on which he determined he never deviated: the two first days of the week were devoted to the Greek and Roman Classics, Historians and Poets-Wednesday to Logic and Ethics-Thursday to Hebrew and Arabic-Friday to Metaphysics and Natural Philosophy-Saturday to Oratory and Poetry, chiefly composition-and the Lord's Day to Divinity. The time which was not included in this course, was dedicated to the French language and the perusal of modern authors in every department of literature. Mr. Wesley to oblige his Father, and to aid in the performance of his pastoral duties, quitted Oxford on the 4th of August 1727, and continued at Epworth and Wroote until July 1728-He proceeded to Oxford by London, and on the 22nd of September, was ordained Priest by Dr. Potter. On the 1st of October he left the University and resided with his Father until June 1729. At this time, his brother Charles, Mr. Morgan, &c. formed a little society to assist each other in their studies, and to consult on the most advantageous methods of employing their time. Whilst in Oxford Mr. John Wesley assembled with them constantly— but in August he revisited Wroote; whence he was recalled by an ordinance of the university, which rendered his presence at the college adviseable; he arrived there in November.

Immediately after his return he became Tutor, and presided in the hall six times weekly, as Moderator in the disputations. In his former character, he evinced that discipline which was one of his excellencies; whilst anxious to improve his pupils, he was scrupulous of their morals, and exacted the performance of the duties which he enjoined, with a strictness altogether unprecedented in the university.

Mr. Charles Wesley had been an indefatigable student during the whole time that his brother was absent; and for some months whilst Mr. John Wesley supplied at

Wroote, in conjunction with two or three young collegians had received the Lord's Supper weekly. The regularity of all their studies and employments procured that body the name of Methodists before Mr. John Wesley was summoned from Lincolnshire: he states the circumstance thus: "The exact regularity of their lives as well as studies, occasioned a young gentleman of Christ-Church to say, here is a new set of Methodists sprung up; alluding to some ancient Physicians who were so called. The name was new and quaint; so it took immediately, and the Methodists were known all over the university." Their meetings however were reduced to no order and precision until Mr. Wesley's constant residence at the college: then his history commences: "In November 1729, four young gentlemen of Oxford, Mr. John Wesley, Fellow of Lincoln-College; Mr. Charles Wesley, Student of Christ-Church; Mr. Morgan, Commoner of Christ-Church; and Mr. Kirkman, of Merton-College, began to spend some evenings in a week together, in reading chiefly the Greek Testament. The next year two or three of Mr. John Wesley's pupils desired the liberty of meeting with them and one of Mr. Charles Wesley's pupils.It was in 1732, that Mr. Ingham of Queen's-College, and Mr. Broughton of Exeter were added to their number. To these in April, was joined Mr. Clayton of Brazen-Nose, with two or three of his pupils. About the same time, Mr. James Hervey was permitted to meet with them, and afterwards Mr. Whitefield."

The books before alluded to produced no slight alteration in Mr. Wesley. He says, "he began to alter the form of his conversation, and to set out in earnest upon a new life." The value of time was more apparent to him; the folly of trifling acquaintance, and the necessity of discarding it was clearly displayed; the propriety of a closer application to his studies was indisputable-his

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watchfulness against actual sin was regular, and his advice to others to live according to the gospel model was affectionately given, at all times, and to all those who dwelt within the circle in which he moved. For this conduct he was reproached with fanaticism; the Lord grant that all mankind may speedily become such fanatics!

The society to which he belonged-added to their unusual deportment-to their regularity of life, and to their frequent meetings, a more diffused usefulness.This was commenced by Mr. Morgan, at that time the most active of the body-they visited the sick, and the prisoners in the castle; raised a fund for the relief of the poor; and evinced so much diligence in obeying the ordinances of Christ-and so much industry in following his example, by going about doing good, that the scoffers in the university soon distinguished them by the name of the Godly Club.

Mr. Wesley and his associates abridged themselves of every superfluity, and even of some of the necessaries of life-and being aided by some gentlemen to whom they proposed their charitable objects—their fund was increased to nearly eighty pounds per year. They observed the fasts of the ancient church, communicated weekly, and became more strictly attentive to the duties of religion, until their conduct was censured in the university-the young men ridiculing, and the seniors opposing them. One gentleman threatened his nephew to discard him from his house, if he attended their meetings—but finding this ineffectual, he shook him by the throat, and not until he besought him with great condescension, could he prevail upon him to attend on the sixth Sabbath only-which he ever after continued.

Measures were now adopted to induce them to relax their strictness and godly deportment, which were the greatest possible libel upon the majority of the residents

in the university. It was reported that the censors of the college were about to blow up the Godly Club :this circumstance actuated Mr. Wesley, as the opposition to their measures assumed a serious aspect-to consult his father and some other gentlemen of piety and learning, upon the propriety of their conduct-and what ought to be their future steps? The answers which they received were of the most flattering kind--they were exhorted to be stedfast in their mode of life, and to continue in the performance of their useful duties.

The first letter from his father is dated September 21,

1730.

"As to your own designs and employments, what can I say less of them than valde probo; and that I have the highest reason to bless God, that he has given me two sons together at Oxford, to whom he has given grace and courage to turn the war against the world and the Devil, which is the best way to conquer them. Go on then in God's name in the path to which your Saviour has directed you. Walk as prudently as you can, though not fearfully, and my heart and prayers are 'with you."

The second letter was written on December 1st.

"This day I received both yours, and this evening, in the course of our reading, I thought I found an answer that would be more proper than any I myself could dictate; "Great is my glorying of you. I am filled with comfort." On the present view of your actitions and designs, my daily prayers are that God would keep you humble and then I am sure that if you continue to suffer for righteousness sake, though it be but in a lower degree, the Spirit of God and of glory shall in some good measure rest upon you. And you cannot but feel such a satisfaction in your own minds as you would not part with for all the world.-Be never weary

of well-doing: never look back, for you know the prize and the crown are before you: be not high-minded, but fear. Preserve an equal temper of mind under whatever treatment you meet with, from not a very just or good-natured world. Bear no more sail than necessary; but steer steady. The less you value yourselves for these unfashionable duties, the more all good and wise men will value you; or, which is infinitely more, he by whom actions and intentions are weighed, will both accept, esteem, and reward you.

"I hear my son John has the honour of being styled the Father of the Holy Club: if it be so, I am sure I must be the Grand-father of it; and I need not say, that I had rather any of my sons should be so dignified and distinguished, than to have the title of His Holi

ness.

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The bishop of Oxford and the officiating minister at the Castle Mr. Gerald, sanctioned their proceedings.— A clergyman of great wisdom and piety was appealed to, and his answer was such as to confirm them in the path in which they had begun to walk.-Mr. Wesley senior when an under graduate at Oxford, had frequently visited the prisoners at the Castle with the same benevolent intentions. Samuel Wesley the brother, in his reply to the application made to him, says, think you are now in that state, wherein he who is not for you is against you. I do not know how often you meet together, yet I would rather straiten than slacken the string now, if it might be done without breaking. I cannot say, I thought you always, in every thing right; but I must now say that rather than you and Charles should give over your whole course, especially what relates to the prisoners in the Castle, I would chuse to follow either of you, -nay both of you to your graves.

"I cannot advise you better than in the words which I proposed as a motto to a pamphlet. "Stand thou