CHAPTER IX.

His self-denial-sympathy for the poor-gratitude for merciesearly rising-singular band-meeting-the best way of beginning the day-his conduct in the families he visited—Bolton -Ratcliffe Close-often abrupt in his manners—a genuine Wesleyan-an attempt to purchase him—his character as the head of a family—gives up business—preaching excursions— visits Rigton-providential supply-his public addressesdelight in his work-E. Brook, Esq-Denby Dale-prosperity of the work of God-a new chapel-Samuel visits Rockdale-rises superior to his exercises—takes a tour into different parts of Lancashire-great commercial distress-liberality of P.E. Towneley, Esq.-meeting for the relief of the poor-Samuel's return home-visits different parts of the York circuit -revival of religion-persecution.

As Samuel had obtained the grace which enabled him to "rejoice evermore," he seemed to create a paradise in every circle in which he moved. Whenever he was oppressed-which was rarely the case-it was either on account of the wants and miseries of others, or occasioned by an overwhelming sense of his own mercies. Thus, on being urged to take more food at table, he has been heard to say, in seasons of commercial and agricultural distress, "O no: I cannot take more, whilst I think of so many around me nearly starving for want of bread."

So, also, on being entertained out of the ordinary line, in the house of a friend, his gratitude, like the thermometer, rose to the highest point. He was at Pontefract during the bustle of an election, and was lodged in the house

of Mr. M. a member of the Society of Friends, whose family was strongly attached to Samuel. He was honoured with the best fare, the best room, and the best bed, the last of which was unusually high. On being asked the next day, how he liked his lodgings, he said, "Why, barn, I have been crying half the night; I never was in such a bed before; I had to take a chair to get into it. O how I wept ; for I thought my Lord never had such a bed as that." This was properly "the joy of grief." Samuel dwelt much upon his Saviour; the "servant" and the "Lord" afforded him some amazing contrasts, and drew forth the finest feelings of his soul.

But he had his "songs in the night,” and his morning carols, as well as his tears. "He was in the habit," Mr. Dawson observes, "of rising very early in the morning (about four o'clock), and of partially dressing himself, when he bowed his knees before his divine Father, praying first for the church in general, next for particular characters, and lastly for special cases. He then sung a verse of a hymn-retired to bed again—and after a short time arose, and begun the day with praise and prayer." The occasion of this systematic mode of proceeding is known to few. Samuel had a band-mate, with whom he met for some time, and to whom he was much endeared. Four o'clock in the morning was the hour of meeting; and this was selected, not only because of its tranquility, but because it prevented self-indulgence. His companion died, and he mourned his loss like the stock-dove, whose mate had just sat by his side on the same bough, and had dropped off through the hand of the fowler. The hour and the ordinance were held sacred by the

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survivor. He rose at the appointed time-sung -prayed-unfolded the secrets of his heart to God, as he was wont to do with his Christian friend-thus going regularly through the service, as though the dead were still alive, and by his side, holding converse with him. This is one of those mementos of Christian friendship, which rarely occurs in the same form; but while its singularity excites the surprise of some, its piety will secure the admiration of others, and amply atone for any peculiarity in its manner. Those only, perhaps, will indulge the laugh, who, nevertheless, have their anniversaries, &c., but support them in another way, by toasting each other over the maddening bowl, and cheering each other with the speech and the song, till they become objects of pity, rather than subjects for imitation.

This summary account of his matins, as given by Mr. Dawson, is exemplified by a particular case, as recorded by the family of P. Rothwell, Esq., of Sunning Hill, Bolton, in whose house Samuel at one time resided for the space of nearly three weeks. "He frequently rose," it is remarked, "in the night to pray. On one of those occasions he was heard singing a hymn, after which he pleaded with God, that he might enjoy a closer walk with Jesus, and his prayer was soon turned into praise. He repeated several times,

O that I could praise thee! O that I could praise thee, as I would !-but I shall praise thee again, when I pass over Jordan!, Glory! glory! glory!' He then prayed for his family, the family he was visiting, the church of God, and for the world at large. He appeared to feel much while pleading for sinners, and then was

borne away in transport for redeeming mercy. Some time after he rose from his knees, his language was, 'Glory! glory!" He has been known on some of these occasions, to indulge in a sublimity of thought of which at other times he was incapable, and which-taken in connexion with the whole man-would have fixed upon him, by some gifted beings, had they overheard him, much more appropriately than ever was applied to Goldsmith, the epithet of "an inspired idiot," and he would have stood a fair chance of being deified among the Mahomedans.

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Such a beginning was an excellent preparation for the duties, the exercises, and the mercies of the day; and it will generally be found, that its close will correspond with its commencement. The man who permits God to hear his voice in the morning, will not himself be silent, nor yet mourn an absent God in the evening. These morning communings" secured attention to "stated times" for retirement through the day, when he entered into his closet before his Father, who sees in secret, and rewards openly; and this is the secret of that charm which was thrown round his spirit and demeanour in social life. He came forth in the morning, like the sun from his chambers in the east-refreshed and refreshing. Happy in himself, he chased away melancholy from the soul, and lit up a sunshine in the countenances of those with whom he conversed. "No family," said a friend, in whose house he had been resident some weeks,"No family could be miserable with whom he lived, because he laboured to make every person around him happy." Mrs. Bealey, of Ratcliffe Close, near Bury, in Lancashire, a lady well

qualified to appreciate real worth, whether religious, moral, or intellectual, andunder whose hospitable roof Samuel was entertained nearly two months, observed to Mr. Dawson, "That he interested himself in the welfare of the whole family, as though he had been united to them by the tender ties of nature. He participated in all their pleasures, as well as increased them, and was rendered truly useful to the men and children employed in the works. He sympathized also with persons with whom he was acquainted, in their losses in cattle or trade, as though he had been the loser himself."

the love and joy within, which, as is remarked elsewhere by Mr. Dawson, "Gave a beam to his eye, a smile to his countenance, a tone to his voice, and an energy to his language, which melted and attracted every heart that came within the sphere of his influence."

This attractive influence was not always sudden, but it was rarely otherwise than certain. On his first visit to the residence of a gentleman in Lancashire, to whom till then he was personally unknown, he was directed to the house accidentally. He rode up to the door of that gentleman, and after having seen his horse put under the care of the servant, he entered the house, where he was introduced into the parlour. Without either letter or person to introduce him, and with no other passport than the connexion of the family with the Wesleyan body, he took his seat in the domestic circle, where he sat, unconscious as innocence or infancy, of any other prerequisite for social enjoyment, than the religion of his Saviour. The habits of the gentleman, and the society in which he moved, rendered