favored when thus engaged. Such seasons of overwhelming power and love I have never since experienced. Mr. James was then mighty in prayer, and often displayed the dawnings of those powerful talents which were designed by the great Head of the Church to be employed in the most important services.' Among the means of religious improvement introduced by the founder of Methodism into that religious community which is distinguished by his name, few have been more useful than band meetings conducted in accordance with those admirable rules which he formed for their regulation. By these ordinances many aged saints have been comforted and encouraged in their progress to the kingdom of heaven; and young Christians have been preserved by them from manifold dangers and temptations, and have had their stability in the ways of God and their growth in piety greatly promoted. They remember with gratitude the cautions, warnings, reproofs, and instructions, which they received from their faithful and more experienced companions; and when, through the power of temptation, or through the imposing allurements of the world, they were in danger of turning aside from the ways of righteousness, they recollect how they were followed, and watched over, and reclaimed. The wisest of mere men has said, 'Two are better than one; for if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow but wo to him that is alone when he falleth and if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a three-fold cord is not quickly broken.' The truth of these maxims has often been strikingly exemplified in the help which Christians, and especially young Christians, who unite themselves in band societies, derive from each other, in those trials and conflicts which they are called to sustain in their militant state. In this light they were viewed at a later period by Mr. James. Writing to the Rev. Edmund Grindrod, one of those with whom he had taken sweet counsel, he states his sentiments in favor of these means of grace in the following language :- - Dear Edmund, I have, at various times, reflected with delight upon our short, but affectionate, interview in Liverpool after the last conference. It furnished me with satisfactory evidence of your continued regard for me; and be assured, that such evidence is duly valued by me. It has led me in retirement to call to mind those good old times, never indeed to be forgotten, which we enjoyed in our band meeting, the origin of which was so manifestly providential. I cannot but admire the goodness of our heavenly Father in the manner in which he has since disposed of its members. One has been taken to glory; another appointed a class leader; and three of us thrust out into the vineyard of our Lord! O that we may be found diligent and faithful laborers when our great Master shall call for us! What but his grace could have saved us from sin in the slippery paths of youth, and preserved us from falling when exposed to many temptations.'

When about sixteen years of age, Mr. James was called to sustain one of the greatest losses that can befall the young, in the death of his much-beloved and affectionate father, a man of a truly noble and generous mind. The circumstances connected with this bereavement preyed long and distressingly on Mr. James's spirits. The ship, of which his father was chief mate, in her homeward bound passage, had to encounter a dreadful storm, during which his father, while engaged

in the duties of his office, fell overboard. The sea was rolling mountains high, and the wind blowing a tremendous gale; yet, being a very powerful man and an expert swimmer, he contended with the boisterous waves for nearly an hour: but as it was impossible for the ship's company to render him any assistance, he struggled until his strength was exhausted, and then sunk to rise no more until the sea shall yield up her dead. Though a member of the Methodist society, and accounted a moral man, and a sincere seeker of salvation, he had never professed the enjoyment of vital religion. To have known that in death he was supported by the all-sufficient grace of God, and cheered with the prospect of an entrance into the haven of heavenly rest, would, to his surviving son, have greatly mitigated the pangs of that heart-rending separation. But this consolation was not afforded; and minds which have been longer under the influence of religious principles than his had been, when this afflictive dispensation occurred, have not been proof against the painful depression which such circumstances are calculated to produce. No doubt, in after life, when Mr. James's judgment was more mature, he would, on calm reflection, perceive that there was ground for hope that his father's death was followed by the possession of eternal life. Acquainted as he was with the way to God through Jesus Christ, interested in the prayers of the Church, frequently and believingly offered for all its members, and himself so far alive to the importance of a saving knowledge of Christ as to be a professed seeker of Him who came into the world to save sinners,' can there be a doubt that the moments of that last perilous and fatal hour would be spent in prayer to Him who, in all circumstances and places, is willing and mighty to save? These observations are not made with the remotest intention of palliating the folly of delay in accepting the offers of the Gospel; but from a knowledge that many pious minds, under bereavements of a similar character, have been burdened for years, and have refused to admit those consolatory inferences which the previous spiritual state of their deceased friends fully warranted.

Rising above the depression of spirit occasioned by this painful event, under which he had suffered for several months, his mind was called to the contemplation of a subject of a most momentous character. Having himself obtained mercy, he deeply felt for the perishing condition of a fallen world; and evinced a glowing zeal to be employed, if such were the will of God, in rescuing his fellow men from eternal misery. With a strong conviction on his mind that God had designed him for the work of the ministry, he was at the same time afraid lest he should run before he was sent. He was aware of the awful importance of the office, and that no man ought to engage in a work of such responsibility rashly. He knew that it was possible to ascribe to a Divine call what might have its origin in other principles and motives. This led him to be extremely cautious in yielding to those impressions, and to make it a matter of much deliberation and solemn prayer to God for direction. He also took counsel of several aged persons, distinguished for their piety and judgment; and it proved to be their united opinion that the call was from heaven. In compliance, therefore, with their urgent request and persuasions, he. began to preach in the villages in the neighbourhood of Liverpool.

The result proved the correctness of those views which his aged counsellors had formed concerning him. His efforts were acceptable and useful; and one who heard his first sermon observes,-'In that juvenile effort there were indications of those excellent talents, which in after life rendered him so deservedly popular and lastingly useful. His views of evangelical truth, even then, were clear and sound-his elocution was manly and chaste—and his address was marked by a feeling of fervent piety and zeal.'

The time that could be spared from attention to business was now devoted to the improvement of his mind in useful knowledge; and his Sabbaths were generally spent in the exercise of those spiritual gifts with which the Head of the Church had endowed him. He felt an ardent desire to promote the salvation of the souls of men; and, laboring heartily in the vineyard, he was favored with considerable fruit. Cold, calculating professors might be disposed to conclude, that, at times, his zeal was the impetuosity of youthful excitement; and certainly there might be occasions when it required the guiding hand of prudence. But his heart was right with God; and his subsequent life fully proved that zeal with him was not the evanescent blaze of passion, but the permanent and pure flame of love.' There was a fearlessness in his character which led him to be regardless even of personal safety, when the honor of his God and the salvation of the souls of men were concerned. Of this, the following fact will afford an illustration:-Having occasion, with a young friend, early in the morning of Christmas day, to pass the Roman Catholic chapel in Seel-street, Liverpool, their attention was arrested by seeing a number of persons, chiefly Irish, kneeling in the yard of the chapel, amidst water and mud, celebrating in their way the birth of the Savior of the world. One of the devotees, on seeing them, rose from his knees, and demanded that they also should kneel down. To this Mr. James objected, and began to address the man on the folly of his conduct. The address and refusal to kneel enraged still more the zealous Romanist. The multitude of worshippers also rose from the ground, and surrounded Mr. James and his companion. The latter, seeing their danger, laid hold of the hand of his zealous friend, and advised him to leave them. Mr. James, in his energetic manner, replied, No; let me reason with them.' But he might as well have attempted to reason with the raging storm. The crowd became desperate, and began to deal severe blows on Mr. James, and, with bitter curses, cried, Kill him! kill him! He is a Methodist!' He was then obliged to comply with the counsel of his more prudent companion, and seek safety in flight.

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The period of his apprenticeship having expired, he engaged in the employment of a Christian friend, who to this day cherishes a pleasing remembrance of his upright character and genuine piety. In this situation he was not allowed to continue long. The time arrived when the great Head of the Church designed that his sphere of usefulness should be greatly extended. Having labored with acceptance and success as a local preacher, he was recommended by the Liverpool quarterly meeting to be employed in the itinerant work. At the conference, in the year 1807, he was admitted on trial as a travelling preacher, and stationed in the Wrexham circuit. Having thus given

up himself to the Lord's service, he entered on his work in the true spirit of his office. To the fears, conflicts, and temptations common to those who engage in the Christian ministry, he was no stranger: but his refuge was in a throne of grace; and he found support in the purity of those principles and motives which had prompted him to comply with the call of the Church. His object was the promotion of glory to God in the highest, and peace and good will among men.' The following letter, written to his early friend already named, after his entrance on his public labors, will show his own views of the great work in which he had engaged :- How true it is that experience of the truths which we preach to others is the best qualification to insure success! This will suggest suitable matter for our discourses-it will give proper excitement and feeling to our mindsand supply appropriate expressions in the pulpit. With the possibility of preaching an unfelt Gospel, I have of late had my mind much exercised; and this, above all things, I desire to shun. To me nothing appears more incongruous, than for a man to appear to be zealous to promote the interests of others while he is indifferent to his own. The words of Walker, in one of his sermons, have deeply impressed me. They are, "The assistance afforded us in our Master's work may lead us to form a better opinion of our spiritual state than is either reasonable or safe; and therefore we have great need to look frequently and narrowly into our own hearts, lest the gifts we receive for the use of the Church should pass with us for those peculiar graces of the Spirit, which prove our adoption into the family of God, and manifest our title to the heavenly inheritance." May you and I be saved from such fatal errors.'

Being now free from all secular employment, and having nothing to do but to save himself and those who heard him, he devoted himself to those theological studies which were calculated to promote personal piety, and fit him to become a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.' Already he had received a good English education; and though he did not undervalue the higher branches of literature, he concluded that the study of divinity had the first claim on the time and attention of a young minister. He therefore gave attendance to reading,' and directed his attention not only to the standard works of Methodism, but also to the divines of the old school, and the most approved writers of modern days. This was the path which he marked out for himself, and which for years he pursued; and his profiting was manifest in the ability with which he was able to edify the Churches of Christ.

After the painful exercises of mind he had passed through in parting with his mother and religious friends in Liverpool, he was comforted and encouraged by the kind reception he met with from the different societies of the Wrexham circuit, and especially by the kindness of his sympathizing superintendent, the Rev. William Harrison, senior, and his pious and affectionate wife. Of their friendly care he frequently made honorable mention. He left this circuit at the end of two years, having the highest satisfaction that can be felt by a minister of Christ, in knowing that his labors had been owned of God.

His second appointment was to Shrewsbury, where, for two years,

he ministered the word of life with diligence and success. Like his Master, it was his meat and his drink' to proclaim the counsel of God; for thereby God was glorified, and sinners converted from the error of their ways. The close of his labors in this circuit was followed by two circumstances of no ordinary interest in the life of a Wesleyan Methodist minister-his being received into full connection, and his entrance into the marriage state. In reference to the former of these events his mind was deeply affected. The repeated examinations which a candidate for the ministry among the Wesleyan Methodists has to pass through respecting his religious experience, his belief of their doctrines, and his approval of their discipline, are associated with so many serious considerations, that no person, be his piety ever so eminent, and his qualifications ever so extensive, can endure the strictness of the scrutiny without deep solemnity of spirit. To be fully set apart also to the work of the Christian ministry, which is to be the employment of the whole life, cannot fail to awaken thoughts and feelings of the deepest interest. For it must appear evident to a reflecting mind, that, to be saved as a private Christian, and to be saved as a minister, are things widely different. The spiritual watchman must not only be clear of his own blood, but careful and faithful that there may be no requirement of the blood of others at his hands. And when with these views a minister is consecrated to the service of the sanctuary, there cannot fail to be great searchings of heart.' Mr. James passed his examinations to the satisfaction of his fathers and brethren, and was publicly admitted in Carver-street chapel, Sheffield. About three years before this, he had formed an acquaintance with Miss Lewis, of Bunbury, in the Chester circuit. They were now married; and the union thus entered into was productive of mutual comfort and happiness for upward of twenty years.

At this conference he was appointed to Glasgow, where his ministry was highly valued, and rendered a blessing to many. During his abode in this circuit, a spirit of dissatisfaction was engendered, which ultimately led to the separation of some old and once valued members, whose minds had been disquieted by the baneful insinuations of more crafty partisans. There are few circumstances in which a Christian minister can be found more distressing than to be so placed as to have no alternative left, but either to sacrifice principle, or to separate from the Church personal and esteemed friends. To him the path of duty may be plain, and the claims of duty imperative; but the performance of it is nevertheless painful; and an awful responsibility must be incurred by those who originate strife and contention. must needs be that offences come; but wo unto that man by whom they come. Amidst conflicting parties, the preachers were of one mind and heart; and the testimony of his superintendent shows that Mr. James was then a helper who might be depended on. His words are He was a faithful colleague; no time-server, no secret tattler against his brethren, nor envious detracter from their worth and reputation. He was open as day; free and honest in the expression of his opinion; the very antipodes of the sycophant; and at the same time the steady opposer of the factious and discontented, and of all private caballing against his superintendent.' At the end of three years, notwithstanding the secession which had taken place, he and

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