Bible Talks. By
+          WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+          =The Wonderful Book:= Twelve Reasons why the Bible
+          is the most Wonderful Book in the World. By G. T.
+          SEYMOUR.
+
+
+
+
+"DOUBLE VOLUME" SERIES. 1/4
+
+
+        =Uncle Jock's Little Girl= }
+        =The Tempest Cousins=      } Two Books in One Volume.
+
+        =Weazel Tim=      }
+        =A Royal Mandate= } Two Books in One Volume.
+
+        =The Children's King=    }
+        =Into the King's Palace= } Two Books in One Volume.
+
+    =2 & 3 Ludgate Circus Buildings, Farringdon Street, London, E.C.=
+
+
+
+
+"LUDGATE" SERIES. 1/-
+
+
+          =A Comet for a Night.= By WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+          =A Royal Mandate.= By EMILY SPRATLING.
+
+          =A Terrible Fix:= and Other Stories. By WM. J.
+          FORSTER.
+
+          =Chrissie's Faults:= or, Fettered by Custom. By
+          JEANIE FERRY.
+
+          =Cousin Jack's Umbrella:= and Other Tales. By WM.
+          J. FORSTER.
+
+          =Donald's Ambition.= By ALICE J. BRIGGS.
+
+          =Dr. Brown's Bill:= and Other Stories. By ANNIE
+          CRAIG.
+
+          =Eelin's New Home.= By ISABEL S. ROBSON.
+
+          =Elise Fontaine:= a Story of Life in Belgium. By
+          ALICE J. BRIGGS.
+
+          =Eric's Hymn:= and Other Stories. By EDITH
+          GREEVES.
+
+          =Esther's Craze:= and Other Life Sketches. By A.
+          F. PERRAM.
+
+          =Florrie's Telegram:= and Other Stories. By WM. J.
+          FORSTER.
+
+          =Frank Heaton's Dilemma:= and Other Stories. By
+          WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+          =Gerald's Adventure:= or, Only a Drummer Boy. By
+          ALICE J. BRIGGS.
+
+          =Grannie's Darling.= By ALICE J. BRIGGS.
+
+          =Ida Graham:= and How She Overcame Her
+          Difficulties. By EMILY SPRATLING.
+
+          =Isabelle's Story.= By ALICE J. BRIGGS.
+
+          =It's My Nature.= By HELEN BRISTON.
+
+          =John Fletcher, Farmer.= By F. SPENSER.
+
+          =Leslie's Revenge.= By WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+          =Little Folks at Kelverton Grange.= By WM. J.
+          FORSTER.
+
+          =Little Jim's Rescue.= By ANNIE F. PERRAM.
+
+          =Lots of Time:= or, Pictures and Stories for Boys
+          and Girls. By ANNIE F. PERRAM.
+
+          =Love and Victory:= Dialogues for Temperance
+          Gatherings.
+
+          =Lucy's Temptation:= a Temperance Story for Young
+          Men and Women. By F. SPENSER.
+
+          =Luther Miller's Ambition:= and How it was
+          Gratified. By LILLIE MONTFORT.
+
+          =Mabel's Three Keys:= and Other Stories. By R.
+          SINCLAIR.
+
+          =Master Piers.= By ISABEL S. ROBSON.
+
+          =Mignon's Message.= By ELIZA KERR.
+
+          =Minnie's Curiosity:= and Other Stories. By WM. J.
+          FORSTER.
+
+          =Nora's Queer Lesson Books.= By ANNIE CRAIG.
+
+          =Our Chris:= and Other Stories. By OLD CORNISH.
+
+          =Our Silver Collection.= By WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+          =Raymond's Magpie.= By WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+          =Recitations for Missionary Meetings, &c.= By F.
+          M. L.
+
+          =Reggie's Dream:= and Other Stories. By WM. J.
+          FORSTER.
+
+          =Ruby Necklet:= Rosie's Temptation. By BETH
+          RICHARDSON.
+
+          =Sir Godfrey's Bride.= By RUTH B. YATES.
+
+          =Songs of Living Things:= for Boys and Girls. By
+          A. H. VINE.
+
+          =Stephen Blakemore's Problem.= By EDITH CORNFORTH.
+
+          =Shad and Shady.= By J. W. KEYWORTH.
+
+          =Tell-Tale-Tit.= By BESSIE MARCHANT.
+
+          =That Dreadful Boy.= By BESSIE MARCHANT.
+
+          =The Fun o' the Fair.= By BESSIE MARCHANT.
+
+          =The Old House at Rungate.= By ISABEL S. ROBSON.
+
+          =The Owner of Rushcote.= By BESSIE MARCHANT.
+
+          =The Tempest Cousins.= By ISABEL S. ROBSON.
+
+          =Those Queer Neighbours:= and Other Stories. By
+          WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+          =Three Little Vagrants.= By F. SPENSER.
+
+          =Three School-Girls:= or, Brenda's Purpose. By F.
+          SPENSER.
+
+          =Through Deep Waters:= a Temperance Story. By F.
+          SPENSER.
+
+          =Tom and His Chum:= and Other Tales. By ANNIE
+          CRAIG.
+
+          =Twelve Famous Boys.= By WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+          =Twentieth Century Book of Dialogues.= Compiled by
+          J. K. TOMALIN.
+
+          =Twentieth Century Reciter.= Compiled by J. K.
+          TOMALIN. Second Edition.
+
+          =Uncle Jock's Little Girl.= By ISABEL S. ROBSON.
+
+          =Weasel Tim.= By BESSIE MARCHANT.
+
+          =Wonderful Half-crown:= and Other Stories. By WM.
+          J. FORSTER.
+
+
+
+
+BOOKS WITH PICTURES FOR INFANTS. 1/-
+
+
+          =A Royal Letter:= Bible Stories. By WM. J.
+          FORSTER.
+
+          =Carlo's Visitors:= and Other Stories. By WM. J.
+          FORSTER.
+
+          =Our Boys and Girls.=
+
+          =Pictures and Stories for Little Folks.= By WM. J.
+          FORSTER.
+
+    =2 & 3 Ludgate Circus Buildings, Farringdon Street, London, E.C.=
+
+[Illustration: (From "The Owner of Rushcote.")]
+
+
+
+
+BOOKS FOR TEACHERS AND WORKERS. 1/-
+
+
+          =In Solomon's Porch:= Bible Talks with Children.
+          By WM. J. FORSTER.
+
+          =In the Sunday School.= Thoughts and Suggestions
+          for Young Teachers. By ANNA M. HELLIER.
+
+          =Into the King's Palace.= By ANNIE M. YOUNG.
+
+          =Junior Society Class Prize Essays.= By REVS. W.
+          B. FITZGERALD, W. H. CHAMINGS, J. SURMAN COOKE.
+
+          =Our Sunday Schools:= A Series of Papers. By REV.
+          C. H. KELLY, &c.
+
+          =Papers Read at London Sunday School Convention.=
+
+          =Take Fast Hold:= Addresses to Children. By J. J.
+          ELLIS.
+
+          =The Children's King:= Bible Talks. By EDITH M.
+          EDWARDS.
+
+          =The Firm Foundation of the Christian Faith:= A
+          Handbook of Christian Evidences. By PROFESSOR J.
+          A. BEET, D.D.
+
+          =Unframed Pictures:= Addresses to Children. By J.
+          J. ELLIS.
+
+
+
+
+"GOLDEN DEEDS" SERIES OF NINEPENNY BOOKS.
+
+
+          =A Heroine in the Strife.= By EMILY SPRATLING.
+
+          =Aunt Chrissie.= By EMILY SPRATLING.
+
+          =Bertram and Gerald:= or, The Gold and the
+          Glitter. By KATE MCCULLAGH.
+
+          =Chappie's Charge Angel:= and Other Stories. By
+          ANNIE M. YOUNG.
+
+          =Effie's Bargain.= By ANNIE CRAIG.
+
+          =Fabian and Phil:= a Story of Two Little Boys. By
+          ISABEL S. ROBSON.
+
+          =Fritz: the Young Swiss Guide.= By ALICE J.
+          BRIGGS.
+
+          =Golden Deeds Told Anew.= By ANNIE CRAIG.
+
+          =Little Barbara's Dream.= By EDITH GREEVES.
+
+          =Little Black Rover:= and Other Stories. By
+          CAROLINE RIGG.
+
+          =Little Miss Pry:= and Other Stories. By ANNIE F.
+          PERRAM.
+
+          =Little Parables for Little Folk.= By EDITH E.
+          RHODES.
+
+          =Marjorie's Stranger.= By ISABEL S. ROBSON.
+
+          =Mattie's Rescue.= By ANNIE CRAIG.
+
+          =Ned's Victory and Dick's Enemy.= By ALICE J.
+          BRIGGS.
+
+          =Nuttie:= or, The Silver Thread of Love. By ISABEL
+          S. ROBSON.
+
+          =Our Cousin Noel:= and Other Stories. By ANNIE
+          CRAIG.
+
+          =Out of the Dark:= a Tale for Girls. By EMILY
+          SPRATLING.
+
+          =Pranks and Prattles.= By EDITH GREEVES.
+
+          =Tony the Cripple:= or, The Child of a King. By
+          RUTH B. YATES.
+
+          =That Odd Little Pair:= or, The Sayings and Doings
+          of Molly and Larry. By ISABEL S. ROBSON.
+
+          =Theodora:= or, Golden Opportunities. By ISABEL S.
+          ROBSON.
+
+          =Alice:= or, The Early Crown.
+
+          =Archer's Chance Shot.= By SARSON C. J. INGHAM.
+
+          =Junior Society Class Prize Essays.= By REVS. W.
+          B. FITZGERALD, W. H. CHAMINGS, J. SURMAN COOKE.
+
+          =In the Sunday School:= Thoughts and Suggestions
+          for Young Teachers. By ANNA M. HELLIER.
+
+          =Meadow Daisy.= By LILLIE MONTFORT.
+
+          =Waiting:= An Allegorical Story. By SARSON C. J.
+          INGHAM.
+
+
+
+
+"GILT SUNSHINE" SERIES OF EIGHTPENNY BOOKS.
+
+
+          =Alice:= or, The Early Crown.
+          =Broughton Manor.=
+          =Carrie's Self Denial.=
+          =Christmas at Rexby Hall.=
+          =Crossing the Rainbow Bridge.=
+          =Dash and His Master.=
+          =David Watson:= or, The Good Pays.
+          =Elsa's Holiday.=
+          =Favourite Recitations for Boys and Girls.=
+          =Fine Herbs.=
+          =For Love's Sweet Sake.=
+          =Jim and His Charges.=
+          =Ladyboy's Story.=
+          =Little Mother and Her Christmas.=
+          =Mop and Meg.=
+          =Ned's Helper.=
+          =Nellie's Promise.=
+          =Oscar's Rebellion.=
+          =Ruth, the Little Hop-picker.=
+          =Sam, the African Boy.=
+          =Schoolroom Stories for Boys.=
+          =Schoolroom Stories for Girls.=
+          =Something to Do, Please.=
+          =Stanley's Pony.=
+          =Sunshine After Rain.=
+          =Tarbarrel Tim.=
+          =The Auto-Biography of Chow.=
+          =The Bite of the Serpent.=
+          =The Seven Edwards.=
+          =Tom Burton's Mistake.=
+          =Wanted a Boy.=
+          =William Tyndale.=
+
+
+
+
+"UNCLE FORSTER'S" EIGHTPENNY BOOKS.
+
+
+          =A Knotty Point.=
+          =Ella's Christmas Letter.=
+          =Harry's Rescue.=
+          =Lucky Carlo.=
+          =Nelson Farm.=
+          =Pitch and Toss.=
+          =The Old Plate's Story.=
+          =The White Mouse.=
+          =The Young Conspirators.=
+          =Twelve Bible Children.=
+          =Voices from a Money Box.=
+
+    =2 & 3 Ludgate Circus Buildings, Farringdon Street, London, E.C.=
+
+
+
+
+"SUNSHINE" SERIES OF SIXPENNY BOOKS.
+
+
+          =Broughton Manor.=
+          =Carrie's Self Denial.=
+          =Christmas at Rexby Hall.=
+          =Crossing the Rainbow Bridge.=
+          =Dash and His Master.=
+          =David Watson:= or, The Good Pays.
+          =Elsa's Holiday.=
+          =Favourite Recitations for Boys and Girls.=
+          =Fine Herbs.=
+          =First Readings:= Scripture for Children.
+          =For Love's Sweet Sake.=
+          =Frank Armstrong.=
+          =Jim and His Charges.=
+          =Ladyboy's Story.=
+          =Little Mother and Her Christmas.=
+          =Mop and Meg.=
+          =Ned's Helper.=
+          =Nellie's Promise.=
+          =Oscar's Rebellion.=
+          =Ruth, the Little Hop-picker.=
+          =Sam, the African Boy.=
+          =Schoolroom Stories for Boys.=
+          =Schoolroom Stories for Girls.=
+          =Something to Do, Please.=
+          =Stanley's Pony.=
+          =Sunshine after Rain.=
+          =William Tyndale.=
+          =Wanted a Boy.=
+          =Tom Burton's Mistake.=
+          =The Seven Edwards.=
+          =The Bite of the Serpent.=
+          =The Auto-Biography of Chow.=
+          =Tarbarrel Tim.=
+
+
+6d.
+
+          =Self Improvement.= A Book for Young Men.
+
+          =Philip Phillips, the Singing Evangelist.= Paper
+          Covers.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+              _Also_
+
+          SUNDAY SCHOOL BUILDINGS:
+              A Book of Plans of S. S. Buildings, 6d.
+
+          SUNDAY SCHOOL REFORM:
+              Two Prize Essays, 1s. net.
+
+    =2 & 3 Ludgate Circus Buildings, Farringdon Street, London, E.C.=
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+The transcription of the letter was done as well as possible. All
+spelling and punctuation anamolies have been retained for the letter
+only. An image is available in the HTML version of this text.
+
+Obvious punctuation errors in the rest of the text repaired.
+
+Page 40, hyphens were added to "S-i-m-m-o-n-d-s" to keep the spaces
+between letters.
+
+Advertising page 6, "Winnnie" changed to "Winnie" (Winsome Winnie)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Story of John Wesley, by Marianne Kirlew
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF JOHN WESLEY ***
+
+***** This file should be named 32669.txt or 32669.zip *****
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