in great peace. The mother had been a Methodist more than twenty-five years. She had lived an exemplary life, and in death witnessed a good confession. The son had been a member of society about one year. During the last eight months of his life his joy in God was very great, and he had faithfully and unceas ingly exhorted all who visited him, to seek the Lord, and live to his glory.

January 1, 1786, Mr. Benson observes, "My mind has been in a sweet and good frame all the day. O my God! let me indeed have a new year; a year of such communion with thee, and of such holiness and happiness, as I have never had! May I be more faithful and fruitful than ever!--more devoted to thee, and more diligent to do good to others."

CHAPTER VI.

The honest Quaker-Mr. Benson is successively appointed to Hull and Birmingham-Diary-Death of his youngest child-Sickness-Death of Mr. Wesley -Riots in Birmingham-Narrow escape-Removes to Manchester-Is instrumental in restoring peace at Liverpool-Strangers' Friend Society-Gracious answer to prayer-Thomas Case-Appointed to Bristol --Singular dream--Narrative of his journey to Wales, and signal success-Appointed to Leeds-Peace restored to society in Bristol.

In the evening of January 31, Mr. Benson received the following account of a Quaker at Falmouth :

"This man, unknown to his family and friends, had joined with some others in fitting

out a privateer to act against the French, whe allied themselves to the American States while at war with Great Britain. The privateer was successful; and when peace was concluded, there was a considerable dividend for the proprietors. The Quaker received his share among the rest; but his conscience reproaching him for what he had done, he considered himself guilty of robbery. About this time he was brought by affliction to the gates of death, which greatly increased his distress. He frequently exclaimed, 'Oh that ill-gotten money!' Neither his wife nor his friends knew what he meant. At length he resolved, that should the Lord raise him up, he would make restitution to the injured parties, if they could be found. The Lord did raise him up, and he sent his son to Paris with the sum, directing him to advertise in the Paris Gazette, that any persons who had suffered by such a privateer, upon coming and proving their losses, would be refunded in proportion to his share in the prizes. This was accordingly done, to the astonishment of all France."

On completing his term in the Sheffield circuit, Mr. Benson ascertained that the numbers in society had increased 350 during the two preceding years. He took leave of his warmhearted friends in Sheffield, and on the 25th of August, with his family, arrived at Hull, to which he had been appointed. He was received with that cordial affection for which the society there has been long remarkable.

Although Mr. Benson was not one of the earliest Methodist preachers, and consequently did not suffer the persecution which they endured, yet his situation was far from being an enviable one. He was obliged to travel much, and in all weathers; his accommodations in many places were very poor, and his labours were very great. He frequently preached three or four times on the Sabbath, and generally once or twice on every other day of the week; and for many years after he entered the ministry it was very common to preach in the open air. With a praiseworthy diligence and regularity he pursued his numerous and important labours; always availing himself of every opportunity to do good to his fellow creatures.

Of the conclusion of this year Mr. Benson says, "It being the last day of the year, we concluded it with a watch night. We continued the meeting till twelve o'clock, that we might introduce the new year. May it be spent to thy glory! I preached on, 'Account the long-suffering of our Lord, salvation.' May I be enabled to do so."

Mr. Benson preached in the Hull circuit one year, and was removed to Birmingham. Upon the commencement of his labours on his new circuit, he resolved to make "full proof of his ministry." Nearly the same amount of labour was required as in former years. His religious state was very encouraging.

In February, 1790, he remarked, "O that

I could more fully believe the Lord's promises, and obey his commands, that, like Abraham, I may go out, though, in some sense, not knowing whither I go. O that by faith I may sojourn on earth as in a strange country, and continually look for a city which hath foundations! Lord, help me by thy grace, and endue me more and more with a spiritual mind!"

On the 13th of August Mr. Benson's youngest child died. It had suffered extremely for about ten weeks, and was reduced to a mere skeleton. On this occasion he wrote, "I find much thankfulness to the Lord that he has released it from its misery, and taken it to himself. We have now two children, a son and a daughter, in glory. May the Lord give his grace to them that are still graciously

left us."

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During the last days of November, Mr. Benson suffered much from a very painful complaint to which he had been subject for several years. My disease," he says, "has increased much this week. I have suffered much pain, but have been able to preach a little, and to go through the duties of my office. At times I have found great nearness to the Lord in prayer, especially in secret; and my mind has been drawn out to cry to him for support under this affliction, and to bless it to my profit.

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Dec. 26.-I have been so ill as to be unable to preach either yesterday or to-day. Indeed, for some days I have hardly been able to read or write, my pain has been so

great and so constant, and frequently I have not been able to close my eyes all night. May the Lord of his infinite mercy support me under this painful and trying disorder.

"Jan. 23, 1791.-I have been exceedingly ill for a fortnight past; hardly able to walk, or stand, or sit, or even lie. My pain has sometimes been most excruciating for hours. Hitherto the Lord has supported me. May he continue to support me; and O that he may sanctify this dispensation, so as to make it a lasting blessing to myself and family."

In the course of a few weeks he recovered his usual health, and resumed his customary labours.

Mr. Wesley, who under God was the founder of the Methodist societies, and who may justly be regarded as one of the greatest and best of men that has ever lived, died in the full triumph of faith, on the 2d of March, 1791, aged eightyeight years. Intelligence of his death reached -Mr. Benson on the day following. On referring to it, he says, "May the Lord sanctify the stroke, and make it a blessing to the numerous societies that were in connection with him! Alas! how soon is a life of eighty-eight years over! and how certain it is, that there is no wisdom but in living to God!"

On the 13th of March Mr. Benson delivered a discourse on the death of Mr. Wesley. His text was in 2 Kings ii, 12, "My father! my father! the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof!" Many hundreds came to hear