Dr. Annesley.

Dr. Annesley, the father of Mr. Wesley's mother, one of the ejected Non-conformist ministers, was a remarkable instance of the directing Providence of God, through the whole of his life. He had in his infancy conceived a desire for the ministerial work; and not long after the death of his father, which event occurred when he was fot years of age only, he began the practice of reading twenty chapters in the holy scriptures daily, which he afterwards continued. Whilst very young, but after he had formed his resolution concerning the ministry, he dreamt that he was a clergyman, and that he was summoned to attend the Bishop of London to be burnt as a martyr. At the age of fifteen he entered Oxford, and took his degrees according to the usual course. 1644, he was ordained chaplain of the ship Globe, at that time commanded by the admiral. He made a voyage with the fleet; but having no fondness for a maritime life, he speedily retired from it, and was settled at Cliff, where he was at first most violently opposed—but his piety, forbearance, fortitude and perseverance surmounted every obstacle, and those who had threatened to stone him, separated from him upon his removal to London with tears and much affection.

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He was invited to London in 1652, was unanimously chosen to the parish of John the Apostle, became lecturer of St. Pauls-and in 1658 was called to Cripplegate. Subsequent to his ejectment, he suffered much for his non-conformity, but he continued stedfast: the Providence of God signally and frequently interposing for him; and one person was summoned to Heaven's dread tribunal, whilst signing the warrant to apprehend him. After a most exemplary life, he died as he had lived, in the full enjoyment of the favour of God, and in 1696 resigned his soul to his heavenly Father, leaving us a memoriał "how to live and how to die."

Mr. Samuel Wesley, senior.

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Mr. Samuel Wesley, the son of Mr. John Wesley, was not more than nine years of age at the time of his father's dissolution. He imbibed his prejudices against the dissenters at a very early age, and entered Exeter college Oxford, without having consulted any of his relations. At this time his fortune consisted of two pounds sixteen shillings; but by assisting the younger students-and instructing those who applied to him, he supported himself until he took his Bachelor's degree:—as soon as he had procured this testimonial he removed to London, his property having increased to ten pounds fifteen shillings. Here he was ordained Deacon, supplied a curacy during one year, and afterwards accepted of an appointment as chaplain in the fleet. He officiated on board twelve months, and then returned to London, where he obtained a curacy for two years, married, and was presented to a small living in the country, as a reward for some publications which had raised him into notice, and rendered him popular. Being a man of high church principles, and having been known by some publications against the dissenters which manifested much intolerance, he was requested by the friends of James II. to support the declaration in favour of popery, with promises of preferment but this he absolutely refused, and preached a bold sermon against the King's measures from the example of the children in the fiery furnace. Mr. Wesley was one of the first writers in defence of the revolution of 1688; he dedicated his work to Queen Mary, who soon after gave him the living of Epworth, Lincolnshire, to which was added in 1723 that of Wroote. He would have attained to some rank in the church through the influence of the Duke of Marlborough, had he not so virulently opposed the whigs at the beginning of Queen Anne's reign; but from this period it appears, that he

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perceived the evil tendency of his want of christian love, and applied himself entirely to his pastoral duties, and the studies immediately connected with them. This gentleman possessed considerable genius and erudition he was the author of a Latin commentary on the book of Job-the history of the Bible-the life of Christ, and some smaller pieces in verse. His piety was sterling and influential, and after a long and useful life, he died at Epworth in April, 1735. Charles Wesley related that event to his brother Samuel in a letter which merits insertion:

Dear Brother,

Mr.

After all your desire of seeing my father alive, you are at last assured you must see his face no more till he is raised in incorruption. You have reason to envy us who could attend him in the last stage of his illness. The few words he could utter I saved, and hope never to forget. Some of them were, "Nothing is too much to suffer for heaven. The weaker I am in body, the stronger and more sensible support I feel from God. There is but a step between me and death; to-morrow I would see you all with me round this table, that we may once more drink of the cup of blessing, before we drink it new in the kingdom of God. With desire have I desired to eat this passover with you before I die." The morning he was to communicate, he was so exceedingly weak and full of pain, that he could not without the utmost difficulty receive the elements, often repeating, "Thou shakest me, thou shakest me;" but immediately after receiving, there followed the most visible alteration. He appeared full of faith and peace, which extended even to his body; for he was so much better, that we almost hoped he would have recovered. The fear of death he entirely conquered, and at last gave up his latest human desires of finishing Job, paying his debts, and seeing you. He often laid his hand

upon my head, and said, "Be steady! The christian faith will surely revive in this kingdom; you shall see it, though I shall not." To my sister Emily he said, "Do not be concerned at my death, God will then begin to manifest himself to my family." When we were met about him, his usual expression was, "Now let me hear you talk of heaven." On my asking him whether he did not find himself worse, he replied, "O my Charles, I feel a great deal ; God chastens me with great pain, but I praise him for it, I thank him for it, I love him for it." On the 25th his voice failed him, and nature seemed completely spent, when on my brother's asking, whether he was not near heaven, he answered distinctly, and with the most of hope and triumph that could be expressed in sounds, "Yes I am." He spoke once more, just after my brother had used the commendatory prayer; his last words were, "Now you have done all !" This was about half an hour after six, from which time till sun-set, he made signs of offering up himself, till my brother again having used the commendatory prayer, the very moment on which it was finished, he expired. His passage was so smooth and sensible, that notwithstanding the stopping of his pulse, and the ceasing of all signs of life and motion, we continued over him a considerable time, in doubt whether the soul was departed or not. My mother, who for several days before he died, hardly ever went into his chamber but she was carried out again in a fit, was far less shocked at the news than we expected, and told us that now she was heard, in his having so easy a death, and her being so strengthened to bear it."

Mrs. Wesley.

Mrs. Wesley, the mother of Mr. John Wesley, was the daughter of Dr. Annesley, and some years younger than her husband. She enjoyed the privilege of a pious education, and early imbibed a reverence for religion;

before she was thirteen years of age, she had examined the controversy between the Dissenters and the Episcopacy—and immediately subsequent to that scrutiny, studied the evidences of natural and revealed religion with sedulous care. Although she always employed one hour in the morning and one in the evening in devotional exercises, unless prevented by sickness, or any insuperable engagement, no woman was more diligent or more attentive in her domestic duties. She had nineteen children, ten of whom grew up to be educated: this duty fell upon her, and it was impossible for the children to have had a better instructor: she had acquired some knowledge of the Latin and Greek languages in her youth, had read much, thought deeply, and in general very accurately on every part of natural and revealed religion, and on the common affairs of life: she had studied human nature well, and knew how to adapt her discourse either to youth or age; she had commenced in life with a determination to think and judge for herself, and not to be influenced by custom in matters of importance, unless when custom appeared to be founded in reason and truth. This principle governed her in the education of her children; disapproving of the common modes of governing and instructing youth, she adopted those methods which appeared to her to be the most rational and proper. Their rising, dressing, eating, exercise, and every thing which related to them was managed by rule, unless when sickness hindered. They were very early taught obedience to their parents, and to wait their decision in every thing which they were to have or to do. As soon as they could speak, they learnt the Lord's prayer, and were made to repeat it at rising and bed time constantly and as they grew bigger, they recited a short prayer for their parents, and some collects, a short catechism, and some portions of scripture, as their memories could bear them. They were early made to distinguish the sabbath from other days; and were

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