visible to his view, as he confidently believed and averred, in order to damp his ardour, and terrify him from his exercises, both by night and by day. But such was his holy boldness and the firmness of his faith, that this only caused him to wax warmer in zeal, and believe more firmly and joyously that the object of his suit would be granted. And thus armed by "the power of God, and the armour of righteousness on the right hand, and on the left," he came forth to his public work, in the great congregation, or in pastoral visitation from house to house, like a giant, superior to every opposing power of earth or hell. Mountains of obstacles melted at his feet; and the word he ministered, in his own peculiar way, almost invariably proved itself to be "mighty through God, to the pulling down of strong-holds, and every imagination that exalted itself against" its triumphant progress. Wherever he laboured he had ample scope for his pious zeal and indomitable exertions in the very large audiences that constantly attended his ministrations, not a few of whom were attracted by reports of his eccentricities, while numbers of pious and zealous members of other churches, as well as of his own community, rallied around him to aid him in his toils. And while he prayed and preached in faith, aided by the mighty power of God, and the well-sustained praying efforts of persons of deep piety and energetic zeal, sinners quailed under his ministrations, both young and old, rich and poor, wise and unwise, persecutors, and other base persons, so that he frequently had to cut short his discourse, which, by the way, was neither very difficult nor distasteful to him, to assist the broken-hearted in their penitential cries to the Physician of souls for pardon and purity; and but rarely did the battle subside till a goodly number had been made the happy recipients of the blessings they supplicated.

This we ourselves have witnessed on many occasions; and his own published journals in the magazine, as well as accounts given by other parties, detailed these interesting events at the time, to the honour of God and the high gratification of the church. And recollecting that his evangelical labours extended over a considerable number of years, were spread over a considerable portion of the north of England, and that almost invariable success attended his ministrations, there is no fear of exceeding the truth if we affirm that he was the honoured instrument of the conversion of several thousands of precious souls to Christ, and their addition to the militant and triumphant church. Not only was our own community largely augmented in numbers by his labours, but other denominations reaped largely of the fruit. There can be no doubt that he was "a man for the times" in the church of Christ in this country. The raising of the Primitive Methodist connexion about that time seemed to require agents of the type of John Oxtoby, Thomas Wedgwood, and William Braithwaite, who, though possessing cer

tain eccentric peculiarities, were endowed with graces and gifts which exactly fitted them for the exigencies of the times, and the realisation of the glorious "purposes of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will." These special agencies, with not a few others, identified with the formation and development of Primitive Methodism, under the authority and guidance of the Supreme Head of the church, have laid all succeeding generations and ages under obligation to their pious zeal and indomitable courage. No other class of men could have done their specific work, therefore they were made both able and "willing in the day of divine power." But let us here guard ourselves. We spurn the most distant idea of idolizing these "servants of the Most High God," or giving to them the honour that belongs to God alone. And the writer would add, from personal and intimate knowledge of John Oxtoby, that no man was ever more jealous of the honour of God than he; nor could any person entertain more humble and consistent views of his own personal insufficiency for any good work than he invariably did. Of course he was not backward to speak in public of the great things God had wrought by him; but this was done in such a way as to afford encouragement to the church, or to induce the timid penitent, or believer, to venture at once on the atonement of Christ and the promises of the Gospel, but never in such a spirit and manner as to betray vanity or self-importance. But it may possibly be asked by some, are not persons of his class frequently irregular in their movements, so as to partially override or supersede the regular ministry, and therefore produce disorder in the church ordinances and government? Our reply to this is, that doubtless this has been the case in some instances of recent date; but touching the subject of our sketch, it is quite inapplicable. Almost from his very first connection with our people, to the time of his decease, he was a regularly stationed itinerant preacher. We do, however, remember him saying that he thought some of his official removals from station to station were not in accordance with what he regarded as the indication of the Divine will; but he invariably obeyed official appointments, though sometimes with regret. If the good work was prosperous in his sphere of labour, and especially where he had a people to co-operate with him, who deeply sympathised with him in his pious enterprises, and aided him stoutly in his indefatigable efforts to extend the blessings of the Gospel, as was remarkably the case in Weardale and some other neighbouring places, most naturally and innocently, we submit, did he feel loth to leave them. This trait, and some other facts before mentioned, will be verified by the following extracts from a letter to the writer, subsequent to my removal from Weardale.

"Westgate, June 25th, 1825. "MY DEAR BROTHER GEORGE,-I received your letter, and I was glad to hear that you had conquered Satan. My brother, you may expect great conflicts from the powers of darkness; but remember him that is for you, is stronger than all that can be against you. Take this for your comfort, God has promised to stand by you: fear not, believe. Only you must not think to look at your frames or feelings. You will remember you are young, and you will have to resist, not only against flesh and blood, but against principalities, and spiritual wickedness in high places. You must stand in faith what I mean is, whether you feel it (the conscious happiness arising from holiness of heart) or not, every moment believe, whether you feel it or not, and tell the Lord you do believe. You will find it hard work to believe, but it is your duty to believe. I know you are right, go on in the name of the Lord, and neither mind earth or hell. You must not suppose that by being holy, you will be the less tempted (by the enemy): the more you live to God, and the more useful you are, the powers of hell will fight against you. Take courage, my brother, and you will conquer through him that loved you. The more I live to God, the more I am tempted (of Satan) myself. Some preachers may think that they will get out of the gunshot of the devil, but they will find their mistake out. George, live more to God, and you and I shall do well. I am removed to London; it seems to be a mysterious providence. I will pray for you, and you must pray for me. Give my kind love to and all enquiring friends. . I am in a hurry, like you when you left Westgate. No more at present. Your brother in Christ, JOHN OXTOBY."

This is a genuine specimen of John's epistolary correspondence with his many dear absent Christian friends and colleagues in the ministry-of course I have corrected the orthography and punctuation of the original-and, by the way, it discovers what pains and perseverance had enabled him to accomplish, in his mature years, to supply the lack of early education. Nor does it reflect less credit on the tender developments of his social nature, under the sanctifying influence of exalted piety.

But, before closing this sketch, it is incumbent on us to advert to the extraordinary manner in which his prayers were often answered. Inasmuch as he made it a point of duty, "in everything, by prayer and supplication, to let his requests be made known unto God," and invariably pressed his suit in the exercise of vigorous faith in the goodness and power of Jehovah, it might be expected that signal success would crown his efforts, at least occasionally. And we are enabled, from personal knowledge, as well as reliable testimony, to state that these cases, with him, were not rare, but of frequent occurrence. Not only were sick

persons restored almost miraculously, but some, whose minds were seriously disordered, if not actually possessed with infernal spirits, were restored to their "right_mind," and brought to sit at the feet of Christ, as humble and devout Christians. And what vast numbers, whose mental anguish under the pains of contrition for sins, almost overwhelmed them in despair, in answer to his prevalent intercessions, were suddenly or otherwise delivered from their torments and griefs, and enabled to rejoice in Christ, with "joy unspeakable and full of glory," Christian believers also, who through severe temptations, domestic afflictions, or fierce persecutions, were brought into deep troubles, alike shared the "wondrous power" of his "faithful prayers," and were delivered from their adversities. Especially did he deeply sympathise with those who were "persecuted for righteousness' sake," by those of their own households. Nor was he in the least backward to grapple, morally, with the most desperate characters; and had no greater pleasure than to pray down upon them such a mighty influence, as in many cases brought them to humble penitence for their sins, and, to the great relief and joy of all concerned, to a radical and permanent change of heart and life.-See Primitive Methodist Magazine for 1825.

Let it be recollected, however, that although we hold him to be "great in the sight of the Lord," and also in the sight of men, we do not claim for him infallibility: he was but a man after all, and no one was more sensible of his frailty than himself. Objectionable eccentricities of manner were occasionally seen in his social deportment; nor could his best friends always see eye to eye with him, in things indifferent. But in all that concerned the truth and honour of God, or the integrity of the Christian life, no man could be more upright and conscientious. Hence, in no measured terms did he often, both in the pulpit and in social converse, expose and condemn the inconsistencies of some professors of religion. On these occasions, it was difficult sometimes to maintain due gravity, in presence of his characteristic descriptions of religious imposture or hypocrisy. Accordingly, all such persons who came under his withering censures, if they did not repent and reform, made no secret of their bitter hatred to him; but in vain attempted to fasten any reproach upon his character or his work. At length the pressure of age, and the arduous and continuous toils of his extraordinary ministry for a number of years, shook down his naturally robust frame, and compelled him to desist from his beloved work. Yes, he had finished the work his Lord and Master had given him to do. Faithfully had he served him, the Connexion which he honoured and loved, and the men of his generation whom he lived to bless and to save, both in a private and public capacity, during a rather lengthy life.

Р

And not long was he kept waiting at the margin of life, before his "Master in heaven" relieved him from his post, and bid him welcome to his heavenly and eternal rest, where he would undoubtedly be joyously greeted by many whom he had been instrumental in saving from the second death; and where he has since been joined, and will yet be joined by many more, who will be "the crown of his rejoicing in the day of Christ." He and the few others of his type have left the scene of their toils and triumphs; and perhaps some may ask, as a sequel, "and where are their successors?" Yes, we also say, where are they? and find no difficulty or hesitation in making answer thus: "not yet brought on to the stage of action in the Church, nor do we just now deem it our duty to regret it." Had they still been essential to the requirements of the Church, and the purposes of "the only wise God," they doubtless would have been brought forward. And we cannot hesitate to believe that, as soon as there is again special work to be done in the Church, and for the weal of the world, the Sovereign of heaven and earth, who designs ultimately to "subdue all things to his Son," will confer the necessary graces and gifts on individuals of appropriate natural capabilities; and the Church again shall see, in addition to the ordinary triumphs of truth and grace, by the ordinary ministrations, " signs and wonders wrought in the name, and by the power of Jesus," till "he shall reign from sea to sea, and from the rivers to the ends of the earth."

ART. IV. SERMONIZING.*

G. W. A.

Y YOUNG BRETHREN,-You are separated from secular

devote wholly to

ministry of the gospel. Preaching the gospel is now the main work of your life-that to which everything else must be regarded as subordinate. Numerous other duties fall within your sphere, some of them sufficiently important, and whatever presses upon you as duty must be conscientiously observed. But preaching the gospel is the cardinal, the all-important business to which you must give heed. You may probably fall in with persons who will counsel you otherwise, who will say, "Be good visitors, be good disciplinarians, and then it matters the less what sort of preachers you be." Heed not this sort of talk. No doubt attention to pastoral visitation and church discipline is of importance in itself, and it is of special importance amongst the class of people with whom you have chiefly to do; so that you must not understand me as wishing to throw disparagement on either pastoral visitation or church discipline. Still I would have it deeply impressed upon

[An Address delivered to the young preachers of the Sunderland District Association, May, 1865.-ED.]