means a visible improvement was produced in the parents, and the son was brought under convictions on account of the sins of his youth.

Soon after this, the Wesleyans, seeking to spread their testimony on every hand, came to the village. The manner of their introduction was not likely to excite much attention; but young Wilson and his mother were soon found among their audience. "When I was about thirteen years of age, the Methodists came to our village, to hold a prayer-meeting in the Almshouses. My mother took me with her. I heard them sing and pray, and was somewhat taken with it. We continued going to these meetings, also to Ilkestone chapel to hear preaching. We soon procured a Hymn-Book, and sung hymns at home, as well as at the public means of grace. We hired sittings in the chapel, which continue to be occupied by some part of our family to the present day."

While he sat under the ministry with which he was now favoured, his mind was very much enlightened;" his convictions of siu, "though never so distressing as they are to many," were deepened; and he sought the Lord with earnest desire. And, as Bunyan was affected and instructed by the poor women at Bedford, who "spoke as if joy did make them speak," so Mr. Wilson was much edified by the "loving, winning conversation" of the wife of a coal-miner. "She could not read," he says, but could talk and pray well;" and her "one talent" was blessed by God to this future minister of the churches.

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But, although he sought the Lord, he did not soon realize a sense of the forgiveness of sins. Sometimes fear took possession of his soul. He thought he should die before he obtained mercy, and in that case be lost." "To relieve his mind, he endeavoured to recollect all that he had heard and read;" and the conclusion, "that he had never heard or read of one who sought God in vain," inspired him with new courage. After the delay, mercy came. On retiring from a prayer-meeting, where he had been earnestly pleading with God, and where others had found mercy, he resolved to continue all night in supplication. As the silent hours wore away, he wrestled in prayer "as though he would take the kingdom of heaven by storm." Then he "became calm and resigned." Then the thought came into his mind, that he might as well leave off praying:" but hope sustained his soul. "I began to lift up my heart to God; and while thanking God, and looking up, I found a communication of peace and love to my soul. This heavenly feeling was so different from anything I had ever experienced before,-it was so clear, and full, and satisfactory,that I could not help exclaiming, 'This is it—this is it!' many times over, as I paced the floor." Again: "If the Jewish prophets had their prophecies as clearly made known to them as mercy was made known to me, they might well say, 'Thus saith the Lord.' I had the fullest satisfaction that my sins were pardoned, my peace was made with God, and I was accepted of Him. So great was my comfort, I continued praising God for some time. This was truly

the peace which passeth all understanding,' and the 'joy which is unspeakable, and full of glory.''

Hitherto Mr. Wilson's life had been blameless; and no forsaking of outward sin marked the change which he thus perspicuously records. But a new spirituality of mind, and an altered conversation, soon made it known to those around him. This was in his seventeenth year; and union with that church to which God had directed his steps soon followed.

At the June Visitation of the classes at Ilkestone, the Rev. William Bramwell gave tickets to the Society. By invitation, Mr. Wilson was present; and he was admitted a candidate for church-membership. A lasting friendship was the result of that interview, and the venerable minister watched over his young friend with the anxiety of a father in Christ. A characteristic letter, written by Mr. Bramwell to his disciple, shall be in part copied :

"MY DEAR JOSEPH,-I am glad to find you fully devoted to God. I know you will have to fight much [against] the flesh and the world. To keep pure in desire, and from the spirit of earth, is a glory which you have to pursue until death....... You do not yet know what God designs for you. Your work may be great, or it may be nearly done: but be ready for all...... Are you given to reading as much as possible? Do you write also? I mean, your thoughts on different subjects. Do you plead in prayer, and receive the promise? O! be a man of God; diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.""

It is evident from this extract, that the far-seeing eye of Mr. Bramwell was reading the future. In his young friend he saw the future minister of Christ; and by godly instruction he sought to aid his preparation for the solemn and important work. Mr. Wilson, sen., seems to have anticipated the very same thing, and would have had him seek orders in the Established Church. "I have reason," says the son, "to believe my father thought it might please God to make me useful in His church; for, about this time, he asked me if I had any inclination to go to college. This I declined. To leave the Methodists would have been a great cross; neither did I think it was the design of God concerning me. However, my father wished me to go to Nottingham to receive instruction from a clergyman in general knowledge. I boarded with a friend, who was a Methodist, and thus had opportunities of attending band-meetings, prayer-meetings, and the preaching."

That spirit of attachment to the church of his early choice, which breathes in this extract, continued through life. Though Mr. Wilson was no bigot, but ready to rejoice in the prosperity of every branch of the church of Christ, and himself loved by all who loved the Lord Jesus Christ, his attachment to Methodism knew no change. He had watched its unfolding and increasing power; he had seen it tested by many trials; and he regarded it as one of the purest forms of Christianity.

As his soul expanded with pity for others, he began to speak to his neighbours of the things of God, as also to pray in social meetings, and in public. About this time he speaks of special benefit which he received during a revival of the work in the Nottingham Circuit, when Mr. Bramwell, Mr. Timperley, and Mr. Pipe laboured there. His father, mother, and two of the family, found peace with God. Enjoying for himself closer communion with God, he found the future opening more clearly to view. "My mind was now exercised with the thought that God would call me to preach His word. The first time I had any intimation of this was while Mr. Reynolds was preaching. He said, 'Some persons think the life of an Itinerant minister an idle one; but, I would assure you, it is a very laborious life.' It was applied to me, Thou wilt have to prove it.' I almost blushed at the thought, but kept it secretly in my heart; neither did I tell anyone till after I became an Itinerant preacher." With these feelings, he began to exhort in public; was received on the Plan as a Local preacher; met a class; and continued in the faithful discharge of these duties until he was called to leave his father's house, and be "separated unto the Gospel of God."

At the Conference of 1804, he was recommended by Mr. Gloyne, the Superintendent of the Retford Circuit, and was put down for Wigan. It will be interesting to read an extract of a letter which he received from the Rev. William Harrison, reporting to him what was done :

"This is to inform you that you are to make ready with all speed to take the field, and do all you can to bring poor sinners to the Lord Jesus Christ. O happy employment! What a dignity it is to be thus exalted! Glory, glory be to the Lord, who has called you.

If the devil be so bold as to tempt you not to go, can a thought enter into the heart of my brother to comply? Certainly not. Therefore, methinks, I hear him say, 'Lord, I receive this call from Thee, and must comply with it.' Amen, says your brother Harrison in

return."

But timidity prevailed. The young man declined going; and, ultimately, he was put on the List of Reserve. In the November following he was sent to the Salisbury Circuit, to assist one of the ministers. While there, he felt all the anxieties and fears of a probationer who desires to make full proof of his ministry. "I left home trusting in God for protection and assistance; spent a Sabbath in London, on the way; and reached Salisbury on Monday night. On Tuesday evening I was required to preach in the city. This was a trial; as the people of Salisbury were more refined than those in the large northern towns, and they seemed also more formal, and less alive to God. I seldom could assume sufficient confidence to preach with comfort and freedom in Salisbury. In the country places of the Circuit I feared less, could speak with freedom, and enjoyed the opportunities."

In the sphere to which he went from cold and refined Salisbury, he appears to have found a more congenial element, and "felt his mind free to serve God." "My next Circuit was Witney, in Oxfordshire; with the Rev. Thomas Blanshard. This appointment was more agreeable; the people were more friendly, and less formal in their worship. I spent the year with comfort; and, I believe, with general satisfaction to the friends. I was usually contented, cheerful, and happy; and, through the blessing of God, I escaped the dangers and indiscretions to which youth is subject." At this, as at every subsequent period of his life, two things secured for him the affections of the people; namely, steady, peaceable conduct, combined with uniform piety.

From Witney he removed to Northampton, and thence to Canterbury. Margate was then a part of the latter Circuit; and his first Sabbath was spent in that town. Whilst in this Circuit, he pursued bis usual course of study, carrying into all departments of the work those industrious habits by which he was distinguished, and finding his reward in the affection and confidence of the people. To quote again: Mr. M'Allum was my Superintendent; Mr. Aaron Floyd was also with us. The numbers increased considerably; and at the end of the term I could say it had been a good year to me, though one of varied trial and exercise."

His next removal was to Rye; then to Portsmouth; then to Birmingham. A line or two from his brief memoranda will give us an insight into the manner of spending his time in the last-named Circuit:-"My usual practice was to rise at five, translate a chapter from Hebrew into English before breakfast, then sermonise till dinner, and in the afternoon read history, or divinity, or astronomy. By observing this course, I finished four books of Moses before the end of the year." But, while he sought by mental culture to qualify himself for the great work, there was still the same anxious training of the heart. Having now attained the age of thirty, he sat down to review the way by which the Lord had led him, and to examine his progress in the Divine life. "This I thought was a particular era. I had arrived at the full strength of man. I reviewed my attainments, as a minister and a Christian, and thought them small, in comparison with those of many of my age, and my standing in the church of Christ. I can say in truth, my mind was not elated; for by reading I had found cause to account myself but a learner, and deficient in everything." Still, his heart clave to God. He did his work with a

single eye, and in it found great delight.

From Birmingham he removed to Brentford; and thence to Luton, in 1813. Soon after this date the brief record of his life closes; and we will not attempt to follow him through the various Circuits which he subsequently occupied. His course in one Circuit was a type of his conduct in all: for one of his most prominent traits was uniformity. He was not given to change. He followed in the footsteps of his Master; and hence, amid all vicissitudes in things around, held the tenor of his way.

Blessed with unusual health and strength, he continued in the full work forty-seven years, nineteen of which were spent in the county of Kent. In 1851 his natural vigour began to abate; and, regarding this as an intimation to retire from the more arduous duties of the ministry, he settled in Canterbury as a Supernumerary. But it was with the intention of devoting all his remaining strength to the service of God; for the love of Christ still constrained him. He preached often, met two classes, visited the sick, sought out the wandering, and endeavoured by all means to win souls. But in all these labours there was no noise, no show. His course was silent and unobtrusive; and, until a few days before his death, he was permitted, in lowly imitation of his Master, to go about doing good.

About three years before his decease he lost the wife of his youth: -a painful stroke, to which grace alone enabled him to submit, acknowledging, "Good is the will of the Lord." From this time he seemed to realize more intimate communion with the spiritual world; and a mellowed piety told of his growing meetness for the kingdom of everlasting glory.

On one occasion, when on a visit at his son's house in Northampton, he said, "I do not pray much now; my work is chiefly praise." And on another occasion, "My work is nearly ended-but not ended, for it will still go on; but there it will be all praise." Secluded as he now was from the bustle of public affairs, revolving days brought but little change to him. No stirring incidents marked his Supernumerary life; and the story of these days is soon told. His hours were devoted to the closet, or some effort for the benefit of others; while all was sanctified by his grateful song of praise.

On Tuesday, September 11th, 1860, business called him to Ashford. The day was fine, but very cold; so that he felt chilled, and became hoarse. Returning by the train, he entered into conversation with a gentleman on the subject most dear to his heart,-personal religion; and this seems to have increased the violence of the attack. On reaching home, he felt much exhausted with speaking, but hoped a night's rest would recruit his wasted strength. That night, however, was one of suffering, and returning day brought no relief. Medical aid was called in, and the disease was pronounced bronchitis. Everything which human skill could do was done, and sometimes a gleam of hope was shed upon the mournful scene; but the gleams were of short duration. The nature of the affliction was such as to prevent all prolonged conversation. He could express himself only in broken sentences, and in a whisper. On the evening preceding his death, his medical friend informed the sorrowing family that all hope of his recovery was gone. This was communicated to Mr. Wilson as gently as possible; when for a moment he seemed surprised, and said, "Do you say so? I don't think just so. I have more strength than you suppose." On being asked his state of mind, he replied, “A constant calm; solid peace. Recollected-sober-minded." When asked whether he had any fear of death, he answered, with great energy, "Fear? no! I know of no foundation on which fear can stand."