on his return to Ireland remained some time in Dublin, having some affairs relative to her Ladyship's chapel to arrange.

A student of the Countess, afterwards the Rev. Edward Burn, minister of St. Mary's, Birmingham, was a native of Ireland, and was now sent to relieve Mr. Hawkesworth, whose mind began to waver as to his longer continuance in Ireland. From the period of his first admission at Trevecca he became a remarkable favourite with Lady Huntingdon, who esteemed him very highly for his work's sake, his many estimable qualities, his unflinching integrity, and eminent devotedness to the cause of God. From the tenor of her Ladyship's correspondence with him, it is very obvious that she was at all times extremely anxious to see him usefully settled in England, but did not see that Providence called him to quit a post of such importance. His abilities and zeal suited the station in which he was placednowhere could he hope to be more usefully employed—a divine unction was upon his own soul and on his ministrations; but, above all, his removal would have left a vacancy, which there was no hope to supply alike to the good of man and the glory of God. In the following letter we find her Ladyship's sentiments on this head fully detailed: though anxious for his removal, she still "thought the Lord had not yet given him a discharge from the pastoral charge of the people in Dublin." The letter, which is highly important, is dated College, October 21, 1781:

"My highly esteemed Friend,-Not having heard from you so long, and my bad health, with multiplied business, and daily increasing trials, filling my time with cares and my heart with fears, grief, &c., I wanted opportunity to write so fully as my wishes even dispose me to you. However, through all opposition the devil or wicked men can make here, I yet am a poor worm, ready to be crushed every moment, yet reviving afresh to fight the Lord's battles, and standing with heed to glory in tribulation: and under all such wonderful displays of the Lord's power, and the increasing blessing upon the work, that I often say my ingratitude is so base that a single murmur for anything I suffer might justly bring a blast upon the work; so glorious does our dear and faithful High-priest show himself out of Zion in such perfect. beauty. Thousands are added to the Churches of England and Wales continually. O that the Lord could make your way clear to come among us. So tried have I been by the various disappointments of those, from time to time, I have wished to have found faithful to serve for you, that I have even fainted in my spirit; and I think till I know they are in the ship, and hardly then, shall my evil heart believe but I shall still meet the cross.

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The College is full, and yet such amazing calls they are dragged out by the people, that we live ever in want, I do beg a line to let

me know the light you have upon your continuance, or your wishes to be removed. I have thought that the Lord had not yet given your discharge to these people, and that the trials I have met with on this account were to reprove my selfish wants of you in various parts of the work. And, alas! when I see you standing alone through every difficulty, I think this is the heart of faithfulness to the people, and the day of trial may be at hand, when these poor souls might be tossed and not comforted, unless so supported; and I see nothing for myself or others, but bearing and enduring all things for Christ and his elect's sake, that is worth living for or doing upon earth-all is alike misery, and just so far as the eye is kept single, and the heart faithful, to behold that Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, and that even poor I, shall not be plucked out of his hands. Come life, come death, come devils, men, or all their hosts of infernal legions, yet the last moments will be so sweet as to make good amends for all my sorrows, and hell groan for its hopeless prospect of one of its deserved companions. But let us take courage, my excellent friend, almighty strength is ours, it is all engaged to defeat the devil's purposes; and that one thought makes me face all dangers, as sure to make a fool as well as a devil of him in the end. I think I see him bruised under my feet, begging hard for life, but I have found him a father of lies, and the Lord shall give him his death's blow, and my soul triumph in the Lord strength.

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Farewell, my worthy friend. Let me soon hear from you. Your name is loved and honoured in this College to this day; but of none more than your ever faithful and truly devoted friend,

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S. HUNTINGDON."

Mr. Hawkesworth's marriage with Miss Mollar, sister of the late Andrew Mollar, Esq., a worthy member of the Moravian Church, brought Mr. Hawkesworth in close connexion with the United Brethren; and about the beginning of the year 1782 he withdrew from the Connexion of his kind and noble patroness, and joined the Moravian Church. This change greatly distressed the venerable Countess, who foresaw in this circumstance the departure of his ministerial usefulness. Her Ladyship deeply felt this trial, and made several ineffectual efforts to induce him to retrace the steps he had taken. On his return to England he settled at Wem, in Shropshire, where he had formerly laboured in the chapel built by Mr. Henshaw, and supplied for many years by the students from Trevecca. After some time he removed to Fulneck, in Yorkshire, and from thence to London. Whilst there he withdrew from the Church of the United Brethren, and retired to Horsley, in Gloucestershire, where he ended his days in peace, in the year 1810.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

Mr. Edward Smyth-Mr. William Smyth-Remarkable Conversion of Mrs. Smyth-Romaine and Garrick-Persecution of Mr. Smyth-Mr. Smyth's Family—Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher-Lady Mary Fitzgerald—Dr. Peckwell visits Dublin Letter from Dr. Peckwell-Magdalen Chapel-Lady Moira and Lady Arabella Denny-Letter from Lady Moira-Mr. Skelton-Mr. Stephens -Death of Dr. Peckwell-Account of his Family-Mr. Shirley supplies Lady Huntingdon's Chapel-Death of Mr. Shirley-Hymns written by him -Mr. Boddeley-Bethesda Chapel-Mr. Timothy Priestly-Anecdote of Miss Ford Sir William Hamilton- Mr. Wesley visits Dublin-Evangelical Society-Mr. Rowland Hill and other Ministers visit Ireland—Mr. Wildbore Mr. Ball--Mr. Garie-Chapel at Sligo-Persecution Dr. Povah.

IT was now that the Rev. Edward Smyth* commenced his ministry in Dublin, as curate of one of the city churches. The Lord, who is rich in mercy, early began to thwart Mr. Smyth's worldly prospects and scenes of happiness, by the sudden and unexpected death of his uncle, the Archbishop of Dublin, in 1772, without considering him in his will, at a time when he had intended to have given him the first living that dropped. This sudden change of his worldly prospects caused Mr. Smyth to look out for a curacy: one presented itself, which seemed very advantageously situated, being on the estate of a near relation, of very considerable fortune, who made him very kind offers, if he would accept of it, telling him, at the same time, he would procure him the chaplaincies of the different regiments that should be quartered there. But God, who

moves in a mysterious way,

His wonders to perform,"

frustrated this intention, by a clergyman offering to resign his curacy in Dublin to Mr. Smyth, which Mrs. Higginson's fond affection for her daughter, Mrs. Smyth, prompted him to accept, as his mother-in-law feared if they removed to a greater dis

He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, where he took his A. B. degree. His father was Archdeacon of Glendalough, being a younger brother of Dr. Thomas Smyth, Bishop of Limerick, by a daughter of Dr. Ulysses Burgh, Bishop of Ardagh, to which most ancient see he was appointed (by William and Mary), in 1692, in which year he died, when the see was united to that of Dromore. Mr. Smyth was cousin of the then Bishop of Down and Connor, and nephew to Dr. Arthur Smyth, Archbishop of Dublin, who died in 1772, to whose memory a magnificent monument, executed by Van Nort, was erected in St. Patrick's Cathedral, with a beautiful inscription from the pen of his intimate friend, Dr. Lowth, Bishop of Lincoln.

tance she might never see them more. Mr. Smyth had reason to bless God for his removal to Dublin; for at the house of his eldest brother, William Smyth, Esq., he first met many excellent Christian people, usually stigmatized as Methodists, and frequently had opportunities of meeting and hearing the ministers in Lady Huntingdon's and Mr. Wesley's Connexions. At first he thought it very strange and unlawful that they should preach without being sent according to the form of the Church of England; and very much disapproved of some parts of their doctrine. His prejudices, however, gradually subsided; he had frequent conversations with Mr. Shirley and Mr. Hawkesworth, his mind became deeply impressed with a sense of divine truth, and he soon broke through every trainmel and boldly proclaimed the glad tidings of salvation.

The brother of Mr. Smyth was very conspicuous at this time, from the prominent part which he took in all that concerned the advancement of divine truth. He was a man of fortune, and his residence was the resort of people of every name and denomination who loved the Lord. He was the friend of all good men, and the liberal supporter of every scheme for the diffusion of that name which he loved and honoured. Frequent mention of him occurs in the correspondence of Lady Huntingdon and Mrs. Paul.

Events of the last importance arise from causes apparently insignificant. The links of the chain of providence are wonderfully connected an infidel ridicules-a believer admires and adores. The circumstances connected with the conversion of Mr. and Mrs. William Smyth, and the unspeakable benefits which resulted from it, not only to many of their own immediate family, but to hundreds besides, are of a nature so singular, and so calculated to bring glory to the God of all grace, that we cannot omit the mention of them in this place. Shortly after the marriage of Mr. Smyth, it was announced in the public papers that Mr. Garrick was to take a final leave of the stage in the month of June, 1776. Mrs. Smyth, who was a passionate admirer of theatrical representations, expressed an ardent desire to witness the last acting of this celebrated man. Mr. Smyth said much to divert her attention from this point, but in vain. As it was inconvenient to leave Ireland at that time, Mr. Smyth requested

The late Mrs. Hannah More was in London at this period, and had been introduced to the notice of Mr. Garrick, whose curiosity was great to see and converse with her. His career was drawing to a close, which inflamed her eager desire to hear Shakspeare speaking in the person of that consummate actor. It was afterwards Mr. Garrick's delight to introduce Miss More to the best and most gifted of his acquaintance.

his brother, Colonel Smyth, to accompany his lady to London. On their arrival they made immediate application for places, but none could be obtained. What then was to be done? Colonel Smyth recollected a former intimacy with the Duchess of Leeds her Grace was all condescension, and readily invited Mrs. Smyth to accompany her to the theatre. Every wish was now on the eve of being gratified; Garrick took his leave of the stage, and Mrs. Smyth became the guest of the Duchess of Leeds during the remainder of her stay in London.

Mr. Romaine was at this period in the zenith of his popularity through the interest and persevering conduct of the late John Thornton, Esq., he had been elected and finally inducted to the living of St. Anne's, Blackfriars. Here his ministry was attended by amazing multitudes, and if we were desired to write a panegyric on the memory of that venerable man, we would studiously collect a complete register of the ministers and people converted by his preaching, now living or gone to their eternal rest. The names and anecdotes attending them would fill volumes, and perhaps not unprofitably.

Hearing of the immense crowds that attended his ministry, and the astonishing effects produced by his preaching, Mrs. Smyth expressed a strong desire to hear a man so singular and so renowned. The fashionable circle by whom she was surrounded were unanimous in their reprobation of the man and the doctrines he promulgated. In vain it was urged that he was a Methodist-an enthusiast-one whom it was improper for her to hear--and that to procure admittance to a place so crowded was utterly impracticable. Mrs. Smyth had been gratified in seeing Mr. Garrick, and in mingling with the immense crowd that witnessed his last acting. The more Mr. Romaine was reprobated, and the greater the difficulty of obtaining admission to the church, the more urgent was Mrs. Smyth to hear him nothing could deter her, and go she would, in defiance of every remonstrance. Mr. Romaine preached from that remarkable passage in the 90th Psalm-"Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath." There the Lord met Mrs. Smyth with the blessings of his grace; and she was led to a happy acquaintance with the great deep of corruption in a heart deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Mr. Smyth's state of mind was little short of derangement. With the utmost anxiety he hastened to London: Mrs. Smyth explained the change that had taken place in her principles and feelings, and the abandonment of all her former notions of religion. Mr. Smyth was overwhelmed with surprise, but agreed to accompany her to hear Mr. Romaine, and judge