and after remaining for some time in this helpless but happy situation, they arose, and praised God, who had pardoned their sins, and filled them with such inexpressible joy. His own soul was also exceedingly blessed, enjoying at that season a manifestation of the Divine presence far beyond what he ever supposed attainable in this world. His doubts were now at an end, and in a few months he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His union with them gave great offence, and his former pastor, calling upon him, told him that his proud heart, which was lifted up with the idea of becoming a teacher, was the cause of his union with the Methodists, and that he was laying the ground for bitter repentance.' At his solicitation, Mr. Halstead promised to attend a Church meeting, and ask for a discharge; but, to his astonishment, when he got there a long confession was presented to him, on account of his error in joining the Methodists; upon which he told them, that in this case he had committed no sin, and that the providence of God had led him among the Methodists. In four weeks from this time a committee waited upon him, to recover him, if possible, from the error of his ways, and expostulated with him, 'not to leave men of sound minds and liberal education, to follow after such ignorant men as the Methodist preachers.' During these altercations his mind was kept in great peace, and the more he was called upon to defend his course, the more he was blessed and convinced that the people with whom he had united himself were the people of God.

Feeling the word of the Lord like fire shut up in his bones, he began to exhort his neighbours; and seeing that his labours were blessed, the preachers encouraged him to appoint prayer meetings in other towns, which he did; and at them souls were awakened and converted; so that in a short time he was obliged to take charge of two classes, beside the one in his own town, which began with ten, but soon became forty. In the year 1807, under the ministry of the Rev. B. Hibbard, M. Bull, and H. Redstone, there was a gracious revival, into the spirit of which all entered. At this season Mr. Halstead writes thus:-'We have had prayer meetings the last thirteen nights successively. I have gone from house to house through the greatest part of the town, and sung and prayed with nearly every family. From this time his whole soul was in the work; his house was always open to the Methodist preachers, and with his property he was ever ready to serve the cause of the Lord. The Presbyterian house of worship, which was without a minister, and in a decaying state, was, through his instrumentality, repaired, and occupied by the minister of our Church. The Lord also greatly blessed his family. Long before his decease, he had the happiness of seeing all his children, with the exception of one, brought to the Lord; and that one, with an only and beloved brother, for whom he had prayed a thousand times, was, last spring, converted to God, and united to the people of his choice; so that

instead of bringing disgrace on his family, and deep repentance on himself, as had been predicted, he lived to see his children in great respectability; and having enjoyed, during the twenty-five years of his union with the Methodists, a happiness beyond what before he had ever anticipated, he died, March, 1830, in full assurance of a blessed immortality.

About the year 1810, the fourth church on the circuit was erected in the village of New-Rochelle, the society in which has been gradually increasing, under various vicissitudes of prosperity and adversity. Within this township our two churches are situated, about a mile and a half distant, on each side of the farm and grave of the late Thomas Paine, the infidel. And notwithstanding the extraordinary efforts of this apostle of infidelity, the cause of Christianity flourished to such an extent in his own town, and during his own life, that from his door he might have seen the rising churches, and almost hear the crowded congregations praising that Jesus whom he so impiously blasphemed. After spending his fury to overthrow Christianity, he beheld, every succeeding year of his life, new altars rising in our beloved country, which emitted a purer and a brighter flame, and were surrounded by more numerous and more devoted worshippers.

From this period, the doctrines and usages of the Methodist Episcopal Church became generally known throughout the circuit; and under the ministry of a succession of faithful and energetic men, a steady tide of prosperity has flowed on for many years, during which churches have been erected in Mamaroneck, Kingstreet, Sawpits, and Greenburgh. Last year was a season of great increase, between two and three hundred probationers having been received into the societies on this circuit. At present we are in great peace, being one in sentiment on the great doctrines of our Church; and, after all that has been written to the contrary, loving our Discipline and itinerancy as much or more than ever. We now number about eight hundred Church members; occupy eight churches well attended, in which the Gospel is regularly preached; have our various benevolent societies; and, in the village of White Plains, about twenty-seven miles from the city of New-York, and six from the North and East rivers, have under our patronage a flourishing academy, capable of accommodating one hundred students, at present superintended by the Rev. John M. Smith.

In reviewing the history of Methodism on this circuit from its commencement, we can only exclaim, 'What hath God. wrought!' 'Surely there is no inchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel!' Our doctrine, which has been misrepresented and caricatured by a thousand slanderous tongues, has now become the most popular. Our itinerancy, whose plan of preaching has been called 'run about and occasional,' has established in this country the most efficient and permanent method of preaching the Gospel; and, although the reputed despisers of learning, we

have issued more books to instruct the ignorant in the duties of religion than any other people; and, according to our ability, have never been backward to establish schools, academies, and colleges.

BISHOP WHATCOAT.

For the Methodist Magazine and Quarterly Review.

DEAR BRETHREN,-I have noticed in the Methodist Magazine and Quarterly Review, new series, vol. ii, No. 3, the following remarks :—' It is matter of great regret, that so few memorials of Mr. Whatcoat are extant. From the few that do remain, as well as from the universal and uniform testimony of those who knew him in life, we believe him to have been one of the most holy and spiritual men of that, or perhaps of any other age. As an illustration of those spiritual breathings which animate whatever fragments from his pen we have ever seen, we have the pleasure to rescue from oblivion the brief specimens which follow; and shall be much obliged to any of his surviving friends, or the representatives of deceased ones, who may enable us hereafter to add to the collection.' On reflection, I believe I can contribute a small mite to this desirable end.

My first knowledge of this venerable saint, to the best of my recollection, was in the year 1791, more than forty years ago, in company with Bishop Asbury, in Georgia; when I heard him preach at a meeting house in Burke circuit, twelve miles below Augusta. From repeated interviews with him, both as presiding elder and bishop, from that time to his death, I can bear testimony to the truth of his character as above stated. In addition to my personal acquaintance with him, I will transcribe for your perusal a few short, comprehensive letters, in a religious correspondence, taken from the originals in his own handwriting. The first bears date Portsmouth, Va., August 7, 1797. Mr. Whatcoat was then a presiding elder on the Norfolk district, and directed this letter to me on the Gloucester circuit, in the Richmond (now James River) district, on which the Rev. Mr. (now Bishop) M'Kendree was then presiding elder.

'DEAR BROTHER,-A few days since I received yours of July 6th. I rejoice to hear that Zion lifts up her head in your parts. Thanks be to God, we have some prospect of a revival on this district. A glorious work is going on in Greensville circuit, much like yours. At our quarterly meeting for Cumberland circuit, also at Walker's church, the Lord came down in great power: six or eight souls were powerfully converted. I hope the work will spread from circuit to circuit. Thanks be to God, hitherto the Lord hath helped me, and I have strong hopes that I shall reach the blessed shore. A little while, and He that shall come will come, and will

not tarry. Go on, my brother; it is a glorious cause. If we die in the siege, the crown is just before us: and the devil is at the heels of thousands, driving them down to ruin. O what need of courage! May the Lord, Jehovah, be thy strength, &c, &c.

Thine, in love,

RICHARD WHATCOAT.'

The second is dated Camden, S. C., January 8th, 1801.

'MY VERY DEAR BROTHER,--My desire is that God may give you health, peace, long life, and multitudes of spiritual children. Surely the Lord will comfort Zion. After we have been tried, we shall" come forth as gold, meet for the Master's use." He "that believeth shall not make haste." "The Lord sitteth on the water floods." Thine, as ever,

RICHARD WHATCOAT.'

I

The third bears date, Richmond, N. C., 20th January, 1801. 'DEAR BROTHER,-At present I am oppressed with a considerable cold, but all things shall work for good to the Lord's people; it is enough if we stand fast in the will and work of the Lord. hope you find the kind Physician able to heal and support you, in body and soul, for the work he has appointed you to do. We must do what we can,-not always what we would: the Lord knows what is best for us. As far as I know my own heart, I want to be, and do, what the Lord would have me. My soul is on stretch for immortality. If I live to return, I hope to see Zion in prosperity in your part of the Lord's vineyard. God has blessed your labours, and I hope your faith will grow exceedingly, and your love abound more and more toward the Christian cause and all mankind. Accept my love and prayers for you, and for Zion's prosperity, &c, &c. RICHARD WHATCOAT.

To the Rev. Stith Mead, presiding elder,
Georgia district, at Augusta.'

The fourth bears date New-York, May 31st, 1802.

'DEAR BROTHER,--I received yours of the 7th inst., and rejoice to hear of your success in the Lord's vineyard: may one become a thousand! What is too hard for the Captain of our salvation to accomplish if he should exert his mighty voice? He has wrought wonders among us; glory to his great name! O that we may live up to our privilege, abounding in the work of the Lord, as knowing that in due time we shall reap, if we faint not. May the good Lord crown your latter labours with greater success than your former. So prays your sincere brother,

RICHARD WHATCOAT.'

The fifth is dated Cambridge, N. Y., June 27th, 1803. 'DEAR BROTHER,-My earthly house totters and shakes under the weight of sixty-seven years of travel and labour, so that I can

do but little; but our gracious God, whom we serve, can do whatever he pleaseth. A little while, and Heaven will crown our best wishes. I rejoice to hear of Zion's prosperity. "Be thou faithful unto death," and I hope we shall join to sing redeeming love in yon bright world. God bless you, and crown your labours with great success. Thine in love,

RICHARD WHATCOAT.' All the above were received from that holy man of God, by Your affectionate friend and brother,

STITH MEAD.

METHODISM ON ALLEGHANY CIRCUIT, MARYLAND.

A RETROSPECTIVE view of those by-gone days when Methodism was first introduced into this country, has a natural tendency to impress the mind with solemnity, inasmuch as so many touching scenes and incidents are necessarily interwoven in the subject; and it is so diversified with lights and shades, that alternate joys and sorrows must rest upon the mind of the narrator, especially if personally acquainted with, and identified in, those scenes and incidents.

I think the honor of pioneers to this work, in Alleghany circuit, ought to be divided between our venerable Bishop Asbury, John Hagerty, and Richard Owings; the latter a local preacher of Baltimore county, Maryland; but which of these was first in point of time, neither tradition nor memory furnishes sufficient data to determine. It is however my impression that they all came in the year 1782. They laid the foundation, and others have built thereon. The seed was sown, and some few believed their report, and became members of the then infant society.

6

These venerable brethren were succeeded in 1783 by Francis Poytheress and Benjamin Roberts; in 1784 by Wilson Lee and Thomas Jackson; in 1785 by Lemuel Green, William Jessop, and John Paup. This was the year of my personal emigration from spiritual Egypt to the land of promise; and after this time, being no longer a stranger and foreigner,' I can speak with more certainty of succeeding times. But, perhaps, before I proceed farther, I ought to remark that our Baptist brethren were, I think, a little earlier in the work, in this section of the country, than we were. They made some proselytes, but gradually declined, and removed away; so that but few remain at this day.

From the year 1785, being myself personally and actively engaged, I saw with much pleasure the work spreading and prospering in every direction; and no doubt the occasional visits of Bishop Asbury had a strong tendency to cement and establish Methodism in this country. The Church was much enlarged, and gained a very considerable accession of numbers and stability soon after this