Methodists, I was accustomed to go with them. I was much delighted to hear them sing the praises of God. I cannot say that I was addicted to those sins which stain the conduct of many. When I was about eleven years of age, the strivings of the Spirit became more powerful than ever. As I was one day walking in the fields with a boy I then made an associate, our conversation turned on the subject of our personal salvation. He told me there was a barn, not far off, in which he had often prayed by himself; and, as we were both similarly affected, we resolved to go and pray together; which we did in the best manner we could. We also made it a practice to meet there every Sunday, and sing and pray together; but by degrees we fell away. Still, powerful convictions of sin, and alarms of conscience, often and deeply affected me. When I was thirteen, I was invited to a class-meeting; and the first I attended was remarkable, as the occasion on which I found peace and rest to my soul. When about sixteen, I was appointed a prayer-leader, and was requested to draw out the prayer-leaders' Plan. I also became a teacher in the Sabbath-school, which was first instituted in Congleton about the time I became a member of Society. In this latter office, I was particularly favoured with success. It was our practice to give an exhortation to the children at the close of the afternoon school; and many of them were brought under religious impressions. I at length desired as many as were thus influenced to meet me on the week-day evening. To my surprise, I had from fifty to a hundred! I divided them into two or three classes, and met them on separate evenings. Many of them became regular members. of Society. When not quite seventeen years old, I was made a classleader; and very distressing were my feelings, when I thought of my own incapacity for the office,-especially as many of the members were advanced in years and experience. Nor was I less exercised about preaching. I first took a text on Sunday, November 17th, 1805; and soon afterwards was put on the Local preachers' Pian. At the Conference of 1807, I was recommended to travel, but knew nothing of it till a copy of the Stations' was sent me, on which my name was printed, and I was put down for Barnard-Castle."

However highly we may prefer those more deliberate and effective preparations which are now required from candidates for the sacred office, as being more in accord with the apostolic injunction to "lay hands suddenly on no man,"-yet, instances like the above (several of which occurred) imply more than ordinary gifts, and a marked promise of usefulness. Nor were the sanguine hopes of those who promoted Mr. Barlow's early and rapid introduction to the ministry destined to disappointment. He was no "novice;" but, from the commencement of his ministry, evinced a ripeness of judgment beyond his years, combined with energy of purpose; and, above all, the anointing oil of the Spirit was upon his head. He also adopted habits of application, from which he never afterwards deviated. His reading was both judicious and extensive; and, whilst not negligent of modern literature, he especially delighted in the works of our older theologians. Few young ministers were ever more careful in obeying that

apostolic canon, "Give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee......Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all." (1 Tim. iv. 13—15.)

Having passed with credit the four probationary years of his ministry at Barnard-Castle, Richmond, (Yorkshire,) and Howden, he was duly "received into full connexion" in 1811, at the Sheffield Conference, held under the presidency of the Rev. Charles Atmore. In the course of the following year, he entered into the marriage-state with Miss Elizabeth Cooper, of Wildboar-Clough,-one who was well adapted to be a "help-meet," for both worlds. In all the Circuits where they were stationed together, she adorned her profession, and left an excellent name. In several she had the charge of a class: an office for which she was remarkably qualified by piety, intelligence, and zeal. How much her husband was indebted to her affectionate care, judicious counsel, and co-operative zeal, can never be told. Their happy union was dissolved by the death of this excellent woman, February 27th, 1844. She had just finished meeting her class, when the summons came; and, after about a week's severe affliction, she was taken

"From a suffering church beneath,

To a reigning church above."

Only a few minutes before her departure, she put forth all her remaining strength in exhorting her sorrowing family to "be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; forasmuch as they knew that their "labour" was "not in vain in the Lord.” Of eleven children, seven survive; and several occupy useful positions in Methodism.

Returning to the scenes of Mr. Barlow's early labours, we find him, after his solemn recognition by the Conference as a fellow-labourer," removing from the Howden Circuit, and appointed to Leek. Howder had just then been honoured by giving first to the Home work, anc subsequently to the Foreign, a man whose name cannot die,-Barnabas Shaw. Having been refused permission, by the Governor of CapeTown, to exercise his ministry there, that eminent servant of Christ was led to cross the boundaries of that colony, and thus become the pioneer-Missionary of Southern Africa. The result of this evidently providential step was, that hundreds of degraded Hottentots, Bushmen, and Damaras, became the seals of his ministry. Previously to his entrance upon the great work, there existed a warm friendship between this afterwards renowned evangelist and the subject of our memoir. In a private communication, dated about this time, Mr. Shaw refers to the highly acceptable labours of his friend in his native Circuit.

The six following years were spent at Leek, Wrexham, Ormskirk, and Stafford. An interesting circumstance which took place during his residence at Ormskirk is thus noted in his journal, under date of February 25th, 1815:-" Two ladies, one of whom was a clergyman's wife, waited upon me this day, and spent about two hours with me.

Their object was religious improvement; and, while we conversed closely on various subjects, the time passed sweetly away. They seemed affected and gratified. I thought it strange that a clergyman's wife should thus honour a Methodist preacher. Her companion thinks that she is not sufficiently enlightened; and hence she brought her to my house. Both appeared very humble and childlike.” Other circumstances, less pleasing to "flesh and blood," yet not unmingled with Divine consolation, marked Mr. Barlow's ministry in the Ormskirk Circuit, of which he makes the following note:-"I have had many fightings' with unruly men without,' and 'fears' of a peculiar nature within.' Frequently I have been reduced, almost to the last extremity, by pain and affliction; and my mind has been racked with care. For faithful reproof, I have been threatened with law and prison; and for the exercise of discipline, I have even been menaced with the loss of life! But none of my enemies have triumphed over me. I left the Circuit, after all, in peace; and, apparently, with the hearts of all the people."

The Conference of this year (1815) was held in Manchester. Mr. Barlow, who was present, relates the following incidents :-" I went to Oldham-street chapel on the Sunday morning. Dr. Clarke was the preacher. His subject was the witness of the Spirit. The discourse was full of argument, purely Methodistical, very powerful, and likely to prove useful to all who heard it.-On the Monday morning Dr. Clarke gave an account of what he had done, since last Conference, in the character of President; which was much to the satisfaction of the preachers. He also gave some particulars on the subject of the Ceylon Mission; and exhibited a letter he had received from a converted Budhist priest, together with part of the Scriptures, which he (the priest) bad translated into his native language. The letter was on a rough, thick paper; the portions of Scripture, on the leaves of a tree. The writing was executed in the finest style, and very curious.-A speech given by Mr. Henry Mcore caused no little interest; having in it some useful cautions on the subject of maintaining the system of Itinerancy, as a sacred deposit received especially from God."

In the Stafford Circuit, to which Mr. Barlow was now appointed, he was favoured with a most cordial reception. But a new trial awaited him. A lovely child, of the age of a year and ten months, was removed by death. The anguish of the parents was extreme; but they were enabled to say, "Thy will be done."

The ensuing Conference (1816) was held in London. Mr. Barlow was again present, and we have the following notes from his pen :-"I attended Conference this morning, and found Mr. Moore on his feet, condemning a book entitled, Ecclesiastical Claims.'*. ..At five

* The treatise named fell under the censure of the Conference, not only for its general tone and spirit, but also, and especially, for certain passages bearing against the doctrine of a Divine call to the holy ministry. Our venerable fathers knew how to respect an elder Church; but they did not dream of ascribing any mysterious or transcendent virtue to the "orders" conferred by a prelate. It must be permitted us to affirm the identity of the presbyter and the bishop in the primitive Christian assemblies, and the consequent validity of presbyterial ordination, until some prelatist shall

o'clock, P.M., Friday, August 2d, the remains of Mr. Bradburn were brought to the New Chapel, and afterwards buried beside Mr. Wesley's tomb. Dr. Clarke read the service; and Messrs. Wood and Moore addressed the congregation.-Sunday, August 4th, I heard Dr. Clarke in the forenoon, at Spitalfields, on Acts ii. 42. It was, as usual, great, and plain."-Mr. Barlow was re-appointed to Stafford; but, in the course of succeeding months, he was attacked by illness of so serious a nature as to require him to retire from the work for one year. Twelve months' rest, through the Divine blessing, sufficed to restore his health; and with a grateful heart he re-commenced his ministerial duties, being sent to Whitehaven.

In accordance with a resolution of the Conference, a circular was addressed this year to all the leaders of classes, respecting the Yearly Collection. This document excited great dissatisfaction in the minds of certain principal men in the Whitehaven Circuit. They charged the preachers with being "idle," "extravagant," and so on. This aroused the meek spirit of Mr. Barlow; who took the first opportunity, at a Society-meeting, of explaining this important part of our economy, and powerfully defended the character of the slandered ministers. He boldly stated, in effect, that the accusations of those who were “illaffected toward the brethren " were totally groundless; and that “it were better that a millstone were hung about their necks, and they were cast into the sea," than that they should thus lay a stumblingblock before the body of the people. For his own part, if the Society entertained such views of himself, he was willing to give up all connexion with them. But they must regard their preachers in a different light, or they would never be benefited by their ministry.-This faithful dealing produced the right effect. Most of the hearers were in tears; and that evening, and the following day, all with whom he conversed were anxious to clear themselves, resolving to be more careful of their words in future. On removing from the Circuit at the end of two years, this faithful and much-beloved pastor says: "I never was so much affected, and never saw a people so much affected, at the thought of parting, as on the occasions of my last sermons among them. At Whitehaven, Workington, and Harrington, the chapels were crowded, though on the week-nights; and many wept aloud. As soon as the last prayer was ended, the congregation at each place spontaneously

sang,

'Blest be the dear uniting love,

That will not let us part:
Our bodies may far off remov,—
We still are one in heart.'

lay his hand on a text of the New Testament which directs a re-ordaining, or "consecrating," to any higher rank than that of pastor of the flock. The fable of an "uninterrupted succession" is exposed by the writer on "Ecclesiastical Claims," with arguments which no man has met. But, really, no arguments can be required in dealing with a notion which has not a word in the Bible, not a page of early churchregisters, to help it; a theory, which, moreover, draws one line from twelve men,one river from twelve far-separated springs. -EDITOR.

His next appointment was to Lancaster, where he laboured two years. Thence he removed to New-Mills. Here, for the first time such a thing happened on that ground, he remained three years. Probably, this may have been the most successful period of his ministry. At the commencement of the third year, he thus records the result of his labours, and those of his co-adjutors :-" Sept. 30th, 1824. When I came to this place, we had five hundred and forty members in Society; now, eight hundred and eighty-eight. The Circuit was £50 in debt; now, we have £21 in hand. Everything was then in an unsettled state; now we are harmonious. Yesterday there was what was never seen before in New-Mills,—a Superintendent holding his ninth Quarterly Meeting, and more present than had ever before attended." At the close of the three years he gratefully tells of uninterrupted "peace and prosperity."

Daventry was his next sphere of labour, where he remained one year. He was then appointed to North-Shields; and, soon after his arrival, he makes the following solemn and self-depreciating remarks: -"This day, Sept. 23d, 1826, I am forty years old. I ought to be much wiser, and more capable of usefulness, than I am. I feel deeply ashamed that so many years have passed, and I am but a novice still." During his second year, one of his colleagues was the Rev. J. P. Haswell; who, writing from the same place, March, 1862, bears the following gratifying testimony :-"It gives me pleasure to refer back thirtyfive years, to the time when we were colleagues in this very Circuit, and to call up the harmony, and oneness of purpose, with which we laboured to extend the work of Christ. Mr. Barlow was my Superintendent; but his condescending manner, and kindness of spirit, made his associates in the ministry feel that we were co-pastors. The staff of power was never seen. Few men could more effectively govern a Circuit, without the parade of authority; and yet in all his plans there was a transparency. He sought not concealment, he needed no crooked policy; but made it obvious, that we seek not yours, but you.' Taking counsel at all times with his fellow-labourers, he could always secure combined action. The friendship formed between us at that time, I am glad to think, suffered no interruption to the end of his life. I admired his humble spirit; his unobtrusiveness, combined with an unbending integrity."

In 1828, Mr. Barlow was stationed at Whitby, and honoured with the office of Chairman of the District. On occasion of his removing thither, about thirty of the Shields friends hired a steamer, and accompanied him to his new sphere. This appointment proved as happy and successful as the former one. Two circumstances of some interest are preserved in his records:" March 8th, 1830. I preached at Ugthorpe. The congregation was large. I met the class after the public service; and one young man stopped for the first time. He seemed much affected by what he had heard, and expressed his resolution to seek salvation." "Wednesday, March 31st. I had to preach in the old chapel, at Whitby. In the afternoon, I had been on board an emigrant vessel, which was to sail the next day for America. See