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    the most astonishing effects . Indeed , the early history of conversions to Methodism ,, affords some of the most striking examples on record of the wonderful effects terror and despair and hope , working on excited imaginations and strong feelings , can produce . Let me draw your attention ,, in the spirit of sober reason , and with no unbecoming ridicule , to the following extracts from Southey ' s Life of Wesley , vol . i . page 244 : —

    ' The paroxysms which Methodism excited , bad not appeared at Bristol under White field ' s preaching ; they became frequent after Wesley ' s arrival there . One day , after Wesley had expounded the fourth chapter of Acts , the persons present " called upon God to confirm his word . " Immediately , he adds , one that stood by , to our no small surprise , cried out aloud , with the utmost vehemence , even as if in the

    agonies of death ; but we continued in prayer till a new song was put in her mouthy a thanksgiving unto our God . Soon after , two other persons ( well known in this place as labouring to live in aU good conscience towards all men ) were seized with strong pain , and constrained to roar for the disquietness of their heart . But it was not long before they likewise burst forth into praise to God their Saviour . The last who called upon God , as out of the belly of hell , was a stranger in Bristol ; and in a short space lie also was overwhelmed with joy and Jove , knowing that God had healed his backslidings . So many living witnesses hath God given , that his hand is still stretched out to heal , and that signs and wonders are even now wrought by his holy child , Jesus . At another place , " a young man was suddenly seized with a violent trembling all over , and in a few minutes , the sorrows of his heart being enlarged , sunk down to the ground ; but we ceased not calling upon God , till he raised him up full of peace and joy in the Holy Ghost . " Preaching at Newgate , Wesley was led insensibly , he says , and without

    any previous design , to declare strongly and explicitly that God wilUth all men to be saved , and to pray that if this were not the truth of God , he would not suffer the blind to go out of the way ; but if it were , that he would bear witness to his word . " Immediately one , and another , and another , sunk to the eaith ; they dropt on eveiy side , as thunderstruck . "

    • A powerful doctrine , ' continues Mr . South ey , preached with passionate sincerity , with fervid zeal , and with vehement eloquence , produced a powerful effect upon weak minds , ardent feelings , and discordant fancies . These are passions which are as infectious as the plague , and fear itself is not more so than fanaticism . When once these affections were declared to be the work of grace , the process of regeneration , the throes of the new birth , a free license was proclaimed for every kind of extravagance . And when the preacher , instead of exhorting his auditors to commune with their own hearts , and in their chambers , and be stilly

    encouraged them to throw off all restraint , and abandon themselves before the congregation to these mixed sensations of mind and body , the consequences were what might be anticipated . Sometimes he scarcely began to speak , before some of his believers , over-wrought with expectation , fell into the crisis , sometimes his voice could scarcely be heard amid the groans and cries of these suffering and excited enthusiasts . '

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    The Diffusion of Knowledge amongst the People . 9

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Jan. 2, 1834, page 9, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2629/page/9/