molested in his quiet retreat.

But a new scene of action was soon opened to his view. Going to London to carry into effect his father's desire of presenting his work upon the Book of Job to Queen Caroline, he found that the trustees of the new colony of Georgia were in search of persons who would preach the gospel there to the settlers and Indians, and that they had fixed their eyes upon him and his associates, as men who possessed the habits and the qualities requisite for such a service. Dr. Burton, of Corpus Christi College, who highly esteemed Mr. Wesley, was one of the trustees, and being in London at this time, introduced him to Mr. Oglethorpe, the founder of the colony. At first Mr. Wesley did not see his way clear to accept the invitation; but after having consulted his friends, and obtained his mother's assent, he determined upon engaging in the work. It had been the intention of his brother Charles to spend all his days at Oxford as a tutor, for he dreaded exceedingly to enter into orders: now, however, he determined to accompany his brother. He engaged himself as secretary to Mr. Oglethorpe, and also as secretary for Indian affairs. A little before he left England he was ordained deacon, by Dr. Potter, bishop of Oxford; and then priest, by Dr. Gibson, bishop of London. On the 14th of October, 1735, Mr. Wesley and his brother Charles left London for Gravesend, accompanied by Mr. Ingham, and Mr. Delamotte, in order to embark for Georgia. "Our end," says he, "in leaving our native country, was not to avoid want, (God having given us plenty of temporal blessings,) nor to gain riches and honour; but singly this, to save our souls, to live wholly to the glory of God." On board the same vessel there were twenty-six Moravians, going to join a party of their brethren who had gone out the preceding year. Mr. Wesley was much struck with the Christian deportment, the fervent piety, and the great simplicity, of these his shipmates; and immediately

set himself to study the German language, in order to converse with them. During the voyage he and his associates put themselves under a severe course of Christian discipline, and adopted every means for redeeming and improving their time.

On the 5th of February, 1736, they arrived in Savannah river in Georgia, and about eight the next morning landed on a small uninhabited island, where Mr. Oglethorpe led them to a rising ground, and they all knelt and returned thanks to God for having arrived in safety. The brothers now separated. Charles went with Mr. Ingham to Frederica, and John and Mr. Delamotte took up their lodging with the Moravians at Savannah. Mr. Wesley had not long entered upon his work before he encountered much opposition. The new colony could not endure the strictness and earnestness with which he enforced the doctrines and practice of religion, and inveighed against every thing which savoured not of the gospel. The opposition became at length so general that a reconciliation seemed impossible; and Mr. Wesley, after advising with his Moravian friends, determined to return to England. "I saw clearly," says he, "the hour was come for leaving this place and as soon as evening prayers were over, about eight o'clock, the tide then serving, I shook off the dust of my feet, and left Georgia, after having preached the gospel there, (not as I ought, but as I was able,) one year and nearly nine months."

During his voyage to England Mr. Wesley entered into a close and severe examination of himself, of which he thus records the result: 66 By the most infallible proofs I am convinced, (1.) of unbelief; having no such faith in Christ as will prevent my heart from being troubled-(2.) of pride, throughout my life past, inasmuch as I thought I had what I find I have not-(3.) of gross irrecollection; inasmuch as in a storm I cry to God every moment; in a

calm, not-(4.) of levity and luxuriancy of spirit,-appearing by my speaking words not tending to edify; but most by my manner of speaking of my enemies.-Lord, save, or I perish! Save me,-(1.) by such a faith as implies peace in life and death-(2.) by such humility as may fill my heart from this hour for ever, with a piercing uninterrupted sense that hitherto I have done nothing-(3.) by such a recollection as may enable me to cry out every moment-(4.) by steadiness, seriousness, oeuvоτηTI, sobriety of spirit, avoiding as fire every word that tendeth not to edifying, and never speaking of any who oppose me, or sin against God, without all my own sins set in array bẹfore my face." He now felt more than ever the want of that living faith which he afterward so clearly explained and successfully enforced. "I went to America," says he, "to convert the Indians; but O! who shall convert me? who is he that will deliver me from this evil heart of unbelief? I have a fair summer religion; I can talk well, nay, and believe myself safe while no danger is near; but let death look me in the face, and my spirit is troubled: nor can I say, To die is gain !'"

On the 1st of February, 1738, Mr. Wesley landed at Deal, where he was informed Mr. Whitefield had sailed the day before for Georgia. He read prayers, and explained a portion of Scripture to a large company at the inn; and on the third day arrived safe in London. In reviewing the past occurrences of his life at this time, Mr. Wesley appears to have been deeply affected with a lively sense of many providential interpositions which had been effected in his behalf; and however painful to his feelings, and detrimental to his worldly prospects, the voyage to Georgia appears to have been, he heartily thanked God for having carried him to that strange land. After waiting on General Oglethorpe and on the trustees of Georgia, he was invited to preach in several of the churches.

He now began to be popular, appearing in a new character, as a missionary lately returned from preaching the gospel to the Indians in America. The crowded churches, together with the offence given by his plain and heartsearching sermons, produced in each place, at last, the following repulsion: "Sir, you must preach here no more."

About this time the two Wesleys became acquainted with Peter Boehler; they soon became strongly attached to each other; and by his conversation they were more deeply convinced of their utter want of the faith of the gospel. John now began to think that he ought to desist from preaching-for how could he preach to others who had not faith himself? He consulted Boehler, who charged him not to relinquish his work. "But what can I preach?" said Mr. Wesley. "Preach faith till you have it," said the Moravian; "and then, because you have it, you will preach faith." In conformity with this advice he now declared everywhere "the faith as it is in Jesus," and many willingly heard, and "received it gladly." About this time he began to pray extempore, as did also his brother Charles; a practice for which they were greatly censured by some persons, particularly by their brother Samuel.

On the first of May, about forty or fifty persons, many of whom were Moravians, agreed to form themselves into a religious society, in obedience to the command of God by St. James, (v. 16,) and Mr. Wesley drew up the rules. They were to be divided into several bands or little companies, none consisting of fewer than five, nor more than ten persons. In these bands every one in order engaged to speak as freely, plainly, and concisely, as he could, the real state of his heart, with his several temptations and deliverances since the last meeting. On Wednesday evenings, at eight o'clock, all the bands were to have a confer

ence, beginning and ending with hymns and prayers. Any person who desired admittance into this society was to be asked, what were his motives ?—whether he would be entirely open, using no kind of reserve, and whether he objected to any of the rules? When he should be proposed, every one present, who felt any objection to his admission, should state it fairly and fully: they who were received on trial were to be formed into distinct bands, and some experienced person chosen to assist them: and if no objection appeared to them after two months, they might then be admitted into the society. Every fourth Saturday was to be observed as a day of general intercession; and on the Sunday following a general love-feast was to be held from seven till ten in the evening. The last rule provided that no member should be allowed to act in any thing contrary to any order of the society, and that any person who did not conform to these orders, after being thrice admonished, should no longer be esteemed a member.

This association has been called the first Methodist society in London. Mr. Wesley distinguishes the origin of Methodism into three several periods. "The first rise of Methodism," says he, "was in November, 1729, when four of us met together at Oxford: the second was at Savannah in April 1736, when twenty or thirty persons met at my house: the last was at London, on this day, when forty or fifty of us agreed to meet together every Wednesday evening, in order to conversation, begun and ended with singing and prayer." This meeting was obviously a merely religious society, and hence Mr. Wesley, notwithstanding such a union with the Moravians, continued a member and minister of the Established Church, preaching in those pulpits to which he was invited, till all the churches were shut against him.