and dogmatical about many things that have no immediate reference to their salvation; and "having perverted their way," they are too apt "to forget the Lord

their God."

Mr. Bramwell therefore never acted more in the character of " a wise master builder," than when he made careful provision for recent converts. By painful experience, he had known, in himself, the pernicious consequences which accrue from a want of early Christian tuition. After he had felt the first gracious visitation of the Holy Spirit, "" no man cared for his soul." He had "stumbled about on the dark mountains" till at length he was favoured with "the communion of saints." He was therefore well qualified to appreciate the value of Christian society and pious advice; and adopted measures in every place for ensuring these benefits to all who were admitted within the pale of the Christian church. Directions were given to the most prudent and well informed class leaders, to take special charge of all who evinced a concern for their salvation. They were advised to encourage the timid, and by all gentle methods, to prevent those who were only "gird. ing on their harness, from boasting themselves as they that were putting it off." It was also his practice to meet the converts of each sex separately, to give them appropriate counsel respecting their conduct, point out proper books for their perusal, and to recommend, above all, the constant reading of the Scriptures, and a strict attention to personal religion and private devotion.

When he perceived them observant of these precepts, he invited their attention to the doctrinal works of Wesley and Fletcher. He disliked that wavering humour in religious opinions which some persons have thought fit to dignify with the high sounding title of LIBERALITY. Knowing that superficial attainments in practical piety are too often caused by unsettled notions about religious truth, he introduced to their notice the immortal productions of those two great men, as a complete treasury of needful " erudition for a Christian man." Considering that system of doctrines to be in

perfect agreement with the Scriptures of truth, and mirably adapted to the wants of man, he was indu to dilate on their excellence at every fit opportun In this way, he laboured not only to gain converts, to form Christians and establish believers.

But after all his judicious precautions and lauda anxiety, he was sometimes called to mourn over m rable backsliders. It would have been most wonder if, in this respect "the disciple had been above Ch his master," who had one Judas in his select compa Mr. Bramwell was too well acquainted with the con tution of human nature to be amazed at these unhap occurrences," as though some strange thing had h pened unto him." His compassion was on such oc sions powerfully excited, and he earnestly longed "reclaim and bring these wanderers back." In t department of the work of God, he was uncommo successful. Several who "did once run well," hea this "son of consolation," and "in the strength grace," were induced again to commence their Chr tian career. His addresses, full of affection, were strumental in their restoration to the favour of Go which they had forfeited. On this account, his memo will long be cherished by many, who, on this top "had heard him gladly," and who now adorn the Christian profession by blameless lives, and a holy co versation. He lived to see numbers of returning p digals, and, in imitation of the paternal compassion the God of heaven, he ran to meet them, gave them affectionate welcome, and called on all around to t expression of gladness, because "those who had be dead, were alive again;-those who had been lost we found."

CHAPTER VIII.

Mr. Bramwell is stationed in the Sheffield circuit-A great revival in that town-His diligence in the work of the ministry -His acquirements and the manner in which they were applied-Reflections on the improvement of time-Anecdotes -Letters,

THE Conference in 1795 directed Mr. Bramwell to labour in the Sheffield circuit. He was quite unknown to the friends in that town. The reason of this appointment is explained in the following communication by Mr. Henry Longden:

Early in the year 1794, our revered father in the gospel, Mr. A. Mather, paid a pastoral visit to Sheffield. As he had been twice stationed in this circuit, he knew many pious individuals there, and felt for them an unceasing affection. He had recently visited several circuits in the north of England, where there was a revival of religion and a great increase in the societies; he had there caught the holy flame, and in every place endeavoured with renewed ardour to spread its influence.* In addressing the members of the Sheffield society, he told them that in all those places where the Lord had lately poured out his Spirit, it was in answer to earnest prayer. The preachers every where, after the usual services, held prayer meetings; all who could conveniently remain, united to implore a general blessing; and the Lord, who had inspired the desire, granted their requests: it was done according to their faith.' During this visit they had many refreshing seasons together.

"After his departure, Mr. Moon and Mr. Cooper continued to unite, in the same manner, with the people in public prayer. The good seed sown by Mr.

* See Mr. Mather's interesting account of the revival of religion at Hull, in the London Methodist Magazine, vol. xvii, page 603.

Mather soon appeared. On the day of the following midsummer love feast, a shower of reviving, saving, and sanctifying grace descended, and the people were overwhelmed with its influence. A particular account of this great work is found in the London Methodist Magazine, vol. xviii, page 415, written by Mr. Moon. "In August, 1794, the conference appointed Mr. Blagburn as Mr. Cooper's successor, and in the following year 380 souls were added to the church. These two blessed men were well calculated by their zeal to promote, and by their wisdom to defend, this extraordinary work of the Spirit. The Sheffield people were anxious respecting a successor; and as the conference of 1795 approached, Mr. Mather was requested to recommend, and if possible to procure, a man after God's own heart;' one who had witnessed a similar effusion of the Holy Spirit. Mr. Bramwell was sent, an entire stranger to the people, in answer to prayer; and was every where received as an angel of God. The ground was prepared by his excellent predecessors 'to receive the good seed' in some places, and in others 'the fields were already white unto the harvest.'

"The people soon perceived Mr. Bramwell was a man come out from God; his words were accompanied with a divine authority and a gracious unction. In several houses where he lodged, while in the country, his prayers and intercessions were often heard many times during the night. He uniformly left his bed at four in the morning to enter upon the duties of the day; every moment of which was spent in union with God, and in devotedness to the salvation of the people.

"Plenteously anointed with holy oil, he proclaimed the jubilee of the gospel, the acceptable year of the Lord, the day of deliverance to all that believe. As his whole soul was employed in this work of preaching, so he required of his hearers their silent, fixed attention. Children might not disturb; the heart might not slumber, if observed; nor might the eye of an individual wander. When these important preliminaries of usefulness were secured, he directed the mind to wait only

upon God as the great fountain of blessings, and to look to Christ as the only object of faith, that with meekness they might receive the ingrafted word which is able to save the soul.'

Every where he preached Christ as our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,' and faith as the great duty enjoined in the gospel. He showed distinctly the proper subjects of saving faith, and that all such (and such only) as, in obedience to the command of God, attempt to believe, are enabled also to believe and receive instantly the answer of faith, the salvation of the soul; that salvation is wrought by the grace of God, through the exercise of faith; and that, though salvation has unlimited degrees, it has two leading characters, viz. JUSTIFICATION and SANCTIFICATION:―That as we cannot be justified from the guilt of past offences but by faith, so we are sanctified throughout by the exercise of the same faith: that the accomplishment of the promises by faith is always instantaneous; and that such a faith in powerful operation is to be distinguished from that which is a gracious habit of the mind; a faith wherein we stand, and walk, and overcome the world.

"These doctrines Mr. Bramwell urged in almost every sermon; yet he did not exalt them and depreciate others. For as divine truth sweetly harmonizes when seen comprehensively, so he published every doctrine of the gospel, bringing out of the treasury things new and old.' To say that he was popular every where is saying very little. While he was engaged in the pulpit, sinners saw their natural face as in a glass, and were deeply affected with a sight of their sinful deformity; professors beheld the awful difference between the form of godliness and the power; and the attention of saints was turned upon themselves as connected with their holy calling. The humble, the broken hearted, the thirsty for God, were encouraged Now to believe in Christ as a present and all-sufficient Saviour. 'The hand of the Lord was with his servant, and many believed and turned to the Lord." Under his