all others, most easily besets the people of Newcastle. And as many of them as had leisure to meet, I heard face to face. It was now an easy thing to remove their offences. For God was in the work. So that they were, one and all, as willing to be reconciled to each other, as I was to have them.

Friday 27, being Ash-Wednesday, after the public prayers, the little church in our house met together. Misunderstandings were cleared up, and we all agreed, to set out anew, hand in hand, and, by the grace of God, to forward one another, in running the race which is set before us.

Sunday, March 3, As I was walking up Pilgrim-street, hearing a man call after me, I stood still. He came up and used much abusive language, intermixed with many oaths and curses. Several people came out, to see what was the matter: on which he pushed me twice or thrice and went away.

Upon enquiry, I found this man had signalised himself of a long season, by abusing and throwing stones at any of our family that went that way. Therefore I would not lose the opportunity, but on Monday 4, sent him the following note:

ROBERT YOUNG,

'I expect to see you, between this and Friday, and to hear from you, that you are sensible of your fault. Otherwise, in pity to your soul, I shall be obliged to inform the Magistrates of your assaulting me yesterday in the street. 'I am, your real Friend,

JOHN WESLEY.'

Within two or three hours, Robert Young came, and promised a quite different behaviour. So did this gentle reproof, if not save a soul from death, yet prevent a multitude of sins.

Sunday 10, We had a useful sermon at All-Saints in the morning, and another at our own Church in the afternoon.

I was much refreshed by both, and united in love both to the two preachers and to the clergy in general.

The next day I wrote to a friend as follows:

"Newcastle-upon-Tyne, March 11, 1745-6.

"I have been drawing up this morning a short state of the case between the clergy and us: I leave you to make any such use of it as you believe will be to the glory of God.

"1. About seven years since we began preaching inward, present salvation, as attainable by faith alone.

"2. For preaching this doctrine we are forbidden to preach in the Churches.

"3. We then preached in private houses, as occasion offered; and when the houses could not contain the people, in the open air.

"4. For this many of the clergy preached or printed against us, as both heretics and schismatics.

"5. Persons who were convinced of sin, begged us to advise them more particularly, how to flee from the wrath to come? We replied, If they would all come at one time (for they were numerous) we would endeavour it.

"6. For this we were represented, both from the pulpit and the press (we have heard it with our ears and seen it with our eyes) as introducing Popery, raising Sedition, practising both against Church and State: and all manner of evil was publicly said both of us and those who were accustomed to meet with us.

“7. Finding some truth herein, viz. That some of those who so met together, walked disorderly, we immediately desired them not to come to us any more.

"8. And the more steady were desired to overlook the rest, that we might know if they walked according to the Gospel. ❝9. But now several of the bishops began to speak against us, either in conversation or in public.

"10. On this encouragement several of the clergy stirred up the people to treat us as out-laws or mad dogs.

"11. The people did so, both in Staffordshire, Cornwall, and many other places.

"12. And they do so still, wherever they are not restrained by their fear of the secular Magistrate.

"Thus the case stands at present. Now what can we do, or what can you our brethren do toward healing this breach? which is highly desirable; that we may withstand, with joint force, the still increasing flood of Popery, Deism, and Immorality.

"Desire of us any thing we can do with a safe conscience, and we will do it immediately. Will you meet us here? Will you do what we desire of you, so far as you can with a safe conscience?

"Let us come to particulars. Do you desire us, 1, To preach another, or to desist from preaching this doctrine ?

"We think you do not desire it, as knowing we cannot do this with a safe conscience. Do you desire us, 2, To desist from preaching in private houses, or in the open air? As things are now circumstanced, this would be the same, as desiring us not to preach at all.

"Do you desire us, 3, To desist from advising those who now meet together for that purpose? Or, in other words, To dissolve our societies ?

"We cannot do this with a safe conscience: for we apprehend many souls would be lost thereby, and that God would require their blood at our hands.

"Do you desire us, 4, To advise them only one by one? "This is impossible, because of their number.

"Do you desire us, 5, To suffer those who walk disorderly still to mix with the rest?

"Neither can we do this with a safe conscience; because evil communications corrupt good manners.

"Do you desire us, 6, To discharge those leaders of bands or classes (as we term them) who overlook the rest?

"This is, in effect, to suffer the disorderly walkers still to mix with the rest, which we dare not do.

" Do you desire us, lastly, To behave with reverence toward those who are overseers of the Church of God? And VOL. II.

T

with tenderness, both to the character and persons of our brethren, the inferior clergy?

"By the grace of God, we can and will do this. Yea, our conscience beareth us witness, That we have already labour. ed so to do; and that, at all times and in all places.

"If you ask, What we desire of you to do? We answer, 1, We do not desire any of you to let us preach in your Churches, either if you believe us to preach false doctrine, or if you have upon any other ground, the least scruple of conscience concerning it. But we desire, any who believes us to preach true doctrine, and has no scruple at all in this matter, may not be either publicly or privately discouraged, from inviting us to preach in his Church.

"2, We do not desire that any one who thinks that we are Heretics or Schismatics, and that it is his duty to preach or print against us as such, should refrain therefrom, so long as he thinks it his duty: (although in this case, the breach can never be healed.)

"But we desire, that none will pass such a sentence, until he has calmly considered both sides of the question: that he would not condemn us unheard, but first read what we have written, and pray earnestly, that God may direct him in the right way.

"3, We do not desire any favour, if either Popery, Sedition, or immorality be proved against us.

"But we desire, you will not credit without proof, any of those senseless tales that pass current with the vulgar: that if you do not credit them yourselves, you will not relate them to others (which we have known done) yea, that you will confute them, so far as ye have opportunity, and discountenance those who still retail them abroad.

"4, We do not desire any preferment, favour, or recommendation from those that are in authority, either in Church or State. But we desire,

"1, That if any thing material be laid to our charge, we may be permitted to answer for ourselves. 2, That you would hinder your dependants from stirring up the rabble against us, who are certainly not the proper judges of these

matters; and 3, That you would effectually suppress, and thoroughly discountenance all riots and popular insurrections, which evidently strike at the foundation of all government, whether of Church or State.

"Now these things you certainly can do, and that with a safe conscience, therefore until these things are done, the continuance of the breach is chargeable on you and you only."

Saturday 16, I visited part of the sick (for I could not see them all in one day.) I found many in heaviness, through various temptations, added to that of bodily pain : but none sorrowing as men without hope: though some deeply mourning after God.

The following week I visited the societies in the country. On Thursday 28, a gentleman called at our house, who informed me his name was Adams that he lived about forty miles from Newcastle, at Osmotherly, in Yorkshire, and had heard so many strange accounts of the Methodists, that he could not rest till he came to enquire for himself. I told him, he was welcome to stay as long as he pleased, if he could live on our lenten fare. He made no difficulty of this, and willingly stayed till the Monday se'nnight following, when he returned home fully satisfied with his journey.

Saturday, April 6, Mr. Stephenson, of whom I bought the ground, on which our house is built, came at length, after delaying it more than two years, and executed the writings. So I am freed from one more care. May I, in every thing, make known my request to God!

We met at four in the morning on Easter-day, and great was our joy in the Lord: I preached on The Lord is risen indeed; and at South-Biddick at seven o'clock. In the evening many of our brethren from all parts were present, and we again praised God with joyful lips.

Monday 15, We met at half an hour past four, and the room was filled from end to end. Many of the rich and honourable were there; so that I found it was time for me to flee away. At eight I preached in the street at Chester, to a large and quiet congregation. At Darlington (it being the