Societies; and several of those private individuals who thus acted locally, were of considerable property and influence. In truth, there was scarcely a considerable town in England, in which Mr. Wesley was encouraged to continue his ministrations, where there were not persons of respectability, to whose co-operation he was indebted. So that while he and his Preachers were itinerating from one end of the kingdom to the other, these private Members were locally cherishing and extending the Societies. Although it cannot be said that rich or powerful men were the cause of Mr. Wesley's activity, it is nevertheless an historical fact, that the conversion of many respectable men from the error of their ways, was the fruit of his ministry. All the large cities and towns in which the Societies were considerable, as well as several other parts of the country, could boast of such men as we have just described, and to an extent, perhaps, greater in proportion to the relative numbers of the Society, than at the present day.

To these private Members of the Society, biography may be usefully applied; and could we obtain the histories of such individuals, we should, with the ample sketches which are preserved of the characters of the early Preachers, have a more complete history of Methodism, and of the instruments it brought into action, than we at present possess. And although their Lives might not supply so many incidents as those of their coadjutors, who acted in a more public and extended sphere, we should see, what it is very important to learn, how men engaged in the commerce of the world, promoted a work which was not of this world, and aided it amidst all the opposition of their neighbours.

The two Brothers to whom we are now to advert, were the sons of Mr. John Robinson, who was a Merchant and Ship Owner at Bridlington-Quay, and occupied a considerable farm at Hilderthorp, in the same parish. The father was as orderly in the governing and management of his family, as he was respectable in business; and if we are not able to trace in him the existence of those religious sentiments and affections which were exemplified in his two sons, the wholesome discipline under which he kept them, and the care he took of their education, served, in some degree, to prepare them for the reception of that good seed which, by the grace of God, was afterwards sown in their hearts, and which enabled them to fill up their future station with utility and vigour. Mr. William Robinson, the eldest, being destined for one branch of his father's business, was sent to sea in one of his father's ships. After continuing in this employ several years, during which he experienced great danger, and was as often protected by the manifest providence of God, he married, and settled as a merchant at North-Shields. From this place he afterwards removed to Bridlington-Quay, where he carried on his shipping concerns, and in conducting which, he sometimes found it né

cessary to take the command of his own vessels, and go to sea himself. Mr. Thomas Robinson went into the business of a hardware merchant, at Sheffield; but on the death of his father, he left that town, and occupied the farm at Hilderthorp, near Bridlington-Quay.

The two brothers seem to have been led, by the providence of God, much about the same period, to fix their residences in the same neighbourhood, that they might assist each other in the divine life; and, by the operation of different habits and natural dispositions, but with similar views and the same holy zeal, that they might most usefully spend their days in the service of God and of their fellow-creatures. Although the brothers, previously to their removal to Bridlington-Quay and Hilderthorp, had become deeply imbued with the spirit of that religion which they afterwards so effectually promoted, yet it is from this period that their characters are more particularly under our view. How ever, before this time the Lord, by making them personally experience the blessedness of being made the children of his kingdom in this world, had prepared them to become willing labourers in this part of his vineyard. In truth, we rarely see men affectionately and disinterestedly striving to bring others to an acquaintance with the things of God, who have not experienced the same knowledge themselves.

Of the origin and early progress of religion in Mr. Wm. Robinson, who was naturally more grave and sedate than his brother, we have no very particular account. It is believed that he received his first religious impressions at one of the ports in the Mediterranean Sea, where, it seems, he had intercourse with some persons who had embraced a monastic life, and to whom he expressed his surprise that persons would endure such privations as that life required. It was replied to him, "It is of little moment what the body endures, if the soul be saved." These words made a deep impression on his mind. He began to see the vanity of the world, and in many respects to reform his conduct; but he still remained without a distinct perception of the way of salvation. He fasted, and prayed, and attended the public worship of God; but erroneously supposed that he should be saved by his own works; and that by these performances he should be able to secure the favour of God. In this manner he seems to have proceeded, till, on one of his voyages to London, he attended the ministry of the late Rev. William Romaine, which was blessed to his great comfort, and instruction in the truth; and perhaps it was not till this time that he enjoyed peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, and was enabled to rejoice in hope of the glory of God. We can only speak of this part of Mr. Wm. Robinson's Christian life from his general conversation, in which he mentioned the Lord's dealings with him: but he certainly derived great consolation from Mr. Romaine's ministry; and

although Mr. William Robinson did not imbibe Mr. Romaine's peculiar sentiments, which were Calvinistic, he always spoke of him with much affection, and attended his preaching, when in London, with great pleasure. We have not thought it necessary to employ our own language in describing Mr. Robinson's religious feelings, which he had in common with all true Christians, and which we could only describe in the general language adapted to all. The following letters to Mr. Christopher Hopper, a judicious and highly esteemed Methodist Preacher, of an early date, will better answer the purpose. In these Mr. William Robinson, a short period before he removed to Bridlington-Quay, in 1769, with great simplicity describes the state of his mind; and they furnish a fine specimen of that humility, watchfulness, faith, and devotedness to God, which strongly marked his character through life; and of the nature of the intercourse and confidence which at that time subsisted between the Preachers and Members of the early Methodist Societies. From these letters we shall make some extracts:

"Low Lights, North-Shields, 1st April, 1769.

"DEAR SIR,-As it would be natural for me, or any one that has had frequent prescriptions from a physician, after a long absence, in writing to the physician, to give him an account of his health; so we may take the same liberty with regard to our souls. But, alas! where shall I begin? Methinks I have a complication of disorders still remaining in this soul of mine; and, although I dare not think that my corruptions gain ground upon me, but rather that I, by the grace of God, get more power over them; yet I think I am slow of heart to believe. I sometimes doubt of my convictions, repentance, and faith; and then again, I find corruptions within, pride, vain thoughts, foolish imaginations, fear of man, &c. Whether some of these are from Satan, or my own evil heart, or both working together, I am sometimes at a loss to know, and am ready to cry out, O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death?' but O that I could say with confidence, as St. Paul did, 'I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.' But here I must stop short. Not but I believe that God is faithful to his promises, and the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever;' but I am diffident of myself, whether I am really born of God. Sometimes I am afraid of a legal spirit; although I am conscious of many imperfections; yet, when I examine the grounds of my confidence in God's favour, I think some trust in my own performances would creep in; and I do not so entirely rest upon my Redeemer as I desire to do. But it is my prayer that God would deliver me from every refuge of lies, and establish me in his ways; that I may neither deceive nor be deceived, but bring forth the fruits of righteousness to the

glory of God. Although I do pray that all these things may be accomplished in me, yet I am afraid that I am not sufficiently diligent in the ways of God; sometimes I am afraid of a lukewarm spirit, and that I have not because I ask not; or not with the importunity of Jacob, who would not let the Angel go till he blessed him. May the Lord quicken me by his Spirit, that I may give all diligence to make my calling and election sure! Now, Sir, your sentiments and advice will be very acceptable; and I hope to have the pleasure of hearing from you soon. "Wishing you happiness here, and eternal joys hereafter, I remain your affectionate friend and servant, "W. ROBINSON."

"North-Shields, 18th July, 1769.

"Dear Sir, I am greatly obliged to you for your prayers, and spiritual advice. May the Lord reward you abundantly, bless you in all your ways, and enable me to follow your directions, fighting the good fight of faith, and enduring to the end! I am now preparing to remove to Bridlington-Quay, and yet I find some reluctance; for although my temporal affairs call me there, yet I am jealous lest my spiritual concerns may suffer. However, solicitations from my friends, and other reasons, induce me to make the trial. The Lord only knoweth what will be the result; but I earnestly pray that his presence may go with me, and strengthen me, that I may not be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. I must confess, I am a helpless sinful worm. May the Lord give me to see more and more of my own nothingness, that Christ may be all in all ...

"I am, dear Sir,

"Your most affectionate friend and servant,
"WM. ROBINSON.

"To Mr. Christopher Hopper, Birstal."

These extracts are valuable, as they show how scriptural and just were the views which this good man entertained respecting his spiritual and moral state, and at the same time they teach us a lesson of sincerity and devotedness in the ways of religion. Nor should it escape our notice with what reciprocal affection and confidence the early Methodists, and Methodist Preachers, treated each other. Their path was one of difficulty and danger, which demanded mutual aid; and they were not wanting in strengthening each other's hands by prayer, advice, and exhortation.

With regard to Mr. Thomas Robinson, we are not possessed of any detailed account of his first religious impressions. He spent a considerable part of his early life at Sheffield, where he was first awakened to a sense of the importance of religion. Being of a lively temper, he entered into the amusements and gaieties of his sphere of life, with a

relish and spirit, which made him very agreeable to his young friends; and which, of course, when he became sensible that he "who liveth in pleasure is dead while he lives," rendered it the more difficult to abandon his pursuits and companions. However, by the grace of God, he surmounted every difficulty, and devoted himself to the Lord. This seems to have been accomplished by several means, and through a concurrence of circumstances, which, however various, no less mark the providence and grace of God. Mr. Thomas Robinson, like other merchants and manufacturers in large towns, travelled in certain districts for the purpose of transacting business with tradesmen in his line. In one of these journeys, he met with another respectable traveller, more advanced in life than himself, with whom, as he proceeded in the same direction, he had much free conversation; especially as this traveller was pleased with Mr. Robinson's agreeable manners and vivacity of temper. It seems that this gentleman was of a serious turn; and he strongly recommended to Mr. Robinson the perusal of Hervey's "Theron and Aspasio;" and he endeavoured to exact a promise from him to procure and read it. Mr. R. was reluctant to give any promise, but as the gentleman used much importunity, Mr. R. felt a sort of obligation to purchase the book; which he fulfilled, without however feeling the necessity of reading it. About this time it happened, that a pious active woman in Sheffield, Mrs. Twiss, who was partly a Methodist, and partly a Quaker, visited Mr. Robinson's shop; when she began to tell him of the happy death of a young woman, a member of the Methodist Society, which had just taken place; and she observed, "That another soul was gone to glory." This struck Mr. R., who said, " You might very well say, you hope she is gone to glory." The good woman reiterated her assertion, without any qualifying adjunct, and with all the confidence which the Scriptures authorize when a righteous person departs this life, with the expression of faith and assurance in the mercy and lovingkindness of God. After some controversy on the subject, she observed, that John Nelson, one of the first of Mr. Wesley's Preachers, was to drink tea with her, and she invited Mr. Robinson to meet him. Mr. R. was much pleased with the conversation of John Nelson, which we may be certain, judging from his habits, was confined to topics of a religious nature; and as we may reasonably suppose that it embraced those spiritual and practical views of religion which the Methodist Preachers never lost sight of in their private as well as public intercourse with mankind. Mr. Robinson, in return, invited John Nelson to his house; and the first time he went there, the honest Preacher, in conformity with the injunction of our blessed Lord to his disciples, as he entered the house pronounced with a full and audible voice, "Peace be to this house." This we have heard Mr. Robinson mention; and it is