surrounded by galleries, and is capable of containing a congregation of several thousand persons.

Although much of the management of her chapels was vested by Lady Huntingdon in the committees appointed by her, she still retained considerable power in her own hands over those places. From time to time we find her addressing letters to the managers, as they were sometimes called, on the spiritual and temporal affairs of the congregations in connexion with her, directing the periods when collections should be made, and regulating the allowance for the maintenance of ministers. One of these letters will convey a just idea of the immensity of her labours, and the complicated nature of the machinery she was called to direct :

"To the respected Committee of Spafields Chapel.

"My worthy Friends,-You must allow me to assure you that the pleasure I had in reading the conclusion of your letter did abundantly outweigh those many complaints, and, I hope, needless fears, which our gracious Lord is forced to try us by, and that in order that we may see the only hand worthy to expect our blessing from, and yield him all the praise. More I want not than to find our Lord own our assemblies as his. No good thing shall be withheld while the Lord of Hosts remains the tender father of us his Israel, and will afford us our meal in due season. I thought the shortest way to explain my thoughts was sending them as communicated to the Norwich committee, and fully agreed to by those of Bath and Bristol. I lament a complaint should come on Mr. Taylor's account, and have sent a direction to provide for him from my own property, as no collection can be had at Tunbridge Wells, owing to the great poverty of the people. The income of an estate of mine has been ever freely given to support the Gospel in that part of Kent, with an allowance for the winter food of a student, as no minister can pay this out of what is received. Mr. Taylor cannot have more for his support for four months there than is allowed through all the churches; and in case of his absence, a minister is to be boarded by him, as is the student supported in part by the people all the winter. The purpose that is intended (and kindly so to me by you all) bears no proportion of difficulty to me, who only am the responsible person for the debt or deficiencies that may arise upon the chapel. I am still willing to trust my dear and faithful Master-he has dealt ever kindly by his poor old worthless servant, and I don't find I want a better bank to maintain food and raiment for me, or those proper and just supplies he shall afford for his various little household, which he orders or may order for my ignorant care of them. As to the minister's board, your allowance of two guineas a week just comes to what you have stated. As to a reader, we have no such example among us. The Gardens have one for the sake of the prayers when a student preaches, but no one minister has ever had a single difficulty; and, it appears to me, allowing the minister ten guineas who stays a

quarter with you, to find a reader if he likes, will be less expense than the burden of regularly maintaining one. Many choose to read the prayers; and I must say that the air of superiority and importance thus manifested has not that simplicity, that means neither show nor parade. The more apostolic we are, the better; and I must say, as a most remarkable blessing, I know of none anxious or discontented among us, even when it might justly have been excused, seeing myself unable to do what my heart so much desired. My best advice to you, is to be wisely cautious upon this point, and either collections or private subscriptions from honest and devoted hearts, privately applied to for this purpose (and this latter above all others to be preferred) as a little loan to the Lord, and not necessity, will go further to bless such means than the many affected shows supposed liberality wears. I am sure you expect a faithful answer from me, and such as I have give I unto you all.' Don't be careful about the household stuff-my dear Master will not let me want table and chairs. You see where all my cares are cast, and even will also well end. Commending your gracious labours (for this our best friend) to Him whose faithful and tender eye is ever over you; with many earnest prayers for that beloved flock you so care for, and this as for my unworthy soul; I remain, my worthy friends, your faithful, willing, and every-ready friend and devoted servant, "S. HUNTINGDON."

It is not the province of any historian to give the true history of her Ladyship's chapels; that great day, "for which all other days were made," will unfold the best history of those hallowed sanctuaries; for then it will be seen "that this and that man were born there." More than half a century has elapsed since the joyful sound of salvation was first heard within the walls of those highly-favoured temples of God. During that period many a perishing outcast has there found peace and pardon— many a wandering prodigal has there said, "I will arise and go to my Father"--many a mourner has there exchanged the spirit of heaviness for the garment of praise-and many a fainting believer has there found fresh strength, and been enabled to rejoice in the God of his salvation. Thousands of immortal souls have been redeemed from death and destruction by the powerful ministry of her Ladyship's chaplains; and, it is presumed, that there are but few of the many churches in London, and scarcely any in the eastern district of the vast metropolis, but have received members into Christian communion, who have, through the signal benediction of the Spirit, found these sanctuaries a directory to Him, "who is exalted as a Prince and a Saviour," and whose "blood cleanseth from all sin."

A man about to commit suicide was converted to peace by the preaching at Spafields; and one of the preachers met, in

Edinburgh, a young man, who accosted him, and said he had heard him preach there:

"Do you remember (said he) a note put up from an afflicted widow, begging the prayers of the congregation for the conversion of an ungodly son ?" "I do very well remember such a circumstance." "Sir (said he), I am the very person; and, wonderful to tell, the prayer was effectual. I was going on a frolic with some other abandoned young men one Sunday, through the Spafields, and, passing by the chapel, I was struck with its appearance, and hearing it was a Methodist chapel, we agreed to mingle with the crowd, and stop for a few minutes to laugh and mock at the preacher and people. We were but just entered the chapel, when you, Sir, read the note, requesting the prayers of the congregation for an afflicted widow's profligate son. I heard it with a sensation I cannot express. I was struck to the heart; and though I had no idea that I was the individual meant, I felt the bitterness of a widow's heart, who had a child as wicked as I knew myself to be.

"My mind was instantly solemnized, I could not laugh-my attention was riveted on the preacher. I heard his prayer and sermon with an impression very different from what had carried me into the chapel. From that moment the Gospel truths penetrated my heart; I joined the congregation; cried to God in Christ for mercy, and found peace in believing; became my mother's comfort, as I had long been her heavy cross; and, through grace, have ever since continued in the good ways of the Lord. An opening having lately been made for an advantageous settlement in my own country, I came hither with my excellent mother, and, for some time past, have endeavoured to dry up the widow's tears, which I had so oft caused to flow, and to be the comfort and support of her age, as I had been the torment and affliction of her former days. We live together in the enjoyment of every mercy, happy and thankful; and every day I acknowledge the kind hand of my Lord that ever led me to Spafields chapel."

In 1780 this chapel narrowly escaped being pulled down by the rioters, who came from Clerkenwell Bridewell, and supposing it still belonged to Mr. Maberly, who had incurred their displeasure, they were going to demolish it; but being informed of this mistake, and that it belonged to the Countess of Huntingdon, and one of them (who was afterwards executed at Newgate,) also observing to the rest, that the place should be spared, because his mother went thither, on these considerations they desisted from their mischievous designs.

The first sermon preached before the directors of the Missionary Society was delivered at Spafields chapel, by the Rev. Dr. Haweis. The Rev. David Jones, Rector of Langan, preached for the same society at Sion chapel; it was also at this place that the missionaries destined for the South Sea

Islands received their solemn designation. Dr. Haweis presided on that occasion. Dr. Hunter, in his usual strain of eloquence, delivered a most impressive discourse; Dr. Williams, of Rotherham, addressed the missionaries (twenty-nine in number), standing round the communion rails, in a most able and judicious charge; and the Rev. John Walker, one of the senior Fellows of the University of Dublin, closed the solemnity with a most scriptural prayer, and full of animated devotion, suited to the occasion, finishing with the usual benediction, "The peace of God," &c.; after which, the congregation rose and united in such a song of praise as, perhaps, was never before heardCaptain of thine enlisted host, Display thy glorious banner high."

66

CHAPTER XLV.

History of the Tabernacle at Norwich-Mr. Wheatley excluded the Methodist Connexion-Visits Norwich-Violent Persecution-Mr. Whitefield visits Norwich Remarkable Conversion-Lady Huntingdon's attention attracted to Norwich-The Wesleys-Mr. Charles Wesley-Mrs. Colonel Galatin— The Tabernacle opened by Mr. Whitefield-Colonel Galatin-Mr. Cudworth -Mr. Robert Robinson-Letters to Mr. Whitefield-Remarks on Mr. Robinson's character-Eccentricity—Mr. Madan Letter to him from Mr. Whitefield.

It has been observed, that when the friends of religion endeavour to reduce the annals of particular churches, with which they respectively stand connected, into distinct histories, they render a service which, when performed with diligence, and a rigid regard to historical verity, the religious public will not fail duly to appreciate.

In some cases success has crowned the diligent labours of the inquiring, while in numberless instances every attempt to rescue from the ravages of time some account of the origin and progress of religious societies, has proved fruitless. Disappointment is too often the reward of particular research.

The history of the Tabernacle at Norwich, like that of many other places in connexion with Lady Huntingdon, is involved in much obscurity. The first race of ministers were so actively and wholly employed in the grand object of their ministry, that they forgot to collect and preserve for the use of their successors,

a variety of important facts relative to the origin and early history of their respective churches. The fragments, collected by much patient investigation, are here thrown together, and rescued from oblivion.

The Rev. James Wheatley was admitted as a preacher by Mr. Wesley during the early struggle of Methodism, in 1742. He was esteemed a very popular preacher, and, in the prosecution of his labours, was called to endure many hardships and grievous sufferings for the sake of Christ. For many years he was a "burning and shining light"-but, alas! whilst stationed in Wiltshire, he was led away by the error of the wicked, and fell from his stedfastness. After a very minute investigation of the circumstances of his case, Mr. Wesley and his brother expelled him from the Connexion by the following note, dated June 25, 1751, which they afterwards found necessary to make public:

"Because you have wrought folly in Israel, grieved the Holy Spirit of God, betrayed your own soul into temptation and sin, and the souls of many others, whom you ought, at the peril of your own life, to have guarded against all sin; because you have given the enemies of God, whenever they shall know these things, cause to blaspheme the ways and truth of God; we can, therefore, in nowise receive you as a fellow-labourer, till we see clear proofs of your zeal and deep repentance: of this, you have given us no proof yet. You have not so much as named one single person, in all England or Ireland, with whom you behaved ill, except those we knew before.

"The least and lowest proof of such repentance which we can receive is this-That till our next Conference (which we hope will be in October), you abstain both from preaching and practising physic. If you do not, we are clear; we cannot answer for the consequence.

"JOHN WESLEY.
"CHARLES WEsley.”

This occurred in Bristol in 1751, after which Mr. Wheatley went to reside in the county of Norfolk. After a time, having evinced deep repentance for the errors he had been led into, he felt a strong desire to visit Norwich. He was unknown in the city. When he reached its gates, he gave the bridle to his horse, and was taken to one of the public inns, before the door of which he observed a soldier on guard, and discovering something serious in his appearance, inquired if he knew any religious people in the city. He was answered in the affirmative; and as soon as the soldier was relieved from duty, was taken to one of their houses. These people were designated by the ancient title of Puritans, and in them Mr. Wheatley discovered the character of Christ's disciples. Under the patronage of this despised company he commenced his labours. His first sermon was